Polaris Bikewear is a British cycling apparel brand founded over 40 years ago by Roger Dillon, who taught himself to sew in an attic after realising his fell running gear was not suited to mountain biking. Based on the edge of the Peak District National Park in Derbyshire, the brand takes its name from the navigating star, reflecting its aim to lead the way in British cycling design. Built on the principle "if we won't ride in it, we wouldn't expect you to either," Polaris has grown from hand-stitched bespoke kit into a range distributed across most major European countries and beyond. The brand is known equally for its practical, weather-tested apparel and for pioneering the Polaris Challenge, a landmark mountain biking orienteering event held on multiple continents.
Polaris designs cycling apparel for all conditions, developed and tested by riders in the challenging terrain of the Peak District and beyond. The range covers men's and women's road and adventure cycling, with products including:
The brand's design philosophy prioritises function over fashion, producing gear intended to perform in real conditions rather than in carefully controlled tests.
A defining part of the Polaris Bikewear story is the Polaris Challenge, which it created as the first mountain biking orienteering event of its kind. Participants had 48 hours to reach as many pre-determined checkpoints as possible across a 1,600 km² area and return to the start. The event was held in the UK and expanded internationally to Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, France, and Germany, placing Polaris at the centre of adventure cycling culture and helping to grow mountain biking as a mainstream sport.
Polaris Bikewear remains rooted in Derbyshire and continues to be operated by a team with deep experience in the cycling industry. Products are distributed across the UK and to major European markets including Spain, Germany, and France, as well as to customers worldwide. The brand's focus on honest craftsmanship and community connection has sustained a loyal following among recreational cyclists and serious riders alike.
Polaris Bikewear was founded by Roger Dillon, who began making custom mountain biking clothing by hand in an attic after finding that his fell running gear was not suitable for cycling. The brand was established over 40 years ago and is based in Derbyshire on the edge of the Peak District National Park.
Polaris Bikewear is based in Derbyshire, England, near the Peak District National Park. The brand is British in origin and distributes its products to most major European countries as well as worldwide markets.
The Polaris Challenge was a pioneering mountain biking orienteering event created by Polaris Bikewear. Teams had 48 hours to reach as many checkpoints as possible across a large open area and return to the start point. Events were held in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, France, and Germany, helping to establish mountain biking as an adventure sport internationally.
Polaris Bikewear continues to operate as an active brand. The company sells cycling apparel and accessories through its own website and through various retailers in the UK and Europe. The brand is currently owned and run by a team with over 20 years of experience in the cycling industry.
Polaris Bikewear produces clothing and accessories for a wide range of cyclists, from beginners to experienced riders, covering road cycling, mountain biking, and adventure cycling. The brand's product range caters to all ages and skill levels, with a focus on practical performance in real riding conditions.
Polaris follows a principle of product honesty: "If we won't ride in it, we wouldn't expect you to either." All products are developed and tested by riders, with the aim of producing gear that performs reliably in the varied and often demanding conditions of British and European cycling.
This catalogue is part of the Catalink archive and may no longer be available to order. The information above describes Polaris Bikewear. For current details, visit the company's official website.
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