Outside’s Velo names the year’s most consequential cycling gear
Outside Magazine’s Velo section this December 2025 released its annual “Velo Best Products of 2025” list, highlighting breakthroughs from AI-enabled eyewear to an unexpectedly affordable $25 cleat. The roundup — produced after months of lab and in-field testing — frames a year in which high-tech features reached mainstream price points and sustainability and accessibility were top priorities for manufacturers.
What made the cut: tech, affordability and sustainability
The 2025 list features a broad set of winners, ranging from augmented reality and AI-equipped glasses from established AR firms such as Nreal and Vuzix to value-oriented components like an entry-level SPD-style cleat priced at roughly $25. Other categories include GPS bike computers from Garmin and Wahoo, carbon and alloy wheelsets from SRAM and Mavic, gravel bikes from Specialized and Canyon, and smart trainers and power meters compatible with ANT+ and Bluetooth protocols.
Velo’s editors emphasized products that change daily riding as well as elite performance: heads-up displays and AI helpers that provide real-time navigation, rider coaching and situational alerts; tools that reduce the barrier to entry for new riders; and items that use recycled or lower-carbon materials. The list underscores how cycling tech is now balancing advanced sensor fusion, machine learning and cost optimization.
Why AI glasses matter for cyclists
AI and AR-enabled glasses were among the most talked-about inclusions. Companies such as Vuzix and Nreal have released successive hardware iterations with brighter microdisplays, wider fields of view and improved power efficiency in 2024–25, making them more viable for daytime outdoor use. For cyclists, the promise is hands-free navigation, live telemetry like speed and power, and context-aware prompts (for example, turn warnings based on route and traffic data) without requiring a phone-mounted display.
That said, engineers and privacy specialists caution that camera-based AR raises data-collection concerns and battery-life tradeoffs. Integration with bike head units (Garmin, Wahoo) and standard protocols (ANT+, BLE) will be crucial for adoption among serious riders.
Price pressure: $25 cleats and the democratization of gear
One of the most eye-catching items on Velo’s list is the inexpensive cleat highlighted at roughly $25. The selection illustrates how component makers have driven costs down through simplified manufacturing, shared tooling and modular designs that retain essential performance while removing premium branding. For clubs, event organizers and commuters, low-cost cleats remove a common economic barrier to clipless pedals.
At the same time, higher-end offerings continue to push boundaries in stiffness-to-weight ratios, aerodynamics and integration with power systems — ensuring a tiered market where pros and enthusiasts still pay for cutting-edge performance.
Expert perspectives and industry reaction
Velo’s editors told Outside that their testing prioritized durability, interoperability and real-world performance. “We look for gear that genuinely improves the rider experience — not just incremental spec gains,” a member of the Velo testing team said in a statement accompanying the list.
Industry analysts see the 2025 selections as a natural next step. Analysts tracking sports tech note stronger collaboration between hardware makers and software platforms: manufacturers increasingly optimize for OTA firmware updates, machine-learning models for rider coaching, and standardized telemetry export for third-party apps.
Manufacturers are also thinking about lifecycle impact: several winners were recognized for using recycled carbon or modular components intended to be replaced rather than forcing entire product swaps — an important consideration as the bike industry responds to consumer pressure for sustainability.
Implications for riders and the market
The Velo Best Products list signals a few clear trends for the coming seasons. First, expect more wearables and bike components to ship with AI features baked in — from contextual route advice to automated crash detection. Second, the price floor for commuter and entry-level gear is falling, which could expand participation but also compress margins for mid-tier brands. Finally, interoperability (ANT+, Bluetooth, open data formats) and post-sale software support will become key buying criteria.
Related topics and further reading
Related coverage to explore: our deep dives into AR wearables, the 2025 gravel bike shootout, and a buyer’s guide to power meters and smart trainers. For product-specific reviews, check Velo’s hands-on test posts and Outside’s sustainability reporting.
Looking ahead
The Velo Best Products of 2025 captures a moment where tech sophistication and affordability intersect. For riders, that means smarter, safer and more accessible gear — but it also raises questions about privacy, software longevity and market consolidation. Over the next 12–24 months expect tighter device ecosystems, broader enterprise partnerships (maps, cellular connectivity, insurance), and continued competition between legacy cycling brands and newer AR/wearables companies.
Key takeaway: 2025 is the year those once-niche innovations began to matter to everyday cyclists, not just pros — and manufacturers that nail integration, standards and after-sale software support will define the winners.
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