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The environmental impact of the textile industry is increasingly significant. It is estimated that textile production is responsible for about 20 percent of global drinking water pollution due to the various processes associated with it. Specifically, air pollution produced by the textile industry includes: nitrogen, sulfur and chlorine oxides, volatile organic compounds, aniline vapors, hydrogen sulfide and chlorine. The results of WWF‘s latest rating show that most companies still use too few recycled or sustainably produced raw materials: they consume excessive amounts of water, which is heavily polluted throughout the entire value chain. The results also show that only a few companies employ scientific tools and apply appropriate measures to constitute a sound environmental management methodology within the enterprise.

“Business as usual,” working according to established practices, is no longer an acceptable path in the long run or even in the short run: not only for the profitability of the industry, but and especially for the effects on the environment.

According to Textile Exchange‘s latest report made in December 2023, per capita use of fabric has taken a serious and worrisome surge: from an average of 8.3 kg per person in 1975, to 14.6 kg in 2022. Almost double.

An exponential increase in fiber production clearly has a major impact on our planet.

Consequently, even the conscious purchase of a product, specifically clothing, by the consumer thus becomes an important social and we might say, political act.

We at SHER believe earnestly and from day one in seeking solutions in the name of sustainability, at every stage of our production. Starting from the design of the garments, with the choice of the best leading partners in the field of sustainable development: we choose fabrics, materials and processes that improve performance and reduce the impact on the environment, from the selection of raw materials, to the production and packaging stage, to the sale, with reusable packaging. Every year we strive to meet and improve standards in the name of environmental responsibility.

At SHER, we work in accordance with a Slow Fashion model, the approach that safeguards the environment, people, and animals.

In 2023, we worked against the prevailing system of Fast Fashion and in particular the classic sportswear system, where brands renew their collections by 80% on average, integrating a large number of product models and colors each season-a model that implies massive production of materials and related waste.

In contrast, the SHER 2023 collection included only 18% new products compared to 2022, saw 5% updating of existing products, and offered 3 colors to complement previous ones. The remaining 77% of the collection remained unchanged, with timeless products of the highest quality.

We also integrated into our product collection and packaging an amount of 1340 kg of deadstock fabric, textile material from the waste of our fabric manufacturers and suppliers, processed in Italy and Portugal.

All the finished fabrics used to make our products, were purchased in Italy (with the sole exception of our socks, which come from Portugal), this is because we want to minimize transportation, choosing raw materials close to the place of production.

If sustainability goes from the research and choice of raw materials to the production stages, we cannot forget the sales stage as well: the approach to the consumer, a significant moment for SHER to also contribute to raising awareness towards this issue.

Thus, we also strongly thought and wanted smart, zero-impact packaging: we used as much as 40 meters of deadstock fabric produced in Portugal that would otherwise have been destined for landfill, then burned, to create reusable fabric bags, as shoe racks, helmet racks, or simply to protect and contain our items and clothing products from dust or for the change of season.

Our commitment from day one in the name of sustainability led us to a prestigious recognition in 2023: SHER officially became part of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Community, the most authoritative and influential global body that promotes the process of international companies in the transition to a circular and sustainable economy. Being a member of the Ellen MacArthur Community thus officially certifies SHER’s responsibility and actions to ensure sustainability at every stage of its business.

“Continuous research work and constant study on fits, capable of offering women of all sizes and conformations a flawless look, are fundamental and the basis for nurturing a business model that is both sustainable and successful. SHER garments exemplify Italian excellence in manufacturing, capable of ensuring that every single product lasts over time, with unbeatable design and style that does not follow a trend, but exceeds it. Our commitment in this direction is alive from day one, and every year it becomes more important.” Sara Canali – SHER founder

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At the Women’s run Brixen SHER coloured the run and event pomegranate red with a thousand T-shirts for the thousand women who ran in support of “All different All Women”, united against violence.

At the 11th Women’s run Brixen, which took place on Friday 1 September in Brixen, SHER wanted to give a uniform to all the women who took part in this valuable solidarity and also activism-filled event, to the cry “All different All Women”.

While valuing the uniqueness of each woman, we created with our jersey a true ‘team’ of sportswomen for a day, and perhaps forever.

We proudly united as many as a thousand women who, united by running, said no to violence against women.

An important message, ever more urgent, that we need to constantly remember and bring to mind by every possible means, even with symbolic and choral gestures, such as an ‘amateur’ marathon. A democratic and instinctive, primordial activity that belongs to each and every one of us, since we learn to take our first steps: running. The sport that par excellence belongs to each and every one of us.

With the Women’s run Brixen 2023, an incredible goal was achieved: 1000 women registered for a four-kilometre amateur run.

But the real goal was surpassed well before each of those 1,000 women passed it live, at the end of those 4 km run together, in the historic centre of Brixen, without any eagerness to win or excel, to make the best time, to surpass and excel.

The most important goal was to have obtained the participation of a thousand women spontaneously, quickly, enthusiastically, before the time to register had even run out. And they would sign up again and again, we are certain of it. A thousand women so different from each other, in terms of age, ethnicity, physical fitness, athletic training, beliefs and abilities came together for one purpose and for one day wore the same t-shirt.

The pomegranate red SHER t-shirt had the precious value of representing the ‘team’ t-shirt that becomes an icon, a symbol and a message. One thousand women, so different from each other, ran together in the same team, wearing a uniform that made them proud and shouted “Stop violence against women!”

“It was a celebration coloured pomegranate red! Fun, sport, unity and solidarity were in the spotlight during the 11th Women’s Run Brixen. 1000 women in pomegranate-red T-shirts ran four kilometres through the historic centre of Brixen – for a good cause.

We would like to sincerely thank all the participants! It was wonderful that you were present. We will see you again! See you soon!” The organising committee of the Women’s run Brixen expressed enthusiasm and deep thanks.

