When you’re riding all year in the harsh, unpreditable conditions of Scandinavia, decent kit is a must. And this is where the idea for GripGrab was born, when founder Kristian Krøyer couldn’t find gloves to protect his extremities on cold, wet mountain bike trails. The solution? Design and make them himself.
It’s this logic that is applied to everything the Danish company designs – by identifying the specific problem, and finding a solution to it, the ride improves. And what started as one product has now grown into a complete head-to-toe system of functional essentials, designed to make cycling life easier for everyone, whether you ride in freezing Scandinavia or the back lanes of Yorkshire.
Functional evolution
Exposure is the enemy of fun. And the function-driven evolution of GripGrab’s product range has been based upon targeting individual needs caused by cold or wet conditions. The company’s shoe covers cater for every eventuality, from toe covers that shield your digits from chilly springtime early starts to full neoprene covers designed to keep hideous storms at bay (or at least keep your feet dry in them; GripGrab’s kit is highly functional, but even the very best kit can’t control the weather). From shoe covers to base layers, and from arm warmers to bibshorts, each item of this suite of performance-led clothing exists as an answer to a single problem.
And those problems are inevitably meteorological in nature. It follows that, with a focus on kit designed as a barrier to grim conditions, GripGrab’s products are ideal for ensuring comfort throughout the year. After all, if you’re living in the northernmost reaches of Europe and want to ride all the time, there’s no alternative but to be prepared. Whatever the weather conditions, you need the right gear.
For GripGrab, the concept of being an all-year rider isn’t a throwaway slogan or a badge of honour, it’s a practical mindset that simply requires the right gear. Performance isn’t just about speed, it’s about the clear intention of removing friction, whether that’s cold, moisture or distractions caused by discomfort.
The company’s R&D team exists to provide solutions to these tensions, so that riders across the world can benefit from kit that not only protects them but also facilitates greater enjoyment of the simple act of riding. And the team puts all of the company’s kit through its paces in the harshest conditions to make sure they’ve nailed the brief.
From skin to shell
Since the company’s founding in 2000, the focus has always been on giving cyclists the confidence to ride further, push their limits and revel in the sense of exploration riding a bike brings. And if you’re creating products that help your customers reach their full potential, you need to offer a total solution. Twenty six years later, GripGrab’s range offers a vast range of performance-led essentials with function and comfort at its heart.
If you can think of a part of your body that gets cold, wet or uncomfortable, there’s an item in the company’s lineup to protect it and eliminate those potential issues. The year-round-ready range of kit does it all – from hats and neck warmers to tights and shorts, and everything in between – whether you ride road, gravel, hardcore MTB trails or commute.
Discover the entire range at gripgrab.com
Better by design
GripGrab’s PACR collection is the most performance-focused expression of the brand’s ethos. It’s aero, lightweight, minimal, refined, engineered with precision and – in common with everything the company does – each item in the collection is a solution to a distinct issue.
The PACR Emergency Jacket, for example, is designed to ‘disappear’ when worn. It’s lightweight and packable, easy to carry, quick to put on and ensures readiness in unpredictable conditions, whether it’s protection from windchill on a cold mountain descent or an unexpected shower on a summer ride. It’s a 120g, breathable, waterproof solution to a common problem: the challenge of riding in a temperate climate such as the UK’s.