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Alé has been tailoring cycling clothing for more than 30 years now and the sewing machines are still clattering away near Verona. The name alone shows that the brand is deeply rooted in racing, as "Alé Alé Alé" is known to be the exclamation with which cycling fans all over the world cheer on the athletes. The Italians also pay particular attention to cycling clothing specially designed for women and also sponsor some of the best professional women's teams.
For both men's and women's trousers, Alé is sending out the brand new Voltage, which aims to impress with minimised seams and light compression on long distances. The leg ends are completely seamless and have reflective piping on the back for better visibility. The straps also have no seams and are crossed at the back, which should ensure a secure hold and non-slip fit during the ride.
Ultra-soft yet firm fit
In the seat area, the Alé Voltage uses a special fabric designed to improve grip in the saddle so that bikers can optimise the power they apply to the pedals and slip less in the saddle.
The cut and fit of the Voltage are excellent. The material is comfortable to wear and hugs the thighs with slight tension. Seams are not noticeable anywhere on the trousers. Because the straps cross at the back, they sit securely on the shoulders without slipping.
However, the straps are a little tight. Although this keeps the trousers well in place, it puts a little more strain on the shoulders. Not everyone can cope with this in the long term.
The leg length is well chosen and neither too long nor too short. However, because Alé has completely dispensed with rubber panelling, the cuffs can slip upwards slightly. We did not notice any positive effect of the Air-Fix-Snake fabric in the seat area. The hold in the saddle is OK but not overly good.
On the other hand, the slightly raised waistband is very comfortable and wraps the rider nicely. On the other hand, the material can bunch up a little in the bend of the hips when pedalling and cause slight friction.
The seat cushion - a little too soft in the long run
The Epic12 seat pad is a proprietary development from Alé and offers consistently high support right up to the edges. Overall, it is wide enough to provide good support for the sit bones.
In terms of firmness, the cushion is more on the soft side. Although it feels comfortable at first, it offers little support to the sit bones in the long term. The cushion compresses almost completely as soon as you sit on it.
Top: Alé offers its cycling shorts in sizes from XXS to 4XL. So there really should be a suitable model for every body shape.
Alé Voltage - Info & Price
- Price174,95 Euro >> available here
- Weight (L): 200 grammes
- SizesXXS-4XL
- Made inItaly
- EquipmentSeamless straps and cuffs; reflective
- Special featurespartial compression material
- Upholstery length/width/hardness: 25 cm / 16,5 cm / soft - medium
- Leg length (from trochanter major): 32 cm
Evaluation & conclusion
Alé has designed its Voltage Bib Shorts with a very elaborate construction and minimised seams. The very comfortable material offers light compression. This results in an extremely comfortable fit in the saddle without any pressure points on the straps or leg cuffs. The padding is well positioned and comfortable at first, but overall a little too soft for long distances.
Stefan Frey
Editor