“Our thousand shirts not only had the task of creating ‘team’ spirit and an incredible red trail through the city, filling it with vibrancy and colour. They made an important contribution to donations for initiatives supporting women in situations of violence. SHER was created with the aim of supporting women. The Women’s run Brixen was an incredible opportunity to demonstrate how sport is a powerful means of unity and communication. Without necessarily being ‘athletes’. It reminded us that we can bring out the sporting spirit within each of us, with grit and a smile, not necessarily to compete. But to feel united and share a valuable message’ Sara Canali, Founder of SHER

Shopping, events and meet-ups for the female sports community

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29th June 2023 was an important date for SHER. The dream of a space dedicated to women cyclists and sportswomen has turned into reality in Bolzano, Italy.

We rejoiced with you, customers, friends, suppliers, on a beautiful June evening to inaugurate our and your new home together.

We are proud to have reached this important milestone: we are the first women’s cycling apparel shop in Europe, a unique space that profoundly innovates the shopping experience for sportswomen. At last, a space just for women cyclists and sportswomen.

CASA SHER is the name we wanted to give to this place, which goes beyond the traditional concept of a shop, uniting in the same environment a sportswear shop, our workplace and a place where sports enthusiasts and women cyclists can come together, share their passions and participate in a unique shopping experience.

An inclusive space for all women: whether you are an experienced cyclist, a first-time runner or simply a sports lover, here you will find personalised advice to meet your needs. We will help you find the combinations and women’s sportswear solutions that suit you best, so that you can use each garment with great versatility.

This will also be the space where our new products will be created, here we will follow the creation of SHER premium sportswear, taking care as always of every detail to ensure the best fit and highest functionality. When the shop is closed to the public you can see us busy creating new garments, we’re here working with passion to bring you the sportswear and cycling clothing you want.

Casa SHER will also be a meeting point for women who want to share their experiences and challenges about the world of cycling and sport in general. Here we will organise workshops, laboratories designed for the woman who loves an active, healthy lifestyle and always wants to improve herself. Every project in this CASA will be designed for women.

We have dreamt of a space where we can build a special relationship with women to listen to your needs and respond to them.

This dream has become reality thanks to you, thanks to all the SHER sportswomen who have trusted us and shared their problems, their needs, their challenges with us.

Now we are ready to offer you new experiences, always with an eye on innovation, quality and sustainability.

Casa SHER will be your second home, we will take care of you when you come in, by women for women.

Live Talk with Stephan Nuesser | Sport Scientist

During the live talk on 7 February with sports scientist Stephan Nuesser, we discussed how best to prepare for the cycling season and how to reduce the risk of injury and saddle pain through proper bike fitting.

On the subject of preparation for the cycling season, Stephan teaches us that there are no major differences in the type of training between men and women, but it is important to point out that according to recent studies women perform differently within the same month due to hormonal changes. In the follicular menstrual phase we can increase the intensity and level of difficulty of the workouts, in the luteal phase a simpler workout should be preferred, and finally in the cycle week we should set a series of very light exercises. This is why if we want to achieve the best results we should differentiate our training sessions by learning to listen to our body and its hormonal changes.

If you don’t cycle during the winter season, a cardio workout will help you maintain the appropriate physical level, no matter what type of activity (e.g. swimming, running, ski touring), the important thing is that the training is carried out consistently after parking the bicycle during the winter break. In addition, working on ‘core’ muscle strengthening with dedicated exercises throughout the winter season is very useful for increasing power on the pedals when you return to the saddle. Finally, remember that it is always advisable to practice different sports during the winter season and not just focus on cycling

After giving us great tips for our workouts, Stephan told us about the importance of bike fitting. Many women think that bike fitting is only useful for professional cyclists, to increase efficiency and performance, but this is not the case. There are many good reasons to book a bike fitting session:

• It improves comfort on the bike, especially when cycling for a long period of time and covering long distances
• Improves performance, increases efficiency by maximizing power with less effort
• Safeguards joints through correct adjustment of the bike to suit physical and functional needs
• It also influences the choice of saddle. It is useful to identify the correct saddle size by measuring the distance of the ischial bones as a point of contact on the saddle. If there is no contact point of the ischial bones on the saddle you will automatically suffer from soft tissue pain. There has been a great evolution of saddles in recent years, they are much shorter and thinner than in the past, with a hole in the centre that releases pressure on the soft tissue.

Regardless of cycling level, therefore, everyone should do a bike fitting to safeguard their physical well-being and enhance their specific athletic characteristics.

Specifically, there are two types of bike fitting:

– A static fitting, which involves measuring the length of the arms, legs and in general the inclinations of the various body segments, etc. This can be considered the basis for choosing the best type or size of bike based on your measurements.

– Dynamic fitting, on the other hand, involves the use of cameras at different angles to analyse and measure flexibility, joint mobility and posture on the bike.

It is extremely important to improve one’s comfort, performance and efficiency on the bike, which is why everyone should do a bike fitting, regardless of their sporting level. The process takes about 2 to 2.5 hours and is recommended every time you buy a new bike or if you have any physical problems related to cycling. It is also recommended to do it for all types of cycling, for example like Gravel or Mountainbike.

Early this year our ambassador Claudia Rier @Claudiafromthedolomites has been cycling in South Africa and competing on the world’s biggest road bike race “The Cape Town Cycle Tour”. She shares with us insights about her experience traveling around South Africa, which places took her breath away and which were her favorite cycling routes from all those she explored. Here’s her story:

Lion’s Head

On the first day of my stay in South Africa, I left my hotel at 6:00 pm to walk up to the 669meters-high Lion’s Head. At the top I was speechless with the 360º view. Simply breathtaking. What I did not know is that Lion’s Head is a pilgrimage mountain for sunset worshippers. I soon realized this as more and more mountain enthusiasts reached the summit.

Many were equipped with snacks and drinks, preparing for a few hours of sunset watching. I too, unintentionally, came to enjoy this. I met a couple of siblings from Wellington and they spontaneously invited me for a bottle of MCC (the sparkling wine from South Africa, Methode Cape Classique), a bottle of white wine and a bottle of red wine. We ate some Bitong meat and other snacks while enjoying the sunset.

Table Mountain

This is THE mountain in Cape Town. It is basically the Schlern* of South Africa 😉 When you look at it from the Blouberghstrand, the Table Mountain resembles very much the Schlern and its Santner!

