-by Virginia Smith

While walking around the 2009 Interbike show, I had plenty of opportunities to see some innovative and very cool new products. One of the most exciting finds for me was the Loeka clothing booth.

While my current riding style may not be that radical, I have found that Loeka’s commuter line of clothing more than meets my needs for daily commuting. I tried out their DH/Digger capri-style shorts and their very stylish Commuter Jacket in a very flattering shade of blue (Blue Diamond).

First off, let me say that I usually wear the typical ‘roadie’ type shorts because my experiences with other baggy shorts have been less than ideal. The Loeka shorts proved to be an exception. Given my short stature, I had doubts about my ability to pull off capri-style shorts without looking like a garden gnome. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the number of compliments I received for stylishness alone. The micro suede polyester material appears to be very durable, and the seams are all double stitched for added strength. Added to the shear comfort of riding in them, Loeka is a clear winner.

I will add a caveat here that, because my commute is generally about 10 miles a day, I did need to add padded underwear in order to be truly comfortable. However, the fit, especially in the waist, makes it seem almost like wearing nothing at all.

I can’t say enough good things about the very stylish, very comfortable jacket. It has a large back pocket, and two generous side pockets – all of which are zippered. It has zippered vents under each arm, as well as a very stylish asymmetrical front zipper. All of the zippers lock, which took a little getting used to and makes them tricky to unzip while the bike is in motion unless you are proficient at the ‘no hands’ style of riding, which I am not. However, I did manage to unlock the zippers without stopping my bike, but I did have to slow down quite a bit! Loeka Clothing has announced that for 2010 all zippers, except for the main zipper, will not be locking zippers; this is an excellent change.

I’ve never been one to commute in the rain because it’s so difficult to get warm and dry once I get to the office. However, both of the items I tested left me warm and dry at the end of a soggy commute. The jacket is so good it sloughed off water like it was made of Teflon®! The polyester fabric has 20,000mm waterproofing (which is top of the line for waterproof fabrics) and a 20,000 mm breathability factor, so it isn’t surprising that it performed so well in the rain. I did wear leg warmers under the shorts to prevent getting road slop on my legs. The shorts were very waterproof, with the added bonus of having the back pockets lined in extra waterproofing so that you can carry cash and it won’t be soggy when you pull it out to buy that post-ride coffee.

The jacket is very warm, but the mesh lining wicks away moisture, while the abundance of zippers provide a means to regulate the warmth. It worked out very well on chilly mornings, but it was just a little too warm for the springtime afternoons above 55 degrees. Although it is fairly light, it doesn’t fold up small enough to fit into a riding jersey pocket. However, it is compact enough to fit into a pannier at the end of the day.

I have a couple more observations on the commuter jacket. Reflective piping is strategically placed on the sleeves and back so that drivers can see you on the road, which is a real plus when it’s dark or rainy. Also, the jacket features Velcro adjustments on the wrists, so if the sleeves are just a little long you can adjust the straps so that the sleeves don’t settle in the middle of your hands. That’s a real plus for smaller framed women.

I would have liked to test the gear more for durability and waterproofing more than the one time I got caught in the rain, but our weather did not cooperate this year. I will, however, be providing an update on both the waterproofing in the winter (once our wet weather arrives again) and on the durability of the shorts as I continue to wear them through our very hot summer.

Both the jacket and the shorts washed up nicely after my one wet commute home. The washing instructions include a recommendation for using only powdered detergent, so I dutifully went out and bought some. Apparently, the powered detergent doesn’t penetrate the fabric as much, so it protects the waterproofing better than liquid. I can test that theory out in the winter, too.

I’ve also been told that the jacket is suitable for snowshoeing and possibly other winter activities. However, I will not be testing out that theory because I go to great lengths to avoid snow and won’t willingly travel to any destination that involves putting chains on my car.

I would definitely recommend the Loeka line for anyone looking for stylish and comfortable, yet practical commuter clothing.