Santini kindly sent me the JUPITER bib-tights along with the POLAR winter jacket to try out and review their extreme cold weather kit. The both can withstand temperature down to minus 8 degree Celsius, and resist even the gale force winds thanks to their Windstopper membrane technology. Accompanied by a pair of lighter autumn-winter bibs, Santini has the cyclist protected with performance-oriented bike apparel from early autumn to late spring.
The company was founded over 50 years ago and has a rich history in professional cycling. Renowned worldwide for their innovative solutions in bike apparel, Santini was one of the first to implement Lycra as a material in cycle clothing, later introduced the one piece skin suit to reduce air resistance of the rider. Further innovation was the use of anti-bacterial treatment in the pads, and the wind resistant layer in cold weather wear.
Sanitini has also been on the forefront of professional cycling, helping hundresds of riders reaching the heights of the sport at world championships, the Tour de France and other prestigious events. Santini SMS provided the pink jersey in the Giro d’Italia from 1993 to 2017 and since then the red leader’s jersey in the Vuelta a Espana. The brand is also the clothing sponsor of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and the World Championships. The so-called “rainbow jersey” also bears the Santini name. This year the Italian company was the sponsor of the Trek-Segafredo, the Nippo-Vini Fantini and the Boels-Dolmans World Tour teams, showing off the brand’s fine apparel at the major races like the Tour de France.
Now the reader is up to date with the Santini brand and how the Jupiter Windstopper fits into their vast range of cycling apparel, let’s see how they perform in practice! These bib tights are definitely meant for intense riding in unfavorable weather conditions. Yes, they are in fact greatly breathable and due to its wind-proof manner, it kept my body temperature in comfort-zone. Obviously its water-resistant Windstopper softshell made a great contribution, let alone the so called Blizzard Thermofleece was also a very welcome. I expected a reduction in the freedom of movement, but it wasn’t the case.
I haven’t raced in them but all they accompanied me in all my trainings and intense workouts. Under those conditions the build in NAT Chamois and the ergonomic knee cut allowed me to carry on for hours, without any desire to cease my training for some discomfort. I would definitely pigeon-hole the JUPITER bib-tights into the long distance riding category. A smart feature, the NEXT gel core kept my bottom cosy warm and comfortable.
I’ll keep testing this combo till mid spring and am very curious how far I can ride in them once the temperatures rise considerably. Hitherto, its temperature range is splendid. I had one nasty crash while wearing them, and admittedly the abrasion is visible, the integrity of the gear stays intact.
As war washing them, you better pay attention to instructions on case you want to keep the more than one season. However the to treat them appropriately isn’t a rocket science. Just more attention is required to wash them in over-hot water temperatures.
Kudos to Santinis new 2017 gear addition, and even though there are some limitations as far as very intense racing goes or if the temperatures drop considerably, I would endorse them for those that are willing to spent a little more money for a long standing rider-gear-relationship and are in agreement with Santinis targeted purpose with this gear combo. It that’s the case and your expectations are in line with Santini’s targeted focus, you will enjoy every minute in both Jupiter bib tights and Polar jacket.
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