For some days, Table Mountain became my local mountain. Every day before breakfast I walked up, twice en route Platteklip Gorge and the other times through the India Venster, which runs directly under the cable car. The India way is the most challenging because it involves a bit of a climb, almost a light via ferrata as we would say. I like this one better because it is more varied. The flora and fauna is awesome here, there are more different types of plants on Table Mountain alone than in the whole of the UK. The panorama on Table Mountain is also breathtaking. You are on the mountain, and below you see the city just waking up early in the morning, along the Atlantic Ocean. It really was a very special place there!

* Schlern: famous peak in the Dolomites

Cycling in the Winelands

I cycled 4 intense but beautiful bike tours in the Winelands of Cape Town with the local bike tour operator Cape Cycle Tours. 

On the first day we rode from Cape Town to Stellenbosch, 102 km with 700 height meters. The roads in South Africa are perfectly paved and almost everywhere there is a strip almost 2 meters wide, next to the two lanes of the road, where you can even cycle side by side. We cycled through the wineries of Durbanville to the country’s largest university town, Stellenbosch. There we checked into the small Eendracht Hotel and in the afternoon stopped by the prestigious Delaire Graff winery and the posh Tokara for a wine tasting.

The following day we cycled from Stellenbosch to Franschhoek in 114 km and 1100 hm via detours, passing Victor Vetter Prison, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned in 1990. Our stop there was at the LAB Hotel. Franschhoek is known for its wineries like La Motte, Le Petite Ferme or Colman, a pure sparkling wine producer, which is called MCC Methode Cape Classique here. But cool breweries are also very hip here, like TukTuk or Hey Joe Brewery.

I was looking forward to day 3 the whole time, because we cycled over the famous Franschhoek Pass, which was built in 1833 by the Royal African Corps: 7.3km long with a gradient of 6.3% to Hermanus, 104km and 1600hm. 

Hermanus is very famous for whale watching in November/December. We checked in at the Windsor Hotel Hermanus, located by the sea and went directly for food/wine pairing to the famous Crescent winery in the wine hills in the hinterland of Hermanus.

Last but not least, on day 4 we cycled along the coast from Hermanus to Gordon’s Bay with 82km and 1000 hm. The mountain landscape, the sea on the horizon, the Cape… it was really wonderful to cycle along the coast.

After refreshments and a snack, I headed back to Cape Town to get in the mood for the Capetown Cycle Tour.

Capetown Cycle Tour

The world’s biggest road bike race, with 110km and 1500 hm. This year in 2022 it had 22,000 participants, one half of its usual capacity of 40,000 for COVID reasons.

The Capetown Cycle Tour is like a people’s race. In addition to elite riders who start at 06:00, the locals, who are not so often in the saddle, also participate. All roads are closed from 05:00 clock in the morning to 17:00 clock in all of Cape Town and up to the Cape. We cycled there on the 4 bulky highway. I had already been in South Africa for almost 3 weeks and had not yet experienced a day with rain. It was always only sunshine, dreamlike! But what happened on Sunday morning during the Capetown Cycle Tour? It was pouring!

It never crossed my mind not to participate. Since I had a great start number, I could start right behind the pros in the 2nd start group. Of course already on the way from my guesthouse to the start I was soaked wet, but I did not care, because it was not so cold. I hadn’t finished arriving in the starting block and the race fever had already grabbed me. The mood of the cyclists, the music that pushed us up, this vibe! It was a fantastic feeling and  I was ready! It rained and rained and did not stop until the finish line.

I was in a good mood and was able to hold on to a group of cyclists. This was very useful as there were often really strong gusts of wind. Sadly, none of the cyclists on this day could really enjoy the wonderful landscape, the views and the sea. We cycled up the famous Chapman Peak Drive, without really enjoying the panorama, because there was none! On the descents, some cyclists in front of me came to a crash, nothing serious, it’s just not ideal to ride full speed on a rain-soaked road with the slim road tires. I held back speed-wise on the descents and let myself be cheered on by the spectators along the course and then happily crossed the finish line with a time of 3:45 hours!

Since I extended my stay, I had repeated the tour when the weather was much nicer!

Check out all the cycling and training clothing from SHER that Claudia took with her to South Africa:

• TEMPESTA RAIN JACKET
• POESIA VEST
• VENERE JERSEY
• AGILE LONG SLEVEE SHIRT
• ARIA BASELAYER
• GRAVELINA SLEEVELESS SHIRT
• ZERO 7/8 TIGHT
• FORZA BIB SHORT
• UNIVERSO SHORT
• CYCLING CAP
• INO SOCKS

We care really a lot about what our customers and ambassadors think about our products, and especially where they believe we have to improve.

Nikky Alberts from the Netherlands, who defines herself as “Just crazy about cycling” has tested our kit. And she told us what she thinks about it.

“I’ve been fortunate to try out some of the products SHER has to offer. And for an upcoming brand I was positively surprised. The package they’d sent out contained a bibshort, legwarmers, a long sleeve jersey and a windproof jacket.

I also received a pair of long brushed winter tights without pad, but since I do not wear this type of products but only padded tights with suspenders, I have not really tested it.
As a trained cyclist this was a good opportunity to test the durably and the comfort of this garment.

The first thing that is notable is the design. You can really see they’ve put an effort in the looks and that the brand tries to think out of the box. All the different pieces fit together, making combining different kind of jerseys with a single bib possible. You don’t have to buy a complete set to have a matching outfit. The feel of the fabric is what you would expect, with great workmanship.

Not only the looks and feel is excellent, but they’ve really thought about how to make your life on the bike easier.

Their chamois is a innovative development with the integration of a copper thread, which according to SHER functions anti-fungal and anti-bacterial.

The addition of a zipper at the back allows for a fast pee-break without removing the suspenders.

Great tip for the runners: the long sleeve jersey PIANETA is ideal for a run!

The brand just started out and I believe they are heading in the right direction.

Of course there are, in my opinion, some minor adjustments they can make in respect to functionality for cycling. For instance having back pockets on the windproof jacket Sublime, instead only at the front, or to offer a full zipper in the longsleeve Jerseys.

After a videoconference with the brand owner SARA, she insured me that they’re already developing a new line, which takes all these
adjustments into account.

