We all went out for a gravel ride the other day. When you focus only on racing, it's easy to lose your peace of mind, but being able to ride, eat, and hit the hot springs with everyone—just sharing that kind of time makes me sit in the car on the way home, savoring the moment and thinking that it was a good day.
They say this winter is warmer than usual, but that doesn't really matter to someone like me who suffers from poor circulation; winter is just as cold as ever, and I find myself wishing every day that spring would hurry up and arrive... As we head into the second half of January, my riding gear has shifted even further into "winter mode." It’s actually a bit chilling to think about February, which will likely be even colder, but I do believe there are ways to enjoy cycling that can only be experienced in the winter season.
Café du Cycliste’s winter items are popular every season, and while there is a fully stocked and extensive lineup available, this time we’d like to introduce a new model that we can confidently recommend as our top pick for this winter.
【CAFE DU CYCLISTE】 M’s Leonie Jacket
Color: Vert d'Eau, Blue Limoges
Price: 28,000 yen (excluding tax)
For the past few years, the Heidi has become so established that it's practically synonymous with "winter jacket," but this time we are focusing on a new addition to the lineup: the Leonie, which is lighter and even warmer than the Heidi.
My first impression when taking it out of the bag was how much lighter it is than it looks. I was skeptical about whether it could really be warm enough, but once I put it on and rode a bit, the well-balanced triple-layer construction—featuring a windproof surface, a lightweight insulation layer, and a breathable mesh layer—along with the windproof panels on the sleeves, completely shut out the cold wind and made me truly appreciate its warmth and comfort.
The back uses a material with excellent moisture-wicking and quick-drying properties, and it is tailored with a ribbed design to allow for temperature regulation, preventing heat from getting trapped.
It features three deep cargo pockets with ample capacity, as well as a zippered pocket that is handy for valuables, providing enough storage for long rides. Another key point is that there are reflective elements on the sides of the pockets, so you can ride at night with peace of mind.
【CAFE DU CYCLISTE】 W’s Leonie Jacket
Color: Blue Limoges
Price: 28,000 yen (excluding tax)
This is perfect for when you're heading out for a serious ride with bibs and cycling shoes, but if you pair it with casual trousers, it works just as well for stopping by a café or for touring that involves taking your bike on a train. Furthermore, by layering it with a base layer or a wind jacket, it can handle conditions around 0°C.
Other staples that remain perennially popular, such as winter caps, gloves, merino neck warmers, and base layers, have also seen minor updates and color changes, so you can enjoy coordinating them to suit various settings.