I was drooling over the Pedla’s Leaderboard Collection as soon as I saw the first release photos. So naturally I was pretty excited to get a full kit to test. This is a premium offering and at the higher end of the Aussie boutique kit spectrum. Does it deliver the goods?

Words - James Raison Images - Lana Adams

We’ve tested gear from Pedla before. They’re perennial producers of top quality kit so we were keen to see what their new collection had in store. Everyone claims to mix style and high performance, but Pedla makes those intersect higher than most. This is a damn fine looking kit and it feels great to ride in.

Starting at the top, the jersey is made of lovely LunaAIR fabric. I spoke to the Pedla about this kit and they are big believers in the LunaAIR fabric, and I can see why. It is very impressively breathable. Your sweat seems to disappear before you really have time to notice it. It’s also incredibly soft and lightweight. Around the waist is a thick silicone gripper, resplendent in Pedla logos, that I really like. There’s a trend away from the trusty silicone grippers in jerseys but I still prefer them. My long and lean frame means that some jerseys end up feeling saggy and baggy around the waist, especially with full pockets, because manufacturers are opting for elastics or half-grippers that just aren’t firm enough. Not this jersey. It’s reassuringly firm all the way around. The sleeves are a highlight too, and yes sleeves are a big deal! They’re long and ultra thin. I’m a little mindful of sunburn given how thin the sleeves are but I haven’t had any issues so far and the jersey is rated at UPF 50+. It’s worth noting the reflective trim at the pocket tops that manages to add some visibility without clashing with the overall aesthetic. Well done indeed.

The Long Haul knicks are a premium performer

On the bottom I got a pair of Long Haul G2+ knicks in navy. There’s a wonderful minimalism to their look and feel. Slide into them and they’re silky smooth. No pressure points, no rubbing, no noticeable seams. The Carbonium Road Performance chamois performs very well. I run a full carbon Tune saddle and it will find deficiencies in chamois if they exist. Nothing to see here. Just comfort. Holding them onto your legs is a light silicon band. Straps are soft and stretchy, with no frictious seams and lightweight to fit in with the overall theme of the kit. The aesthetics are minimal too, just the signature Pedla dots. Svelte!

The knicks are an excellent performer. Good knicks often don’t give you a lot to talk about, and that’s the case here. They’re comfortable, look great, and feel great to ride in.

THE ECONOMICS

This is the most expensive kit I’ve tested for La Velocita this year with their knicks at $284 and jersey at $192, but I’d say it’s well justified. Firstly, the design is exceptional. Pedla’s Marcin has a background in visual arts. He takes aesthetics very seriously and this is a fantastic looking kit. Second, the quality of fabrics is very high. The LunaAIR jersey in particular is a highlight. That comfort and lightness doesn’t come cheap, but you won’t regret the investment when you’re riding in hot or humid weather. The knicks are super comfortable too and that's something you'll appreciate when you're hours deep into a ride.

OVERALL

Pedla have made one of the best looking kit ranges for 2016 in my not-so-humble-opinion. Those aesthetics are matched by function, with plenty of comfort and performance on offer. It’s fantastic to see local boutique kit makers closing the gap to international mega-companies who operate on substantially bigger budgets. It’s no longer a case of “good for a small maker”, it’s just downright good gear.

Buy

This Pedla kit is available to buy from our kit partner Cycle Closet.

Disclosure statement: this kit was supplied by the Pedla for review. It is not a paid review and we receive no proceeds from the sale of the Pedla through any outlet.

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