Kitsbow Cycling Apparel has made a name for themselves as one of the few trail-textile companies manufacturing their gear in the USA. Their Pendleton wool Icon Shirt is a testament to the brand’s high quality craftsmanship and material selection. I have owned a pair of Pendelton flannels for nearly a decade now, and this MTB version from Kitsbow looks just as well made as those relics. As the demand for wool grew, Thomas Fox partnered with his uncle Thomas Were, to help the woollen textile business flourish. Thomas travelled to study the woollen trade, before introducing a new company name and rebranded business model. You can certainly pedal in any flannel you find at a second-hand shop, or upgrade your office and pub attire with a higher-tech flannel that’s designed with the trail in mind. We rode around in a bunch of tech-flannels to share the good word of their benefits, best attributes, and temperature considerations. A few of these shirts were previously reviewed and are rounded up here for your convenience, but this is a fresh season debut for three of them.

a) If we have sent you the incorrect bicycle, we will cover the cost of collection and delivery of the correct model. To commemorate this extraordinary milestone a new collection of ‘1772 Flannel’ cloth, special Fox cloth garments and a revitalised edition of ‘Classic Flannel’ were launched.The main differences between the Kitsbow flannel and a traditional shirt from the northeastern Oregon wool manufacturers are the abrasion-resistant shoulder and elbow patches and the vent holes at the shoulderblades that allow the sleeves to extend forward naturally while riding. A mesh layer across the shoulders encourages air circulation between the two rear openings.

Fox Brothers' received the prestigious Queens Award which is presented to British businesses for outstanding achievement in their field. Fox Brothers later went on to win the award for a second time in 2006 for the marketing of lightweight flannel.

Also in the range

You should always keep proof of postage and we advise you to use a ‘signed for service’ when returning goods. The external material has a “pre faded” look that gives the shirt the appearance of a typical comfy flannel, hiding its jersey-esque breathability and soft overall feel. Unlike most ride flannels, the interior of this one is soft enough to wear directly against your skin without feeling like you are being sanded.