Primal Wear Cycling Apparel Review: Bold Designs Meet Quality and Comfort
Hey there, cycling fashionistas! If you‘re looking to upgrade your biking wardrobe with some eye-catching designs that don‘t sacrifice performance, Primal Wear is definitely a brand worth checking out. In this in-depth review, we‘ll take a closer look at Primal‘s history, best-selling products, customer feedback, and more to help you decide if their cycling clothing is right for you.
About Primal Wear
Founded in 1992 by passionate cyclist Dave Edwards, Primal Wear has grown from a small operation in Edwards‘ Denver garage to an international brand loved by recreational riders and racers alike. While they started out making mountain bike jerseys, Primal now offers a full range of road and mountain biking apparel for men, women, and kids.
What sets Primal apart is their huge selection of unique and colorful designs. The company has a team of talented graphic artists who create exclusive patterns you won‘t find anywhere else. Whether you want a jersey that shows off your fun personality or represents your favorite pop culture icons, Primal likely has a design that speaks to you.
But Primal isn‘t just about standing out with bold designs. They‘re also committed to making high-quality, comfortable gear and supporting the cycling community. Every year, Primal donates over $1 million worth of custom apparel to help cycling events and non-profit organizations raise money for good causes. So when you buy from Primal, you can feel good knowing you‘re supporting a company that gives back.
Most Popular Primal Wear Jerseys
Primal is best known for their incredible selection of cycling jerseys. With hundreds of designs to choose from in short sleeve, long sleeve, and sleeveless cuts, there‘s truly something for every style. Here are some of their top sellers:
Primal Wear Grateful Dead Jersey
For the riders who want to rep their favorite band, Primal‘s officially-licensed Grateful Dead jerseys are a big hit. These tie-dye inspired designs feature the band‘s iconic dancing bears or skeleton logos. Made with moisture-wicking Airespan fabric, a full-length zipper, and three rear pockets, these jerseys are just as functional as they are stylish.
Customer Review: "The design on this jersey is killer! I get compliments every time I wear it. The fit is spot on and the longer back keeps you covered in riding position. Definitely recommend for any Deadheads who ride!" – Jerry, Arizona
Primal Wear Prismatic Jerseys
Prefer designs that are more abstract and artistic? Check out Primal‘s Prismatic jerseys. Available in several bold, colorful patterns, these jerseys are made with recycled polyester fabric for an eco-friendly choice. They also have a slim, race-ready fit and mesh side panels for extra breathability.
Customer Review: "I absolutely love the design and colors on this jersey – it‘s like wearing a work of art! The lightweight material is perfect for hot summer rides. I‘m 5‘8" and 150lbs and the medium fits me perfectly." – Jenna, Colorado
Primal Wear USA Sports Jerseys
Show your American pride with Primal‘s USA Sports Jerseys. These patriotic designs come in red, white, and blue color schemes and often feature stars, stripes, or bald eagle graphics. Whether you‘re gearing up for a 4th of July ride or the Olympics, these jerseys are a perfect choice.
Customer Review: "I got this jersey for a Memorial Day group ride and it was a huge hit! The fit is comfortable and not too tight. I love that a portion of the proceeds go to the Wounded Warrior Project too." – Mike, New Jersey
In addition to these collections, Primal also makes jerseys for popular events like RAGBRAI, NYC 5 Boro Bike Tour, and the Pan-Mass Challenge. You can even create your own completely custom Primal jerseys for your local cycling club, charity ride, or corporate event.
Primal Wear Shorts & Bibs Review
Of course, every great cycling kit needs a quality pair of shorts or bib shorts. Primal offers several models with premium features like advanced chamois padding, compression leg grippers, and laser-cut bib straps. Here are their two most popular options:
Primal Wear Evo Corsa Bib Shorts
As Primal‘s top-of-the-line bib shorts, the Evo Corsa is built for elite performance and long-distance comfort. They‘re made with compressive nylon/spandex fabric and have seamless, laser-cut leg openings to prevent chafing. The 12mm chamois pad provides plenty of cushioning for all-day epics.
Customer Review: "Hands down the best bib shorts I‘ve ever owned. Worth every penny. The chamois is incredibly comfortable on 100+ mile rides, the compression is just right, and they stay in place perfectly. I‘ll be buying another pair!" – Jeff, California
Primal Wear Onyx Shorts
For riders who prefer a more affordable, traditional cycling short, the Onyx is an excellent choice. They use Primal‘s ProSoft fabric which is lightweight, moisture-wicking, and has just the right amount of stretch. The elastic leg grippers keep the 9-panel shorts in place as you pedal.
