At CIOVITA, innovation and an exceptional rider experience is at the heart of everything we do. Our latest release, the CIOVITA Polartec® Adventure range, is a testament to this commitment to always move forward keep stay on the forefront of highly technical cycling apparel. The inspiration behind this innovative collection comes from an unexpected yet authentic source: Jonathan Botha (Jono) and his love for using his puffy down jacket as a part of his cycling attire.
The Backstory
Jono, a passionate cyclist and certified hard-man of ultra marathon bicycle racing (fun fact: he is the hero figure in our launch video for this range), took on the challenging Rhino Run - a nearly-3000km single stage race from the Western Province, through the rugged and beautiful Cederberg, all the way to Windhoek, Namibia. His warm jacket choice? A Down Puffer Jacket instead of any existing CIOVITA jacket, as he felt that our selection simply didn’t feature that one arrow in the quiver that satisfied his need for impressive insulation and lightweight packability. A few heated discussions with our R&D department later and the motivation flame was lit, resulting in the creation of one of the most groundbreaking and technical pieces of apparel CIOVITA had produced to date.
Choosing Polartec®
Our journey to complete the ultimate winter cycling range led us to Polartec®. Known for revolutionising synthetic fleece in 1981, Polartec's reputation for advanced thermal technology made them the perfect partner. However, gaining access to their prestigious range of technical fabrics is not quite as straightforward, a deliberate decision to ensure they only put their name on products they truly trust. Lauren Neethling, the Head of R&D was determined to add a Polartec® collection to our offering and after numerous calls mails and contacts of contacts managed to share our vision and commitment to excellence - eventually getting the thumbs up from one of most known leaders in the industry.
When asked about this range and the approach Lauren explained, “We were so excited to get our hands on Polartec's Alpha®Direct (a fabric technology originally design for the US Special Forces and their specific needs) that we wanted to dive in right away. It’s easy to get carried away with such an exciting project, but we always kept our primary goal in mind: create a collection that offers unmatched thermal regulation while packing away in a lightweight and minimal footprint. This focus was our north star throughout the entire process, ensuring we developed a product that truly meets the needs of adventure cyclists whether simply going on a trip or competing on record-setting races."
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Real-World Testing
To ensure the CIOVITA Polartec® Adventure range could withstand the harshest conditions, we turned to a rider that knows how to put cycling kit through its paces, Kevin Benkenstein. Kevin tested the gear in extreme environments during training race conditions at The Traka and Unbound XL and his feedback was invaluable. "The Polartec® range has some of the best insulating garments I have ever worn," Kevin says. "On a cold morning, the Gilet offers perfect protection for your chest. The two-way zipper ensures you never overheat when climbing and it packs small enough to almost forget that you have it. The Adventure Jacket is now a must-have in my pack list, it has saved me during some unexpected weather changes on my long training rides."
Key Features
The CIOVITA Polartec® Adventure range currently includes 3 key pieces: a Thermal Regulation Base Layer, an Insulated Gilet and the Lightweight Adventure Jacket. Designed to be worn together in different combinations and perfect for layering with the rest of the CIOVITA range. With technical features like a water resistant DWR coating, lightweight two-way zippers and reflective trims the Gilet and Jacket offer everything needed in a cold weather outer layer.
Jono also shared his experience, emphasising the importance of reliable gear. "Riding an ultra like the Rhino Run requires careful gear choices. The Alpha® Direct jacket ticks all the boxes, offering warmth, packability, and durability. During testing in 5-degree weather, I was warmer than with my puffy jacket in 10-degree conditions. The definitive answer to my question of which one to choose"
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A New Standard in Cycling Apparel
This collaboration with Polartec® has resulted in a range that sets a new standard for winter cycling apparel. With advanced materials and thoughtful design, the CIOVITA Polartec® Adventure Collection ensures cyclists can face the coldest rides with confidence.
Explore the full range and gear up for your next winter adventure: CIOVITA X Polartec Collection. Stay warm, ride in style, and conquer the elements with CIOVITA and Polartec®. Watch the video here.
