MAAP might seem like the kit of the moment, riding high on a wave of WorldTour exposure and influencer Instants – but here’s some apparel from a less prominent Aussie brand, also from Melbourne, that is well worth a look and a spin. Actually, it’s worth a lot more than that. It’s worth a detailed examination and an epic excursion into the Outback and from my experience – I’ve been using this kit for a year now – it rides roughshod over most in terms of its versatility, durability and quality not to mention design and aesthetics.
The SuperSystem is, says Pedla, “engineered to seamlessly transition between road and off-road with pieces that perform across all endurance challenges”. It does this via a trick up its sleeve – or rather integrated into the back of its bibs – that's key to this multi-surface, multi-discipline capability. There’s a hidden pocket that can hold a 1.5-litre hydration pack (i.e. a CamelBak-style bladder) plus channels sewn into the tops of the bib straps that work as a hose guide.
Meanwhile, the SuperSystem jersey has a channel and an opening on each shoulder through which the hose emerges (you choose which side). All this means you don’t have to wear an external hydration pack with shoulder straps – Pedla’s way is designed to be lighter, neater, more comfortable and probably more aero too. But crucially, if you’re using the kit for regular road riding rather than ultra-distance gravel racing, you wouldn’t even know the pockets are there.
Pedal SuperSystem shorts
It’s fair to say the shorts are the brains of the SuperSystem, but it’s important to stress that there’s more to them than just a novel way to carry a hydration pack – they’re a really excellent pair of bibs horts in their own right.
The SuperSystem shorts are made from a stretchy Superfit fabric that’s designed to supply some compression too. They're constructed with a series of panels sewn together with flatlock stitching. The fabric is matt and slightly plush, and feels very comfortable.
I particularly like the cut: the shorts section finishes high at the waist and sides for a flattering form. One of my pet peeves is bib shorts that are cut so low that anyone who isn’t a pro or who is the wrong side of 30 is likely to experience unsightly overhang.
The broad elastic straps are comfortable over the shoulders and are stitched to the mesh bib section at the back. The hydration pocket is made from a very fine, stretchy mesh that looks like a mosquito net and this is sewn over the top of the regular mesh section. It has its own hems that allow it to expand when in use. I have to admit that other than checking how it works – Pedla supplies comprehensive instructions on its website about how to install and set up the system – I didn’t use it because although I’m riding more gravel than I used to, road riding is still my go-to.
There are also the now-common stash pockets on the sides of the legs – again, these sit flat, unnoticed and unfelt when not in use.
The legs are raw cut with a wide band of silicone dots on the inside to keep them in place. I prefer a more conventional cut in this area and would have liked a straight leg finishing just above the knee instead of a contoured line a little higher up. However, I have relatively long femurs and if a brand offers a longer leg length I will usually opt for that.
The Elastic Interface chamois is ultra comfortable, and after a year of washing it has retained its springiness and shock absorbing properties. It’s also perfectly positioned, defaulting to exactly the right place whether riding aggressively forward on the saddle or sitting more upright on the back.
I found these shorts so comfortable that I’ve used them a lot for indoor training through the winter. This ‘pumice’ colour tends to show up sweat patches as you’d imagine, but they’re also available in black.
Finally, the sizing is accurate and Pedla’s size chart worked for me. I got the size medium in shorts and jersey and I’m 178cm and 70kg.
Pedla SuperSystem jersey
The SuperSystem jersey is designed to be paired with the SuperSystem shorts because it has the hose channels at the shoulders where the tube from the hydration pack stored in the back of the shorts emerges, but if you didn’t know this feature was there you wouldn’t notice it. In the photo below it would come out from under the seam on the front of the shoulder. The jersey can easily be worn just like a regular road jersey, and that’s how I’ve been using it.
The lightweight fabrics and nicely judged fit means it works perfectly doing regular roadie duties and is actually one of my favourites of the last year because of this. Lightweight means really light – on the scales, made out of this 100GSM textile, my size medium weighs just 123 grams.
There’s a grid pattern all over the jersey, with a small perforation at the corner of each square, meaning airflow is excellent and moisture (that euphemism for sweat) exits easily too.
The cut is perfect – it’s not second-skin shrink-wrap like an aero jersey, but there’s no redundant bagginess, flapping or sagging, with the pockets sitting nice and high when they’re loaded up. There are the standard three pockets at the rear with an additional zipped compartment for keys.
This is the ‘dark purple’ colourway, though in real life it’s more black-and-grey tie dye just like in these photos. It also comes in ‘light purple’ (a paler version of this one) and and the much zanier ‘bubble spray’ – it’s easier to go to Pedla’s website and have a look than have me try to describe it.
There’s a two-way zip with little fluoro orange cord pullers that match the orange trim.
As with the shorts, the size chart is accurate and I found the size medium exactly right.
Value and conclusion
The shorts at £300 are priced higher than most, but then again they do more than most with their innovative and well executed integrated hydration system. And the quality and durability is as good as any I've ever ridden.
The jersey at £185 is also at the premium end of pricing but again it has an additional function as well as being an excellent garment made from performance materials.
The Pedla SuperSystem is innovative, original, high quality, comfortable and great looking – and I can say from personal experience that it’s durable too. And in case you take a tumble on the gravel in it, Pedla has a crash replacement scheme that gives 40% off new.
If you’ve got some gravel epics lined up this year then this kit is just what you need. Or if you're looking to stand out from the crowd in some stylish apparel with a difference, this ticks all the boxes and then some.
For all the details go to Pedla’s website.
