What to Pack for the Ultimate Gravel Bike Gear Kit

Best Gravel Cycling Kit: Pas Normal Studios Escapism Collection

Cycling apparel of all kinds—road, gravel, mountain, commuting—have gotten undeniably cooler and simply better in recent years. From fit to materials to styling, cycling apparel is having a moment and perhaps no brand encapsulates this confluence of design, aesthetics, and culture quite as well as Copenhagen’s Pas Normal Studios. Co-founded by fashion and streetwear OG Karl-Oskar Olsen (of Swedish label Wood Wood) PNS has recently collaborated with the likes of Salomon, Porter Yoshida, and Pirelli, and with the gravel-specific Escapism collection has become our go-to kit maker.

With more durable fabrics, forgiving fits, and earth toned colorways, it’s the sort of apparel that flows seamlessly within any GORP-devotees wardrobe alongside and wander, Gramicci, and Snow Peak. After eating plenty of singletrack in the Escapism bibs, I can confirm they show little to no signs of wear. And with two cargo pockets and two stash pockets in the rear, they hold enough food and layers for a full day in the backcountry. Again, speaking from experience.

While Pas Normal Studios is producing innovative apparel to perform at the highest levels of gravel and road riding, it’s the pieces that appear less technical where Olsen’s design chops really show. The Escapism collection features a short-sleeve and long-sleeve technical shirt, each masterfully capturing the style and spirit of gravel. Breathable and flowy yet durable and protective, the wool-blend tees feature strategically placed panels of nylon for increased durability and resistance from the elements. Two side zippers offer easy ventilation and improved access to bib pockets. What’s remarkable about the tech tees is the cut and placement of the seams. Even bombing down West Vancouver’s famous Cypress Bowl Road overlooking city and Howe Sound at over 70 kilometers per hour I experienced no flap and no pull as one might when riding in a loose jersey or normal tech tee. Similar to Quoc, the level of quality of every piece of Pas Normal Studios gear approaches luxury—albeit a level that yearns for dirt.

Pro Tip #1: Rocking a technical tee with bibs is yet another gravel style nuance to embrace. While close-fitting jerseys are also welcome (and come in handy if you really need the pocket space) it’s the bibs and tee combo that’s uniquely a hallmark of gravel riding. Look good, ride good!

Source: https://www.fieldmag.com/articles/best-gravel-bike-gear-for-adventure