With the Apex Aeon range, MAAP is positioning itself in the high-end endurance segment: a very breathable Polartec Delta jersey, lightweight bib shorts, additional pockets, a refined cut and a highly recognisable aesthetic.
I rode in the kit for a little over two months, in summer conditions, with rides of more than 5 hours. The goal was simple: to check whether this kit really delivers on its long-distance positioning, beyond its very distinctive style.
Strengths:
- A very comfortable, well-sorted bib shorts fit
- Two handy rear pockets on the bib shorts
- A very visually coherent kit
- Reliable size guide
Could be better
- Jersey heat-transferred logos peeling after two months
- Very high prices
The Apex Aeon jersey: a precise fit, racier than it looks
First good point: the MAAP size guide is very consistent. Following the recommendation, I went for an XS and the fit is spot on. The jersey is close to the body, nicely fitted, with a sensible length and a cut that remains comfortable on the bike.
MAAP states a core fit, so a less radical cut than a so-called “race” fit. In reality, it is still quite racy: the jersey hugs the torso, limits flap and doesn’t create drag. For my riding, it’s exactly the kind of cut I like, but it’s worth knowing if you’re looking for a very relaxed jersey.
The sleeves come down quite low, to the crook of the elbow. They have no silicone grippers, yet they stay perfectly in place. They are even slightly snug, which contributes to that tidy held-in feel, with no riding up on the effort.
A Polartec Delta fabric that is very pleasant in summer
The main fabric uses Polartec Delta, with that slightly waffle-like, almost scaled texture you’re seeing more and more on high-end jerseys for the hottest days.
It’s a material I particularly like for summer: it breathes very well, dries fast and avoids that sensation of fabric stuck flat by sweat. On this point, the Apex Aeon jersey is very successful. It remains pleasant when the intensity rises or when the ride gets longer.
The colourway tested, very light between white and beige, is slightly transparent. I did not, however, encounter any particular UV issue: no sunburn observed under the jersey during the test period. MAAP also states a recommended temperature range of 19 to 35 °C, which matches its intended use well.
Well thought-out pockets for long rides
At the back, you get three standard pockets, plus a zipped pocket. The pockets are spacious, easy to reach and sit flat. They don’t give that flappy, bouncing feel you sometimes get with jerseys that are too soft.
The zipped pocket echoes the blue detail from the main zip, with a neat finish. In the central pocket, MAAP also adds a small pass-through port to route wired earphones.
Overall, the jersey gives a real impression of a well executed product: tidy zip, hem well stabilised, effective grippers and finishes in keeping with the premium positioning.
Only flaw of the jersey: the durability of the transfers
This is the point that slightly spoils the overall impression. After two months of use, some of the transfers are already starting to lift, notably the MAAP letters on the sleeves.
It’s not catastrophic yet, but the tips of some letters are clearly lifting. And at 185 € for the jersey, that’s not an acceptable detail.
It’s a pity, because the rest of the jersey is very convincing. The cut, breathability, comfort, stability – technically, it works very well. But on such an expensive product, the durability of the markings is part of the perceived quality.
The Apex Aeon bib shorts: a genuinely distinctive cut
I also tested the Aeon bib shorts in size XS, in the black and white colourway. The beige straps make real sense with the light jersey: they show through much less than black straps.
When you pull them on, the first sensation is surprising. The bib shorts are well held at the thighs, but they feel less compressive around the pelvis and glutes than other high-end models I usually use. You have to pull far less to get them on because only the thigh area grips along the legs, rather than the whole fabric.
Once in place, everything sits perfectly. The hold is there, without feeling constricted. This is probably one of the most successful points of these bib shorts: they hold very well without feeling like they compress everywhere. The cut is simply excellent and very comfortable.
Compared with benchmarks like Assos, Rapha or Pas Normal Studios, this feel is quite distinct. They are still close-fitting bib shorts (MAAP even says race fit), but with a more comfortable handling of the pelvic area than what you often find on performance-focused models.
Clean leg hems, without aggressive silicone
The leg hems are laser-cut, with no visible seam. Retention doesn’t rely on traditional silicone dots, but on an integrated anti-slip knit, with visible elastic threads.
In use, it’s very successful. The legs don’t ride up, the bib shorts stay put, and I didn’t have any irritation from the grippers. It’s an interesting design detail because it addresses a real usage issue: some silicone grippers hold well, but can end up marking or irritating.
The straps are wide, very flat and don’t pull on the back. They don’t have a small stiff tab (as you can find at Assos) to keep them flat, but I had no twisting during the two-month test.
Two useful rear pockets, but not as accessible as cargo pockets
The bib shorts have no thigh pockets. Visually, this gives them a very clean silhouette, aerodynamic, with a very tidy look on the leg.
MAAP, on the other hand, adds two pockets at the back, integrated into the straps. This is coherent with the product’s endurance focus: you gain a bit of storage without tipping into true cargo bib shorts.
These pockets are handy for slipping in a bar, a small sealed wrapper or a light item. However, they are quite high and less accessible than side pockets. And as they sit in an area where you sweat a lot, I wouldn’t necessarily use them for a jacket or a moisture-sensitive textile.
The MAAP pad: very comfortable, but not my choice for ultra-distance
The pad is typical MAAP: very thick at the rear, much thinner at the front.
On the bike, this distribution can be interesting. Having less thickness at the front can even relieve certain pressures depending on saddle position. In my case it didn’t bother me, and I found the bib shorts very comfortable on the majority of rides.
But on the very longest outings, beyond 5 hours, I started to feel a bit of squashing. Up to 4 hours, it’s absolutely fine. Beyond that, for an ultra-distance logic, it wouldn’t be my first choice.
Obviously this is very personal, even more so with women’s bib shorts. Pelvic shape, saddle, position, pressure points and tolerance to the pad vary hugely from one rider to another. But despite its endurance positioning, I see it more as an excellent bib shorts for long, sporty rides than as an ultra-distance bib shorts in the strict sense.
A price that puts the set right at the top of the market
The Apex Aeon bib shorts sell for 265 €. The jersey is listed at 185 €. So you’re looking at a 450 € set, clearly in the very top tier of cycling apparel.
The bib shorts partly justify their price through real patterning quality, a very pleasant fabric, subtle support and tidy construction. I didn’t notice any durability issues over two months, and the logos on the bib shorts seem to hold up better than those on the jersey.
The jersey, for its part, is technically very successful, but the peeling of the transfers inevitably weighs on the assessment. When a brand positions itself this high, it is also selling an image, an aesthetic, a finish. If that aesthetic starts to degrade quickly, the value for money becomes harder to defend.
A coherent, beautiful kit, but one to choose with eyes open
The Apex Aeon set works very well visually and technically. You can feel there has been real work on coherence between top and bottom: colours, logos, details, volumes, controlled transparency with the white straps.
On the bike, comfort is real. The jersey breathes very well, the bib shorts disappear, the pockets are useful and the overall cut gives a very tidy feel. It’s a kit I enjoyed wearing, and it ticks a lot of boxes for riding fast and long in hot weather.
But you shouldn’t consider it a purely rational purchase. At this price level, you’re also paying for MAAP’s style, brand image and a very recognisable aesthetic.
If that’s what you’re after, then this set is very appealing.
But if your absolute priority is performance-to-price or ultra-distance, then there are alternatives that are easier to justify.
