Welcome, Q36.5! Ultra High-End, Italian Clothing & Shoes

Today, we’re thrilled to welcome Q36.5 to the Contender lineup: an ultra high-end line of Italian apparel, accessories, and road shoes. Recent visitors to the shop or website will have already noticed Q36.5 in the mix, but as of this post, we’re making it official–along with the story of this exceptional brand, including why we’re excited to offer their cutting edge designs.

Cool as a Cucumber: Q36.5 Backstory & Why Contender Chose This Brand

Founded in 2013 by Luigi Bergamo, a seasoned innovator with two decades in cycling apparel, Bergamo’s vision for Q36.5 was to pioneer a more progressive, research-based approach to apparel, including cutting edge fabrics with thermoregulation and minimalist, aerodynamic properties. The brand’s name reflects this very mission–the Q stands for "Quaerere," the Latin word for research, and "36.5" represents the optimal human body temperature in Celsius.

With more than ten years of research and innovation in its proverbial jersey pocket, Q36.5 has recently been upping the ante on brand awareness; close watchers of pro cycling will have noticed the advent of the Q36.5 team in 2023, followed by the headline-making, 2025 addition of British badass Thomas Pidcock–the Tour de France stage winner (2022), two-time gold medalist in Olympic mountain biking (2021, 2024), and Cyclocross World Champion (2022). 

For the cyclist who demands the very best in apparel, accessories, and shoes, the buck quite literally stops with Q36.5. In our view, the fabrics are gorgeous, the fit second to none, and the designs are “I NEED that kit” head-turning. Plus, in the dog days of summer, when long days in the saddle demand every cooling tactic a cyclist can possibly summon, one can do no better than Q36.5’s lightweight, ultra breathable fabrics and designs. As they say, it’s all in the name.

What’s New? Key Features of Q36.5’s Lineup

Q36.5 offers a full apparel lineup of men’s and women’s clothing, including jerseys, bib shorts, and jackets, along with arm warmers, gloves, socks, and world-class road shoes. In particular, we think the following items are worthy of the Journal spotlight: 

• Dottore Line: Italian for “Doctor” or a person with a college degree, Dottore features the full gamut of Q36.5 research and innovation, and is the very same collection worn by the Q36.5 pro team. The Dottore Pro Bib Shorts feature proprietary woven fabrics and a patented Q LAB Air Chamois, refined over the past 10 years, delivering superior muscle support and temperature management. In tandem, the Dottore Clima Jersey is the ultimate hot-weather cycling jersey, while featuring a two-tone, classic design.

• Gregarius Line: as Q36.5’s broader apparel line, Gregarius is ideal for cyclists seeking quality and innovation, with trickle-down technology from the Dottore line, but at a slightly more modest price point–on par with Giordana, Rapha, or 7Mesh. The Gregarius Essential Bib Short delivers comfort, durability, and cooling for all-day rides, while the Gregarius Pro Signature Jersey provides second-skin fit, next-level cooling, and vibrant colors, such as purple and tangerine red.
  

• Unique Pro Bib Shorts: with Father’s and Mother’s Day just around the corner, these bib shorts just might be the ultimate pick for splurge-type apparel. Stunning on every level, they’re reason enough to get out for a ride. 

• Dottore Clima Road Shoes: snug like a sock and ventilated like a sandal, these shoes offer excellent cooling, along with optimal energy transfer. Perfect for blazing hot–and blazing fast–summer rides. 

Ultra High End Cycling Apparel: What Else is Out There? 

For those interested in ultra high-end European apparel, the most comparable brand to Q36.5 would be Assos, of which we stock a full range of apparel. Based in Switzerland, and known for its long legacy of textile innovation, Assos also offers premium materials, exceptional fit, and classic designs.

Learn More

Interested in learning more about Q36.5 apparel and accessories? Feel free to drop by the shop, send us a message, or give us a call at (801) 364-0344.