I like Santini clothing, this goes back to when I started ‘proper’ cycling and there wasn’t much choice in kit and Italian bike clothing was so rare and special and usually expensive. Santini has that Italian style and cut was only a dream. These days Santini still has the style, but is easily available and isn’t one of the more expensive ranges of cycling clothes. Santini sent me their ‘Ready to Ride’ bib shorts, unisex short sleeve jersey and Puro socks to try out before the summer.
Alastair Hamilton – PEZ sez:
Santini ‘Ready to Ride’ – Bib Shorts
Green! Maybe not my favourite colour for bib shorts, but they do go with the ‘Rust’ coloured jersey. Also these are not my only pair of green Santini shorts, as I have a pair of Katusha team bibs that were meant to match the Tour de France points jersey, but they were never needed. So maybe green isn’t so bad.
I do own another pair of green Santini bib shorts
OK, so that’s the colour, what about the build? As with all Santini kit, the workmanship is perfect. The stitching is strong and neatly done, with double, triple and overlock where it’s needed. The edges of the bib is seamed and the legs, the wide gripper looks to have been laser cut. The gripper is rubberised to hold everything in place, without any chafing.
Mesh bib
The bib is made of a mesh material, which will be great in the hot weather, when it comes. There is a single piece of material that comes up high at the back and the straps are wide and strong. The legs of the shorts are made up of two panels, and body has six panels, this gives a very comfortable tailored fit to body and legs. the leg length I would say is long, which is the style at the moment, but you can have them where you want. There are two small reflective strips, one at the back of each leg, so these bibs are made for those ride on the left and the right side of the road, unlike many short that only have the reflector on the left leg. The logos are subtle: one on the left ‘cheek’ and another in the left bib strap, plus a tiny little Italian flag on the back where the bib meets the shorts.
Reflectors on both legs
The pad or ‘chamois’, the most important part of all bib shorts. Santini use a GITevo pad which has a soft to the touch material next to your skin with various thicknesses of gel. I could feel three different thickness, more where you need it and less where you don’t. The gel seems to be part of the pad, some I have tried recently, the gel moves about a bit, but not with this pad, everything stays where it should.
One of the best pads
So how do they feel? Very nice (maybe I’m biased). The green colour is subtle, but there are six different colour choices. As I said, the fit is perfect and the stretchy material will fit anyone. There is a slightly compression feel to the bibs, which also helps the feel of comfort. I’ve not had time for a long ride yet, but they passed the Zwift test on the home trainer and a ride of just over an hour was easy, for me and the bibs.
‘Ready to Ride’ the kit yes – The rider….
Santini ‘Ready to Ride’ – Jersey Unisex
The colour is ‘Rust’, but looks more like a pastel orange, there are eight colours to choose from. None of the colours are ‘in your face’ all quite subdued, it is the style these days. As with the bibs, the stitching is strong and perfectly done. There is a collar at the back that comes down to the front at the zip. The sleeves are long and raw cut, so you can wear them as long or as short are you want. A full zip with flap on the inside at the top.
Well made and with style
The body is made up four panels with sliming side panels, which gives a very nice fit. Santini say the jerseys are ‘Unisex’ and yes, they do fit many body shapes. The material feels soft to the skin and you wouldn’t need a base layer in the warmer weather. Three rear pockets, but no small zipped pocket, which I think all training jerseys should have. The stitching around the pockets is very strong and tops of the pockets have a very substantial hem, you won’t miss the pocket opening. The waist is elasticated with a gripper strip at the back so no slipping down. Two little logos: One on the middle rear pocket and another lowdown on the front and, like the bibs, there is a small Italian flag on the back of the collar. Also like the shorts there are two reflective strips on the back… global road safely.
No little zip pocket
How does it feel? Soft and comfortable would sum it up. The material allows full movement with not constriction. The pockets are roomy and don’t stretch too much and the colour is easy on the eye. A very good jersey at a reasonable price. Your only problem might be if you have a cycling partner (wife, husband, boyfriend, girlfriend etc.), there might be a ‘domestic’ over who gets to wear the jersey.
Very strong stitching on the pockets
Santini Puro – Socks
Santini had the good sense to send me white socks, although I can’t find them on the Santini website, there are eight different sock colours. The socks are high, as the latest style demands, but maybe too high for an ‘old school’ type like me. If you like that look, then great, but we are all not like Chuck. Anyway, they are comfortable, no rubbing and there is extra material where it is needed and thinner, breathable material on the leg part. There is no gripper at the cuff, but the socks stayed in place. There is ‘Santini’ down the back of the socks, which you can hardy see on the white socks, but is more obvious on the coloured socks as the letters are in a contrasting colour, not white on white. A good, tight fit due to the elasticity of the materials.
High socks – Chuck would like them
Padding and different materials
The overall impression: As I said at the start: I like Santini. Apart from no small zip pocket on the jersey, I can’t fins any problems. Comfortable Italian style, great colours and most importantly, a terrific seat pad. Santini doesn’t waste money on fancy packaging, like many top-end clothing manufacturers. It’s very nice when the kit arrives in a plush presentation box, but you don’t wear the packaging and it ends up in the recycling bin. Santini is a top product, but not at crazy prices. I just can’t wait for the hot weather to get out there for a longer ride. Roll on the summer.
Nice colours and comfortable
Santini sez:
Smart Shape, Perfect Fit Bib Shorts – ‘Ready to Ride’ – €150
The Ready To Ride bib shorts are the ideal choice for cyclists seeking comfort, medium compression, and unmatched breathability. Perfect for summer rides and to pair with your favourite jersey.
Made with compact, high-elasticity Italian fabric featuring power compression technology. They provide medium compression without feeling restrictive. Incredibly durable, they maintain their properties over time. The elastic leg gripper, tone-on-tone with an internal grip, keeps the bib shorts securely in place.
The bib straps are made of ultra-breathable micro mesh, ensuring quick drying and excellent ventilation. The GITevo chamois, with a gel core, gradually absorbs shocks for unbeatable comfort even on the longest rides.
The Ready To Ride bib shorts are developed using a garment-dyeing technique, an advanced process that gives our products a fresh and stylish look. The garment is produced in white and then fully dyed in the desired colour.
- High-elasticity Italian fabric with compression technology
- Lightweight and elastic mesh bib straps
- Raw-cut elastic leg gripper
- GITevo chamois with a gel core
- Developed using a garment-dyeing technique
- Made in Italy
Single-Colour Cycling Jersey – ‘Ready to Ride’ Unisex – €90
The Ready To Ride short-sleeve jersey is a masterpiece of design. Made from high-quality polyamide fabric, this lightweight jersey boasts exceptional breathability and a uniquely soft feel against the skin.
But the true innovation of this product lies in how it is made. We have used a garment-dyeing technique, an advanced method that gives our products a fresh and stylish look. Initially produced in white and then dyed in the desired colour.
Featuring a slim fit, a fully covered zipper, and a practical triple rear pocket, the Ready To Ride jersey is perfect for cyclists who care about both style and functionality. Available in a wide range of colours!
- High-quality polyamide fabric
- Lightweight and breathable
- Unisex fit
- Classic fit
- Triple rear pocket
- Developed using a garment-dyeing technique
- Made in Italy
High Profile, High Performance Cycling Socks – €16
The Puro high-profile socks are the ideal choice for those looking to complete their cycling look with a touch of class. The design is clean and elegant, while the high profile ensures an unmatched fit, making sure the socks stay in place throughout the ride.
- Check for local prices and more info at: www.santinicycling.com/ready-to-ride>
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