AOC tests cycling clothing from ES16

BY JEPPE TOLBØLL / PHOTO: UGGI KALDAN/ALTOMCYKLING.DK

 The story behind ES16

ES16 is the Danish cycling clothing brand founded in 2016. The clothing is produced in Europe at the best factories. All factories are carefully selected and tested. At ES16, there is a strong emphasis on quality and factories that meet the strictest environmental standards.

 “I have spent a couple of years finding the right suppliers, so that in 2018 we have the quality I personally want from team clothing, at a fair price and with reliable delivery times”

– says the owner of ES16

 ES16 makes cycling clothing for cycling clubs, associations, professional teams, cycling networks, races, companies, or other groups who love cycling, but of course also sells their clothing individually on the website.

 Currently, there is a 4-week delivery time from the moment the design is finally approved, but the delivery time may of course change as we approach the peak season in spring.

ES16 Elite Bib-shorts

I've cycled roughly 400 kilometers with the ES16 bibs, and I haven't noticed the pad at all. That's really positive. On the very first ride, I could tell it was a brand new pad, it felt a bit “strange” to sit on, but after I had washed the bibs once, they were really good. In general, it's always a good idea not to go for a long ride in a pair of bibs that haven't been washed.

The bibs also passed the indoor test, where you usually sit a bit more still than out on the road. Two hours on the home trainer in front of Zwift was no challenge!

They are made in classic lycra, with good elastic capacity, and I'm not the smallest rider, so it's also nice that the bibs are cut for a Scandinavian backside, and not a narrow Italian model. I tried a size XL, which fit me and my just over 90kg perfectly.

 The ES16 Elite bibs have a really nice finish on the legs, which I personally really like. The elastic fits snugly around the thigh without being uncomfortable or leaving marks.

After 5 washes, there's still plenty of “tension” in the elastic, so it looks good for long-term durability.

Overall, these are really nice bib shorts, which I could easily imagine riding a whole season in.

 ES16 Elite Jersey

I love the jersey. Of course, it helps that the colors on the test jersey really appeal to me, but beyond that, it fits snugly in the right places, just how I like my jerseys. Nothing should flap, because imagine losing speed because of that! ;)

 However, there was one thing that bothered me. The jersey was very tight around the neck when I tried it straight out of the bag. So my immediate thought was that it was a dealbreaker, at least for me. But after washing the jersey, it fit perfectly, so I should just stick to my own advice. Wash your cycling clothes before you ride in them for the first time, and you'll have the best experience.

What actually surprised me the most was that this was only ES16's second-best jersey. Besides Elite, they have the big brother Pro, and the little brother Active. Thomas could tell me, though, that there isn't a huge difference in material choice between Elite and Pro, but there is a big difference in the cut.

 Elite has nice cuff finishes on the sleeves that fit well and also don't seem to get loose. The front material doesn't stretch much, but it breathes well, the side panels are really elastic, and that gives a really good fit.

 There are the classic 3 pockets on the back, with a small “hook” in one of them, so you can attach, for example, your phone (in a case with a loop) or wallet, and other important things, a very nice little detail.

For the price, the jersey really wins my heart! Just remember to wash it before use, maybe! ;) I tested a size Large, and it fits snugly, just the way I like it.

 ES16 Elite Jacket

The jacket is the piece of clothing I tested the least. During the test period, simply because the weather was so mild that the jacket was too warm. So I managed to test it 3 times, and 2 of those times I had to unzip it so I wouldn't sweat to death.

So on that account, you can definitely say that it's warm enough for 13-15 degrees, but I usually also ride in short sleeves, with arm warmers and a wind vest. The one day I got to try it properly, it was 8-9 degrees and really windy, and I only managed an hour's ride.

But I didn't freeze, and it took the worst of it, just as I expect from a jacket like this, which I would typically use in spring and autumn, or if summer again drops below those 10-12 degrees.

 The fit was pretty nice, but personally I wouldn't use it for racing, as it wasn't tight enough, but I also don't think it's made as a race jacket. I also tried a size Large here.

 

Conclusion

The clothing has positively surprised me, and I actually had to write to ES16 to make sure it was just the Elite series I had tested and not their Pro series they had sent.

 You can buy a complete club kit for 1287 kr, which I think is a very sharp price for a set of really good clothing.

