“Clothes, as a Bike Shop Sees Them” Vol.2 Short Style

“Clothes, as a Bike Shop Sees Them”

This series kicked off last time with Ishikawa from Circles Tokyo.

I've been handed the second installment.

Honestly, I thought it was a bit of a tricky theme at first, but when I really thought about it, so many of the products we select at Circles fit this theme exactly.

And RAL's clothing sits right at the center of it.

Clothes you can wear on a ride that also blend naturally into everyday life, as imagined by Circles, a bike shop.
That is exactly RAL's concept.

All kinds of products have been released since the brand started, but one that stands out is a chambray shirt from the very early days called the “Player Shirt.”

That was eight years ago now, but it still makes me happy to see people wearing theirs.

While most of RAL's clothing is fairly classic, there's one piece that's a bit of an outlier.

That's this RAL Cycling Wool Jersey.

As the name suggests, its design source is the classic wool cycling jersey.

The silhouette and pattern have been reworked so you can wear it in everyday life too.

The silhouette is roomy overall, so you can easily throw it on over a shirt or tee, like a zip hoodie or a cardigan.

It's made from merino wool, which absorbs sweat well thanks to its high moisture absorption, and its natural antibacterial properties keep odors from lingering.

It's a material made for riding bikes.

On top of that, the fabric itself keeps you properly warm while being extremely breathable.

When you're not moving, it wraps you gently, and once your body warms up, air flows through and cools you down naturally.

That balance is what really defines this jersey.

That said, it might be a little hard to picture how to wear it.

For a casual look, I like pairing it with wide military pants or denim.

The French Army M47 pants I wear a lot have just the right amount of room and a substantial fabric, and the hems can be cinched, so they work well for riding around town.

RAL's denim is also very stretchy, which makes it a great pair for cycling too.

It's a style that fits naturally into commuting or quick shopping trips.

But what about when you want to move a little more actively? And with the coming season in mind?

Finding a style that can also handle long rides gets a bit trickier.

Here's what I came up with.

Cycling Wool Jersey x Short Pants

Underneath, it's best to wear a merino wool or a sweat-wicking, quick-drying polyester tee or sleeveless top.

This time I went with the ACLIMA Lightwool Sports Singlet I've been wearing for a few years. Since it's sleeveless, the jersey fabric touches my shoulders directly, but it feels nice on the skin and it's comfortable.

And then the pants.

With the coming season in mind, shorts are a must.

My Pick: The RAL Doboom Short

So I chose the RAL Doboom Short.

It's been really well received since its recent release.

We've finally arrived at this installment's theme, “Short Style.” Ha.

The light, tough nylon fabric is durable and quick-drying, so you can rely on it in active situations.

And above all, the silhouette.

Staples like the Yamatomichi 5 Pocket Short or the PATAGONIA Baggies Short are handy, but I'd been wanting something a little cleaner in length and leg opening.

A little longer, a little slimmer.

That balance gives you a calm, grown-up look and freedom of movement at the same time.

The Doboom Short delivers on that ideal.

Pedaling feels smooth, and there's no chafing in the seat.

On my feet: clipless shoes.

The STOMPLOX Slack SPD looks like a good match.

Trekking-Style Clipless Shoes

For socks, I deliberately skipped wool blends and prioritized quick drying and breathability.

This is a very personal impression, but I find that wearing wool socks this time of year tends to trap heat inside my shoes.

The socks from NODAL, whose pop-up is on now, seem to be working well.

The pile knit gives them a little thickness, but because they use a cotton-silk blend yarn, they absorb moisture well and release heat easily.

So that's this style: a wool jersey with shorts.

It'll serve you well right up through midsummer, and it's just right for slightly chilly days and rides during the rainy season.

It also stays warm even when wet while letting the wind through, so it's surprisingly comfortable.

Rather than getting all steamy inside rain gear, you simply get wet and dry off.

With this style, that becomes a realistic option.

Not many people have actually worn a wool jersey like this yet.

That's exactly why I'd love for you to give one a try.

By the way, for rainy days, BEDROCK SANDALS are the best thing for your feet…
but that's a story for another time.

The next “Clothes, as a Bike Shop Sees Them” Vol.3 “Short Style”

will be brought to you by Chanmai, our ray of sunshine (does anyone still say that?).