Shimano Breakaway Summer Kit Review

In addition to its famous wheels, drivetrains, and shoes, Shimano offers a wide range of cycling apparel designed for different types of use. The Breakaway range is aimed at regular riders who are looking for the best compromise between performance and comfort, without the demands of high-level competition, at least in terms of fit. For the 2023 version, the result is a jersey and bib shorts made from recycled materials that are very pleasant to wear, even if the latter is not ideal for long distances.

By Guillaume Judas – Photos: ©3bikes.fr

Lightweight and made from 85% recycled polyester, the Shimano Breakaway jersey offers a combination of stretchy aerodynamic fabric on the front and highly breathable mesh fabric on the back. The cut facilitates movement while offering little flapping in the wind thanks to the fit on the torso. The flexibility of the materials makes the jersey versatile and not exclusively for the slimmest riders. Unlike the most technical models designed for a very aggressive position on the bike, the Breakaway jersey is well suited for a slightly more upright position. For our part, we particularly appreciated its use in Gravel.

However, during design, the slightly long sleeves and collar are designed to optimize aerodynamics. The jersey, of course, has three rear pockets to carry your phone, nutrition, or a wind vest on the bike. Another practical waterproof zippered pocket allows you to carry fragile items, such as bills or change, so they are not exposed to sweat.

The jersey is available in black, mustard yellow (the test model), plum, green, bronze, golden bronze, and moss green, and from XS to XXXL.

A very lightweight bib short

The Breakaway bib short stands out from most models on the market due to its flexibility and light, delicate compression on the thighs. Today, many bib shorts are relatively tight and not always easy to put on. Once in place, they can give the impression of being a bit “constricting,” and they only become comfortable once in the cycling position. The Shimano Breakaway seems slightly looser and is immediately pleasant to wear, even when standing. The recycled materials are flexible and offer a comfortable fit. The lightweight white mesh upper ensures good breathability and layers perfectly with any jersey. In short, here again, like the matching Breakaway jersey, these bib shorts can be relatively forgiving with different body shapes.

On the thighs, there is a wide gripper band with a silicone lining. This is never bothersome and does not excessively constrict the leg. Made in Italy, the Strada chamois features progressive, four-way stretch padding. But it lacks a bit of support for our taste, and we would have preferred it to be a little more fitted for more comfort on long rides.

The bib short is available in four colors, with a gripper band matching the Breakaway jersey: black, green, bronze, and golden bronze (the test model) and from XS to XXXL.

On the road and trails

I tested this Shimano kit on road and Gravel rides, in temperatures from 18 to 32°C, with or without a base layer. Overall, the jersey is very pleasant to wear, especially in hot weather. It is very breathable thanks to its large mesh section, and I hardly ever felt the need to open the main zipper for additional ventilation. The jersey is fitted less close to the body than many aerodynamic jerseys, but it ultimately leaves few wrinkles. And even if the pockets seem a bit loose at first, especially under the weight of a large smartphone, once in position on the bike, almost nothing moves. The silicone band on the lower back of the jersey helps it stay in place. For the sleeves, I appreciate that the hold is unconstrained, just with the shape of the fabric and without an elastic band.

The bib shorts are also very comfortable to wear, but once on the bike, the chamois proves to be a bit too thin and, above all, not always very well supported. In fact, the bib short fabric may lack a bit of rigidity at the hips, which causes some movement of the chamois in the long term. On bumpy Gravel routes, it also lacks cushioning, and as it tends to move a bit, it is not suitable for this practice. But obviously, it is not designed for that initially. On the road and in hot weather, these bib shorts are comfortable because they are not restrictive to wear, and they provide good breathability. However, I prefer to reserve them for medium rides, as I find them a bit lacking beyond 2h30 to 3h of cycling.

Ultimately, the Shimano Breakaway kit proves versatile and comfortable, particularly concerning its cut and heat management. The bib shorts, very flexible and worn like a second skin, however, lack a bit of support for long rides or for routes with poor road surfaces. As for the prices, they are rather in the upper average for this type of product, even if they can be found at lower prices by searching well on merchant sites.

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