Ornot Winter Cycling Collection Review
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The Ornot Winter Cycling Collection is a new lineup from Ornot that, unsurprisingly, is meant for winter outdoor cycling. If you’re not familiar with Ornot, here’s the TL;DR version: born in 2013 out of San Francisco, CA, Ornot prides itself on being a higher-end cycling apparel company that uses leading-edge fabrics, minimalistic design aesthetics, and producing many of its pieces right here in the U.S.
On test, we have several pieces from the young brand, including Merino Base Layer, Lightweight Cargo Bib Tight, Micro Climate Jacket, Merino Grid Thermal Jersey, and Merino Max Socks. The pieces are meant to work nicely together, but can certainly be used independently.
The Ornot Winter Cycling Collection – Ornot Micro Climate Jacket:
Score (9.5 out of 10)
Coming in as my favorite piece in the entire collection, the Ornot Micro Climate Jacket delivers the goods as a lightweight, packable, stretchy, wind and water-resistant, and breathable outer layer on the bike.
I can’t say enough good things about this jacket…it just does what it’s supposed to. Starting out on a 60-degree ride in the sun turned to lower 50s and twilight feels, which required more than my jersey and arm warmers. The Micro Climate Jacket fits the bill perfectly as it kept me warm enough without overheating. This thing really DOES breathe well. I tend to run hot on the bike and never felt like I was stuck in that ever-present humid oven that most cycling jackets provide.
That said, it’s water and wind-‘resistant’, so keep that in mind. Coming down a long descent with speeds well over 30 mph tested the wind-resistant properties for sure. This is NOT a Gore WindStopper shell. That’s both good and bad…it breathes MUCH better, but can also let a bit more wind through. Personally, I don’t mind a little ‘wind seep’ (pretty sure I just coined a new phrase) in the name of not feeling like I’m in a sauna the rest of the time.
Coming in at 155 grams in a size small, the jacket won’t add much weight to your jersey pocket or bike bag. And if you’re so inclined, it can pack into its one sole back pocket for a neat and tidy carrying experience.
Ornot Micro Climate Jacket Rear Pocket
Speaking of that pocket, it’s one of my very few complaints about the Ornot Micro Climate Jacket. I wish it had one more open stuff pocket on the back, similar to what you’d find on most cycling jerseys. Although the zipper pocket is useful and nice to have for valuables like a phone or wallet, an open pocket is just SO much easier to access with gloves on when you need a quick hit of Chapstick or a gel.
Ornot also includes a slight lofted fleece pattern on the inside of the jacket in key areas to provide just a touch of insulation. Truth be told, I didn’t notice any difference in having that pattern present…maybe it’s just too subtle for me to register. Regardless, don’t think of the Micro Climate Jacket as being insulated as it’s really not.
Ornot Micro Climate Jacket Fleeced Interior
The jacket fit me perfectly with a fitted style that left enough room for layering when the temps dropped below 50 or so. The stretchy properties of the fabric were excellent and allowed my body to move freely on the bike even with 4 total layers on. That’s a win compared to more rigid outer layers that start to feel like a straight jacket once layered up.
Speaking of layering, once paired with a solid base layer like the Ornot Merino Base Layer and Ornot Merino Grid Thermal Jersey the combo can take you down into the low 40’s to upper 30’s without batting an eye. If you’re extra hearty, you could probably go even deeper.
Available for an MSRP of $228, available in both men’s and women’s sizes, and in 4 colors.
The Ornot Winter Cycling Collection – Ornot Merino Grid Thermal Jersey:
Score (9 out of 10)
Ornot Merino Grid Thermal Jersey
The Ornot Merino Grid Thermal Jersey does a remarkably good job of insulating for a piece this minimal in presence. What does that mean? It’s not your typical bulky mid-layer, it’s more slight in stature…think Kevin Hart as opposed to The Rock. Not a bad thing.
Ornot Merino Grid Thermal Jersey Hem
The Ornot Merino Grid Thermal Jersey being made of roughly 38% merino wool (who’d have guessed, right?) hits the big 3 in merino wool attributes admirably, (insulating and managing temps well, wicking like a sieve, and managing odors when the funk starts to come on.) You can wave the flag of synthetic dominance all you like but Mother Nature has been doing a stellar job of creating killer fabrics long before science.
The gridded-faced interior creates small little air pockets that help to trap heat when you need it and release it when you don’t. I never felt like I’d overheat in the Merino Grid Jersey as it breathes so well and thermo regulates like a champ. Paired with the aforementioned Micro Climate Jacket you’ll find yourself with a nice little combo of warmth and weather resistance in a tidy little package.
Ornot Merino Grid Thermal Jersey Gridded Interior
This bad boy is made in the U.S., and comes packed with a 2-way zipper to help regulate as the temps warm, 3 rear stuff-style rear pockets, a secured zipper pocket, and a few reflective details.
Ornot Merino Grid Thermal Jersey Rear Pockets
Be warned, however. Ornot subscribes to more of a European sizing model which means these pieces fit snuggly, but comfortably…and they’re SHORT. I’m 6’1” and found the bottom hem on the Ornot Merino Grid Thermal Jersey to work for me but without any room to spare.
Available for an MSRP of $176, available in both men’s and women’s sizes, and in 3 colors.
