Afterparty Purple, the Odlo colour of the season for cyclists
30.6.2025
Translation: Eva Francis
Pictures: Patrick Bardelli
Feel the Energy – that’s what Odlo calls its new Zeroweight collection for biking and running. The design’s inspired by reflections on the surface of water and takes some getting used. But the striking print’s definitely grown on me.
Afterparty Purple is the colour of the season – at least in Odlo’s world. The Swiss performance sportswear manufacturer recently launched its latest Zeroweight collection. And made a bold colour choice.
The result? Colourful sportswear for biking and running. The brand relies on proven technology made from partially recycled fibres that actively draw hot air away from the skin. I knew I had to try them out. Here are my thoughts on the Zeroweight Pro Chill-Tec cycling jersey and the bib shorts that come in trendy and eye-catching purple.
Great inside and out
The lightweight stretch material and the non-slip silicone band on the hem of the shirt make it very comfortable. Allowing hot air to escape from under your shirt is far from straightforward. At 30 degrees in the shade, you’ll inevitably work up a sweat on your bike, no matter what shirt you’re wearing. But that doesn’t bother me. It’s part of the experience.
Yet, what I noticed after my first ride with the Zeroweight Pro Chill-Tec cycling jersey was the armpit smell. Or should I say, the lack of.
The jersey’s fitted with an odour-inhibiting layer made of bio-based polymers based on amino sugars. Odlo calls this ZeroScent. The fibres in this layer are designed to fight bacteria as they develop. And the result is striking: it doesn’t smell as much and doesn’t need to be washed as often as a result.
It features three pockets and a small zippered pocket on the back to keep useful items such as rain protection or energy bars. On top of this, it comes fitted with reflective details to increase the rider’s visibility.
Gold Padding – only the best for your bum
The bib shorts made from recycled polyamide and elastane are also very comfortable. There’s nothing worse than tight-fitting clothing that itches or otherwise gets in the way on the bike – it can ruin your whole ride. But this product is quite the opposite. The combination of polyamide and elastane makes the Zeroweight cycling bibs robust yet pleasantly stretchy.
Odlo claims to have used the gold standard for the seat padding and calls it Gold Padding. The optimised anatomical fit adapts to your backside. The lightweight 3D mesh makes the material breathable, while the Air Plus fabric ensures moisture regulation. There’s nothing to criticise, from my point of view. But even the best seat pad is no substitute for a professional bike fitting. You’ll only avoid pain in the groin area altogether when the position on the bike’s adjusted to you down to the last detail.
In a nutshell
Odlo Zeroweight: Afterparty Purple gets the party started on the bike
I swallowed hard the first time I unpacked the products Odlo had sent me for testing. Purple Rain came to mind. I like the song, but will I like the eye-catching colour for my bike gear? Yes!
Today, I’m no longer uncertain about the colour – in fact, it makes me look forward to my next gravel ride. I find it exciting and cool. But that’s just me. Some will like it, others will loath it. That’s always the case when something’s a little out of the norm and won’t be any different for this bike clothing.
As for the quality of the shirt and bib shorts, it’s top-notch. Unlike the colour, the quality’s tried and tested.
Pro
- ZeroScent odour-inhibiting fibres
- High-quality manufacturing
- Comfortable
- Lightweight
- Eye-catching colours and patterns
Contra
- Eye-catching colours and patterns
Header image: Patrick Bardelli
Patrick Bardelli
Senior Editor
Patrick.Bardelli@digitecgalaxus.chFrom radio journalist to product tester and storyteller, jogger to gravel bike novice and fitness enthusiast with barbells and dumbbells. I'm excited to see where the journey'll take me next.
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