{"id":618724,"date":"2026-04-20T07:41:31","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T07:41:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/618724\/"},"modified":"2026-04-20T07:41:31","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T07:41:31","slug":"sea-otter-2026-clothing-and-accessory-selects-from-around-the-show","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/618724\/","title":{"rendered":"Sea Otter 2026: Clothing and Accessory Selects From Around The Show"},"content":{"rendered":"

Scores of new shoes, a helmet or two, and a few other nifty things I found around the race track besides the big ticket items.<\/p>\n

\"Sea<\/p>\n

(Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins\/Velo)<\/p>\n

Published April 19, 2026 07:01PM<\/p>\n

Welcome to Velo\u2019s Sea Otter Classic coverage, where we share our favorite things we\u2019ve found at the 2026 show. Bikes, components, accessories, and more: if we think it\u2019s cool, you\u2019ll see it. See the rest of our\u00a0Sea Otter coverage<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s step away from the 32-inch bikes, the Chinese bike brands\u2019 reduced prices, and other new bikes. All of those things are obviously exciting, but Sea Otter runs deep.\u00a0There is so much else to digest that it is hard to get your arms around it.<\/p>\n

Nevertheless, around the show, we found a few trends and products that caught our eye that aren\u2019t jumping out. In particular, I found a select few pieces of clothes, shoes, and accessories that jumped out as worth some attention, whether that is from testing the advanced of the show, or seeing these things in real life.<\/p>\n

Shoe galore<\/p>\n

A huge subplot of the show I was the momentum I am seeing in shoes. Shoes are an interesting cycling component in general, with the need to have many different design styles to accommodate different feet, but they are also key fashion statements. The aesthetics are unavoidable.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s more, shoes are always going to be a wear product, to a certain extent. For committed riders, I find shoes last about two years before they inevitably break down, whether it is through stretching, strap issues, or broken soles. There are many ways a shoe can start to lag.<\/p>\n

Conversely, there are also many innovations coming out of the shoe landscape all the time so updating footwear, although expensive, is a nice way to retain good sensations on a bike.<\/p>\n

\"Fi'zikLeading the way from my perspective was the new off-road offering from Fi\u2019zik that was just released. The shoe is the Ferox 2, and it has a pretty striking look, almost like a high-end soccer cleat. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins\/Velo)
\n\"Fi'zik(Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins\/Velo)
\n\"fi'zikInstead of an upper and a tongue, the Ferox 2 has a soft one-piece construction around the foot that should provide less presure points, especially around the top of the foot where one-piece tongues can pinch. The velcro \u201cpowerstrap\u201d adds more security on a light, easy-to-adjust layout. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins\/Velo)
\n\"Fi'zikThe Lyra is a new road shoe from fi\u2019zik that is both a value option and built for a wider foot. They also come with a great lavender and spearmint color scheme. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins\/Velo)
\n\"fi'zikThe brand also has completed its helmet line, for now, with a \u201cgravel\u201d oriented Kyros helmet. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins\/Velo)
\n\"Q36.5Q36.5 had its Pro 4.0 road shoes on display. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins\/Velo)
\n\"Q36.5Like so many other premium brands, these shoes are secured with two Li2 Boa Dials. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins\/Velo)
\n\"Q36.5These are pitched as top-of-the-line options that use a one-piece inner for a secure fit, a tall carbon heel cup to lock in the foot, and a full carbon bottom to provide maximum stiffness. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins\/Velo)
\n\"Q36.5Just don\u2019t expect these to come cheap. The price for the Pro 4.0 is $600 USD. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins\/Velo)
\n\"LakeSpeaking of dual boa dials, Lake had a very similar offering, but don\u2019t consider the American brand as a newcomer to carbon heel cups and boa dials. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins\/Velo)
\n\"LakeThe CX400 are updated for 2026 and leans into both Boa Dials and carbon heel cups in its premium option. The company was a pioneer in both of these design styles. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins\/Velo)
\n\"LakeCompared to the other high-end road models that have been rolled out recently, including Q36.5, it sits at a much lower $450 price point. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins\/Velo)
\n\"LakeAnd of course, they are available in wide. Lake was the first shoe company to make its name on wide shoes, and that has not changed. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins\/Velo)
\n\"CrankWith these Crank Brothers gravel shoes, called the Candy Gravel XC Lace, the vibe is a little different. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins\/Velo)
\n\"CrankThe brand is from the mountain bike side, but anecdotally these shoes have gotten top marks from several riders who have put them through a fair few paces. And they are priced great, with a set going for 170$. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins\/Velo)
\n\"CrankbrothersWe are hoping to get a set in for review, so stay tuned. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins\/Velo)
\n\"GiroLaces are very much in vogue for more budget-friendly shoes. Giro also had a lower price point laced shoe in its new line that looks quite impressive. This is the Stylus II, which will MSRP for $124.95. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins\/Velo)
\n\"GiroThe full lineup from Giro has brought tons of options in different styles, configurations and price points. Just don\u2019t expect much color; the shoes are in black and white, for the most part. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins\/Velo)
\nNew clothing from Pearl Izumi and Q36.5<\/p>\n

Clothing is in an interesting place. I have had several conversations with folks in the clothing industry who are very aware and worried about the economic shock that is coming from Chinese brands significantly undercutting prices while still retaining the style and functionality of premium Western brands.<\/p>\n

Brands like MBO, which had a robust display at Sea Otter, are getting closer and closer in look and quality to the big brands that have captured the attention in recent years as elevated fashion has entered cycling through brands like MAAP, Attaquer, and Rapha. For Western brands, there is a palpable sense that clothing will need to have unique arms, recognizable technical features, and fit to retain their market share of the premium price point.<\/p>\n

