All about the altitude range

ALTITUDE, the collection for reaching the summits

On a bike, and in sports in general, we're often searching for our limits. Otherwise, ultra-distance races wouldn't be so successful... Before finding your physical and mental limits, let's talk a little more about your equipment. Because it can sometimes be the first obstacle to achieving your goals. And because beyond any performance objective, it's simply nice to feel good in your clothes. Don't worry, we're not going to tell you that you need a €12,000 bike to achieve your goals, or even to buy bib shorts costing over €300.

Because at Matchy, we have created a successful brand, but above all committed to diversity, proximity and sobriety.

Today, we wanted to shine a spotlight on the Altitude range. Created in 2016, Matchy has been growing significantly over the past few seasons to help you find the right products for your needs. To achieve this, we've created several ranges. The ALTITUDE range, as its name suggests, refers to the summit and our desire to reach further, higher. To achieve this, we need the most advanced products.

Recognizable by its double A in the Matchy acronym representing a summit, this range has won over the most demanding cyclists, particularly thanks to the summer shorts and the summer jersey. A signature range renowned for its quality and elegance, we have decided to expand it and give you more information to help you make your choice with full awareness of the work behind these products.

Enough with the introduction, let's get to the heart of the matter:

Altitude tights

The first signature piece in our ALTITUDE collection was the summer bib shorts. It's often difficult to find the right fit for this essential cycling garment.

From the moment it was launched, the choice of soft, compressive French fabric was a firm favorite. This is also due to the choice of chamois leather, the seamless straps (which are removable for women), and the cut. So much so that from the moment it was launched, we offered a "satisfied or your money back" guarantee.

So obviously, an “adaptation” to winter mode was essential for us. In March 2024, while discussing with Yves from PAYEN at the Performance Days trade show in Munich, we discovered a new fabric… Its quality and price place it squarely in the high-end, very high-end category. For comparison, the price per meter is 7 times higher than that of a classic Italian fabric. But it sticks in our minds. Why?

1. Weaving

The warp and weft, this PAYEN specialty, allows us to offer a fabric that is seven times more resistant to abrasion. But that's not all.

2. The interior

Lined with merino wool, this innovative material offers unique thermoregulation never before seen in winter tights. Antibacterial, warm, soft, and hydrophobic, merino wool will keep you warm while wicking away perspiration. Not to mention the incredible comfort associated with this natural material.

3. The exterior

This is the water-repellent Drytech membrane. It provides both a windproof effect and good protection against rain. This high-density woven outer layer provides high abrasion resistance and therefore durability. Multidirectional elasticity ensures optimal muscle support without affecting freedom of movement.

But the tights don't stop there. The high-density chamois leather (140kg/m3) offers memory foam. If we have to summarize this, you can ride for more than 8 hours without any seating problems. The seamless straps offer optimal comfort and support. Note that on the women's version, the straps are removable at the back to easily satisfy a natural need. A relief (no pun intended) when we're well-dressed in winter.

The Altitude Jacket

Just as tights are a unique piece, it's extremely satisfying to have the ultimate winter jacket in your wardrobe. The one that allows you to not think twice before going out even when conditions aren't ideal.

The idea was simple, we wanted to offer:

• A warm jacket but one that doesn't make you sweat

• Technique to resist winter conditions

• Lightweight for freedom of movement

• Visible for safety in winter or low light conditions
  

2. The exterior
Consisting of a membrane resistant to 20,000 schmerbers (the equivalent of a high-end ski jacket) to protect you against wind and rain.

You'll only need one base layer in winter, which reduces the number of layers and therefore improves breathability. Stacking layers is often a mistake that increases perspiration and therefore the risk of getting cold. Fewer layers, but technical ones that communicate with each other to allow the jacket to do its job, are the best choice.
Entirely sourced in Italy, and recycled for the interior, the jacket travels less than 800km between the production of materials, the manufacturing process and our store/storage in Annecy.

The Altitude windbreaker

The goal of the ALTITUDE range is to be able to go further. So naturally, we look for products that allow us to keep going. The windbreaker is therefore the #1 piece for combating the elements (wind, rain, cold) whatever the season.

Who has never been cold at the top of a pass (or on the way down), caught in a downpour 15km from home or simply regretted 500m after leaving home not having taken that windbreaker (plus it's too late to turn around, we're already late for the meeting). Yes yes, we've experienced the same things. And that's how we can create products that make sense and meet a need(s).

- Technique
- Compact and breathable
- No PFAS

Little reminder: PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are chemical compounds used in textiles to provide water, stain and grease resistance properties.Present in many fabrics Although they are technically important, they are of concern because of their persistence in the environment and in the human body, which raises health and safety issues. It is therefore important to us that our fabrics do not contain them.

The jacket incorporates many specific features. Its membrane, resistant to up to 10,000 Schmerbers, will protect you against rain and wind. Enough to stay dry for more than an hour in pouring rain.

A lining in the collar provides a soft interior often appreciated when you put on a windbreaker in search of warmth and protection.

The zip offers a long cord to make it easier to put on or take off on the bike whether you have gloves or cold hands.

Finally, a stretch fabric under the arms provides a better fit and breathability. This detail hides a special feature. It's the same material we use on the sleeves of the ALTITUDE long-sleeved jersey.

Nothing is lost, everything is transformed, and it's also an important sourcing choice, the use of a material across several products or ranges. Optimizing our material consumption is an integral part of our thinking, and it's in this spirit that we notably offered upcycled versions of the ALTITUDE summer jersey.

The Altitude vest

Once the sourcing and design of the windbreaker jacket were finalized, it was fairly straightforward to offer a vest version. The vest has the same design since we use the same material.

This allows it to be compact while still providing real protection from the elements for uncertain days or bike trips.

The only detail we offer is a double zip for easy access to the back pockets and also for ventilation on a pass or descent without necessarily having to open the vest completely. This avoids having to stop to close it.

To synthesize

As you can see, with the ALTITUDE range, our goal is to offer you the very best. Working closely with the best material manufacturers, we wanted to prove that even a young brand could shake up the market if the right questions were asked. Please note that all products in the ALTITUDE range are available in a tinted color. Dyeing not only provides a deeper, more elegant color, but also a more durable one. Colors don't change due to exposure to the sun or other elements. And a product that lasts longer is a more sustainable product.

Making a beautiful product is not just about a trendy color, and our desire to become part of the wardrobe of French cyclists pushes us to shake up the codes.

To complete the look, we recommend:

• The Merino base layer
• The Merino neck warmer
• Merino socks

Excellence, exclusivity, and performance now hold no secrets for you. Whether in summer or winter, ride in style and without limits.