Modern kit that tips its cap to the past: Vitti Cycling kit review

Vitti’s Process Jersey is emblematic of the company’s goal to fuse classic design with aspects of modern performance. Both are excellent bits of kit you’ll reach for routinely.

Vitti Cycling celebrates the stylistic elements that go hand-in-glove with riding a bike. On a sundrenched day in central Europe, we set out in their Process Jersey and standard bibs to see if the handsome designs are more than just window dressing.

The company - which claims a dedication to research, sourcing and the classicism commonly associated with cycling’s post-war golden age - is, like all company’s grappling with a dynamic market. Vitti is adapting with new releases, including winter kit, expected to drop in 2020.

Littered with welcome details: classic colour blocs in pale pastels, laser-cut sleeves, zipper guards and logoed French collar.

Race kit suited for different conditions: road test

The demands on modern cycling kit are many, as increasingly riders are asking for more technical apparel that still balances the high-wire act of style and substance. Vitti walks this line by manufacturing kit that boasts ride-enhancing fit in a pleasingly designed package. This is the company’s race-fit top tipped for “short training rides, fast crits, or all-day efforts;” it feels fast, fits next-to-skin (medium jersey, 6’1 and 172 lbs), comes with three rear cargo pockets and has aerated panelling. Laser-cut sleeves are unrestricting and stay put. The best stylistic element are pink zipper guards. A pleasant and unexpected pop of colour.

Standard bibs are technical enough and come with a slim and pleasingly shaped silhouette (we wore a small). The chamois feels luxurious (though of unknown origin; they seem to be white-labeled), low profile and logoed with the signature “V’s”. Leg grippers keep the laser cut ends from riding up while wide white ribbed suspenders fit like formal wear, keeping with the company’s goal of going bespoke. A subtle white logo - like those commonly adorning 50’s, 60’s and 70’s designs pair perfectly. A high waist keeps everything (stomach included) in its place. The elastane blend seems to offer some compressive benefit.

Vitti’s kit is near perfect. A zippered stash pocket for essentials on the Process Jersey and a more dense chamois could make it even better. These are very minor knits, of course. Undeniably what has been achieved here is the balance founder Guidi Vitti sought to create when building a new company: heritage-minded kit with enough substance to satisfy the market’s middle segment - cyclists who value looking good with most of the performance qualities found in higher-end, but more future-focused pieces.

The Process Jersey sells for 160 euros; navy blue bibs 225 euros.