FEATURE

SOAS Says Hello To Cycling Specific

By Holla Communications

SOAS Racing, widely recognized as a pioneering brand in women’s athletic apparel, today rolls out the company’s first comprehensive cycling specific product line. The 2016 SOAS Cycling collection includes performance bib shorts, jerseys vests, baselayers and warmers.
 
“SOAS Cycling developed in direct response to customer demand,” says SOAS Racing founder Steph Swanson. “We have a loyal following of women athletes who have been begging for bib shorts and more bike-specific apparel that delivers on the ‘fashion, fit, function’ mission of our brand. We’ve had countless requests from female cyclists to expand further into that market.”
 
While SOAS Racing was originally established in 2010 in order to fill the void in the women’s triathlon market, Swanson says she quickly realized that the call for apparel designed to satisfy savvy, stylish sportswomen went beyond the swim-bike-run racing niche. “There was a whole lot of ‘pink it and shrink it’ – but not a whole lot else – available to women cyclists, runners and even gym-goers,” says Swanson.


Photo courtesy of Holla Communications
 
In 2012, the company added a variety of cycling and running apparel to the SOAS product mix. “We’ve offered certain core bike and run specific items for several years, but this is our first foray into a full product line with a design focus targeted to the unique demands of cycling,” says Swanson. “Our ultimate goal is to create a comprehensive line specific to each of these markets and more, so that athletic women will feel comfortable and catered to, both performance and style-wise, while working out and hanging out.”
 
The SOAS Cycling line offers numerous features key to spending quality time in the saddle, while simultaneously embracing the brand’s distinctive aesthetic style. The bib short features premium fully lined compression fabric, designed to withstand rigorous wear and which is fully sublimated from strap to hem. Additional details include a custom Italian-made chamois, No-Need Grip leg openings, two secret side stash pockets and chafe-resistant merrow seaming.
 
The jersey combines aerodynamic R.P. FLEK and MICRO FLESHFLEK fabrics, Sleek Sleeve design, a full-length locking zipper with smooth single-hand operation, a rear no-rise hem gripper and three back storage pockets. The cycling vest features MICRO WOVENFLEK fabric and ventilating mesh panels, a full-length locking zipper and a bias-cut hem to prevent riding up. Rounding out the cycling line are highly breathable, body-contoured baselayers and cozy arm and knee warmers, with THERMAFLEK fabric and three-panel anatomic construction.
 
SOAS Cycling apparel is designed, developed and fully-sublimated in-house in San Diego and available in each of the brand’s bold new 2016 graphic collections: Aquarius, Byron Bay, Red Geo and Ultramarine. The bib shorts, jerseys, vests and warmers are in stock now, with baselayers coming soon. All items are available for international purchase at www.soasracing.com.