6 highlights from Santini’s summer clothing range

Santini swung by road.cc HQ the other day to show us the spring/summer 2016 range so that we could decide what to review over the coming months.

Here are some of the standout items.

1. Photon range 

The Photon range has been developed in collaboration with the Lotto-Jumbo professional cycling team with the idea of being lightweight, aerodynamic, and suitable for endurance rides.

The bib shorts (£179) feature Santini’s new high-end C3 seatpad that you can find out about in this video.

With gel inserts under your ischium (sit bones), the C3 pad is designed to keep you comfortable on rides up to seven hours.

The shorts’ Thunderbike Power main fabric is supposed to provide a slight compression effect while you get raw cut anti-sliding elasticated leg cuffs to keep them in position.

The Photon Jersey (£110) has three-quarter length sleeves, the idea being to provide better aerodynamics and protection from the sun, and has side inserts made from a fabric that’s infused with carbon to be anti-bacterial and resistant to odours.

The Photon Speedsuit is essentially the bib shorts and the jersey combined. You might not get the versatility of buying the two items separately but it’s a lot cheaper at £180.

2. Sleek jersey

The Sleek jersey (£89) is a lightweight aero-fit jersey with a micro Lycra rear to provide loads of stretch. You get anti-slip bands on the cuffs and the bottom to help hold it in place. 

As well as being available in standard colours, this is one of the items that Santini offers as custom kit. Santini does loads of club and event clothing, and an increasing amount for small groups of riders who just want to have something unusual. 

If that interests you, go to www.santinicustom.it.

3. Karma jersey and shorts

You can currently buy the Karma jersey and bib shorts for £120 rather than the usual £150, that promotion only applying at independent bike dealers. 

The jersey is the same build as Santini uses for its Giro d’Italia replica jerseys with a midway fit that’s somewhere between aero and relaxed. The Cyber-Rider fabric used on the shoulders and back is quite an open weave for temperature control compared to the Kontatto fabric used at the front.

The shorts feature Santini’s updated GIT (Gel Intech) pad with a silicone gel core. It’s slimmer than previously with more channelling. 

4 Anna jersey

The Anna women’s jersey, restyled from the 2015 version, is available in short sleeve (£70) and sleeveless (£60) options. It comes in a classic (regular) fit, and as well as two large pockets on the back, you get two on the sides that are more easily accessible.

5. Camo short sleeve base layer 

This new base layer (£50) is made from very lightweight polypropylene. We’ve always had really good results with this material in the past because it doesn’t get heavy with sweat, transporting moisture quickly away from your skin. The body is seamless and the shoulders are flat-stitched for comfort. 

We suspect many people are going to buy this base layer for its camouflage finish as for its technical performance.

6. Ducati jersey £60

Motorcycle fans might like Santini’s new range that’s modelled on Ducati leathers. The link is that like Santini, Ducati is based in northern Italy and many of its team riders cycle as part of their fitness training.

The jersey (£60) is part of a range that also includes bib shorts, tights, long sleeve jersey, jacket, socks, mitts and cap, so you can get Ducatied up to the max.