Tested: Bowy Active affordable cycling kit

In the 17 years I’ve been riding a road bike, I’ve worn a lot of different kit, but I never say no when asked to try something new, so I was pleased to take delivery of Bowy Active’s women’s short-sleeve jersey, bib knicks and wind vest. I must admit I was a little sceptical because it is significantly cheaper than a lot of the kit I’ve worn, but I was pleasantly surprised by its look, feel and function.

First impressions

I’m a sucker for good-looking cycling kit and enjoy coordinating my cycling gear, just as I do my non-cycling clothing. So I was pleased to find a jersey in the Bowy Active range in one of my favourite colours. We were off to a good start. The packaging is simple plastic bags with snap-lock tops that can be reused, and certainly did the job.

Straight out of the packaging, I liked the look and feel. The fabrics of the three items are soft in all the right places and stretch accordingly.

Style and aesthetics

The ‘look’ of the Bowy Active kit is right on trend, but rather than the prevalent block colour you see in most ranges, the jersey features a gradient from a strong orange to a pale turquoise, making it attractive and stylish. The knicks I tested were dark blue, a nice change from the usual black bib knicks, and they matched well with the other items. The vest was also the same dark blue colour, making a neat package. Bowy calls the colour Chrome Blue, which sums it up nicely.

Fit and comfort

Fit and comfort are paramount for cycling kit, and I’m pleased to say all three items were super comfortable. I usually wear a medium women’s size in cycling kit, and my medium test items all fit well.

The knicks come up high enough to cover the stomach area, and the straps sit in the right place (they run beside the breasts rather than over them), which made them comfortable and functional. The legs of the knicks feature a rubber gripper that helps keep them in place without irritating the skin. The chamois has a generous amount of padding, which makes them comfortable without feeling like you’re wearing a nappy.

The jersey also fit well, and the body and sleeve length were acceptable. My preference is a slightly shorter sleeve, but it didn’t bother me that they were a little longer, which seems to be a trend at the moment. It’s no doubt better from a sun protection perspective, and Bowy tells me the fabric has an SPF 50+ rating. The sleeves are raw-cut, which makes them comfortable and on-trend. The jersey length was great and a little longer than some other brands that I’ve tested, but I’m not a fan of short jerseys.

The wind vest was also comfortable and fit well over the other gear, keeping the wind out. I particularly liked the mesh fabric on the vest’s rear because solid fabrics don’t provide enough ventilation.

On-bike performance

Out on the road, the Bowy kit was comfortable and functional too. The jersey pockets were easy to access and large enough to fit all my favourite riding accessories, like my phone, ride wallet, and multi-tool.

The knicks also feature two leg pockets, although I confess I’m not a fan and didn’t use them, I know they are growing in popularity. If, like me, you choose not to use the pockets, they sit flush with the garment, so are unobtrusive and almost invisible.

Safety credentials

On the safety side, there is reflective patterning on the rear pockets of the jersey and the vest, which lights up when car lights shine from behind.

The fabrics are all SPF15+ rated, which is particularly important in the harsh Aussie sunshine.

Room for improvement

The only thing I’m not a huge fan of is the raw-cut sleeves and legs, but I’m assuming this helps keep costs down and makes them comfortable.

Verdict

Overall, the Bowy Active kit was functional, good-looking and comfortable. And you can’t go past the excellent price points: $65 for the jersey, $120 for the bib knicks, and $75 for the vest. I’m not sure how many years they will last. Perhaps the more expensive kit has a longer lifespan, but the quality appears to hold up during my month-long test period and multiple washes.

More info bowyactive.com/