austin
Well-Known Member
I decided that the Knox shorts things would be the best choice for under my riding trousers (Undercrackers) so had a pleasant ride through the Lake District to visit the factory "shop" in Cockermouth. I put shop in quotes as it a bit of an overstatement to describe it as a shop - the foyer of the visitor entrance has a few rails with most of their stuff on display and the changing room was the toilets. They didn't even have all sizes available as everything was going out the factory door as fast as they could make it. You would think they would use it as a showcase both for the public and for visiting stockists or suppliers.
Nevertheless the lady who came out was both lovely and very helpful. I said the only the only thing I wanted to buy was the shorts but I was interested in trying on summer gloves (I was between sizes and didn't like their Boa cuff fastener) and one of their underarmour shirts. In the end I tried on other gloves, jackets and kevlar jeans and got loads of advice on armour, fitments, layering and stuff. I had always thought of Knox as supplying stuff for the sports bike and MX markets but from looking the range, some of the gloves excepted, its much more to the casual rider who wants discrete protection without the garish and pyjamery look of a lot of bike gear (I still feel a twat in my Klim suit despite about 20,000 miles wearing it).
I particularly liked their Urbane undershirt which I tried on with my Klim jacket over the top with the armour removed. For the first time I felt properly comfortable yet fully protected wearing both armour and jacket. It would be fine for warmer days when you can ride with just a tee shirt underneath the but when you need additional insulation I was not so sure. Equally if it was really hot I wouldn't want to put another jacket over the top. I didn't buy it but I may ponder further on this though and possibly go back for another fitting with a heated jacket too to check how it feels in full winter mode. The lady in the shop strongly recommended their Zephyr jacket which is basically the Urbane Shirt with added abrasion resistance where needed. She said she knows how much goes into the jacket and it is amazing VFM. However its a bit of a one trick pony for hot days only really otherwise you are always wearing two jackets and any insulation layers worn under would affect the fit of the armour.
When I need new gear Knox is where I will be heading though. I bought the shorts and despite a full charm offensive (which was repelled in a delightfully flirtatious way) I could not get a single penny off. I enjoyed my visit a lot
Oh, and I did notice the Edz factory shop in Keswick was closed but they have opened a now one at their factory in Maryport. (Maryport is a nice place to visit - well the harbour is anyway and has a nice cafe too).
Nevertheless the lady who came out was both lovely and very helpful. I said the only the only thing I wanted to buy was the shorts but I was interested in trying on summer gloves (I was between sizes and didn't like their Boa cuff fastener) and one of their underarmour shirts. In the end I tried on other gloves, jackets and kevlar jeans and got loads of advice on armour, fitments, layering and stuff. I had always thought of Knox as supplying stuff for the sports bike and MX markets but from looking the range, some of the gloves excepted, its much more to the casual rider who wants discrete protection without the garish and pyjamery look of a lot of bike gear (I still feel a twat in my Klim suit despite about 20,000 miles wearing it).
I particularly liked their Urbane undershirt which I tried on with my Klim jacket over the top with the armour removed. For the first time I felt properly comfortable yet fully protected wearing both armour and jacket. It would be fine for warmer days when you can ride with just a tee shirt underneath the but when you need additional insulation I was not so sure. Equally if it was really hot I wouldn't want to put another jacket over the top. I didn't buy it but I may ponder further on this though and possibly go back for another fitting with a heated jacket too to check how it feels in full winter mode. The lady in the shop strongly recommended their Zephyr jacket which is basically the Urbane Shirt with added abrasion resistance where needed. She said she knows how much goes into the jacket and it is amazing VFM. However its a bit of a one trick pony for hot days only really otherwise you are always wearing two jackets and any insulation layers worn under would affect the fit of the armour.
When I need new gear Knox is where I will be heading though. I bought the shorts and despite a full charm offensive (which was repelled in a delightfully flirtatious way) I could not get a single penny off. I enjoyed my visit a lot
Oh, and I did notice the Edz factory shop in Keswick was closed but they have opened a now one at their factory in Maryport. (Maryport is a nice place to visit - well the harbour is anyway and has a nice cafe too).
