Market: The Italian clothing manufacturer Santini is entering 2016 with a wide range of products. Velomotion has taken a closer look at two lines: the state-of-the-art Photon models and the Eroica collection.
Santini Maglificio Sportivo celebrates its 2015th anniversary in 50. The company, based in Bergamo in northern Italy, is a fixture in cycling and is known for its functional clothing. Santini develops and produces exclusively in Italy, which is not a matter of course in today's globalized world. Accordingly, they are proud of the "Made in Italy" seal of quality. More than 3.000 items are manufactured daily, and Santini exports over 80 percent of its products abroad. According to the company, the mission is simple: to develop clothing that people can use to optimally live out their passion for sports - and look really good at the same time. Both succeed - in very different ways - with the Photon models and the retro collection Eroica.
Photon
Santini developed the Photon line with the professionals from the LottoNL-Jumbo team. It is characterized by unusual cuts, tight-fitting, thin fabrics and special UV protection. The jersey's unusually long sleeves immediately catch the eye. This three-quarter solution is said to significantly reduce aerodynamic drag. 
The breathable jersey Photon 2.0 is made of Artico material, which according to Santini regulates the heat generated during physical activity. There are also inserts made of carbon fiber on the chest and on the inside of the sleeves. They should have an antibacterial and odor-inhibiting effect and protect against UV rays. The jersey has three back pockets and reflective company logos. Rubberized cuffs on the waistband and sleeves prevent slipping. The Photon 2.0 jersey is available in black and white, red and black and blue and black and costs 139 euros.
The bib shorts of the same name come to match the jersey. It is made of an elastic material that Santini calls Thunderbike power. It is intended to support the muscles with a slight compression effect. Santini promises maximum comfort with equivalent aerodynamic performance to the Photon jersey. The straps do without seams, they are connected at the back with an elastic net. This is intended to increase wearing comfort and improve breathability. The leg ends are held in place with rubberized straps. The heart of the pants is the new seat pad C3. For this, Santini has come up with a completely new manufacturing process: Using carving technology, two foam parts attached one above the other are cut out in such a way that the volume is reduced and seamless and non-adhesive cushioning areas are gained. The result is an ergonomic 3D surface that should be extremely light and breathable on the one hand, but also adapt perfectly to the body and give you plenty of freedom of movement. Gel inserts neutralize vibrations and thus protect against shocks. A soft shell, shaped to the contours of the male anatomy, provides additional protection for the seat bone and perineal area. The surface consists of an antibacterial microfiber.
The Photon 2.0 bib shorts are available in black and black-blue and cost 209 euros. The Photon line also includes a time trial suit that costs 239 euros. The Photon pieces are currently only available for men, but women will find a counterpart in Santini's Aero Light collection in the gold jersey and pants.
Eroica
While the ultra-modern Photon pieces appeal to a performance-oriented clientele, Santini's Eroica collection is aimed at a different clientele. The retro event Eroica, in which the riders conquer unpaved roads with steel frames and feast on bread and wine at the refreshment stations, has now achieved cult status. The eponymous event in Tuscany has now been joined by five other events around the world. Retro is in, and the event format is now being copied many times.
Santini has signed a three-year deal with the Eroica series and, in addition to the official event jerseys, will also supply sweaters, track jackets, pants, socks and accessories. The pieces combine a retro look and retro materials with modern solutions. One example is the Daino shorts: With these trousers, Santini uses wool on the outside and polyester on the inside. The seat pad is visually reminiscent of the leather inserts of the past, but is made of modern MAX2 material. This effectively absorbs shocks and has a thin microfiber surface. With the extremely short leg length, the woolen look and the white Eroica lettering, a classic appearance is achieved, but Santini promises that wearing comfort and performance will meet current requirements.
Santini makes the majority of jerseys out of wool and acrylic. In addition to the jerseys for the individual Eroica events, these are two beautiful Italy jerseys, the world champion's rainbow jersey and the maglia rosa of the Giro d'Italia. But Santini also has something up his sleeve for cyclists for whom wool jerseys are out of the question, but who don't want to do without the retro look: Several jerseys come - like the Daino shorts - in a material mix of wool and polyester , others are made exclusively of polyester and the modern Thunderbike material described above. At the latest when it comes to long-sleeved items, the boundaries between sportswear and leisurewear become blurred: Eroica sweaters, waistcoats and training jackets are almost too good to wear on the bike in all weathers. They are perhaps even better suited for making a statement about your passion for cycling – whether at the racetrack or in the pub.
The prices of the Eroica collection are as follows: the Daino shorts cost 119 euros, the various wool jerseys between 130 and 150 euros, sweaters and track jackets between 150 and 230 euros. The retro jerseys and shorts in modern materials are available for 75 and 99 euros respectively.
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