Anatomic Sportswear
Signed up for Amashova or Ride Joburg? The event kit sold for those rides comes from a cycling clothing maker that started out in a small factory in Parys, in the Free State.
The name on the label is Anatomic Sportswear. You can buy its cycling and running kit straight off the website, or have it make a custom set for your club, school or event.
What they do
Anatomic Sportswear has been making sportswear in South Africa since 1982. It started as a pantihose factory that moved into dance tights and leotards, and then into cycling shorts. Today it makes its own cycling, running and triathlon apparel locally.
The online shop sells ready-made kit for men, women and kids, plus merchandise for events such as Ride Joburg, Amashova and Race to the Sun. The bigger side of the business is custom printed kit, and the site says it will make orders from a single item upward.
For deal hunting, Anatomic Sportswear belongs in Sports on The Real Deal.
What to look at first
Cycling Jerseys
Printed men’s and ladies’ jerseys, with designs like Rocket Fuel and Nebula listed at around R840. Expect bold, sublimation-printed graphics rather than plain colours.
Best for: road and mountain bikers who want local kit with some personality.
Cycling Bibs and Shorts
Bibs and shorts in different cuts, including the Biotomic range, with the men’s Biotomic bibs listed at R1,650 when we checked. The chamois and fit matter more here than the print, so check the size chart closely.
Best for: riders doing long hours in the saddle.
Running Tops and Bottoms
Running shirts, vests, tights and accessories, plus South African themed T-shirts and bucket hats.
Best for: runners and parkrun regulars after local gear.
Event Merchandise
Kit made for specific rides, including Ride Joburg, Amashova and Race to the Sun.
Best for: riders who want a souvenir jersey from a race they did.
Custom Club Kit
Design-your-own cycling, running and triathlon kit, plus other sports like golf and netball. Allow 3 to 6 weeks after design approval and deposit.
Best for: clubs, schools and corporate riding teams.
Simple way to think about it
For a single rider, start with a jersey. It is the cheaper way to test the fit and print quality before spending more on bibs.
For a club or school, go straight to the custom quote form. The site notes that one-off custom items are expensive and pricing improves from about 10 pieces.
Prices on kit can shift, so glance at today’s Anatomic Sportswear deals on The Real Deal before you order.
What makes Anatomic Sportswear different
Local manufacturing is the big one. Anatomic designs, prints and sews its kit in South Africa, and it has been doing it for more than four decades. That makes it one of the few local options if you want a full custom kit without importing it.
Where it falls short is style choice. If you want the look and fabric tech of a big international cycling brand, this is a different product, not a cheaper copy.
The practical bit
Shipping: The online shop FAQ quotes an extra R95 to courier anywhere in South Africa. Any free-delivery threshold is not clearly stated, so confirm at checkout.
Delivery: The site says about 3 working days to major cities. Smaller towns may take longer.
Returns: 30 days for unworn items with tags, if you request a return first. No returns on sale items, and postage plus 5% banking costs come off the refund.
Support: Help is available through anatomic.co.za, and online order queries go to a dedicated contact listed on the site.
Who it’s for
This is for you if:
- You ride or run and like supporting a local manufacturer
- You need custom kit for a club, school or team
- You want official merchandise from a South African ride
- You like printed jerseys with South African themes
Probably not for you if:
- You would rather wear a big international cycling label
- You want to try kit on before buying and you live far from Johannesburg or Parys
- You tend to buy on sale and return what does not fit
Final word
Anatomic has made cycling and running kit locally for a long time, and its real strength is custom work for clubs and events. For individual riders, the ready-made jerseys and bibs are a fair way to buy South African made gear. Check the size chart, because returns cost you something.
Have a look at Anatomic Sportswear specials on The Real Deal before you buy, especially if you need a full jersey and bib set.
FAQ
Is Anatomic Sportswear worth it?
It is worth it if you want locally made cycling or running kit, or custom gear for a club. If you are after a big international brand name, look elsewhere.
Where can I find Anatomic Sportswear deals in South Africa?
Check Anatomic Sportswear on The Real Deal for live deals, RealRank verified against the brand's own pricing.
Is Anatomic Sportswear made in South Africa?
Yes. Anatomic says its kit is manufactured in South Africa, and the business started in Parys in the Free State in 1982.