You can see some of ES16's different designs at www.es16.dk where you'll also find a contact form for their design department, who will definitely be happy to talk to you about team clothing.

 

 

Test of ES16 on cykelstart.dk

Danish ES16 is now well known here at home, probably especially because in a short time they've gained a lot of customers who use them for team clothing, both companies and cycling clubs.

ES16 also has a pretty extensive range in their own designs, everything from jerseys, bib shorts, jackets, and much more.

This time we've had their Elite Jersey and Pro Bib Shorts for testing, Elite is “mid-range” and Pro is their top model.

ES16 Elite Jersey

As mentioned, the Elite series is ES16’s mid-range series, but there are still several nice details. The material is 100% polyester, which means the material is light, breathable, and dries quickly when it gets wet from sweat.

The model has a full-length zipper, elastic and laser-cut sleeve ends for a super tight fit, as well as an elastic waistband with silicone print on the inside, so the jersey doesn't ride up. The sleeves use reflective thread in the flat seams, a pretty smart detail to increase visibility without having to plaster the jersey with reflectors. Along the sides are mesh panels to optimize breathability.

On the back of the jersey are 3 classic pockets, and as usual, I miss a pocket that can be closed with a zipper. The pockets are a good size and easily hold a pump, energy, and other things you might need to bring on the go. There are also a couple of reflective details on each side of the jersey for increased visibility.

The jersey was tested in size XS and that size fits me pretty well at 175 cm and 65 kg, it's not skin-tight, but has a comfortable fit. The jersey is comfortable to wear and the sleeve ends work really well, while the silicone band at the waist keeps the jersey in place so it doesn't ride up. The jersey has mainly been used in good weather, that is, from 15 degrees and up, and it performs excellently here! There isn't much “protection” in the material, which is relatively thin, but it's easy to get rid of heat and get some ventilation in the jersey via the side panels. A single smart little detail is that in one of the back pockets there is a hole through to the inside of the jersey so you can run a cable for, e.g., headphones that way.

ES16 Pro Bibshorts

The Pro Bib Shorts are the second-best in ES16’s range, only surpassed by the Pro Team bib shorts. They are developed for those who want high quality and good comfort, typically those who spend many hours in the saddle each week – and where it doesn't matter so much whether they cost 300 or 1000,-, comfort and fit are far more important.

Pro Bib Shorts are made of so-called Power Lycra, which is super stretchy and with compression. The seams are, of course, flat to minimize any irritation, and the upper part is made with flat straps that don't fold and a mesh back for optimal ventilation and breathability – just as it should be.

The leg ends are wide laser-cut elastics with silicone print on the inside, which keeps them in place and prevents them from riding up, while they fit tightly – so you avoid an ugly “edge” if you wear long-legged pants. On one thigh, the ES16 logo is printed, while on both there are small reflectors on the sides of the legs.

Inside the Pro Bib Shorts is their Zoom X pad, a good pad that is quite flexible, but at the same time firm enough to provide good support on longer rides. The pad is divided into different zones of varying thickness, and my experience is that it works really well and provides good support for both MTB, gravel, and road. The pad fits snugly around the crotch, as it should, if you buy the right size. I started with a size M, and here I didn't really feel the pad fit – I exchanged them for a size S and that was the right size for my 65 kg spread over 175 cm, here the pad fits exactly as it should – and stays there throughout the ride.

ES16 Pro Bib Shorts are super discreet, but with nice details such as flat straps, mesh back, and laser-cut leg ends. In addition, there's a good pad that provides the necessary support whether you're racing or on a long ride – there's really nothing to complain about!

Conclusion

ES16 has once again delivered a set of high-quality cycling clothing at reasonable prices! 899,- for a pair of good bib shorts is something most people are happy to pay – myself included, and here you get a pair of discreet bib shorts in really good quality and with a very nice fit. The jersey also has several good details, such as the laser-cut sleeve ends, silicone print at the waist, and cable pass-through inside the jersey – plus you can get it in some designs that stand out a bit from the crowd.

All in all, I can only recommend the set, here you get good value for money and high-quality cycling clothing for good comfort for him/her who likes longer rides on the bike where a bit more comfort is required.

Price and availability

ES16 Elite Jersey: 499,-
ES16 Pro Bibshorts: 899,-