A full Mavic kit to carry you through the whole triathlon summer

Made up of the Ksyrium bib shorts, the Aksium Wind Vest gilet, the Aksium jersey, MVS Shield Photochromic sunglasses, and Cosmic SLR-Tri triathlon shoes, this kit won us over with its understated look, real-world efficiency and quality finishing. The textiles are assembled in Europe too, which is definitely a plus in our book.

Testing the Ksyrium Bib Shorts

This one is clearly built for long efforts (more than 3 hours). You can tell the designers focused on comfort first, and on making sure it lasts.

From the first try-on, you immediately feel the chamois, dubbed Ergo Endurance, taking center stage. Built with multiple layers, including an Ortholite insert to absorb vibrations and cushion impacts, it can feel a bit bulky on the first rides, but it beds in with use and you end up forgetting it’s there. That’s usually a very good sign.

The fabric itself is extremely stretchy, delivering light yet comfortable muscle support. Perforated straps help ventilation up top, while the raw-cut leg finish combined with silicone grippers keeps the shorts perfectly in place on the thigh.

Price: €129

Testing the Aksium Jersey

Its “rust” color might not be everyone’s first choice among triathletes, who often lean toward brighter, more on-trend shades (or something a bit left-field), but that’s really beside the point. Because the quality is beyond reproach. Made in Europe (Romania, to be precise), like all the textiles we tested here, it has a very current fit: close to the body.

Its honeycomb technical fabric (Italian 3D mesh) delivers excellent temperature regulation. The cellular construction works like a sponge, helping wick moisture away when the effort ramps up. You stay cooler during high-intensity work, and drier during easier riding, avoiding that chilly wind-on-wet-skin effect. On the back, you get four pockets: three vertical ones (the usual setup) plus one horizontal pocket for maximum storage.

Silicone prints are strategically placed inside the pockets to keep your essentials secure without weighing the jersey down. The same grippy strips run along the hem, keeping everything perfectly fitted and stable while you ride.
The jersey also features a full-length zip. It’s an injected zip, meaning molded plastic teeth, often favored in outdoor sports because it handles mechanical stress and abrasion very well.

Price: €89

Testing the Aksium Wind Vest

If you roll out at dawn or get home late, even in summer, it can still feel cool. This discreet sleeveless layer brings the wind protection you need while staying highly breathable.

The front, side and shoulder panels use a light technical nylon fabric that offers solid wind protection and sheds spray if you get caught in a shower.

The small collar does the job to keep your throat warm for a while. A large mesh back panel boosts breathability and freedom of movement for a genuinely comfortable feel. Compact, the gilet packs easily into a pocket and comes with a two-way zipper to make it easier to put on and take off. In theory. Because during our test, the zip slipped off track a bit, making removal more fiddly than expected…

Price: €79

Testing the MVS Shield Photochromic Sunglasses

The essential piece to finish the kit. Modern design and seriously effective, with photochromic lenses that adapt instantly to changing light. They shift tint in just a few seconds to match your surroundings.

The lenses also provide 100% UV protection and feature an oleophobic treatment that helps keep dust, grease and sweat from sticking. Perfect for summer training, in other words.

With large lenses and a rimless lower edge, they open up your field of view. The cylindrical lens shape also improves peripheral vision. Adjustable nose pads help fine-tune how they sit on your face, and non-slip temple tips make sure they stay put, whether you’re wearing them or stashing them in your helmet.

Price: €119

Testing the Cosmic SLR-Tri Shoes

From the first try-on, comfort is the big surprise: you can ride sockless without worrying about hotspots or blisters. The impressively plush interior is paired with a Matryx woven upper (an Ardèche-made composite that’s increasingly stealing the spotlight from classic mesh), giving the shoe a winning mix of breathability, support and durability that bodes well for long hours on the pedals. A carbon sole keeps weight right where you want it.

Its triathlon DNA shows in the wide Velcro strap for fast on/off (with a notch that lets you lock the strap and keep the shoe “open” for lightning-quick entry), a heel loop to pull the shoe on faster, and non-slip pads to stay efficient when you hop off the bike and run to your spot in transition.

Price: €219