To summarize it all: SHER is great designed, innovative brand, using high quality fabrics. My believes are that they’ll grow, by actively listening what we girls want, so they’ll further improve in the future. I’m really looking forward to what they will launch upcoming season!”

Wanna know what Nikky has been testing? These are the products:

Windproof Jacket SUBLIME in black

Bib short FORZA in ponderosa green

Long sleeve Jersey PIANETA in white

Tight warm PERFETTO in black

Legwarmer brushed IN GAMBA in black

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CONSTANT LEARNING and INNOVATION are just some of the foundations of SHER.

Along with our mission to make the best products for cycling women out there we know that it is key to be connected with our customers all the time and learn what their challenges and their dreams are.

To keep the level of inspiration high and to build a dynamic community, the “SHER on TOUR” initiative filled our calendar, and will stop with a real experience on the road, joining the SHER Team at the NOVA Eroica.

FONS BIKES, BREDA (NL) June 18th & 19th 2021

A series of events across different locations found its start in Breda, Netherlands. Why in the Netherlands? Well there are several reasons: first of all it’s a beautiful country to cycle and the bicycle itself is part of a lifestyle. Whether it is for commuting, touring or road biking. We also discovered that Gravel biking has been picked up very quickly and the trails are perfect for it.

Secondly we partnered up with FONS bikes: one of the first brands that designs the most beautiful road and gravel bikes for women and is so much aligned with SHER’s vision to make the best products for women.

And the showroom of FONS was actually our ultimate destination for the weekend of June 19th 2021 where we co-hosted a beautiful test and try event with the opportunity to test FONS bikes and touch, feel and try SHER cycling clothing. Obviously we couldn’t miss out on bringing some nice Italian specialties, food and wines to the Netherlands.

We were impressed how easily SHER cycling clothing blend into the FONS showroom and learned so much again about dutch women cycling habits. Thank you Netherlands!

LEAOS CONCEPT STORE, BOLZANO (I) June 23rd 2021

One of our destinations in our hometown is the concept store Leaos. Displaying a world of modern cycling with selected unique brands, the store in the heart of the historical city centre of Bolzano is a destination for all cycling fans. LEAOS stands for futuristic e-bikes for city biking, mountain biking and touring designed by famous Harry Thaler.

A great spot for SHER to get together and learn more about women cycling and share personal insights about the SHER collection.

HOTEL ADLER, VILLA BASSA (I) June 24th 2021

Back home in South Tyrol, on June 24th our Tour took us to the beautiful Val Pusteria, the most eastern part of our region.

Christian Pircher, passionate cyclist and owner of the famous Hotel Adler in Villa Bassa opened the doors for us. Adler has become meanwhile a destination for cyclists, and Villa Bassa is not only the venue for one of the hardest Mountainbike races, the Dolomiti Superbike, but located beautifully in the middle of the gorgeous Dolomites with its breath taking landscapes.

As a collector of Vintage bikes, Christian has refurbished the historical Dance Club of the Hotel to make space for all the beautiful Bianchi’s and Moser’s. This converted “museum” turned into a perfect location to enjoy an evening in good company, discover the SHER collection and get new insights about “Injury prevention for female cyclists” from Ulrike Rier, owner and founder of the Yhsio Studio for Physiotherapy.

TENUTA HOFSTÄTTER, TERMENO (I) June 30st 2021

The last day of June we moved more South, probably to the most popular wine region of South Tyrol. As historic wine region already from the times of the Romans, this areas is not only delivering amazing red and white wines, but is also a very diverse and beautiful area for cycling.

The landscape offers everything you need: from the famous Wine Road, to Passo Mendola and Passo Palade, the lakes Caldaro and Monticolo it offers great trails for Gravel biking, Mountainbiking and Road cyclists.

Plenty of historical little villages invite for sightseeing, great dining and obviously to visit one of the many wineries.

We spend a great evening at Tenuta Hofstätter, located in the heart of the picturesque village Tramin-Termeno tasting 5 of their greatest wines with the cellar master Franz whilst discovering the SHER collection.

NOVA EROICA, BUONCONVENTO (I) July 17th 2021

The last leg of our SHER TOUR this summer takes us to Tuscany, the home of the Strade Bianche (white roads) and some of the most famous and breath taking landscapes.

NOVA Eroica is an all road cycling event in Eroica style. An epic experience with modern road, gravel or cyclo-cross bikes it covers various distances with a mix of asphalt and gravel roads.

SHER will participate with a Team that offers a slot to any women looking forward to an epic experience in the saddle across the hills of Tuscany with nice company. We are collecting applications until Friday 9th July. If you like to win a slot in this unique race, send your personal message to [email protected].

SHER will take care of the registration and provide you with a full apparel kit for the race for free.

Looking forward to see you!

The Launch.

Before launching the SHER brand, I often compared it to giving birth. There is the time of the pregnancy, everything is so exciting, so new, so motivating and you can’t wait for the baby to be born.

When I envisioned SHER that’s exactly how it was: having a vision, imagining a new brand that takes care of women and dreaming about how to shape it, design it over time.

Researching on “dos and don’ts”, networking with people that have gone through similar experiences and channeling all your energy towards the big day: the launch. It’s only but also already one year that SHER has launched its first cycling apparel products for women successfully. And it felt truly like a newborn baby: it can see, it can hear, it can feel.

During the first year in the life of SHER one of the most important missions has been to connect to you women out there. To understand your needs better, to listen to you and to experience what excites you and what your challenges are.

We also had our challenges, exactly as for the first year of life of a baby – just think about the fact that SHER hit the market during the first Covid pandemic. Though every day we discovered new information and learned so many things.

Innovative Women’s Cycling Pad

The highlight of 2020 was the launch of the very unique SHER cycling pad for women: the first pad in the market that prevents infections and inflammations in the intimate area through a surface fabric that eliminates 99.9% of the harmful bacteria.

It took a lot of time and research to test the best pad shape and density and to develop a surface fabric that can match our requirements. The result was worth it.

The Sustainable Approach.

The particular attention to how we use and re-use resources throughout all our processes has delivered creative solutions to the sustainability challenges with a measurable impact: only in the 7 months of 2020 since our launch we have saved 200kg of dead stock fabric from being burned or ending up in landfill. All high-quality Italian fabrics with the technical properties that our products require.

