Never heard of the brand "Funkier"? You're not alone. I had not heard of this brand either, until I received a press release about their new clothes. After checking their website, I learned that they are based in Israel of all places. Now, it just so happens that I met a fellow cycling journalist from Israel at a media launch about two years ago. It was then that I first learned that despite my preconceived American notions of Israel, they have quite a flourishing high-end mountain biking scene. According to the Funkier guys, Israel has "really good forest single tracks and challenging desert trails."

Funkier makes cycling apparel for both the road cyclist and mountain biker alike and they offer stylish options for the commuter as well. Women's specific shorts and jerseys are available in road and mountain styles. Other Funkier soft goods include head-wraps/bandanas, arm and leg warmers, shoe coverings and gloves. They also have a small selection of road and mtb helmets.



What got my attention as I perused the Funkier website was the Eurobike Award that they won last year for their shorts design. If they can win an award at Eurobike, it just might be worth checking out, and I'm glad I did. I also tested the Funkier Freeride Jersey in short sleeve, both items are great choices for warm weather riding and are durable with nice features.

The Funkier Freeride Jersey (FRJ-616S) comes in both long sleeve and short sleeve versions. It is available in red and comes in 6 sizes (SM, MD, LG, XL, 2XL, 3XL) It is V-neck style with no zippers but it does have one zippered pocket on the back, which is also waterproof (a nice touch).



Fabric is 100% Polyester but isn't hot. It has liberal amounts of venting via the mesh armpits, side panels, underside of the sleeves (which are Raglan) and the front printed panel (which won't wear or wash off because it is dye sublimated). As a "freeride" style jersey, the fit is naturally on the loose side. The jersey has a "Quick Dry" Active Protection treatment to allow for quick moisture evaporation that keeps you dryer and more comfortable than other fabrics.



I tested the medium size and the fit is comfortable and gives a nice, light and "airy" feeling. The fabric is soft to the touch and has held up to multiple washings (recommendation is gentle (cold) cycle wash, hang dry) with zero color fade. This jersey looks just as good after a dozen uses as when it was brand new.

The Hawk Shorts (B-3208) are one of several different baggy shorts that Funkier offers. The Hawk is their 3/4 length shorts and are in between a knicker and a short. If the longer legs aren't your style, Funkier has several other baggies that are more traditional length. These shorts are 100% Nylon and are very light-weight and water resistant. They come in black or grey and are available in 6 sizes (SM, MD, LG, XL, 2XL, 3XL). These shorts have an elastic back waist and lacing for adjustment, with a front zipper with a button at the top.

This short is loaded with pockets, vents and zippers! There are two zippered pockets on the back (zippers close outward, so you're never sitting on the zipper), two zippered hand warmer pockets in the front, two velcro closing stash pockets on each lower leg and two zippered vents in the front. There is also a mesh venting on the back of each lower leg as well as stretchable mesh material below the belt line in the back. These shorts are EXCELLENT for hotter climates.



On my very first ride, I thought I had found a problem with longer shorts, as I kept snagging the pant leg on my bottle cage mounted mini-pump. However, I looked down and realized that the makers of these shorts already fixed that problem by designing a velcro strap to adjust the leg width at the bottom. I velcroed these straps tighter and voila! No more snagging the pant leg on anything.

Funkier offers 3 different padded inner shorts for use with their baggies and I tested the Boxer E2 Undershorts (not included with the Hawk shorts). The E2 straps to the Hawk shorts via 3 snap loops on the inside of the waist band. The Boxer E2 has a SIGNIFICANT gel chamois that is made for the endurance rider/racer. Although these gave me that "diaper-wearing" feeling while I was sitting on them in my truck while driving to the trail, sitting down in a chair/car seat is the ONLY time you feel this. The extra padding was MUCH appreciated at all times on the bike (especially if you are a hardtail rider) and felt very comfortable. If you aren't into the thick chamois feeling, the Funkier Boxer B7 undershorts (with smaller, lighter chamois) would probably be a better fit. The Boxer E2 also wins the "underwear-with-the-most-marketing-speak-printed-on-it" award. Like the Freeride Jersey and the Hawk Shorts, the Boxer E2 Undershorts has held up under multiple washings and the gel padding feels as thick and protective as new.



Strengths:
  • comfortable
  • light-weight
  • excellent wicking and cooling
Weaknesses:
  • price
  • availability

Bottom Line:
The Freeride Jersey and Hawk Shorts from Funkier are quality products. They are comfortable, durable and great for hotter climates. The Hawk Shorts in particular, are packed with solid, usable features and the style is cutting edge. But that quality usually comes at a cost. At $95 the shorts aren't cheap and you have to buy the liner separately. And you currently won't find these in most bike shops.

However, Funkier has recently set up a US headquarters in Florida, so availability will be expanding soon and hopefully having a US office will help with pricing and exchange rates. As a small company getting bigger, Funkier is expanding its product line and will be offering cycling shoes (road and mtb) very soon. Current Funkier apparel and accessories may be purchased directly via their website listed below.

Value Rating:
3.5 out of 5 Flaming Chili Peppers


Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Flaming Chili Peppers


From the manufacturer:
"FunkierBike garments are made from the highest quality fabrics available for cycling clothes.

Our sporting clothes are manufactured using advanced technologies and perspiration evaporating materials that enable air to enter and leave in both directions.

The use of different types of textile enables the creation of warm winter clothing and cool summer apparel.

We use a selection of materials from the best engineered available - for manufacturing bicycle clothing and padding.

Everything is adapted to providing the ultimate biking experience.

The prints are through sublimation technique, in order to assure the fabric's ability to breath, especially during extreme intensive physical activity. "

Note: Funkier has three different websites and there are a few discrepancies between the three, but most US residents will want to use the site listed below.

For more info: https://www.funkierbikeusa.com/
Funkier - "Performance Cycling Wear"