The UK has recently been gripped by a heatwave, seeing temperatures exceed 30˚C. And, despite a small drop in temperature over the last week, the mercury is set to rise again this weekend.
This leads us to the question of how to deal with cycling in the heat. Beyond drinking plenty of water and taking it slow, what you wear can have a big impact on how comfortable you are cycling in the sun.
MAAP’s recent Aeon collection could be the answer to hot-weather riding. Launched back in March, Aeon is dubbed as MAAP’s first endurance kit and includes two new jerseys and bib shorts.
The Australian brand says the collection offers a “ghost-like feel” to help you “focus on the road ahead”.
MAAP Aeon jersey
While there’s also a long-sleeve version, I received the short-sleeve jersey. Both are made from Polartec Delta, which is said to have “advanced evaporative cooling technology”.
Up close, it looks and feels like the kind of fabric that’s used in some cycling baselayers. And it works a bit like a baselayer, too.
MAAP says the Delta fabric has a 3D-knit structure to hold it above your skin and boost airflow. A combination of hydrophobic and hydrophilic yarns is said to disperse moisture too.
Elsewhere, the £170 jersey has a wide hem at the front, so it stays put without restricting you. The low collar is said to eliminate irritation. The back of the jersey has three pockets made from a different material, plus a fourth zipper pocket.
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What about the bib shorts?
MAAP says the Aeon bib shorts use a Spanish yarn with four-way compression stretch.
Having worn the Aeon shorts through the recent heatwave, I would say they aren’t quite as compressive as other bib shorts. But the claim of an “ultra-soft” touch stacks up, and fortunately, I haven’t established whether the material is abrasion-resistant.
In keeping with the “ghost-like” claim, the £240 Aeon shorts are said to have a leg shape that’s optimised for efficient pedalling and – as with many of the best bib shorts – they use flatlock stitching to minimise any potential irritation.
The Aeon shorts are also the first time MAAP has used its 3D Thermo Moulded chamois in road cycling shorts. It was previously used only in its Alt_Road kit.
The pad has the same design and thickness as MAAP’s other chamois, but the higher-density foam provides more shock absorption.
Finally, at the back of the shorts is a pocket “for epic days in the saddle” – which, if this weather holds out, could mean emergency sunscreen.
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