Shopping from 1938 - Unis Sport Catalog

PDX messenger and Jack Taylor enthusiast, Joel Metz, forwarded along this amazing french catalog for Unis-Sport, an early sponsor of the Tour de France.  I'm reposting product highlights in case you're in the market for a tailored ensemble for bike camping or cyclo-tourism.   My own mail order form -  post marked 1938 - will include a request for a wool pullover with the Tour de France logo and a pair of the Raynaud model leather cycling shoes.  Shop for yourself...

 

  

  

  

   

  

  

 

 

Oregon Cycling Garb: J & G Cyclewear

Jackson & Gibbens got going in Archival's hometown - Eugene, Oregon - in the 1970s when Mark Jackson couldn't find a good bicycling jacket for a good price. They're still going strong, and everything is still made in Oregon.

We're thinking about carrying the J&G cyclist's rain cape, which, as long as you have fenders on your bike, is a highly underrated garment.

Archival Jackets: Brooks Criterion

John Boultbee Criterion jacket (via Brooks of England blog)

I'm excited to hear about Brooks of England's project to create tailored cycling clothing under the John Boultbee label. As a daily commuter, I'm always looking for ways to merge my cycling and work clothing. Here's a short video introduction to the new Boultbee Criterion jacket.

Many of the Criterion's technical features are borrowed from traditional hunting garb. For example, the Criterion comes with integrated carrying straps for t.

The Beretta Maremmana jacket (a traditional Italian hunting jacket) makes use of the same hands free shoulder strap design. The Maremmana, in moleskin or corduroy, would also make for a terrific cycling jacket in cooler weather.


The Criterion features an "action back" to facilitate free upper body movement. This feature can also be found on traditional field and waterfowling jackets like the Red Head or this Filson Upland jacket.

Unlike most heritage brands, Brooks has designed a version of the Criterion jacket for women. As far as a I can tell, the jacket mirrors the version for gents but is sized for women.

The UK has a strong history of producing stylish, beautifully tailored cycling wear like the Criterion. I'm mail ordered the hip lenght, M-45 Zipp jacket. Impatiently awaiting delivery.

Another modern UK alternative for cyclists 0r cyclo-commuters is the unlined Hilltrek double ventile jacket. The jacket can be custom ordered in a single ventile layer for greater breathability. In general, I prefer light, unlined jackets for use on the bicycle.

If you cannot afford the Criterion (1000.00 €), we recommend the Carradice Duxbak waxed rain cape. For slow speed, upright cycling a rain cape provides terrific rain protection while permitting you to wear pretty much any outfit you like underneath.

I'm partial to wearing non integrated cycling clothing on the bike. Most suit jackets or blazers work perfectly well for short distance commutes. Here is a terrific modern example:

Engineered Garments Corduroy Bedford (via bows +arrows)

Shopping from the Past: Yak Works Catalog

Here's a shopping opportunity for vintage climbing packs and apparel from Seattle based Yak Works. AC reader Alan Wenker was kind enough to supply me with these original scans. Alan is interested in vintage backpacking apparel from 60s and 70s. Like Archival, Alan wants to see as many of these original catalogs made available for general viewing. So many have disappeared from view. Where else can you see evidence of lost products like Scottish Polarwear, Norse net shirts, Gore-tex cycling chaps and Swaledale mountain shirts from the Lake District?

Alan's vintage yakpak

Shopping from 2001/2002: Hebden Cord