The Ornot Winter Cycling Collection – Ornot Lightweight Cargo Bib Tight:
Score (7.5 out of 10)
Ornot Lightweight Cargo Bib Tight w/Back Pockets
The Ornot Lightweight Cargo Bib Tight is a bit of a head-scratcher for me. Everyone is different in how they approach dressing for different temperature ranges, but for my use, the Lightweight Cargo Bib Tights just seem like a product without a needed use. Let me explain…
The “lightweight’ part of the product name says it all…these well-made and super functional tights just don’t make sense to me from a cool-riding weather environment. For myself, and many of my riding buddies, anything above 50 degrees or so means regular bib shorts paired with knee warmers and we’re good to go. If the temps come up or the sun starts to beat down, the knee warmers come off and I’m good to go. With the Ornot Lightweight Cargo Bib Tights, you’re pretty much committed to full leg coverage.
Ornot Lightweight Cargo Bib Tight
Ok, so you’re probably saying to yourself, “ok, so then they’re better suited to temps below 50 degrees, right?” Not so much. The ‘lightweight’ nature of the tight just doesn’t deliver on temps below about 45 or so. At that point, you’d want something a bit more significant to keep your legs warm. Wearing the entire Ornot Winter Collection on a ride in 42 degrees I found myself comfortable all over…other than my legs which were cold. Ornot claims a comfort range for the Lightweight Bib Tights of 48 – 70 degrees Fahrenheit, but I’d be hard-pressed to wear full tights in anything above 50 degrees or so, so for my use cases, the effective temp range for these tights is likely 45 – 55 degrees.
Ornot makes a Thermal Cargo Bib Tight that honestly just makes a lot more sense to me with a temp range of 38 – 60. The thermal version of the tight aligns more with something like the Pearl Izumi P.R.O. Pursuit Cycling Bib Tights.
Ok, so all that being said, these really are a nice piece of kit if they work for your temp ranges. The cargo pockets are sublime…truly. If you haven’t ridden with cargo pockets before, you simply must try it. Things like a phone, Chapstick, gel, gloves, etc., all just make sense in those pockets as they’re super easy to access on the move. And they stretch like a Master Yogi, so you can overstuff until your heart’s content.
Ornot Lightweight Cargo Bib Tight Cargo Pockets
The endurance chamois pad did a great job keeping me comfortable on 3+ hour rides without any issue at all. The stretchy and soft bib straps were probably some of the most comfortable I’ve had the pleasure of wearing. To top them off, the Ornot Lightweight Cargo Bib Tights incorporate bluesign-approved recycled fabrics and recycled fibers in the pad keeping sustainability top of mind in the manufacturing of these tights.
Ornot Lightweight Cargo Bib Tight Chamois Pad
Available for an MSRP of $218, available in men’s sizes, and in 3 colors.
The Ornot Winter Cycling Collection – Ornot Merino Base Layer:
Score (8 out of 10)
Ornot Merino Base Layer
Remember above when I mentioned that Ornot subscribes to a more European cut to their cycling clothes? It isn’t more obvious than in the Ornot Merino Base Layer.
The fit is great…snug where it should be with enough give that it allows it to move with you. However, it’s COMICALLY SHORT! The Merino Base Layer is barely tucked into my bibs…it’s that short. Once you’re in position on the bike, (i.e. bent forward over the handlebars), the base layer hits where it should, but I wouldn’t mind a little extra length so I didn’t look like Chris Farley’s “Fat Guy in a Little Coat” character from SNL back in the day. Again, more Kevin Hart than The Rock for sure.
Ornot Merino Base Layer Material Close-Up
Shortness aside, the Ornot Merino Base Layer delivered. Constructed from Polartec’s Power Wool, this base layer regulated temps well while feeling super comfortable and NOT ITCHY AT ALL. That last part is key since it’s sitting right up against your skin. I found it did great in temps from the 40s up through the 60s, so it has some versatility on its side as well.
Available for an MSRP of $69, available in both men’s and women’s sizes, and in 3 colors.
The Ornot Winter Cycling Collection – Ornot Merino Max Socks:
Score (9 out of 10)
Ornot Merino Max Socks
The key word here is “MAX”. The Ornot Merino Max Socks are THICK. They remind me more of a hiking sock than a cycling sock. If you’re wearing a pair of snug fitting road cycling shoes, these bad boys might make your feet feel like stuffed sausages. However, if you have a little wiggle room or you’re wearing a gravel or MTB shoe, these socks were awesome!
Although Merino wool does a remarkable job of thermo regulation, because these socks are so thick that I’d reserve them for colder days as your piggies will start to complain in temps upwards of mid-fifties or so.
Ornot Merino Max Socks
To that end, riding in lower 40-degree temps I found myself NOT thinking about my toes, which was a new one for me as my feet tend to run on the cold side unless I’m wearing a liner sock AND toe/shoe covers. Not the case with the Ornot Merino Max Socks…they simply laughed at the cold.
With minimal seams and low-key styling, these socks can be worn both on and off the bike without issue.
Available for an MSRP of $24, available in both men’s and women’s sizes, and in 5 colors.
Summary: (9 out of 10)
Ornot Winter Cycling Collection
The Ornot Winter Cycling Collection is a well-thought-out and highly modular lineup of winter cycling apparel that works great together as a system, or each piece on its own in your winter cycling kit closet…assuming the temperature ranges of the pieces work for you.
The Ornot Winter Cycling Collection comes in numerous pieces ranging from jackets, jerseys, tights, caps, warmers, base layers, socks, and more. These aren’t cheap pieces of kit, but considering the well-thought-out design, upscale aesthetic, perceived durability, and functionality of all the pieces, I’d say the value is there. You can check out The Ornot Winter Cycling Collection at ornotbike.com.
