The Italian word capo has many meanings. Two of them are “boss” and “article of clothing.” Given the English slang for “boss” — impressive or excellent — it’s a great moniker for their cycling clothing. Capo … boss kit, indeed. Oh, and did I mention that their stuff is made in Italy? 🇮🇹 Fantastico! Meraviglioso! Eccelente!
SC Signature Jersey – $180
Specs per Capo:
- Leggero micro fiber
- Carbon micro fiber
- Low profile collar
- 4.5 cm sleeve cuff finish
- Silicone waist elastic
- Reflective inserts
- Three rear pockets
- Full-length YKK® camlock zipper
- 86% Polyamide, 14% Elastane
- Made in Italy
The Capo SC Signature Jersey comes in four different colors (black, brick red, pink, and fluo), as well as three different striped patterns. PEZ tested the pink because (a) the Giro and (b) #realmenwearpink. NOTE: The pink is a lighter pink that’s salmon-ish, but can look darker when photographed under different lighting conditions.
Capo doesn’t spec weight but the SC Signature Jersey is definitely featherweight
Construction-wise, the Capo SC Signature Jersey has:
- Two front panels connected by a full-length YKK (the gold standard) zipper
- Two side panels
- A rear panel
- Raglan sleeves (each sleeve has an underarm panel and a top panel that has an additional panel for a raw cut sleeve end — the bottom part of the sleeve end is cuffed)
- A low, mock-style collar
- 3 rear pockets
Instead of collar-less that’s fashionable in the pro peloton, Capo opted for a more traditional-ish low cut, mock collar. Cam zipper flips up to zip and down to lock in place.
The idea behind so many panels (11 total) is that they can be cut and sewn to better conform to your body than a single piece of material (no matter how stretchy). The sleeves are particularly interesting. Many folks believe raglan sleeves conform and articulate better for the bike riding position. Capo takes more-panels-for-better-fit one step further with each sleeve itself consisting of multiple panels rather than a single piece of material that’s common in other jerseys.
Race length sleeve ends are a combination of raw cut and flat-stitched hemmed
There’s no mistaking that the Capo SC Signature Jersey is a warm/hot weather jersey with micro-vented technical fabric for front and side panels and sleeves and a more open mesh fabric for the back panel for air flow/venting and wicking. Per Capo: Leggero micro fiber [the front and side panels] is ultra-lightweight and delivers rapid moisture transfer. Carbon micro fiber back panel provides UV protection, thermo-regulation and rear pocket stability.
Inside out reveals all the different panels (all serge stitched except for the raw cut sleeve panel that’s flat stitched), the more open mesh fabric for the rear panel, and wrap-around silicone gripper to help keep the jersey in place
PEZ readers know that I’m more than comfortable wearing spray-on, second skin, uber race fit kit. The Capo SC Signature Jersey (size small) is not that on my 5’8″, 130 pound, ectomorph frame. Rather, the fit is what I’d call comfortably snug. It clings/is form fitting but with very mild compression so isn’t constricting. It’s the kind of fit I’m guessing a lot of riders would prefer and is all day comfortable. I wear a base layer under my jersey, but the Leggero micro fiber and Carbon micro fiber material was soft and smooth on my skin.
Of course it’s full zip
See-through-like rear panel for venting/wicking
Padrone Aero Bib Shorts – $300
Specs per Capo:
- Ultra-lightweight high-gauge Lycra®
- Bonded harness bib upper
- Seamless raw edge leg opening
- Road Performance EIT® insert
- Reflective Capo logo
- 80% Polyamide, 20% Lycra®
- Made in Italy
If I counted correctly, the Padrone Aero Bib Shorts have 5 panels in the shorts section — all serge stitched together. The bib straps are wide, raw cut, lay flat. And there’s a stretch vented panel in the back in between the bib straps. A fairly conventional/proven design not unlike a lot of other bib shorts — which is not a bad thing because it’s a design that works.
Silicone leg gripper “pads” on the inside of the shorts
On me, size small fit comfortably with mild compression. The leg grippers gripped but without squeezing too tightly (no worries about the dreaded sausage casing effect). And as I’ve come to expect of raw cut bib straps, they didn’t dig into my shoulders.
Bib straps do more than hold the shorts up; they keep the chamois/pad in place where it belongs to keep the important bits comfortable
I wear a base layer, but the vented panel at the back will be welcomed by those who don’t
Of course, the most important part of any pair of bib shorts is the chamois/pad. Capo chose to have the pad for the Padrone Aero Bib Shorts sourced from Elastic Interface (EIT), who supplies pads to a lot of different manufacturers. In this case, EIT’s Road Performance Force Hybrid pad. IMHO, EIT is a “you can’t go wrong” decision. I have several other pairs of bib shorts with Elastic Interface pads and my butt (as well as other undercarriage parts) has enjoyed thousands of happy miles in them.
