On labels, everyone has become "eco". To know whether a cycling kit really is, you don't need a degree: five questions are enough.
We apply them to ourselves, answers included. Even when the answer isn't flattering.
~3 min read · Jump to: Recycled from what · How many % · Where · Labels · End of life · Make it last · FAQ · Shop
1. Recycled, sure, but from what?
"Recycled" is a starting point, not proof. Plastic bottles, fishing nets, production offcuts, old clothes: they're not the same thing, nor the same impact.
- Summer jerseys: plastic bottles and waste recovered from the sea.
- Long sleeves: polyamide production offcuts.
- Bib shorts: fishing nets and old carpets (ECONYL®).
- RELOV: old jerseys. The only one where textile becomes textile again.
2. How many percent?
A garment can be labelled "recycled" with only a small share of recycled content. Ask for the number, product by product.
| VELOR piece | Recycled content |
|---|---|
| Summer jerseys | 83% |
| Long sleeve jerseys | 86% |
| Windproof gilets | 78% |
| Winter jacket | Over 90% |
| Bib shorts | 69% (82% for thermal tights, 51% for NOMAD) |
| RELOV | 85% recycled textile |
Jersey by jersey details here.
3. Where is it made?
Kit made closer to you travels less, and you can check what happens in the factory. Our fabrics come from Spain and Italy, sewing happens in Portugal and Czechia. All manufacturing is in Europe.
4. Which labels, and what do they guarantee?
- GRS (Global Recycled Standard): verifies recycled content and traceability, from collection to finished product.
- bluesign®: controls chemicals, water and energy used to make the fabric.
- OEKO-TEX®: guarantees no harmful substances in the textile against your skin.
A label doesn't say everything, but an "eco" promise with no label behind it should make you ask more questions. Go further: what is GRS recycled polyester?
Our take: if a brand can't explain how a product is made, it can't call it responsible.
5. What happens at end of life?
The question almost nobody asks. A polyester jersey can be recycled. Bibs in nylon and elastane can't yet, and that's true for us too. The only jersey in our range that truly closes the loop today is RELOV, made from old jerseys.
A full kit, with the real number on every piece.
See the SelectionBonus: the most sustainable kit is the one that lasts
Keeping your kit one more season has more impact than any label. A few simple habits:
- Wash at 30°C, no fabric softener.
- Air dry, no tumble dryer.
- Use a washing bag. According to tests by the Fraunhofer Institute UMSICHT, the Guppyfriend cuts fibre breakage by 86% on average for synthetic textiles, and the fibres that do come loose stay in the bag instead of going down the drain.
- Repair or replace. If you crash, we replace the damaged piece.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sustainable cycling kit more expensive?
Often a bit, because recycled material and European manufacturing cost more. But kit that lasts three seasons instead of one costs less per kilometre.
Is recycled less performant?
No. Recycled polyester and polyamide have the same properties as their virgin versions. Performance depends on cut and weave, not on where the fibre came from.
Where should I start to kit up more responsibly?
With what you're really missing. Don't replace a piece that still works: your old bib shorts are perfect for the indoor trainer.
Go Further
Shop the Selection
The pieces that cover the whole year, with the real number on each one.
