Our search for Italian clothing to test in this month of the Giro has proved fruitful.

Nalini is a division of MOA Sport, supplier to many of the teams in cycling’s elite WorldTour peloton, and one of many well-established Italian clothing companies.

The Castel d’Ario firm also produces a range of clothing for riders outside of cycling’s top-tier, however, and we’ve got our hands on some of it.

We’ll report back in a few weeks on how each garment performed. Before testing begins, we’ll take a detailed look at the fit and fabrics of the Rusco bib-short, the Camedrio jersey, and the Talco gilet.

Nalini Rusco bib-short

The Rusco bib short follows a simple design in which leg and bib are distinct entities, stitched together just above the waist.

Perforated lycra braces may represent the best of all worlds, seemingly well-placed to offer greater stretch than polyester, while the perforations may offer some of the breathability associated with the mesh bibs frequently used elsewhere.

Early fitting suggests a high quality lycra with a mildly-compressive feel and a reassuringly deep, lazer cut hem gripper, finished with a classy black-on-black logo.

The pad is cut in the classic love heart shape, with a shallow channel running between the two halves, presumably to take pressure offer delicate areas. The padding isn’t as thick as some we’ve encountered, so this may be a short better suited to high intensity training efforts, rather than long days in the saddle. We’ll find out.

The Rusco bib-short is available in black, and in six sizes from S to XXXL. It costs £94.99.

Nalini Camedrio SS jersey

The Camedrio jersey is certainly one for summer, a lightweight item (130 grams, according to our scales) fashioned from a perforated polyester, and equipped with minimal features.

The three rear pockets are deep but narrow, and the sleeves are finished with a simple fold, a sensible design in our experience: if the cut is close enough (and it is here) there’s no need for elastic or silicone – devices that can often impair circulation.

The collar follows the same design as the sleeves, and there’s a narrow silicone band at the waist.

Early fittings suggest a close cut and very breathable fabric. We suspect this is a jersey for the heights of summer (a longer phenomenon in Italy, perhaps), rather than the slow awakening of a British spring, but we’ll record some miles in it and let you know how it fares.

The Camedrio jersey is available in the black with red detailing pictured here, and in white and red, in sizes from small to XXXL. It costs £69.99.

Nalini Talco gilet

At 69 grams, Nalini’s Talco gilet won’t weigh you down, but will it keep out the wind? We’ll be finding out in the weeks ahead.

The material is distinctive, and perhaps unique: we haven’t seen this ultra thin polyester used elsewhere.

It’s punctuated with thousands of minute perforations, but sealed from the elements in the chest and shoulder panels by a laminate, presumably to offer a degree of waterproofing.

The back, however, is unlined (it’s the area most susceptible to sweat), and has an appearance not unlike a net curtain.

It’s finished with an elasticated hem and a full-length zip. Rear pockets are absent from the Talco, as on most gilets.

The Talco gilet is available in six sizes from S to XXXL and costs £37.99.

Check back soon for a full review.

Website: Nalini
UK distributor: Chicken Cycles