The pad itself is a familiar design: multi-thickness and multi-density. A relatively shallow channel down the center to improve blood flow and reduce pressure/numbness. And there’s some perforation in the front section to provide airflow for “the boyz.” One thing I particularly like about the pad is that it’s relatively low profile so not “bulky” or diaper-like.
It’s all about the pad — and Elastic Interface is an industry leader
Capo doesn’t make a point about weight, but definitely lightweight
Active Compression Euro Sock – $60
Per Capo:
- Fulgar Q-Skin® yarn
- Medium-gauge construction
- Single-layer
- 15 cm cuff length
- Made in Italy
- Q-SKIN is a polyamide 6,6 fibre in which silver ions are inserted directly during the spinning process meaning that it limits bacterial growth preventing body odor. Q-SKIN takes care of the skin, providing its wearer with breathability, freshness, hygiene and comfort.
- During normal daily routine or sports activities, our body produces sweat; Q-SKIN technology kicks in when the sweat molecules come into contact with the fibre: the silver ions inside help to reduce excess floral bacteria which is the main cause of unpleasant odours.
So if smelly feet/shoes are an issue, the Capo Active Compression Euro Socks could be the ‘droids you’re looking for.
Price-point aside, I really like the compression of Active Compression Euro Socks. It’s more than your “standard” cycling socks but not as tight as the compression socks a lot of triathletes wear (or the recovery leg compression sleeves I have). Capo doesn’t specify how much compression (measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg)), but I could definitely feel the compression compared to “regular” cycling socks.
Some important potential benefits of compression socks:
- Increased/faster blood flow to help deliver oxygen to muscles (as well as reduce lactic acid build-up)
- Helps prevent muscle soreness/cramping
- Lessens muscle strain when exercising, which helps with faster recovery
I can’t definitely say that compression socks deliver all of the above, but FWIW, my feet and lower leg muscles feel less “tired” after rides wearing the Active Compression Euro Socks. YMMV. But #marginalgains for me.
You can’t go wrong with white on white
As comfortable as comfortable gets
Full Monty Capo
I’ve had a chance to get out for some 20 to 40-something mile rides (I’m still technically “recovering” from catheter ablation for AFib, so am working my way back to my fitness level before the procedure) — including an unusually hot 90F+ day for this early in the riding season — in the Capo kit. It held its own in the heat. The Leggero micro fiber fabric in front allowed air to flow in to help keep things a little cooler and the Carbon micro fiber fabric in back allowed air to escape for wicking. At the end, the SC Signature Jersey was damp but not drenched from sweat.
One thing I particularly liked about the SC Signature Jersey is that the rear pockets were stable and didn’t sag — important for me because I eschew a saddle bag and carry my spare tube and other stuff in a soft case (originally intended for a portable hard drive) in my middle rear jersey pocket. No mean feat when you consider the mild compression of the jersey.
Requisite 3 rear jersey pockets (but no secure zipper pocket) plus reflective “tabs” to aid in low light conditions
The Elastic Interface pad didn’t disappoint in the saddle. For me, it provided enough cushioning paired with the PRO Stealth Curved Team Saddle on my Colnago and the Fizik Argo 00 Adaptive Saddle on the LOOK 795. It’s dense cushioning so definitely on the firmer side. But that’s what I would expect (and prefer) for a pair of “race” bibs mated to a “race” saddle. Even though my longest ride so far has only been 40 miles, I have no doubts whatsover that I’ll be comfortable on longer rides (60-ish miles).
And the overall fit of the Capo kit is about as comfortable as comfortable gets. I know a lot of that is due to the fact that the compression isn’t as firm/tight as other race fit kit I have. But the feel was a “barely there” kind of feel. Sublime is a word that comes to mind.
It won’t be long until the dog days of summer are here (both in Babylon on the Potomac and down in the Lowcountry) and I hope it won’t be too long until I’m able to do some higher mileage riding (metric centuries are about my limit these days). I’ll definitely be reaching for the Capo SC Signature Jersey and Padrone Aero Bib Shorts on those occasions.
In the meantime … See more at CAPOCycling.com
Bring on the Giro!
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PezCycling News and the author ask that you contact the manufacturers before using any products you see here. Only the manufacturer can provide accurate and complete information on proper/safe use, handling, maintenance, and or installation of products as well as any conditional information or product limitations.
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