Wahoo’s design collab with Le Col made waves in 2020 when they rolled out their first eye-catching indoor kit. Even if you haven’t seen it IRL, you’ve probably seen it on Zwift: the elite-level Wahoo Le Col men’s and women’s race teams wear the kit in game, as do their community racers:
I reviewed the Le Col x Wahoo kit back in 2020, but Le Col x Wahoo continued refining their indoor offering after its initial release, so in June 2022 I picked up the new bib shorts and jersey to test and review.
Shop the Le Col x Wahoo Indoor Collection >
Le Col offers the kit in two color schemes – the eye-popping blue/pink version you’ll also see in game, and a more subtle black/blue version. I went with blue/pink, since it matched what I see in game.
Le Col x Wahoo Indoor Training Bib Shorts
While I was impressed with the first version I reviewed in 2020, the current version is even better. Adapted from Le Col’s lightweight summer bibshorts (“pro air” shorts used by WorldTour teams on the hottest days), these are simply the most refined indoor-specific bibs I’ve tested.
The shorts use a super lightweight perforated cloth on the front of the leg panels, and the leg gripper band is also lightweight and breathable. The mesh used for the uppers/straps is also very breathable, and the front of the bibs is lower-cut than most bibs, providing more exposed skin area for better cooling.
These fabrics are lightweight and breathable enough that they never feel heavy or soaked with sweat, as long as you have good ventilation.
The challenge with lightweight fabrics used on many indoor-specific kits is that they can also be quite fragile. Somehow, though, Wahoo seems to have done the impossible with these bibs, creating a very breathable bib short you can tug onto your legs with some force and throw into your laundry repeatedly without seeing seams popping or tears appearing. After several months of weekly use, these shorts are holding up as well as any other bib shorts I’ve owned.
Chamois fit is a very personal thing, but I prefer thinner pads, especially for indoor riding. Le Col’s chamois is a bit thinner than most, while still offering plenty of protection. For their indoor kit, they’ve modified the chamois in the front for increased comfort when riding in the same position toward the nose of the saddle, as many riders tend to do indoors.
I ordered the large bibs, and the leg length was a bit longer than you’ll often find on lower-end bibs, but right in keeping with pro-quality bib styles nowadays.
One fit-related note: while these shorts feel true to size when worn, the uppers aren’t as stretchy as typical bib shorts due to the way Le Col reinforced the edges of the mesh which makes up most of the straps. Because of this, you may feel a bit more “cramped” when getting the straps over your shoulders, and having a quick potty break without taking the straps off may prove challenging.
I’m of the belief that indoor-specific kit doesn’t need most of the “extras” you might find on higher-end outdoor bibs (reflective tabs, hidden pockets, emergency medical info tags, etc). Le Col seems to agree, and they kept these bibs lightweight and simple. The features they include are well-executed, the shorts are well-built, and the overall design is refined. On top of that, you have two “looks” to choose from, while other companies offer a single design for their indoor line.
Le Col x Wahoo Indoor Training Jersey
The jersey, like the bibs, is a custom-branded take on Le Col’s “pro air” jersey. The initial version of this jersey (from 2020) was made almost entirely of a lightweight 3D mesh fabric, very much like Castelli’s indoor jersey. The current version uses that fabric for the sleeves and sides of the torso, but uses a heavier, more robust fabric for the main front and back panels. The sleeves are also a bit longer on the current version.
Having used both versions extensively, I have to say for dedicated indoor use I actually prefer the older version because it’s a bit more breathable than the current version.
Of course, each rider has their own priorities and preferences regarding kit. I contacted Yanto Barker, Le Col’s founder, to ask him why the jersey was changed from its initial version to the current version. Here’s what he said:
“The original material was good I agree, but it was very sensitive to snagging and so could be ruined if it went in the wash with Velcro mitts or anything scratchy. For me, design has to be user friendly, and we took feedback from customer reviews and my own experience to improve the product. Obviously, we all have our preferences, but the new jersey performs from a wicking perspective just as well as the original, but it will last longer and is more durable, so much better value while retaining all the technical performance of the original design. It is important that we rate a product from a full 360-degree assessment and don’t get caught focusing on one detail at the expense of others. For me, I have to apply an all-rounded approach that is not just my preference to represent all used cases of the product; this is what we did, I am rigorous about this and tireless in the pursuit of improvement.”
I ordered the large jersey based on Le Col’s sizing guide. Sizing was excellent, with a bit more room in the chest and stomach while riding compared to medium jerseys I purchase from other makers (I’m sort of between a medium and large, depending on who makes the jersey). The neck opening was roomy, and the sleeves aren’t as long as some of the “pro fit” jerseys I’ve worn, which is a good thing for indoor kit!
The jersey is much more breathable than a typical outdoor kit, thanks to its 3D mesh sleeves/sides and lightweight, perforated wicking front and back panels. Still, it’s not as breathable as other indoor/summer jerseys I’ve used, including the initial version of the Le Col x Wahoo jersey.
As Le Col founder Yanto mentioned above, swapping more traditional fabric for the 3D mesh made the kit more robust and durable. I can agree with that assessment, as I haven’t seen any damage after many wearings and washings (including washing with velcro gloves, the ultimate mesh-tearing no-no!)
It’s a well-conceived jersey, with nice touches like “Ride Faster/Ride Further” printed on the waistband gripper and a lower/wider neck for improved ventilation. While some super light indoor jerseys may be a bit too transparent for outdoor riding, this jersey would perform well outside in hot weather and indoors on Zwift.
