The Cyclist’s Closet: Loeka’s Apparel for Outdoor Adventure (+ Giveaway!)

20. Oct, 2011 39 Comments  Print This Article

We were introduced to Loeka’s line of women’s only cycling apparel and outdoor adventure clothing by Rory Harmse last fall and knew a great thing when we saw it. Loeka’s story started back in 2005 when a friend complained to Rory about the lack of good women’s cycling apparel, especially for mountain biking. Since that fateful day, Rory made it his mission to provide that clothing and thus, Loeka came to be. The name “Loeka” is a combination of the Spanish word “loca” (crazy) and the Hindi word “loka” (world); thus a new word which means “Crazy world.”

Erin Roberts, a 2011 Loeka Team rider strikes a pose (photo courtesy of Loeka)

Loeka, based in British Columbia,  has truly stepped in to fill a niche needed for women who like adrenaline-stoked, mud-spattering, trail rides and yet didn’t want to be mistaken for guys once their helmet was on. The clothes are feminine without needing to be pink. The jerseys, which come in a variety of sleeve lengths, have a palette of vibrant color and some fun decorative touches. The shorts are designed for a wide variety of riding from the lightweight shell shorts to the All Mountain Oszust Shorts which can take one from cross-country riding to hanging around town. The more technical Cascade Freeride Shorts are designed for downhill riding, rougher terrain and wet riding conditions. For those that ride year round, Loeka makes wind-blocking and waterproof pants so you can take on  winter riding conditions (they are especially perfect for the Pac NW!) Loeka jackets have great design and technical features and range from the lightweight waterproof shell jackets to warm soft shell jackets and some great breathable waterproof jackets with adjustable hoods.

The women who wear Loeka clothing really put it through some tough tests. They want it to be comfortable, to fit over their downhill armor, to take the wet conditions of the Pacific Northwest and to be durable enough to withstand some crashes. But they aren’t men, so with input from Loeka’s team, the jerseys are made wide in the shoulders for the armor, yet the sides are still tapered to curve with the body. The shorts which come in two lengths take into account women’s waist to hip ratio and their thigh to hip ratio and still fit a lot of body types. Many women are surprised at the longer lengths of the jerseys which are a godsend for tall women.  The jerseys are made of materials that are breathable, wick away moisture and are antibacterial, so they repel odors as well.

 

Rider Reviews

How does Loeka cycling apparel stand up to tough riding conditions for those who train and race through the season? These riders really put the clothes to the test.

Michelle Thorne: “Living on the North Shore seems to be the perfect place to test new riding gear. I had the opportunity this year to give Loeka’s newly designed clothing a beating, and that is exactly what they took. From all kinds of riding and weather conditions, the shorts, jerseys and jackets proved to me that there are truly no bad conditions as long as you are wearing the right stuff. The jacket and long sleeve jerseys were water resistant and warm on the snowy and rainy days with just the right amount of ventilation if the sun managed to crack out. The 3/4 sleeve jersey and DH shorts were cool and comfortable on the hot sweaty dust days. The fashionable colors and cuts specifically made for women get noticed. I got stopped in the Whistler Bike Park more than once by girls complementing my clothes. The materials are strong and durable and held up to daily washing and extreme crashes.”

Jaime Rees, team downhill rider for Loeka from Spokane:
“Loeka is by far the most comfortable riding clothing I have ever owned.  It is so nice to have clothing that fits and is flattering on and off my bikes.  My weekday evenings and weekends consists of my Loeka 3/4 sleeve jerseys and Freeride shorts.  You will never find me on my bike without my Loeka gear.  It is just as important to me as wearing my helmet.”

Loeka Giveaway

Loeka has a great jersey to offer in our giveaway. It’s a  XC/Road jersey and it’s perfect  for your road and mountain bike adventures. This long-sleeved-jersey is especially great for cool weather rides. With a full-length 2-way zipper you can vent as much as you want and with 3 rear pockets, you can pack all your essentials for the ride. This jersey can be seen in the photo on the right. (Size medium)

Comment below to enter. Do you think you’d LOVE something from Loeka?  Entries need to be posted by November 3rd. Please make sure you use a real name & email address so that we can contact you if you are a Cycle & Style winner. The prize can be shipped within the USA.

