Welcome, IRIS! A Bold, Vibrant, Performance Clothing Line

Today, we’re excited to announce that Contender has added IRIS cycling apparel to our in-store and online collections. High on quality and big on personality, IRIS also comes with racing pedigree and a founder-led story that we love. For a breakdown on IRIS, including why we chose to become the exclusive, U.S.-based bike shop for this vibrant apparel brand, please read on. 

Prologue: IRIS Backstory & Why Contender Chose This Brand

Hailing from the Netherlands, Iris Slappendel is a former pro cyclist, who raced on the road for 12 years, from 2004 to 2016. During her storied career, which included several UCI victories and winning the Dutch National Road Race in 2014, Slappendel spent time with the Cervelo Test Team, where she worked with Gerard Vroomen, the former Cervelo founder who is now at Open Bikes. A long-time friend of Contender, Vroomen in turn introduced our team to Slappendel, and we’ve been keeping tabs on her ever since. Despite the demands of a rigorous pro racing schedule, Slappendel found time to collaborate with cycling brands during her career, consulting on the design, fit, and performance of their apparel. After retiring, Slappendel’s racing and consulting experience sparked a novel idea: if she could own the entire apparel process, from design and physical fit, to fabric selection and manufacturing, she was confident she could create the ultimate cycling apparel brand. And thus, in 2017, IRIS–her name, but also an acronym for “I Ride In Style”–was born.

Across the apparel landscape, there are of course several players offering high quality, high performance options, many of which Contender offers. Assos and Giordana, Rapha and 7Mesh certainly come to mind (see below for competitive set options). That said, what we love about IRIS is that the brand firmly checks those boxes while also coming to the start line with fantastic aesthetics–vibrant colors, iconic patterns and designs, and gorgeous fabrics. For the cyclist who wants to stand out, and isn’t afraid of a little panache, be it on the road, trail, or riding around town, IRIS is a brand that we’re proud to offer–and one we think cyclists will be excited to wear.

What’s New & Different? Key Features of IRIS Apparel 

Specifically, we’re excited to offer IRIS for the qualities below:  

• Bold Designs: vibrant pops of color; iconic designs, from kaleidoscopic to geometric patterns to limited editions from talented illustrators; and a wide range of options, for road, gravel, trail, or urban riding. In a sea of solid colors, we love the playfulness that IRIS embodies–including an innate instinct to stand out. Plus, with careful curation and limited runs, IRIS delivers a feeling that you’ve laid your hands on something unique. 

• High Quality and Excellent Fit: as noted above, Slappendel’s racing and consulting experience informs IRIS’ exceptional performance and comfort across all types of riding. Some examples: 

• • Fabrics: premium Italian fabrics, made in Europe, with eco-conscious materials.

  • Jerseys: pro race fit for enhanced aerodynamics, with breathable micro-mesh panels for cooling (see: IRIS Halley Jersey).

  • Technical T-Shirts: relaxed fit with a soft, lightweight feel. Features include IRIS’ signature rear-facing kangaroo pouch for light-weight essentials, and a secure zip pocket for valuables (see: IRIS Escape Technical T-Shirt, Kiera). 

• Bib Shorts: women’s-specific chamois for optimal support on long rides, magnetic rear bib closure for easy bathroom breaks, no-slip silicone leg bands, and chafe-free microfiber straps (see: IRIS Bilberry Signature Bib Short 3.0). 

• Sustainability & Responsibility: in virtually every step of its process, IRIS prioritizes eco-conscious suppliers, durable designs, mix-and-match versatility, and limited production. They also offer a repair service to extend garment lifespan, similar to the well-known offering from Patagonia.

High Quality Cycling Apparel: What Else is Out There?

For those interested in high quality and/or European cycling apparel, Contender stocks a range of excellent options. Two brands worth noting: 

• Giordana: a long-time player in the apparel space, known for premium materials and timeless designs, we especially love the quality that Giordana offers at the lower end of their range.

• 7Mesh: founded in 2013 by ex-Arcteryx employees, 7Mesh blends high-performance design with exceptional comfort. While their color palette is more subtle, our staff has found their fit to be among the best, with 7Mesh delivering the goods across all riding modalities (road, gravel, trail).

Learn More

Interested in learning more about IRIS apparel? Feel free to drop by the shop, send us a message, or give us a call at (801) 364-0344.