One thing that has always impressed with Q36.5 is the amount of protection their clothing offers whilst remaining so incredibly lightweight.
You can see the doubt in peoples' faces when you hand them a Winter jacket or jersey and tell them the range of temperatures that the piece performs in. I'm certain some have decided against buying, convinced that staff are lying to them!
Well - be in no doubt, the reason that Q36.5 delivers both protection and low weight is because of their dedication to the needs of cyclists and their commitment to meeting those demands in the most scientific way possible.
The new Q36.5 Adventure Jacket is a perfect illustration.
Like most of the company's products, the new Adventure Winter jacket is born from RSR Body Mapping. Garments constructed having been informed by RSR (Regional Sweat Rate) body mapping are breathable in differing degrees throughout the garment according to scientific data collected whilst studying the various regional sweat rates of an athlete’s body. This more strategic use of breathable panels and varying fabric densities, allows for the construction of the lowest volume garment as well as the most stable body temperature during activity.
Designed for versatility, the jacket was conceived by the team during various winter activites in the Dolomites. Created for every weather condition, the jacket took inspiration from other sports clothing and reinterpreted it for cycling. As such, the Adventure Winter jacket uses a novel construction that utilises body mapping to integrate the protection of an external shell with insulating properties.
This sandwich construction delivers waterproof protection and deep-winter capabilities in a jacket that weighs significantly less than others that deliver similar levels of rider protection. Indeed, if you use the comapny's impressively low weight Termica deep winter road jacket as a benchmark, the Adventure Winter jacket weighs 30% less at 285g, while still being relevant in the same range of temperatures - namely -5oC to 8+oC.
This is achieved through yet another proprietary fabric : UF 75Shell is a woven, 3-layer waterproof material which is employed in the most exposed areas of the body. This lightweight woven fabric is DWR treated to enhance its weather protection. The inner layer, like the Adventure Insulation Vest in the range, uses a revised version of the UF Air Insulation originally deployed for thermal insulation and moisture management in the Teddy Berry base layer. The new construction is created from a blend of micropolyester and Merino Wool which increases the thermal insulation of the predecessor while still keeping weight to a minimum. It creates a layer of warm air next to the skin, allowing for a high absorption / emission rate of moisture before it has time to change into sweat caused by condensation, which keeps you drier on the inside for longer.
The winter jacket for every weather condition, the Q36.5 Men's Adventure Winter jacket is a versatile piece of equipment with a pattern construction that meets the demands of your body while managing both external and internal environments. Suitable both on the road as well as off it, this new jacket adds an extra drawstring at the bottom of the jacket that combines with elasticated wrist cuffs for sealed protection against the elements and a snug fit. A hermetic collar is a consistent feature from other jackets in the range where a second collar can be found on the internal side of the first collar. This second collar is a soft and elastic fleece cut to easily rest directly against the neck much like the elasticated tape used underneath a cape by barbers.
This second internal collar hermetically seals the body from cold air which can often enter from the rear part of the neck during activity, offering superior protection to that provided by the traditional single collar found on other cycling jackets.
Wherever you ride, this Winter jacket will keep you protected against the toughest conditions. The incredible low weight allows a freedom of movement unmatched by other jackets that offer the same level of protection, making it ideal off road and welcome on any ride.
Available in Olive Green, Navy Blue or Black
As a huge fan of Q36.5, there isn't much - if anything in the range I haven't either worn or own!
As with all cycling apparel, in order to do its job effectively : keep you warm or cool, dry, comfortable and aero, it has to fit correctly. All too often we see riders in clothing that is far too big, flapping around or with gaping sleeves.
We get it, some people don't want to 'look silly' in tight fitting lycra - the stigma for many remains. To these folk I say consider this: most of those who'll be paying you any mind while you ride around will be other cyclists; they will almost certainly think you look silly if you're riding around in loose, ill-fitting kit! Besides, you want to get the best from your investment so who cares what people who aren't part of the cycling fraternity think - if it fits properly, it works the way it's designed to.
Q36.5 is highly technical kit; regionally sweat-mapped for optimum moisture management; ergogenic pattern cuts for best possible form-fitting and aerodynamics; not to mention the thermal conductivity that helps stabilise your body temperature, freeing up energy for riding. Fit is key and often at odds with your civvies.
We recommend purchasing and wearing your Q36.5 garment or shoes ‘true to size’ - if you are usually a Medium, purchase a Medium; 43.5 shoe then 43.5. However, when trying on a Q36.5 garment for the first time please keep in mind that cut and fit is designed for on the bike comfort and performance, indeed it is a pre-shaped cut meaning and the user may feel a minor degree of strain (eg. in the shoulder and chest area of the jersey / jacket or the bib short braces) when standing upright - this is totally normal and preferred, since you don't ride standing upright!