Customer Review: "I was hesitant to spend this much on bike shorts, but I‘m so glad I did. The padding is much better than the cheap shorts I was using before and I don‘t get any uncomfortable bunching or rubbing on long rides now. Definitely size up though, they run small!" – Sarah, Ontario
How Does Primal Compare to Other Cycling Brands?
If you‘re considering Primal Wear, you may be wondering how they stack up against other popular cycling apparel brands. Here are a few key differences:
Primal Wear vs. Pearl Izumi
Pearl Izumi is another well-known cycling brand that offers a wide range of jerseys, shorts, tights, jackets, and accessories. Compared to Primal, Pearl Izumi gear tends to have a more understated, classic look. While Primal is known for bold colors and graphics, Pearl Izumi uses more solid colors and subtle patterns. Pearl Izumi also has a bigger selection of cold-weather gear like thermal jerseys, jackets, and tights.
In terms of pricing, Pearl Izumi is generally a bit more expensive than Primal. However, both brands are committed to using high-quality technical fabrics and construction. It really comes down to the style you prefer – if you want eye-catching and unique designs, go with Primal. If you like a more traditional cycling look, Pearl Izumi is a great choice.
Primal Wear vs. Rapha
Rapha is a London-based cycling brand with a loyal following of serious roadies and racers. Their style is very minimalist and sleek, with solid colors and small logos. Unlike Primal‘s patterned designs, you won‘t find any loud graphics or cartoon characters on Rapha gear. Rapha is also considerably more expensive than Primal, with some of their premium jerseys costing over $200.
That said, cyclists rave about the luxurious feel of Rapha‘s fabrics and the second-skin fit. Rapha also has a big emphasis on the storytelling and culture around cycling. But if you‘re looking to maximize your bang for the buck, Primal is going to offer better value and a larger selection of designs.
Primal Wear Sizing, Shipping & Returns
Primal makes cycling apparel in a wide range of sizes so every body type can find a great fit. Their jerseys come in XS through 5XL and their shorts/bibs are available in XS through 4XL. Primal provides detailed size charts on their website with garment measurements to help you pick the right size.
According to reviews, most cyclists find that Primal‘s jerseys run true to size. Some say the shorts run a bit small, so you may want to size up in those for a more relaxed fit. Primal also offers some of their most popular jerseys and shorts in tall sizes for riders over 6‘2".
If you‘re ordering from the US, you‘ll get free standard shipping from Primal for orders over $75. For smaller orders or if you need your gear faster, paid express shipping options are available (1-3 business days). Primal also ships internationally to over 50 countries, but rates and transit times vary.
Not completely in love with your new Primal gear? No worries – they offer a 30-day return policy for unworn items in original packaging. You‘ll just need to contact their customer service team for a free return label. Primal also has a generous 1-year warranty against manufacturer defects. Based on reviews, their customer service team is very friendly and quick to resolve any issues.
Final Thoughts: Is Primal Wear Worth It?
After reviewing Primal Wear‘s history, products, customer feedback and more, it‘s clear that they deliver a lot of value to passionate cyclists. With such unique designs, quality construction, and a commitment to supporting great causes, Primal is a solid choice for any rider looking to upgrade their kit.
While some of Primal‘s products are more expensive than entry-level brands, you‘re paying for excellent fit, comfort, and performance. Their cycling wear is built to last through many seasons of hard riding. Plus, the huge selection of designs means you can find the perfect gear to show off your personality on the bike.
No brand is perfect for everyone, and cyclists who prefer a more understated style may not love Primal‘s loud colors and patterns. Additionally, some reviewers wish Primal would offer more eco-friendly or sustainable fabric options like Bluesign certified or recycled polyester.
But for most recreational riders and amateur racers, Primal hits a sweet spot between style, performance, and affordability. Their constant sales and new design launches make them a brand you‘ll want to check back with regularly. And as more cyclists recognize the power of voting with their dollars, Primal‘s charitable contributions set them apart as a company to feel good about supporting.
So what are you waiting for? Head over to PrimalWear.com and find a jersey that speaks to you! See you out on the road.
