Tour de Zwift 2026 is underway, and Zwift has partnered with Pedal Mafia to create a real-life version of the eye-popping in-game kit.
Zwift has worked with Pedal Mafia on several kits in recent years, including:
- Tour de Zwift 2023 Kit (read my review)
- Zwift’s 10-Year Anniversary kit (which was originally only going to exist in game, but people liked the look so much that Zwift eventually had it produced)
- Kits of Zwift Community Live 2025 in Mallorca
- The fresh Watopia Essentials kit now available at zwift.com (read my review)
This means I’ve grown very familiar with Pedal Mafia’s offerings. Fortunately, I like the fit and feel of Pedal Mafia’s stuff!
This year’s Tour de Zwift kit is nearly identical in construction to the Watopia Essentials kit I recently reviewed, since both are based on Pedal Mafia’s workhorse “Core” collection. Therefore, much of the content below will be duplicated from my recent review. (The two kits are built the same, but of course, use very different colors.)
Note: You may have noticed cycling influencers wearing this kit recently in social media posts. In the past year or two, Zwift has clearly pivoted away from traditional paid marketing campaigns and leaned instead into the influencer space, where you get more bang for your buck. That’s why you’re seeing more big-name riders pitching Zwift Ride and early-release versions of Zwift merch. And while I’m not a big-name rider by any stretch, I was sent this kit free of charge, like other “Zwinfluencers.” It’s how the cycling world works these days!
Also: sizing can be tricky with cycling kit. For reference, I’m 5′-10″ tall (178cm) and currently around 185 lbs (84 kg). I put my actual measurements in the text below where appropriate.
Tour De Zwift 26 Bib Shorts
Priced at $168USD, the bib shorts are from Pedal Mafia’s Core collection. (This is the more affordable “do everything” collection vs the more expensive “Pro” line.)
The most distinctive thing about these shorts is their bright turquoise color, which will certainly stand out in a crowd. I’d go so far as to call them high vis shorts, which isn’t something you see every day!
Speaking of colors, it’s worth noting that, like any non-black kit, sweat darkens these shorts (see the second photo below), which may or may not concern you.
I have a 34.5″ waist and 39.5″ hips, so I went with the medium bib as recommended by the sizing chart.
The Tour De Zwift 26 bibs aren’t indoor-specific, so they don’t include some of the extra-breathable features indoor kits often have, like mesh panels, minimal chamois, or super lightweight strapping. That said, the brace paneling on the back and lower front is nicely perforated, even though the straps themselves are not, and the main short fabric (75% recycled warp knit lycra) is just the right thickness to allow sweat to evaporate indoors while still working well outside in most conditions.
While I haven’t had time to run the Tour De Zwift 26 bibs through the wringer across many rides (since they were just released), I do own multiple pairs of Pedal Mafia’s core bibs, so I know what kind of durability to expect. I’d say these shorts hold up as well as other mid-range bibs, with the first point of failure for me being some frayed stitching in the inner leg area due to saddle rub. (This hasn’t affected the feel or wearability of the bibs, but it’s something worth noting.)
Chamois fit is a very personal thing, but I prefer thinner pads, especially for indoor riding. I’d say the Tour De Zwift 26 bibs’ chamois is on the thin side as chamois go, while still having plenty of thickness for all-day/outdoor wear.
Leg length on Pedal Mafia bibs tends to be on the longer side, as this “pro look” is the trend in today’s kits. I don’t particularly love super-long legs, as they aren’t helpful for indoor riding. That said, I ordered the medium bibs, which fit great on my frame.
If you look closely, you’ll see some nice finishing touches on these bibs: a little pocket on the back brace to hold a gel or even your phone, a logo on the chamois, plus the feel-good factor of 75% recycled lycra composition… these aren’t just basic bibs. They also feature an extra-wide leg gripper, which is actually the only difference I can see between these and the Watopia Essentials bibs, which feature a Pedal Mafia-branded leg gripper via the more “generic” diamond gripper of the TdZ bibs (see below).
Tour De Zwift 26 Jersey
The Tour De Zwift 26 jersey, like the bibs, is based on Pedal Mafia’s “Core” line. Priced at $128USD, this is a well-made, indoor-friendly jersey with some nice finishing touches.
It’s interesting that the IRL jersey doesn’t quite match the in-game jersey, for whatever reason. The overall color panels match, as do a few of the graphics and their placements. But there are lots of differences, too. How many can you spot? 😄
Based on my chest measurement of 38″ (and my experience with wearing other PM Core kits) I went with a medium jersey, as I prefer a tighter fit.
While the sizing chart would have placed me in a large jersey (just barely), I went with a medium because I prefer a tighter fit, and because I’ve got a few medium Pedal Mafia core jerseys in my closet already. These jerseys fit nicely, with plenty of length in the arms and rear torso without being too long in the front. (I hate it when jerseys bunch up in front when you’re hunched over the bike.)
While this isn’t an indoor-specific jersey, it is a very breathable top that works well outdoors in summer heat as well as indoors on the trainer. The arms and side panels use a 3D mesh material that keeps you dry and cool without being so fragile that it breaks down in the wash (not an easy balance to strike!). The front and back use a denser but still lightweight perforated fabric that provides more coverage but still wicks sweat and allows airflow for drying.
In my experience, it takes a lot of riding to wear out a jersey, unless it’s a super-light one made specifically for indoor riding or hot weather. All of my Pedal Mafia Core jerseys have held up well with no tears from washing or frayed stitching, so I expect the Tour De Zwift 26 jersey to do the same.
There are lots of small finishing touches on this jersey. These include a PM-branded waist gripper, a tag with spaces to write your emergency details, a zippered side pocket, and various TdZ 26 graphics (see pics above).
Final Notes
Overall, I’d say the Tour De Zwift 26 kit does what Pedal Mafia’s core line is known for: walking the line between quality and price. It performs where you want kit to perform, without soaring into the upper price ranges.
The colors will be a sticking point with some, for sure. The bright bibs, especially, will prove to be a fashion bridge too far for some riders! But others will love the distinctive look of this kit. Tour de Zwift kits have historically been playful and brightly colored, and this year’s design clearly builds on that tradition.
Lastly, I should mention: it’s always fun to have the same in-game kit as you’re physically wearing, like I’m doing above. To unlock the TdZ 26 kit in game, you must complete all 6 stages.
Read all about Tour de Zwift 2026 here >
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