In late August 2023, former Zwift events exec Charlie Issendorf contacted me from his new position as VP of Sales & Marketing at Verge Sport. He told me his first priority was to get an indoor kit developed for Verge, and in the course of our conversation I offered to work with them to make it happen.
I saw it as a win-win. I’ve tested nearly every indoor kit on the market, and could offer valuable guidance to Verge. In return, if everything went well, I would end up with the ultimate indoor kit for use across many hours of Zwifting!
Developing the Ultimate Indoor Kit
A few days later I was on a Zoom call with Charlie and the founders of Verge: Michael Magur and his wife Karolina. Together we talked through what I felt was crucial in an indoor kit: breathability, durability, style, maximal cooling. Then Verge’s team went to work, and in early October I was wearing the first prototype on a Zwift ride.
After riding the prototype for a few Zwift sessions I sent feedback to Charlie and his team. This process repeated itself, and each time a new package arrived from Verge the kit felt a bit more dialed in and one step closer to prime time.
I don’t even remember all the feedback I gave, but here are just a few items from my message history with Charlie:
- “Issue I noticed yesterday. Only my second time wearing the demo bibs, but some of the holes are already enlarging/tearing.” Verge’s team found a better fabric that has held up to riding rigors quite nicely.
- “Jersey sleeves could be shorter, for indoor (we don’t need sun protection).” Subsequent jerseys had shorter sleeves.
- “I like the mesh back pockets, that is sensible.”
- “The chest panel material is breathable and light, but not as breathable and light as other indoor jerseys I have.” We switched to a lighter mesh.
- “I like the new short design with the mesh ending a bit sooner up on the hip. Feels like a good balance.”
- “Is there any way to clean up the seams on the shoulders of the jersey, so they don’t show some of the white? Just looks a bit rough.” Prototyping issue. Seams are now nice and clean!
- “Wondering if there’s a way to adjust the jersey fit somewhat–it just feels too long in the front.” Front shortened so it doesn’t bunch up when bent over in a typical riding positioning.
Overall I found the process to be fun and easy. Verge was super responsive, and their textile experts (headed up by Karolina) certainly know what they’re doing!
In late November, Verge announced their new Pain Cave line, using the Zwift Insider kit on the model. So fun!
And here we are. Having spent upwards of 75 hours riding on Zwift in various iterations of Verge’s Pain Cave kit, today I want to share my review of the final Pain Cave bib shorts and jersey, and invite you to order a Zwift Insider kit or custom team kit of your own!
Review: Pain Cave Bib Shorts from Verge Sport
Priced at $140USD, Verge’s new Pain Cave bibs are the product of many conversations, iterations, and test rides as Verge worked with me to develop their indoor line. I’m very happy with the result.
These bib shorts are purpose-built with breathability in mind, so it’s no surprise that when you turn your fan on, you feel it! The long side panels use the same material as the jersey sleeves – a super light mesh that picks up your sweat so it can quickly evaporate. (Note: this mesh is semi-opaque (see pics above) – you probably wouldn’t want to wear the shorts outside in a group ride.)
Everything here is as breathable as possible. The bib straps include perforations for increased air flow and their material doesn’t cover a large portion of your stomach. The wide leg grippers are also a lightweight mesh, and even the chamois pad is thinner than normal to encourage breathability.
One downside to lightweight indoor kits is that lighter mesh fabrics are more prone to damage/tearing/premature wear than “normal” kits. That said, after years of using indoor kits I’ve found I can avoid premature damage by being a bit more careful when pulling them on (especially if my legs are sticky with PR Lotion) and making sure I don’t launder them with gloves that have spiky velcro.
The Pain Cave bibs use lighter fabrics, but they are shored up with quality stitching that has held its own through these first few months of heavy use.
One of Verge’s cool distinctive is there ability to create custom kit with varying chamois thickness. I’ve always preferred thinner chamois, especially indoors where sweat is an issue and rough roads are not! So we went with Verge’s thinnest chamois, which I think feels perfect. Just enough padding for comfort, without any extra to soak up sweat or create increased perineal pressure.
I ordered the medium bibs based on Verge’s sizing (40″ chest, 33″ waist, 35″ hips, 32.5″ inseam), and the leg length feels just right. Technically the Pain Cave shorts use Verge’s men’s “long” pattern, but these days long is the style most male riders prefer. I don’t like my shorts to be super long, but I also like them longer than what we all wore 20 years ago! See pics above for reference.
These shorts don’t have a lot of “bling” features like fancy logos or custom grippers, but they’re very well made. Quality stitching, no loose threads, and every panel selected to meet the goal of creating the ultimate indoor bib short.
Review: Pain Cave Jersey from Verge Sport
Priced at $125USD, Verge’s new Pain Cave jersey is the lightest jersey I’ve ever owned! Developed like the bib shorts over multiple conversations, iterations, and test rides, I’ve found no better jersey when looking for something that keeps me as cool/dry as possible while still looking great.
I ordered the medium jersey based on the numbers I put into Verge’s size finder (40″ chest, 33″ waist, 35″ hips, 32.5″ inseam). Sizing is an excellent “race fit,” which I prefer when riding indoors and out since tighter fabric is more aero, doesn’t flap, and stays on the skin to wick sweat so it can be evaporated.
This jersey is made for indoor comfort: the small collar with large neck opening is roomy, the sleeves are a bit shorter than typical “pro” jerseys, and the shorter front section doesn’t bunch up when you’re in the typical riding posture.
This is the most breathable jersey I’ve worn yet. My previous gold standard was Castelli’s Insider jersey, but Verge’s Pain Cave is even lighter, with slightly shorter sleeves and a roomier neck opening. The back pockets use the same super light mesh as the sleeves, giving you a place to put stuff without adding a sweaty layer of cloth.
Like I’ve already said, lightweight mesh and durability don’t go together well. That said, this is a well-made jersey, and it has held up just fine to the past few months of repeated wearings and washings. Just don’t wash it with stuff that could snag the jersey’s mesh!
Just like the shorts, the Pain Cave jersey doesn’t include many fancy touches. But it doesn’t need to! My goal in working with Verge was to develop the ultimate indoor jersey, and to have it be affordable as well. This is a purpose-built, well-made piece of kit with quality stitching and thoughtful design.
Custom Team Kits
One thing that sets Verge Sport apart is that they don’t require you to do the typical “ordering window” thing. Most kit manufacturers will have you open your custom team store (hosted on their site) until a particular date. Then the store closes, and only then does the manufacturer begin creating the custom kits.
The system works, but it’s rather restrictive. And it typically takes 6-10 weeks from the day your store opens to the day you receive your kit.
With Verge Sport, your store is open year-round, and there are no minimum orders. Once you’ve opened your store, your team members can visit and place orders whenever they’d like. Orders typically arrive within 3-4 weeks.
Visit the Verge Sport Pain Cave page to learn about ordering your team’s custom kit from Verge. As a small bonus, Verge Sport includes a free headband and towel, in your team design, with every Pain Cave kit order (jersey and bib short).
Order Zwift Insider Kit
Want to own the ultimate indoor kit? I may be a bit biased, but I think Verge Sport’s Pain Cave kit is hard to beat. The Zwift Insider store is now open for orders worldwide, and includes Verge Sport’s Strike jersey and bib shorts if you’re looking for a regular kit that works great outdoors as well.
As a bonus, if you order a Pain Cave kit (jersey and bib shorts) you’ll get a free matching turbo headband and turbo towel.
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