Many people would argue that cycling and mainstream fashion haven't been comfortable bedfellows over the years, but the lines between the two are becoming increasingly blurred. As cycling becomes more a part of people's everyday lives, the clothing we wear to cycle in is changing too. London-based Huez* has demonstrated this perfectly by creating a range of stylish, high quality clothing with a host of cycling features, and the Pro Pique Polo is no exception.
It's a fairly classic looking two-button polo shirt that falls very much into the smart-casual clothing category. It looks good dressed down with a pair of jeans or shorts with trainers, but can scrub up smarter with a decent pair of trousers and shoes. What sets it apart from your average high street polo are some underlying features that allow it to work on the bike as well as off.
The Pro Pique Polo is made from a polyamide nylon. It's soft and comfortable to wear and is also highly wicking to take moisture away from the skin, which is great for riding on warmer summer days.
The cut is slim and fitted, with the back cut slightly lower for when you're on the bike. Despite this, it's still a little on the short side generally, so even with the dropped back it can leave the bottom of your back slightly exposed.
The material on the collar and the cuffs is slightly ribbed, and there are two contrasting white buttons on the collar. The front chest features the Huez* asterisk logo picked out in Darklight material; this looks black in daylight but shine a light at it in low light conditions and it's highly reflective. There are also two Darklight tabs stitched into the bottom of the seams on either side of the polo.
The Pro Pique Polo is really comfortable to ride in. The fast wicking material works well and it dries out pretty quickly if you do get a bit sweaty or you're caught in a rain shower. The body could be an inch or two longer to provide a bit of extra cover when you're on the bike, but this might compromise the look off the bike.
When you're not riding, the polo looks good. The performance characteristics of the material are obviously invisible to the human eye, the dropped back isn't too noticeable, and the Darklight material is pretty inconspicuous. There's nothing about the polo that explicitly says 'cycling'.
The Pro Pique comes in either purple or damson, and is available in sizes XS to XXL. It's available through the Huez* online store for £60, a considerable price but not overly extravagant for a well made polo shirt with some nice technical features (a quick online search reveals a Ralph Lauren polo at £70, Hugo Boss £65...). The length could be a sticking point, but it's obviously not going to be a problem for all, and sizing up could be an option.
Verdict
A well made, classic polo shirt with useful cycling features
road.cc test report
Make and model: Huez Pro Pique Polo
Size tested: Medium,Burgandy
Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
A polo shirt designed to be used on and off the bike, a smart/casual top with some cycling features.
Huez* says: "A daily use classic polo with cycling features."
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Huez* says: "Made from 100% polyamide the material is soft and highly wicking. The back has been extended to improve comfort when riding.
"Our Huez* star logo at the chest and Darklight reflective tape at the side seem improve visibility when the dark sets in. Made from 100% polyamide the material is soft and highly wicking.
"Perfect for those warmer days.
"High Visibility Huez* Darklight tape provides maximum reflectivity with a more sartorial feel."
Rate the product for quality of construction:
8/10
A nicely made polo, simple but solid.
Rate the product for performance:
8/10
Really comfortable to wear with good wicking properties.
Rate the product for durability:
8/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
8/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
7/10
Comfortable on and off the bike, but could do with another inch or so of length when on the bike.
Rate the product for value:
7/10
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
It worked really well; it left the base of my back exposed on occasions but it wasn't too much of an issue in warmer weather.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
The subtle cycling features integrated into a classic polo shirt styling.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
The slightly too short length.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your score
This is a really nicely designed and made polo shirt with subtle cycling features that are useful and don't compromise its look off the bike. The length issue was only a minor one, it could be remedied by sizing up... or just manning up!
Age: 29 Height: 5'10" Weight: 76kg
I usually ride: KHS Flite 100 Singlespeed/Fixed, Genesis Equilibrium 20 My best bike is:
I've been riding for: 5-10 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed
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3 comments
Surely tennis tail would be the appropriate style here to give lower back coverage? Tiny (& almost useless) reflective side-tabs (& puckered logo) look to be the only "cycling" detail here- if you want a branded wicking polo, they're a good deal cheaper - e.g. http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/helly-hansen-mens-kos-polo-18210305?id_co... = Helly Hansen for £40.
A reflective logo the size of a 20p piece. Wow. Thanks Huez, now I'm safe on the roads.
Apart from the price.
£60 for a longish back that's not actually long enough and a couple of reflective tags.
8/10? Come on, have a word.