Kickstarter clothing roundup: Huez*, Blackmore and Dappercap

We haven't had a Kickstarter roundup for a little while, so here's a clothing themed roundup, with a very interesting quick removal jacket, a stylish alternative to regular cycling helmets, and a new brand aiming to bring manufacturing home.

Huez* Starman Wind Jacket

You’ll have heard of Huez*, we reviewed their smart cycling trousers they other day. For their next product, they've taken to Kickstarter, and they’ve just been in touch to let us know their new Starman Wind Jacket, a performance cycling jacket, has just gone live on the social funding website.

The jacket is designed to be a super lightweight (it weighs a claimed 25g, indeed very light, you won’t find many jackets lighter) and very packable jacket - they boldly claim you can remove it and stash it in a jersey pocket within 10 seconds. That is of course depending on your skills at riding no-handed.

It’s designed be removed quickly without having to fumble for the zip puller, you simply pull the zip apart in the middle and it rips open. That could be handy when you have bulky winter gloves on and don't want to stop, take your gloves off to operate the tiny zip puller. There are some occasions when that speedy removal could be very useful too, racing in a bunch for one, or riding in a group on a sportive or club run, or hitting the bottom of a long mountain climb perhaps, or simply if you prefer to make clothing changes on the move. Once off, it packs down small and will easily squeeze in a jersey pocket.

They’re going to offer it in two colours and six sizes, XS to XXL. It’ll costs £85 and is expected to be delivered, if the campaign is successful, in January. They’ve set a funding goal of £10,000 and have 25 days to go to hit that target.

Find out more here.

Blackmore - British manufactured cycling clothing

Three designers and manufacturers from Essex have combined forces to launch Blackmore, a cycle clothing brand, with a view to manufacturing all their clothing right here in the UK.

There are many UK cycle clothing brands, but few can claim to also manufacture in the UK, yet that is precisely the intention of Blackmore. They boldly set out their desire to “bring jobs to the local community within months” of launching next spring.

And they've got a full range of clothing ready to go. They’re producing both a mountain bike jersey (£40), a short zipped sportive jersey (£60) and a long zip race jersey (£70). There are bib shorts (£90) too. 

They’re looking for £13,000 funding and have 13 days remaining. Find out more here.

Dappercap - stylish helmets made in Cornwall

Dappercap are cycling helmets that are intended to offer a stylish alternative to the often racy look of most cycle helmets. They say they wanted to “create a design that is as individual as the clothes we wear.”

“Wearing a Dappercap helmet is all about loving the journey. Taking it easy. Getting from A to B. We’re supporters of the global Slow Bicycle Movement, so it’s about making the ride part of the fun. And looking stylish when you’re doing it,” says the company.

They’re manufactured in Cornwall using a 90% carbon fibre shell, so it’s light and very strong (it is tested to the European Standard). There are seven vents in the top with a channelled liner to help airflow, and it’s all wrapped with a Moleskin finish. Chrome edging offers a reflective detail and the band around the base is interchangeable so you can customise the design and appearance of the helmet, and they’re working to commission more colours and band designs.

They’re looking to raise £38,000 and have so far managed £25,960 from 130 backers, but with 10 hours to go they need a bit of a push if they’re going to hit that target. You can back the project from as little as £1, while to get your hands on a production helmet will cost you £100 and there’s a choice of colours to choose from.

Find out more here.