ProView – GOREWEAR Men’s SWIFTRIDE Biking Kit Review

In June 2026, my partner and I will set out to cycle nine months and 30,000km from Alaska to Patagonia along the spine of the Americas. The ride marks the first in a series of unmotorized expeditions along the global bird migration pathways. Blending extreme sports, scientific exploration, and conservation storytelling, we aim to build an ‘athletes for nature’ movement to inspire action for the planet.

The GOREWEAR SWIFTRIDE Optical cycling kit arrived just in time for the 2025 race season. In preparation for next year’s expedition, I will be competing in numerous cycling and triathlon events, along with targeted challenges such as a 300km one-day ride from Jasper to Banff in the Canadian Rockies.

These rides are not only important training milestones but also essential for refining our expedition priority gear list. The interaction between bike and apparel fit is a particular concern in ultra-distance and duration endeavours. Identifying one’s ideal type of bib shorts is therefore a major puzzle piece to preventing health problems associated with repetitive motions in a locked-up position.

Performance

Over the past few years, GOREWEAR has become my preferred cycling apparel brand, including on an epic 4500km coast-to-coast traverse of Canada last summer. Having used so much of their gear, I was intrigued to put the SWIFTRIDE Optical cycling kit to the test.

The Festivus of Gravel race, a challenging 190km loop in southern Alberta, offered a great opportunity. After a hot and dusty day in the saddle, I was really pleased with the performance of the bib shorts and jersey. The snug fit and improved seat pad of the bib shorts felt really comfortable, successfully preventing pressure points that can easily cause discomfort.

The excellent stretch fabrics enabled a secure but comfortable fit around the thighs, hip,s and shoulders. As an added bonus, I was able to carry a Seven Summits Snacks chocolate bar under the stretch garment on my thighs, facilitating quick access to my preferred endurance fuel.

The jersey is light, and the materials enable good moisture control. The three main pockets on the back of the jersey easily hold an iPhone, a wallet, and a wind protection garment. One zipper pocket can be used to securely store a set of keys or other small items.

Unlike my other GOREWEAR bib shorts and jerseys, the SWIFTRIDE Optical cycling kit features small reflectors, which is fantastic for improved road safety. Finally, I almost never choose white or black clothes, but I have to admit that I am really happy I opted for this colour combo; paired with my purple Gorewear socks and vest, it looks particularly stylish.

As a side note, I am 192cm (6.3’) tall and weigh 95kg (209lb) with a lean but muscular frame. I chose L in the bib shorts and XL in the jersey for an athletic fit.

What sets the product apart

The SWIFTRIDE Optical cycling kit stands out for its excellent quality, functionality, and style.

Who is the product for

The SWIFTRIDE Optical cycling kit meets the demands of recreational cycling enthusiasts and competitive athletes alike.

Friendliness to the Earth

GOREWEAR has committed to a number of socio-environmental certification standards to improve the quality of its products. This includes the bluesign system, the STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX initiative, and the Fair Labor accreditation. While the web profiles of the jersey and bib shorts do not explicitly mention the use of certified materials, both garments contain over 80% recycled materials, which helps to reduce the environmental footprint of production.

The Final Word

The GOREWEAR SWIFTRIDE Optical cycling kit is an excellent choice for any level of cyclist, offering high functionality at a very attractive price point.

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