£120, £200 Style as well as eco-friendly substance
The Good
Easy-pee bib; eco-friendly; packable, stylish waterproof
The Bad
Jacket not suitable for multi-sport use due to cut
LAUNCHED IN 2020 as Sigma Sports’ in-house clothing brand, Universal Colours has made a mark producing elegant performance apparel with a strong emphasis on sustainability.
Both the Mono Bib Short and Chroma Rain Jacket are made using recycled fabrics and zips, with a PFC-free DWR coating for the rain jacket, which comes with a Nikwax Tech Wash pack to help you care for it.
The Mono bibs are among the most comfortable I’ve tried, rivalling more expensive options from Assos and Velocio.
The Elastic Interface chamois is thick and supportive, while the pee-break friendly design with the stretchy bib straps is a real winner (you can just pull them down at the back). My only criticism is the cut of the waistband, which doesn’t seem to sit quite right or stretch enough. Although not uncomfortable when on, it means getting the shorts on and off is a little tricky.
The Chroma jacket is a fully taped windproof and waterproof shell, cut to the riding position, so it feels narrow across the shoulders when off the bike and has long sleeves. A two-way zip makes accessing your jersey pockets on the go easy, and there’s also a single large, zipped back pocket.
Although Universal Colours claims the SympaTex material is breathable, I was glad of the mesh-lined back vent and pit zips on warmer wet days.
The jacket rolls down to fit in a jersey pocket.
Both items feature minimal, reflective branding as well as a range of unusual, attractive colours.
Perfect partner
Universal Colours Chroma Insulated Gilet £150
The Chroma gilet features synthetic insulated panels across the front and three good-sized pockets to the rear plus a zipped valuables pocket. Easily packable, well-fitting (despite the unisex design), and made using recycled materials, this stylish gilet is a good transition-season staple.