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Zoic is best known for their mountain bike apparel, though like most of the bike industry they’ve increased their focus on urban/commuter cyclists. The Speakeasy knickers are Zoic’s take on urban cycling knickers. Zoic seems to have paid a great deal of attention to the market and responded with a nice product that’s a little different than most of the popular offerings.
The first thing I noticed about the Speakeasy knickers was the fabric. It’s a soft, light polyester microfiber that looks a lot like cotton. I generally like the feel of heavier fabrics, but these have been extremely comfortable in the summer heat. The knickers are pretty much devoid of any logos or branding, save for the subtle green embroidery on the hip. After a few months, neither the fabric nor the stitching show any marked signs of wear. With fabric this light I don’t expect these to last forever, but so far they look like they’ll last a few seasons.
There are plenty of pockets (including a specific pocket for your MP3 player) but not so many that you feel like you’re wearing parachute pants. The rear pockets sit a little low, but they zip closed, which I appreciate. Unfortunately they zip towards the center, so occasionally the zipper ends poke me in the tailbone. The cuffs feature an elastic cord that allows you to either let them swing free, or to cinch them up. I’ve found it nice to be able to pull them up above my calf for the ride to work, then let them back down for a casual look after the ride.
The Speakeasy knickers retail for $65. Visit www.zoic.com for sizing and color information.
Do they come in ‘Hammer Gold’?