A great example of this is Q36.5, a brand that has always been performance-driven at the expense of some aesthetic flourishes. It\u2019s in the name, Q36.5 is built to provide a kit that keeps a rider\u2019s body comfortable, approximately at 36.5 degrees Celsius.<\/p>\n

\"Q36.5The key new piece to Q36.5\u00a0 collection is the Dottore Clima line. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins\/Velo)
\n\"Q36.5The jersey is incredibly lightweight, has 10mm aero piping on the sleeves, and uses a polyester-graphene yarn to provide cooling and retain the garment\u2019s form over the long run compared to jerseys that predominantly use lycra. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins\/Velo)
\n\"Q36.5The Dottore Clima bibs are formulated for the same purpose: hot weather riding. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins\/Velo)
\n\"Q36.5\u00a0The fabric uses a sophisticated combination of weaves that provide a very thin construction. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins\/Velo)
\n\"Q36.5All of this tech is clear to see when you look up close with the shorts that the brand designed in conjunction with its ProTeam to find solutions for the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a. Ultimately, they did not use the full Clima line because of the limitations around printing designs on the kit. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins\/Velo)
\n\"PI<\/a>Similarly, Pearl Izumi has made a big stride in their high-end performance line, Pearl Izumi Black. I have been testing the kit for the last few weeks, and it is an extraordinary kit. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins\/Velo)
\n\"PI<\/a>Its biggest upside is fit. Unlike this model, most people has normal stomachs, and the fit is tight, flexible in multiple directions, and sits in a nice place on a rider\u2019s frame. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins\/Velo)
\n\"PI<\/a>The mesh jersey I had more trouble with, as the waistband was far too flexible. With full pockets, there was a fair bit of bounce, but it was massively breathable. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins\/Velo)
\n\"Pearl<\/a>A major high point for both jerseys is the sleeve design. A subtle cuff is enough to provide ride-long tension to prevent the sleeve from slipping up. This offers both consistent SPF protection and retains the aero fit. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins\/Velo)
\nAccessories, tools, and a new travel case<\/p>\n

There are two major contenders for the crown of product that made me go, \u201cI cannot believe this is already not ubiquitous.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ultimately, the number one product that jumped out for me was the Ergon TF1 saddle fit tool<\/a>. Other tools like this exist, but this is one that rolls a few features into one simple tool that can make a huge difference for people who are bouncing between different bikes and are picky about things like seat tilt, saddle height, and their saddle position relative to the bottom bracket.<\/p>\n

\"ErgonThis tool is constructed to recreate the same position on every saddle. It measures the point at which the saddle is 80mm wide, and provides a platform to measure everything from seat height, saddle tilt, reach, and distance behind the bottom bracket. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins\/Velo)
\n\"rgon(Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins\/Velo)<\/p>\n

Similarly, lights, locks, and bags are hard to always find a way in to share the story. Sometimes it\u2019s obvious when there is a key reinvention or a new ingenious design, but most of the time these key products are hard to get into, other than these round-ups.<\/p>\n

Yet, it is nice to share when something jumps out as a nice evolution of a product from established brands. At the show, there were three of these kinds of products, one new and two old, that I found pretty delightful.<\/p>\n

\"RedThe Redshift Mousetrap pedals are a set of plastic add-ons that turn standard SPD pedals into flats. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins\/Velo)
\n\"MousetrapThey are available in a variety of colors and are magnetized so they can stick together and slip into a back pocket or in a bag. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins\/Velo)
\n\"ExposureI have yet to try Exposure lights, but whenever I see them in person, the craftsmanship and concept shine through as a real positive piece of tech. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins\/Velo)
\n\"Exposure<\/a>While this light is a few months old, it is still the best-looking light I saw at the show and one that seems to provide a great balance of function and style. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins\/Velo)
\n\"OrucaseOrucase has a new travel case called the Arma. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins\/Velo)
\n\"Orucase(Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins\/Velo)
\n\"OrucaseCompared to other cases, it inverts the bike for travel, using the hard plastic base as a solid surface to secure the frame, while keeping disassembly to a minimum. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins\/Velo)
\n\"Orucase(Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins\/Velo)
\nEyewear<\/p>\n

Lastly, glasses. Never enough for a full story, but there is always something new coming down the pike.<\/p>\n

\"SciconHmm, these look familiar. Where have I seen these? (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins\/Velo)
\n\"SciconOh yes, that is where! (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins\/Velo)
\n\"SciconThese are the Aeroshade 2.0 in the UAE Team Emirates Team Edition. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins\/Velo)
\n\"Scicon<\/a>They aren\u2019t the lightest glasses in the world, but they do have extra-reinforced titanium arms to provide a secure, stretch-resistant construction. All of this does cost a pretty penny, however, with a $310 MSRP. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins\/Velo)
\n\"SmithSmith has their Defy glasses in a new Matte Meteorite Crystal. Also known as purple. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins\/Velo)
\n\"SmithThese are sub $200 yet still provide many of the premium features that Smith is known for. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins\/Velo)
\n\"Smith(Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins\/Velo)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Scores of new shoes, a helmet or two, and a few other nifty things I found around the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":618725,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[569],"tags":[64,63,784,166818,85,300054,300055,300056,300057,300058,67883],"class_list":["post-618724","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-cycling","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-cycling","tag-parent_category-gravel","tag-sports","tag-tag-cranks-brothers","tag-tag-ergon","tag-tag-exposure","tag-tag-fizik","tag-tag-giro","tag-type-article"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/618724","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=618724"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/618724\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/618725"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=618724"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=618724"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=618724"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}