Try adopting a tucked, cycling position when trying kit on - all cycling clothing of any note is pre-shaped or cut in this position in order to deliver the technical benefits of the piece. When on the bicycle, any feeling of restriction should literally disappear and be replaced by a snug fit yet with excellent ease of movement, comfort and stability. With shoes, you want a small gap between your toes and the end of the shoe. As you ride, your feet swell and your arches collapse slightly causing your feet to 'creep'. Most of this movement is lateral but there is some longitudinal movement also. If your toes are at the end of the shoe to begin with - you will suffer with numbness and pain.
If you are ever unsure of sizing - maybe you have no frame of reference or you've tried 2 sizes and both seem to fit - the recommendation is to size down! Better to have your cycling kit tight than loose. Materials will give out slightly too and in the case of bibshorts, you want the pad firmly against you so you are stable in the saddle and so there is no rubbing of material or shifting of the pad - this only leads to bad places; saddle sores and ultimately, quicker wear in your kit.
If you are between sizes or already borderline on a size (close to it being too small), you may wish to size up one. Similarly, if you are not quite 'racing snake' and the size chart suggests you are a particular size - if you are close to the upper most extreme of that measure - you may wish to size up (it's how it works for me!).
For the latest seasons (2024 ->) there have been some changes to short leg length. In much the same way that the Pinstripe Pro (now Dottore Pro) jersey had an additional 2cm added for better overall fit, the Dottore and Unique bib shorts now have legs that are 2.5cm longer to better support the full length of the muscle. I would expect to see this creep into all shorts moving forward. Remember - there are rolling changes made where necessary during the 4 year development cycle of Q36.5 clothing.
There are also some changes to the structure of the range - at least in name. Collections are split by tech and fit: Democtratic Fit / GREGARIUS (Essentially KNITTED Fabrics with a more forgiving fit), Ergogenic Fit / DOTTORE (WOVEN Fabrics that fit close and are semi-compressive) and Skin Fit / UNIQUE (A small grouping, of UNIQUE Pro products that are second-skin). We separate them out in the menus on the site if it helps!
A note on socks : Q36.5 socks are supremely comfortable, easily the best I have ever owned. They last too and that feeling continues wash after wash where others become crisp and scratchy. If you are between sizes or unsure then I suggest you size down. There is plenty of stretch in Q36.5. With some models - notably the Be Love 0 and Be Love Seta - it is recommended that you cold-wash them before first use; they will shrink ever so slightly but not enough to warrant buying a size up.
Base layers are critical to the performance of anything you layer over the top. They should absolutely be a second skin or they don't do their job. If it fits like your favourite Sunday afternoon baggy T-shirt, bin it! Always buy the size that fits closest without any pinching under the arms or restriction at the cuff. Again, size down if you are unsure or between prescribed sizes. You may find that for the UK climate you can survive the winter in a short sleeve Q36.5 Base (Base Layer 2) - though this will depend on how you feel the cold. During summer, a base layer is still beneficial, helping to move moisture off the skin - where the temperature exceeds 24oC, you may find that a Clima or Dottore PRO jersey are fine next to the skin but both (and all other jerseys) will perform better when the Zero Mesh base layer is in play.
Get a Vest / Gilet! If you don't own one, this is the single piece of equipment that offers the broadest range of benefits. A good gilet offers wind protection on chilly mornings, late evenings, descents after hot and sweaty climbs and core protection in sudden downpours - it is virtually indispensible year round. Not sure where the weather will go an any given ride? Stuff it in a jersey pocket and your core will always be protected, extending the operating temperature of the rest of your outfit; be that in summer or winter.
Q36.5 make 5 key vests - one uniquely for potentially wet rides but that also serves to keep the wind off (R.Vest Protection); the all-round Vest L1 Essential that offers both thermal stability, insulation and weather protection; the new Air Vest, the ultimate in low bulk emergency wear that will keep the wind and showers from ruining your ride and that packs down incredibly small - it weighs just 69g; the new Adventure Insulation Vest developed for lower intensity and more adventurous forays off the beaten track in a design that weighs in at just 115g & packs away easily - and lastly the Woolf Bombardino - a versatile gilet that can serve as a layering piece or an external weather defense during rides in changeable conditions - it's small too, so ideal for summer trips to the mountains where temperature can vary sigificantly with elevation. Remember - the fit needs to be close, particularly when layering.
Be smart with your Q36.5 clothing. Wash it without softener at cold temps - preferably as soon as you get in from your ride. And use their Tech Wash - it will make your kit last longer and perform the way it is supposed to.