Final Notes
I’ve worn this kit nearly weekly on Zwift and outdoors over the past 9 months, so it’s fair to say I’ve put it through its paces. And over that time this became my favorite indoor kit – the one I grab first when I’m looking forward to an especially hard or long effort.
I gravitated toward this kit for its superior breathability when outdoor temps rose especially high over the summer months, and I was never disappointed (except when I lent the jersey to a local friend and didn’t get it back for weeks because he liked it for hot outdoor rides!)
Le Col x Wahoo clearly listened to feedback from their team riders and refined this kit into a strong combination of everything you’re looking for indoors: breathable, comfortable, durable, and stylish enough to show off on your live stream.
Shop the Le Col x Wahoo Indoor Collection >
Zwift Insider’s Custom Kit
I was so impressed with Le Col’s indoor line that I chose it for Zwift Insider’s first-ever custom kit, which we’re announcing today with this post!
The store opens today and closes in two weeks (March 20). Once the store closes, production will take 6-8 weeks, then everyone’s orders will ship.
Questions or Comments?
Post below!
Love the new kit!
It was disappointing to see when Le Col reneged on their commitment to the formerly titled Wahoo Le Col Women’s pro cycling team at the end of last year
Good choice on the brand for the ZI kit Eric, i have the OG Le Col Wahoo blue/pink indoor kit & have no issues with it. most of my wearable kit is from Le Col.
It’s comfortable/durable the pro’s use it,the strava discounts help with the cost of it, it just works!
one question – can i use my Le Col rewards/Strava discount on the kit?
Yes you can. Hovering over the order button now while wondering what gap this fills and whether or not I *really* need it.
A bit off topic, but do you guys always wear a jersey when you’re all alone zwifting (without camera) in the man cave? I’m always riding Tarzan style on the upper half, but read a forum post recently where some wrote that they cooled down better with a jersey on. Placebo?
I always wear a jersey when I’m recording or streaming my ride. When I’m not… I’m sorta 50/50. Sometimes wear one, sometimes don’t.
I don’t usually where anything other than shoes (no sox) and padded underwear with ample vaseline, Helps keep things cool and slippery.
I’m a heavy sweater indoors even with hurricane force fan. I’ve tried pricey indoor jerseys and find them not worth the $, very much prefer the mesh liner/base layer instead and Le Col makes a fantastic one for about 1/3 the cost of a jersey. Bibs/shorts, totally different and I find those well worth it especially for longer or harder efforts. The best indoor bibs tend to be so well perforated and vented though that I’d think twice about wearing the out in public view.
I use at least sleeveless or some baselayer because if i wear nothing on top, the sweat is dripping like crazy all over the place yet its too hot to wear normal jersey
I wear the Le Col perforated jerseys (such as the 2020 Le Col pink/blue and blue/black) for any harder indoor ride. I’ll unzip the front if I start to really get hot. I find the wicking of the jersey helps get rid of the sweat without it going everywhere.
For reference I have a strong floor fan in front of my bike, and two pedestal fans..one on each side.
Not sure if this is on purpose or a typo, but the link to the ZI custom line shows very nice bibs/jerseys for every Le Col kit type EXCEPT the indoor–the custom design is only available for their outdoor types–club, elite and pro air. The indoor line you reviewed is NOT listed for ordering the club design.
Hi Chan,
“Pro Air” is the indoor kit. It’s just called indoor on the Le Col + Wahoo collection, but it’s exactly the same as their “Pro Air” line.
I picked up the bibs on a recent sale to give them a try. I agree with the comments made in the review with one add – I REALLY wish that indoor bibs would have flat rather than seamed shoulder straps. Other than that I do like them..
Why did you change from DIRT to Wahoo Le Col? If they are paying you, should probably be marked as “advertisement”?
I didn’t change… I still race with DIRT. But I prefer the WLC kit in real life!
I’ve tried Le Col kit but the pilling on the sleeves and the rapid loss of stretch on the shoulder straps mean I wouldn’t go back to them.
But leaving that to one side, manufacturers could add value to their IRL offerings like this one by supplying a code with the kit that would unlock the Zwift version of the jersey/bib.
Sizing is always a question when it comes to bibs, and you don’t have a sizing section for them. Can you compare to any other brands? Primal, Castelli, Epic, Pearl Izumi, etc.?
I’d say they’re a bit roomier than Castelli, but not much. I just went with the sizing recommended on their site.
This article cost me $330, so thanks for that.🙃
The kit indeed looks great, but I wonder why one needs to wear a shirt at all at home while on the trainer. Topless for men and small sports bra for women makes staying cool much simpler.
But are you sure about that? I have actually found that wearing a lightweight long-sleeved jersey keeps me cooler than wearing a short-sleeved jersey (when using a fan). These special fabrics do a great job with the evaporative cooling.
I’m inclined to agree with Nigel. The 3D mesh fabric actually INCREASES the surface area sweat can be evaporated from (vs your skin). Overall it results in what feels to me like a dryer, more pleasant experience.
And as a bonus, people watching my race videos don’t get an eyefull of skin!
I had wondered why Le Col went away from the mesh on the body of the their summer/indoor jerseys. Now I understand. That said, I’ve found they mesh has held up remarkably well. The majority of my jerseys are of these variety now.
And yeah, OG 2020 for the win.