Furthermore from day one we have decided not to use any plastic bags in any of our shipments. With this decision we challenged ourselves on how to pack products safely. And we succeeded – for production shipments we use re-usable fabric bags (made of dead stock fabric) and we ship our products to customers in recycled avana boxes wrapped in silk paper.

During September, only 3 months after the launch of SHER cycling wear, we have introduced the first training products. This with the purpose to meet the demand of our cycling customers and allow them to dress elegantly and sophisticated across various indoor and outdoor activities.

And the sustainable journey continues: in Spring 2021 we brought to market the first women cycling bib made of biodegradable polyamide yarns (BIB SHORT FORZA).

Sher women cycling clothing sustainability

THANK YOU

There are many more things that have been going on and the list would probably be endless. We would like to thank everybody who has supported SHER during the first year of life and given the most beautiful gift that a child can get in life: TRUST.

This thank you goes especially to ..

All the women that took the risk to buy SHER clothing and trusted our story

All the manufacturers of garments, pads and fabrics that took a big risk to make space for SHER and put a lot of their time (and money!) in the development of our beautiful products

All friends that have and continue to contribute with their time, their knowledge, their experience and their passion (you are the best and this will never be forgotten)

All the agencies and industry partners that are investing in our project supporting us with very special conditions

Particularly to my family that has shown so much patience

And like a baby we do not speak one language, but we understand all of them. So please keep sharing your ideas, dreams and stories so that we can grow this project to become an open-minded adult, approachable, full of self-confidence, integrity and creativity.

Sara Canali

Founder of SHER

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SHER’s commitment to following an ethical and innovative path to reduce the waste of raw materials and environmental impact, does not stop.

The journey continues and starts from here.

Starting from the design of its products, for SHER collaborations with leading partners in the field of research and sustainable developments are crucial, to meet the demands of our planet as well as the expectations of our conscious and sensitive customers , who direct their purchasing decisions towards “clean” products in every aspect of their life cycle, made with intelligently developed materials that contribute to the progress of the future of textiles.

THE SUSTAINABLE RESEARCH OF SHER MADE IN ITALY

With the SS21 collection, SHER sanctions its partnership with Tessitura Taiana, historical Italian weaving company with a sustainable mindset at its core and Fulgar, an Italian textile company whose technology finds its highest expression in the production of nylon and covered yarns. Its supremacy is achieved by combining unique production systems and innovative materials, for a new way of making fibers.

www.fulgar.com
www.taiana.it

The innovative biodegradable fabric FITTER, woven with Amni Soul Eco® yarns by SOLVAY and distributed by FULGAR fully respects the concept of the three R’s: Reduce – Reuse – Recycle.

In fact, while retaining the intrinsic properties of a durable product, like other textile items, Amni Soul Eco® does not lose the properties of polyamide as a recyclable product, unlike most complex synthetic fabrics.

A BIODEGRADABLE FABRIC. HOW?

The fabric made with Amni Soul Eco® yarn is polyamide based, light (160gr/sqm) but at the same time opaque, breathable, quick-drying, abrasion resistant, with a good amount of compression to give support to the legs during cycling, UPF 50+ protection factor (the highest degree of protection for a fabric). But the fundamental characteristic of this fabric is its eco-sustainability and, specifically, its biodegradability.

The fabric made with the biodegradable nylon yarn Amni Soul Eco® is in fact revolutionary for the very fast decomposition times: its “accelerated biodegradability” is about 5 years, significantly lower than traditional disposal times that usually take decades. Its special technology, however, maintains the durability and quality of garments: the decomposition process begins only when the garment is disposed of as a traditional waste and is in an oxygen-free environment (as happens with all waste when buried in landfills), thus drastically reducing the environmental impact. The spandex portion is also made from a special biodegradable yarn that can be disposed of the same way.

NEW SHER PRODUCTS

The Amni Soul Eco® yarn is the base of the sustainable fabric that makes the new SHER products innovative and “eco friendly”, as well as highly comfortable, thanks to the excellent performance of moisture management, a feature that keeps the skin cool and dry.

Here are the products made with AMNI SOUL ECO® yarn:

BIB SHORT FORZA
GRAVEL SHORT UNIVERSO
SKIRT FUTURO

In a nutshell? With Amni Soul Eco® SHER contributes again to reduce the environmental impact of the textile products.

The journey continues… stay tuned.

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Saddle sore, or the pain and inflammation of the intimate areas of women resulting from the position in the saddle, is a subject that is little talked about, yet half of all women who regularly ride bikes suffer from it.

Now it’s time to put aside the shame, inhibition, and silence and talk about it.

SHER wants 100% of women to be free of these problems.

In a previous analysis, we already identified the most common causes and suggested ways to overcome them. Visit our blog for more.

Among these causes, one of the most frequent is related to the choice of the right pad and its correct use.

It’s not easy to identify a valid pad without having tried it on the saddle, so we suggest first of all at least to check in the store or at home (depending on the method of purchase) the following things:

– If possible choose a pad / short designed for women – because in a good pad the anatomical differences are studied.

– Depending on the use (type of bike and then the seat) choose a pad with maximum support in the area that you have the highest pressure points (for example – the straighter you’re position, the higher support is necessary on the sit bones. the more aggressive your position, the more support you need in the pelvis area)

– When the garment is worn check that the pad rests well on the entire area of the body: a well built pad and short does not give you the feeling of being bulky, it follows your shape in an optimal way and the seams are not shaving on your inner legs

– Check the density of the pad: not always necessarily a soft pad with a lot of thickness offers maximum support. It may look like it when you hold it in your hand, but when you put your weight on it, all the foam can be compressed too much and so in the long run it may not give you the support you want. Instead, check if the foam offers a good density and therefore is not easily compressible.

Once you have found the pad that you find most comfortable, and that will always be so, even after many hours in the saddle, we would like to give you some advice on its proper maintenance, to extend its life.

