The Czech cycling clothing brand Kalas was founded in 1991 by former professional cyclist Čestmír Kalaš, partly to support young cyclists in his home town of Tabor. The company still manufactures in Tabor today and various professional teams are kitted out by Kalas, including most recently the Alpecin-Fenix team with Mathieu van der Poel.
Membrane protects against moisture and cold
We tested the Passion Z1 long cycling shorts without seat padding, which we combined with padded cycling shorts. The Kalas trousers have two different functional membranes on the front over the entire length of the legs and in the genital area, as well as pleasantly soft and warming Roubaix material on the back of the legs. The top is cut about chest-high at the front and a zip makes it easy to put on. The closed back section made of mesh material extends to the shoulder blades, meaning that the upper body is extensively covered, which is why we don't recommend combining it with short bib shorts to wear underneath. This must also be taken into account when choosing a jersey, otherwise it can quickly become too warm.
The trouser legs have short zips, which also makes it much easier to put on, as the trousers are not particularly elastic due to the membrane. The textile weather barriers are windproof and almost waterproof, effectively keeping out the cold and wet, at least on the front of the legs; our test rides took place in foggy, cold weather with temperatures around five to seven degrees Celsius and medium to high intensity. The Kalas trousers keep you pleasantly warm when you're rolling evenly in the basic range, but with more intensive exertion and/or at lower speeds, for example when gravel biking, they might get too warm for some people, depending on how cold they personally feel.
Due to the integrated membrane, the trouser legs are not very elasticated, which is why they crease at the hips and knees; however, we did not find the creasing annoying in any situation, the trousers do not pinch or pinch anywhere. In our opinion, the trouser legs are not cut too long; they end a good way above the ankle. There is a reflective print on the back of the legs from the waistband to just below the knee, which improves visibility in traffic.
Kalas' sizing system is somewhat unusual. Sizes 1 to 8 are offered, plus three extra sizes (1+ to 3+) for tall people. According to the manufacturer, size 5 corresponds most closely to the classic "L". With a height of 1.82 metres and a weight of 75 kilos, we got on well with them, although, as mentioned, the trouser legs should be two to three centimetres longer. The long trousers without seat padding cost 159 euros, with seat padding they are available for 199 euros.
The Kalas winter trousers at a glance
- Model: Passion Z1 without upholstery
- Equipment: short chest zip, zips at the leg ends
- Front: Membrane material
- Back: Roubaix material and mesh
- Reflective print on both calves
Conclusion: The Kalas Passion Z1 winter shorts are well-equipped, warm cycling shorts, suitable for damp and cold weather around 5 degrees and below, for medium intensity.
Thomas Musch
Publisher
