March 22, 2023 Black Owned Cycling Apparel

Black Owned Cycling Apparel

While Black riders have been setting styles since Kitty Knox broke the color barrier at the League of American Bicyclists (then Wheelmen) in 1895, these companies are the first to step into the kit space as brands.

Clipt'n - This is the only brand on the list to feature drop tail bibs, let alone drop-tails with four pockets. Launched in 2021 by Sheldon Freeman and the late James Moten Jr., Clipt'n's, Mr. Freeman revealed to me, "We've sold more women's [bibs] than men's." Their club-fit jerseys have nicely tapered torsos, all in calming prints in current color palates, but the bibs are the real stars here.

Kings Rule Together and Queens Rule Together; this brand was kickstarted by riders behind the Philadelphia-based cycling club of the same name. KRT's summer jerseys are highly elastic and have all the right features: good sleeve length, a zippered pocket, aero fit, and a minimal collar. The prints are reminiscent of Rapha and Cafe du Cycliste. As the youngest brand on this list, I look forward to watching KRT set industry trends.

Varlo Apparel - Soj Jibowu is a collegiate D1 runner who dabbled in triathlon before launching founded Varlo. He used his experiences and insights as a multisport athlete to inform some of the kit features and designs. While the brand is a product of a multicultural team, Varlo has in-house designers to help teams with custom kits, as well as create public designs for Varlo. The brand sponsors pro triathletes, which means in addition to cycling gear, it offers swimsuits, tri kit, and running gear. The silhouettes trend modern, with long aero sleeves and low collars, while the prints are familiar and certainly inoffensive.

BeYou4Life - BeYou4Life sells triathlon, cycling, and casual gear for after the race. They stand out on this list for their bold prints that use classic patterns like polka-dots and chevrons The Brand was launched in 2017 by a female figure competitor, certified group fitness Instructor, certified spin instructor, marathoner, duathlete, and Harvard grad Sandra.

Knights of Mobay - Founded in 2008, this brand features cycling kits that are culturally significant to the Black diaspora. They make an "Irie" kit with the red, green, and yellow stripes, as well as the Howard University cycling kit. The jersey is club-cut in most cases, with a few women's 3/4 -zip jerseys.

Major Taylor Cycling Wear - Proceeds from the sale of these cycling kits go to the descendants of Marshall "Major" Taylor. The brand offers club-cut jerseys and traditional bibs, featuring the famous Black bike racer. Major Taylor Cycling Wear sponsors the St. Augustine University cycling team, and the blue and white kit can be found on the cycling team's website.

Podium Bound - Podium Bound offers apparel for the widest variety of sports on this list, including a John Singleton Boyz in the Hood tribute baseball jersey, in addition to gear for other popular sports like soccer and football, as well as less "traditionally popular" sports, like bowling.

Cycling Out Loud - The North Carolina-based, body-positive Black woman-owned company specialty is skin suits at reasonable prices. The brand also offers matching socks, gaiters, and caps.

Clubs and honorable mentions
These clubs and foundations sell their gear, but use an existing cycling kit manufacturer like Jakroo or Cuore, and may only sell to members. But it's good to know so you can keep an eye out for it if you like!

Black-owned activewear

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