Bontrager JFW winter bike shoe

First impression
"Hello Yellow" goes through your head. The neon yellow is certainly not everyone's cup of tea, but the bright color has the advantage that you are noticed more quickly at dusk and at night. Better to stand out than have an accident. The JFW is a shoe for the transitional period, with high-cut neoprene ankle protection and light insulation. The sole made from nylon composite material has a coarse profile and is designed to offer good grip in adverse conditions.

In use
The comfort range is between +5 and -5 degrees. In the lower temperature range, it keeps you warm for around 90 minutes, after which you wish for more insulation. Initially, the Bontrager shoe fits rather tightly. After a few rides, the material expands and adapts to the shape of the foot. The combination of the zipper on the upper and the Boa system on the foot turns out to be ideal. The entry is a little tight, but the fit is nice and snug. The power transmission of the sole is high, which results in slight losses when walking. A classic cross-country shoe in terms of style.

Light rain and snow can't harm the shoe. When it rains cats and dogs, the JWT cannot keep up with fully waterproof models. On the other hand, the foot climate is not as tropical.

Conclusion
If style is more important to you than safety, you will probably have to look around for one of the many black winter shoes. For those who are above that, the Bontrager JFW is a solid shoe for the transitional period with a "dash" of safety.

Price: CHF 239.00

Manufacturer/distributor
www.trekbikes.com

Lupine Alpha bike lamp

First impression
The Lupine Alpha comes across as powerful. It quickly becomes clear that this lamp belongs on the handlebars. It is simply too heavy for use on a helmet. Thanks to the asymmetrical bracket, it can be mounted in the middle of the stem without tools using a quick release. The LEDs on the back of the light provide information about the selected brightness level. It can be adjusted to your own preferences via smartphone and app. The lamp is operated via Bluetooth. The remote control can be securely attached to the handlebars with rubber rings.

The battery is just like the headlight. It weighs an impressive 460 grams. It is mounted on the bike using a rubberized strap. The charge level can be read off the integrated LEDs.

In use
The individual elements are quickly mounted and stay in place even on rough rides. The lamp head provides a full 7200 lumens. Even in the preconfigured weakest level, the lamp is too bright for road traffic: passers-by protectively hold their hands over their eyes. The Alpha should be programmed with the app so that a very weak level is stored, or it should only be used off-road. There, night becomes day. The light output and brightness are simply tremendous! In most cases, a lower level is completely sufficient.

Conclusion
If you primarily use wide paths or forest roads, the super spotlight provides more than enough illumination. However, it is advisable to configure the lamp with the app so that the daytime running light level can be set. Alternatively, you should use a second, weaker light for road traffic so as not to dazzle other people unnecessarily. For single trail riders, it is advisable to use the Alpha in combination with a helmet lamp in order to have visibility in the line of sight.

The Lupine Alpha has a high price tag. If that doesn't matter to you, you're probably getting the brightest bike light in the world. Thanks to the robust workmanship, it will survive many winters and therefore the investment will certainly pay off for some. Also because you probably won't have to buy a brighter lamp. Because even more light is simply pointless.

Price: EUR: 1080.00

Manufacturer/distributor
www.lupine.de

Scott MTB Comp BOA Reflective Shoe

First impression
The MTB Comp BOA is a classic cross-country shoe, but with a fully reflective upper. The silver-matt synthetic leather looks somewhat spaced out. But it combines safety and style in a completely new way. The Boa fastener is supported by Velcro on the forefoot. This allows the two zones to be fixed individually.

In use
The cut is rather narrow. The ergonomic insole provides ideal support for the foot. The sole is very hard and the power transmission is therefore optimal. Running is not its main discipline, as it is very stiff. Nevertheless, the sole provides good grip on roots and stones thanks to the good rubber. The shoe has no insulation and is therefore not suitable for cold days.

Conclusion
On mild spring or fall days, the Scott MTB Comp BOA Reflective offers high visibility at dusk or at night thanks to its reflective upper material. Without being visually distracting. Otherwise, it is a classic and reliable cross-country pedal at a fair price. Incidentally, it is also ideal for gravel biking.

Price: CHF 160.00

Manufacturer/distributor
www.scott-sports.com

Scott RC Weather Reflect WB Jacket

First impression
Scott has a jacket in its range to match the shoe listed above, which is highly reflective. You can't tell at first glance. The slightly lighter areas on the forearms and on the front and back are made of reflective fabric. The 4-way stretch material is windproof and should withstand a light rain shower. The jacket is reduced to the essentials and only has one pocket on the inside of the back.

In use
The cut is form-fitting and sporty without being constricting. The slightly raised collar protects against draughts. The slightly "sticky" material is a little uncomfortable on bare skin at first, but you soon get used to it: the "price" for water resistance. The jacket keeps out light rainfall well, as well as wind. However, with a sporty riding style, the body climate quickly becomes sweaty and the breathability is limited.

Conclusion
The Scott RC Weather Reflect WB ensures high visibility in the dark without being labeled a firefly during the après-bike afterwards. They are ideal as protection against the elements or to prevent you from cooling down on the descent. On the uphill, it's better to leave it in your rucksack due to its lack of breathability.

Price: CHF 120.00

Manufacturer/distributor
www.scott-sports.com

Uvex Sportstyle 812 v glasses

First impression
At first glance, the Uvex "812 v" appears to be a normal pair of half-frame sports glasses, but it stands out from other products due to its strong lens curvature (curve 10). Due to the pronounced curve, they close tightly to the face and thus offer greater protection. The varifocal lens has a range from S1 to S3 and has almost no tint at the lightest level.

In use
Adjustable nose pads and soft temples ensure a good and individual fit. Thanks to their low weight, they sit almost unnoticed on the nose. The strong curvature of the lens provides good protection against draughts. Despite the in-house anti-tarnish protection called Supravision technology, they tend to fog up in high humidity and sweaty biking conditions in spring and fall. This mainly occurs at low speeds; if the speed and therefore the wind increases, the water vapor quickly evaporates.

Conclusion
The Uvex 812 v is ideal for riding at dusk and at night. It adapts well to the ambient light and is almost completely clear in the dark. Of course, they also make a good trap in fine weather, but that's not the point of this test ...

Price: CHF 209.00

Manufacturer/distributor:
www.uvex-sports.com