(suggestions elaborated sin collaboration with Dr. PAD, one of the most important padding producers from Italy)

• Wash the garments before the first use and after each outing, possibly immediately after returning.
• Washing should be done in a washing machine at 30 ° C (in newer models are already preset cycles for sportswear).
• If in possession of a washing bag, introduce the garment upside down, otherwise wash the garment straight.
• If there is no alternative to hand washing, you must treat the bottom gently (without wringing or tugging, especially when wet).
• Use neutral detergents if possible, never aggressive ones.
• Do not use fabric softeners, bleach or ammonia. In particular, fabric softener tends to disintegrate the foam.
• Avoid combining garments of different colors (especially do not combine other colors with white garments) to avoid unwanted shades.
• Do not use dryers (except those of the latest generation that work at low temperatures), avoid leaving garments in direct sunlight, however, do not leave the back wet (bacteriostatic treatments can not in any case avoid unwanted proliferation due to poor maintenance), do not wring the back.
• Avoid smearing creams on the surface of the case back.
• Always dry the pad well before putting the garment on again for the next ride.

CREAM USE: YES OR NO?

The use of cream is a very controversial subject: often it is not always necessary, sometimes it is counterproductive. Here are a couple of indications on how to use the cream (always refer to your doctor for guidance on the use of medical aids to treat particular conditions, changes or diseases):

Any moisturizer will do. For irritated skin, zinc oxide cream (Fissan Paste, for example) can also be used.
The cream should only be spread on the skin; some people think you should spread it on the pad. Spreading the cream on the pad will only shorten its life. Very important: you must give the skin time to absorb the cream (I recommend that you apply it at least half an hour before putting on your bib). Clogged pores could be the cause of irritation during or after the ride.
Upon return, you must remove all cream residue from the skin and especially from the pad, leaving it for about an hour soaking in water at room temperature.

Generally we always recommend to change the shorts (or if the brand offers it, only the pad) after 1 year of use, since it loses elasticity and support.

As SHER we are very keen on ongoing research and development of more suitable solutions for women.

In 2020 we launched a new pad, the first pad for women that integrates a fully antibacterial and anti fungal permanent solution with a 120kg density support. A pad that greatly reduces the risk of inflammation and infections such as cystitis and candida.

Result of 250 hours and 5970 km of testing with 25 women cyclists, including several female athletes, it is our way of keeping our promise to make 100% of women satisfied in the saddle!

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See Our Products

FRECCIA TIGHT

INFINITO SHORT

FOZA BIB SHORT

INFINITO HOT SHORT

FRIZZANTE BIB SHORT

FRIZZANTE CORE BIB SHORT

We started a sustainable journey with the launch of SHER in 2020.

AND WE HAVE SOME RESULTS TO SHARE

One of our goals is to save resources by designing our products in a sustainable way from the beginning.
Part of that journey is the selection of fabrics. We spend a lot of time researching and selecting high quality fabrics from dead stock of our fabric mills and production partners.

Most of the time those fabrics are leftovers that other brands have ordered, but never took to production. In many cases those fabrics end up as landfill and stand for an incredible waste of resources and energy that has a negative impact on our environment.

In 2020 we have purchased and taken to production 200 kg of textiles that would have gone straight to landfill or be burned.

SMALL SOLUTIONS ARE THE MOST IMPACTFUL

To reduce the amount of one way use packaging and totally avoid the use of plastics bags, all our products are are shipped from our production partners to SHER packed in bags made of leftover fabrics.

Those bags go back to the production site to be re-used for the next shipping.

AVOIDING IS BETTER THAN RECYCLING

Avoiding polybags is certainly better than recycling them. We ship all our products to our customers in havana boxes with lightweight silk paper.

It not only helps the planet but makes online shopping also more beautiful!

Last but not least we always opt for quality before quantity when it comes to sports clothing.

YOU can give your contribution by choosing products of quality, that last over time and that are manufactured within processes that fullfill the ethical and sustainable standards.

SHER can help you to make the right choice.

“The Sher Active cycling products are not just innovative and of high quality, they are stylish too, and that’s exactly what women like.”

Claudia, Cyclist

“Sara from Sher in Italy contacted me a couple of months ago to ask if I’d be interested in testing her new women’s cycling kit. And of course, I said yes, not just because I got a freebie but because I like to help new women’s cycling kit brands promote their product.

The parcel from Sher Active arrived within a week all the way from Italy via courier. Before it arrived I received an email with shipping details and a few tips on washing and wearing them for the first time. The first thing I noticed when I opened the parcel was the lovely tissue paper and sticker used to ship the kit – it reminded me of a nice clothing boutique’s approach, a nice touch.

The two products I reviewed are the Frizzante bib shorts and the Pura red jersey. Both are size medium. To give you an idea I usually wear Women’s size 10 (Australian) clothing.

As was recommended I washed the shorts in the supplied laundry bag before I wore them. Before I even put them on I could tell they were nice quality. They are very lightweight and the fabric has a quality feel about it. It has a matt finish which I really like – very flattering.

I must admit that I struggled a little to put them on for the first time. I did follow the instructions I was given to turn the cuffs up so the gel grip didn’t stick to my legs. However, when I got them on they fit like a glove. The leg grip was a little tight but that could be accounted for by the four kilos I put on during COVID lockdown. I’m currently working on shedding those kilos so I look forward to wearing them again in more comfort.

I’m a huge fan of bib shorts so was happy to be wearing them once I had them on. The straps feel like a second skin and go up the sides rather than over my breasts which is comfortable and practical.

I found going to the toilet very easily by using the “the auto-lock zipper to facilitate easy bio-brakes without the removal of your upper layers”. I also headed the advice to make sure the zipper was locked before I headed out.

The final feature of the bib shorts that impressed me is the chamois. Sher Active developed the chamois to eliminate 99.9 per cent of harmful bacteria and candida fungus, permanently and with fully natural ingredients. I suffered from a really bad infection on a multi-day cycling tour a few years ago and these shorts would have saved me a lot of suffering and embarrassment.”

REVIEW by Nicola, Women Who Cycle

The autumn is on its way and before snow and ice might keep us away from riding alpine passes, we wanted to test the “Grandi salite del Trentino”, the big climbs of Trentino, located in the most northern region in Italy, Südtirol-Trentino.

We have put up our basecamp in the newly opened Lefay Resort & Spa Dolomiti in Pinzolo (I), just a few km away from Madonna di Campiglio, the famous ski resort. That was a great choice, considering that the weather forecast is not the best and gives us always a potential plan B : the amazing Hotel SPA..