Please note if we try a couple times to get a hold of you by e-mail over the course of a week and do not succeed, we will choose another winner.  WoW!!  Our winner replied quick!!  Thanks Lissa S. of Portola Valley, CA!  Congratulations!!

New for Spring 2012

We go a look at the new products for Spring 2012: new jerseys and shorts and the stand-out pieces are fromLoeka’s urban bike clothing line,  made just for women. It’s a  line of great casual wear perfect for biking around town.

The other great announcement is that Loeka is involved in a recycling project. Loeka Recycle is an initiative that enables customers to return their old Loeka items to be recycled into reusable materials for signage, banners, merchandising. Plus any winter items that are in good condition will be donated to women in need so they can stay warm and dry. These are just the first steps Loeka is taking towards the ultimate goal of operating a completely closed loop recycling system.  Customers who participate in the program are rewarded with vouchers for their next purchase.

Here is a sneak preview taken at Interbike 2011:

Lauren Gregg, a Loeka rider from California models the new dress line for us!

Twitter Digg Delicious Stumbleupon Technorati Facebook Email
Apparel, Contest, Style and Fashion
, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

39 Responses to “The Cyclist’s Closet: Loeka’s Apparel for Outdoor Adventure (+ Giveaway!)”

  1. Tara 20. Oct, 2011 at 9:36 am

    It doesn’t just look perfect for mountain biking–the jersey also looks perfect for slightly muddy, wet, and messy bike commuting, too!

  2. Tricia Adams 20. Oct, 2011 at 9:44 am

    I have no “nice” biking clothes so I’d definitely love to get something that makes me feel official :)

  3. Heidi 20. Oct, 2011 at 9:53 am

    Way cute shorts and jerseys!!! Love them!

  4. Melissa Q 20. Oct, 2011 at 10:52 am

    Cute stuff — I’d LOVE something from Loeka!

  5. Michaella M 20. Oct, 2011 at 11:41 am

    Nothing would be better than heading back home to Kiwiland / aka NZ, with some hot bike wear from Loeka! Plus it will make my kiwi friends super jealous :D

  6. Katie 20. Oct, 2011 at 11:41 am

    Being tall and long waisted I would love to find a jersey that is actually long!

    Plus Loeka’s clothing is super cute, so I would love to win!! :)

    -Katie

  7. Jessica Schilling 20. Oct, 2011 at 11:59 am

    Yes, please! Please? I’m still shivering from my ride in to work this morning, and a long-sleeved jersey would be the perfect layering piece!

  8. Carly 20. Oct, 2011 at 12:35 pm

    I’ve got some shorts and a DH jersey from these guys. I work in a bike shop and it’s great to see great riding clothes for women!

  9. Sara 20. Oct, 2011 at 1:25 pm

    Love this stuff! And that dress…. :)

  10. Lindsey Finn 20. Oct, 2011 at 2:06 pm

    I would love more Loeka clothing. When riding with the boys, it is nice to still look and feel like a girl, especially when you are flying past them!!

  11. Maureen 20. Oct, 2011 at 2:12 pm

    What great items to wear. Thank for the chance to enter.

  12. Kassandra 20. Oct, 2011 at 2:58 pm

    Perfect for many outdoor activities not only mountain biking! :)

  13. Alix 20. Oct, 2011 at 5:05 pm

    Ooh, I love it! I love clothes that are functional as well as look cute!

  14. Sara Grambusch 21. Oct, 2011 at 8:15 am

    Looks a great brand for all sort of outdoors activities. I like that they do not look like uni-sex clothes :)

  15. Emma Leung 21. Oct, 2011 at 10:06 am

    Ripped up one of your shorts this summer, got a replacement from you gals (Thanks!) and ended up buying two more pairs because I love the style and the feel of your clothes! Don’t own a jersey yet though! ;)

  16. Wendy Feltham 22. Oct, 2011 at 10:59 am

    Just moved to the Pacific Northwest and am determined to ride through the winter. I’d love to have a chance to try the jersey:)
    Thanks!

  17. Rachel Keller 23. Oct, 2011 at 9:06 am

    It is definitely getting cool here in the DC area and I would love sport the Loeka xc/road jersey to extend my rides through the fall season!

  18. Susan Adams 23. Oct, 2011 at 9:55 pm

    I bought the all mountain shorts this spring, they are comfortable for biking and hiking, plus they still look great after numerous washings. Can’t say the same for my top half because I don’t own a Loeka jersey….yet!

