Babici

Italo Winter Long Sleeve Jersey

It's impossible to quantify the influence that Italy has had on cycling. Not just playing host to the world's most iconic brands, Italy has also produced riders with such flamboyance and panache that they were elevated to a state beyond that of mere mortals. So, if reminiscing about the Giro envelops you in a warm feeling, we want you to know that you're not alone. The Australian company Babici shares your obsession, but instead of simply riding a gran fondo up the Stelvio, Babici created the Italo Winter Long Sleeve Jersey. While tastefully celebrating Italy's cycling history through aesthetics, the Italo's pure Italian fabric construction celebrates the quality and craftsmanship that made the tradition possible.

Quality is a subjective term. More than just a singular trait, we believe that true quality is measured with a perspective of totality. So, for a cycling jersey, what sets apart the innovators from the fakers? Well, Babici has a checklist for its jerseys -- design, style, comfort, function, and price. Not surprisingly, we agree, and even better, all of these characteristics are well represented within the Italo Winter jersey.

Believe it or not, it gets rather chilly in the land of Oz. Enough so that the wheels of Babici's innovative mind started turning on how to improve the boilerplate winter jersey. Using its aforementioned formula for success, the solution was deceivingly simple -- use the best materials in the world and make the design nostalgic, yet modern. So, the Italo design highlights the Italian cycling heritage with the Italian flag's colors at the wrists, inner neck, and sides of the jersey. The fit is impeccable, and the cut is minimally seamed to minimize abrasion. Flowing from the neck down, the Italo adapts to the contours of your body, providing a level of comfort that's ahead of contemporary, and is simply Babici. This is due in part to craftsmanship, but mainly, it's derivative of Babici's story.

Australia is no stranger to the boyhood fanaticism of Italian cycling. And while Italian fabrics and style were in demand at Babici's inception, it noticed an undercurrent of desire to retain the Australian identity. So, designs in tow, Babici went to the premiere Italian fabric manufacturer, MITI -- the source of the ever popular and plagiarized Super Roubaix fabric. As their relationship blossomed, it was only natural that MITI's Super Roubaix material were to be selected for the Italo Winter jersey -- after all, it's only common sense to rely on the expertise of the source, not the copycats. With a warp-knit construction, the material is given a natural stretch. Within the knit, the threads follow a zig-zag pattern along the length of the jersey. This allows more surface area coverage while using less material, equating directly to an airy, lightweight construction. Super Roubaix's open weave also accelerates moisture transfer from the skin to the quick-drying surface of the jersey, however, MITI's highly technical and precise brushing process is what's attributable to its warmth. After the dying process, MITI's dedicated machines perform a brush to the inner-lining that provides a high, fleecy, and warming loft. And while this fabric costs Babici an arm and a leg to produce, the comfort is worth it.

Now, you might be wondering about the Italo Winter jersey's functionality. While moisture management and warming designs are great, where do you put your stuff? Well, Babici included a thoughtful rear pocket design. With three rear cargo pockets and a zippered security pocket, the Italo Winter has plenty of room for all of your ride essentials. And being the ever-perfectionists, you'll notice that Babici angled the outer-pockets towards the hips for easy access in the saddle. The jersey also has a subtle reflective strip under the pockets, and a full-length front zipper.

The Babici Italo Winter Long Sleeve Jersey is available in four sizes from Small to X-Large and in the color Black.