Our tour starts in Pinzolo after a great breakfast and a perfectly foggy autumn day. It feels more like being in the UK rather than in Italy, but luckily the summer temperatures have not faded away totally. After 15 easy and slightly downhill kilometres we reach Stenico, small mountain village visible already from some distance due to the impressive Castle on top of the hill.

After 32km we reach Ponte Arche, village named after the old bridge over the river Sacra, hat once connected the left and right side of the village. After a nice espresso at the local coffee shop we are getting ready for the first climb, the passo Duron. A 10km ascent will take us from the lowest point of our tour (400m) to exactly 1000m above sea level.

Luckily the weather stays dry and Sher Stella Vest and Due arm warmers are enough to keep us warm on the first descent to Preore. And yet we are already at the base of our second climb of this tour: the Passo Daone. With climbs between 8% and 11% we reach after more than 8km the top at 1291 m.a.s.l.

Later we will discover that stage 17 of this year’s Giro d’Italia from Bassano del Grappa di Madonna di Campiglio, the Passo Daone will be one of the waypoints. Ticked!

After the last downhill ride we have 20km more to go on a along a slight uphill road. After having been lucky throughout the whole tour, the last 4km we’re cycling under pouring rain which gives us one more reason to speed up and get to the place we were dreaming off all day: the SPA! But obviously not before drinking our well deserved beer after 75km and 1750hm in our legs.

Author: Claudia Rier

Road cycling might sometimes be intimidating for women, as most of the images, you see usually transmit speed, high performance, technicality, and eventually make road cycling appear as a very competitive sport – rather than something that is fun.

The truth is that road cycling is actually much more accessible than it might appear and a sport that doesn’t require an extremely high level of fitness to start. But it will help you to increase your fitness level pretty fast!

If you always thought that road cycling is not for you, I believe it is worth at least a trial. Let me share some tips on how to do that:

1 – RENT OR BORROW A BIKE TO START
For the first test perhaps you might want to approach a friend or somebody you know that practices road cycling and can eventually join you for a first ride. That gives you confidence and also the first basic indications of how to get going at the beginning. I recommend renting or borrowing a bike for the first trials, ideally in a size that fits you well. Bike rentals can fit the bike for you perfectly, that might be the preferred choice, but if you have a friend in your size, for the very first ride in your neighborhood you might be able to borrow her/his bike.

2 – CYCLE PATHS
Try to take the first rides on a cycle path or a road with very little traffic. You might need a moment to get comfortable with the position of the handlebar and the brakes, as well as the shifters and it is much easier if you don’t need to worry about cars or trucks at the same time.

3 – CLIPLESS PEDALS
If you are not used to clipless pedals, start riding with flat pedals. That helps you to focus on the performance of the road bike and start to get familiar with the shifters – especially for your first uphill ride. I have been mountain biking my whole life – when I shifted to road cycling I fell the first time I cycled uphill – I was not used to the difference between the gears of a road bike compared to the mountain bike. I wished I had clipless pedals back then!

I am sure that already after those first small tests you will either love or hate it! If you feel excited and want to take it further then here you go with some more tips:

4 – BIKE WITH THE RIGHT SIZE
Find yourself a bike with the right size. You don’t need to buy immediately the best and newest road bike, there are plenty of second-hand bikes around with great performance and eventually, you gain more knowledge about bikes and your needs over time and you can make a better choice at your next purchase. Just make sure that whatever bike you buy has the right size for you.

5 – BIKE FITTING
Book a bike fitting with a specialist. This is the most important thing to make sure that you enjoy road cycling over time. A bike that is not fitted perfectly, leads to discomfort, pain, inflammations, and in the worst case, you might stop cycling. Most good bike stores are settling your bike and you also find specialists that provide this service. Ask friends or research the net in your surroundings to find advice about where to go best.

6 – GREAT BIKE SHORTS
Get yourself a great pair of bike shorts with a perfect woman cycling pad. Personally, I recommend always a bib short for road biking. You might want to read the blog post “Why can it be good to wear bib shorts?” to get more insights and have a look at SHER’s cycling shorts for women. Check out also Sher’s innovative women-specific cycling pad.

7 – CHANGING THE INNER TUBE
Get yourself up to speed with basics about how to change an inner tube so that you feel comfortable riding alone. Whenever you meet other cyclists they are always very helpful, however, you can find yourself in situations where nobody is around. Many women do not cycle alone because they can’t change a flat tire. You can find great tutorials or also ask a friend to show you how to do it. Check out SHER’s tutorial about changing a flat tube and the basic tools to always take with you.

8 – PLAN YOUR ROUTES
Start small, plan your routes, and slowly increase the distance. Start with flat tours and once you have some miles in your legs, build in climbs if you live in an area that allows you to do so. You will soon discover that on a road bike you can go much further and much longer than you expected!

9 – CYCLING MATES
Find some great cycling friends! There is nothing better than riding together and sharing a great day out. Cycling is fun and you alone decide how fast and strong you want to go. If riding with others intimidates you, just make clear from the beginning that you keep your speed and that it is not an issue if somebody cycles faster – as long as you get together again at the coffee stop!

Getting started is much easier than you think and you will find out quickly that road cycling is a sport for everybody. It not only keeps you healthy and fit but allows you to make new friends, discover the landscape in a totally new way and experience happiness and satisfaction at the end of a great cycling day with friends. Good luck and if you like to share stories about how you started road cycling we are happy to read you!

The moments I live with SHER are real, graspable. They can contain a bold and adventurous experience, but at the same time, they don’t require it.

My goal is born from the desire to feel good. All those moments are extraordinary because they are lived with awareness, satisfaction, every day or on any day.

It’s not about what you do, but how you do it.

Sara, designer – When details make a difference.

Drawing, but above all designing, has been a big part of my life, drawing has always been a refuge, a comfort zone for a somewhat introverted person like me… Little by little, more than a ‘hiding place’, it has become my form of communication.