  19. Shoshana 24. Oct, 2011 at 9:26 am

    The jersey looks great along with all the other Loeka stuff! Thanks for the chance to enter. :)

  20. Sharon 24. Oct, 2011 at 10:06 pm

    This would be perfect for my daughter! Thank you for the chance to win it for her.

  21. Jessica 25. Oct, 2011 at 12:01 pm

    This stuff looks awesome! I am definitely always looking for women specific cycling attire.

  22. anne 31. Oct, 2011 at 4:25 pm

    Love Loeka!

  23. Sloane 31. Oct, 2011 at 6:45 pm

    Yes I think I would LOVE something from Loeka!! I’ve been looking for good mtn bike apparel, and you’ve led me to a great site! Thanks!

  24. Jenni 01. Nov, 2011 at 12:16 pm

    Love these clothes!! Look great! Feel great!

  25. Jeanette 01. Nov, 2011 at 12:38 pm

    I would love that jersey! It’s great to have companies work on bike gear that is designed for women! Keep up the good work.

  26. Nicole 01. Nov, 2011 at 12:45 pm

    Yes please! I’m sick of wearing the same ol’ jersey…

  27. Lissa 01. Nov, 2011 at 12:52 pm

    Lovely and lady-like!

  28. Havilah M. 01. Nov, 2011 at 1:16 pm

    I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE something from Loeka!!! These are so.cute and they look so comfortable!

  29. Myrinda 01. Nov, 2011 at 2:38 pm

    I would LOVE some stylish yet functional biking clothes! I may even bike to work more often. They look fabulous! :)

  30. Connie Eyberg 01. Nov, 2011 at 3:36 pm

    Definitely time for an update on biking apparel! Great dress.

  31. carrie k 01. Nov, 2011 at 5:40 pm

    I love my Loeka shorts that stand up to crashes and still look brand new. The 3/4 sleeve jersey is super comfy for riding. Can’t wait to see what styles they come out with next!

  32. Km Plunkett 01. Nov, 2011 at 5:46 pm

    These super cute and exceptionally well made clothes would look fantastic I me! I just know it. :)

  33. stacey 01. Nov, 2011 at 7:05 pm

    I think I’d love that jersey!

  34. skyler yanuzzelli 01. Nov, 2011 at 7:40 pm

    I would LOVE something from Loeka!
    This company is one of my favorites!
    My bf says I shouldnt buy any biking clothes …sure would be nice to win it instead..

  35. COlleen 01. Nov, 2011 at 8:11 pm

    Oh Lordy! My long arms would adore a Loeka jersey.
    Yes! Yes! YEEEEESSSS!!!!!!
    I’m so glad I googled before bed!!!

  36. Melissa Maestas 01. Nov, 2011 at 8:43 pm

    SWEET!!! It would be groovy to sport something unique and beautiful by Loeka. An article of bike clothing that would not only fit my curvy body, but mold perfect into my lifestyle of biking in my everyday life, commuting & running errands. One BONUS is the initiative and importance that Loeka is doing to protect the beautiful environment we all love to play in, by recycling. The mission of Loeka says it all, ‘LOVE NATURE, LOVE HEALTH, LOVE LOEKA PARK YOUR CAR. MOUNT YOUR BIKE. SLOW DOWN. ENJOY THE BREEZE. LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE. IMPROVE HEALTH.
    LOOK FLY. DRESS IN THE FINEST PERFORMANCE GEAR.’ I look forward to the camaraderie that will be built by wearing an article of clothing from Loeka. ‘Mi Vida Loca’

  37. Trish 01. Nov, 2011 at 11:20 pm

    My first bike had a bananna seat and basket with flowers way back in the late 60′s. My second bike was a generic 10 speed in Jr high. Now I have a 12 yr old Raliegh Mt.bike and a decent road bike that I have been riding for 3 yrs.I had forgot the way cycling can take you away from all the worlds chaos, when I ride I feel renewed in my soul and the happy childhood memories of biking are rekindled throughout my being…it’s magical!

  38. Tabatha smith 02. Nov, 2011 at 5:49 am

    Oh I would love to win this for my daughter. Thanks so much for the opportunity to enter.

  39. Monica Llorian 04. Nov, 2011 at 5:26 pm

    It’s so awesome to see cute cycling clothes. I am always on the look out for feminine and functional bike wear.