The decision to attend the Academy of Fine Arts, Fashion and Costume in particular, gave me the opportunity to learn how to convey emotions through drawing, in a constant search for a balance between the fascination of beauty and respect for the human body. My training started from this union, and I believe I can now say with certainty, that in my 20 years of work experience, this is what has always accompanied me (with greater or lesser awareness), trying to draw inspiration from anything that could materialise in a dress, designed not only to be worn, but to become, at the same time, an expression of emotions, personality, character.

By nature I am not a curious person, and this might seem a contradiction in an environment that requires constant stimulation, where the creation of new collections follows the changing seasons at a great pace. However, I am a person who is very attentive to details, who is able to emphasise a few elements, a few concepts, enclosing the creative field, which by its very nature is infinite, in delimited boundaries. This is the only way I can move without getting lost.

Everything is part of a generic archive, made up of often random elements, of objects, shapes, colours which, however, accustom you to beauty, proportions, the right balance of full and empty, and which feed a personal cultural heritage. Once I have enclosed my details, the image takes shape on the white sheet: if it is clear in my mind then I follow it effortlessly with the pencil. And it really is like that… I only look up from the paper when I have finished… If, on the other hand, the image partly fades and I need to recover it, sometimes I just strain my memory, sometimes there is the real search for that detail that the mind no longer remembers…

Whatever the product, fashion, sport or lifestyle, my aim is always to create something new, something proportionate, therefore something BEAUTIFUL. Because beauty is the ultimate goal of everything. Nature teaches us this, with its proportions, balance and colours. Beyond personal taste, in every art form we recognise beauty and even more so for clothing we aspire to something that is not only beautiful but that makes us feel so therefore, happy.

Knowing that what I have designed over the years has been appreciated and produced is what excited me and stimulated me for the next job. For many years it was my form of beauty. Then it happens that life brings you surprises and a few disappointments, thus the decision to change course.

Until recently, when fate presented me with what could have been an ideal situation, a new small business made up of determined and stubborn people with a big project.

The initial proposal was enticing and creative… to contribute to the creation of a line of sportswear, specifically for women, that would break the mould, respecting and favouring the female body, and that would not just be a gentle copy of sportswear designed for men.

Clothing that could meet the functional and performance requirements of the category, but without crystallising in a single sector, quite the opposite! Cross-cutting garments that improve sports performance, and at the same time can multiply their use by embracing several categories.

A line of garments that finally takes beauty into account, an important element for every woman who wants to feel comfortable at all times. A project very much in keeping with my personality and experience, which gave me the possibility of designing clothing very close to my personal taste and ideal as a woman. Designing without having to adapt me to the brand but in full sharing with those who really conceived this idea and helping to make it concrete…. what more could you ask for?

This is how it all started for me.

Sara and Francesca, the creators of SHER, constantly put me at ease, a sensation born from the day we met to evaluate a possible collaboration. The ideas are many and are soon channelled in one direction, there is harmony and so it all seems very natural. The ultimate goal is to make something that gives well-being to the wearer.

For Sara and Francesca it is also something more: it means working with the aim of creating a new philosophy of work and life that lasts over time, collaborating with people who share their ideal of an active and conscious lifestyle.

What more can be said! WISH. GO. SHER.

We know that approximately 50% of women suffer from different problems in their intimate area when cycling regularly. This can be just pain, numbness, irritation, frequent cystitis, different kind of infections and more.
We have talked to many women and found out also that those facts are often a real limit for them to practice their favourite sport regularly. There are different things you can do to reduce or totally avoid those issues:

1 – Make sure you do a professional bike fitting. An unbalanced position on your bike causes pressure points in the wrong areas and this leads quickly to pain

2 – Make sure you buy a bib or short that fits you very well and that keeps the pad always in the right place. Bibs are often the better choice as the suspenders keep the pant up and avoid that the chamois glides too far to the front over time.

Cycling women often prefer normal shorts for easy bio breaks. – at Sher we have developed a comfortable solution that allows you to go to the toilet without the need to remove you shirt. Have a look at Frizzante and Frizzante Core.

For more insights read also our blog post “Why it can be good to wear bib shorts”.

3 – Change your short or bib at least once a year. The cushioning of every chamois loses support over time. Contact us at [email protected] to substitute your used cycling pad

4 – Wash and dry your bib/short properly after every ride; ideally use wash powders that are proven to be natural based.

5 – When you buy a new bib/short ask specifications about the chamois. There are many different chamois out there, designed for different kind of cycling activities . Find out also if it has antibacterial properties – this is an important feature that reduces partially the risk of infections.

At Sher we have invested a lot of time to create a women cycling pad  that reduces the risk of infections thanks to the permanent antibacterial and anti fungal effect of our pad. We care about the most intimate part of the body and therefor we strived for a long-lasting and natural solution that doesn’t harm your skin at any time.

HERE ARE A FEW REASONS :

1. THERE’S NO WAISTBAND

Since there’s no waistband, there’s also no drawstring or itchy, uncomfortable elastic cutting into your abdomen. Your breathing will be better and therefore, you’ll feel more productive in the saddle, especially over long distances. Additionally, the traditional waistband collects and retains moisture and increases the potential for the overall likelihood of discomfort.

2. THE CHAMOIS STAYS IN PLACE

Traditional cycling shorts will end up slipping down over time, and that means the chamois, or pad, will shift as well. Keeping the chamois in place will ensure there is less potential for chafing, saddle sores, and generally unhappy times. Bib shorts by nature are designed in a way that guarantees the chamois stays perfectly in place.

3. BIB STRAPS INCREASE COMFORT

As mentioned above, bib shorts utilize lightweight, breathable mesh or Lycra straps over the shoulders. While there are a number of advantages to shoulder straps, the biggest benefit is how they comfortably hold the bib as a whole in place without creating pressure or binding points anywhere on the body. With properly fitting bib shorts you won’t feel anything tugging, binding, or chafing.

Make sure you wear bib shorts that are really designed for women. Verify the position and shape of the suspender, so that they do not interfere with your chest and make you feel uncomfortable. Check also if there is a possibility for bio-brakes without having to take off your jersey, this is a critical point to not make you feel trapped.

If you have never worn a bib short give it a try – most who do the switch never go back to a regular short with the classic waistband.

Check out our FRIZZANTE or FRIZZANTE CORE.