De Marchi

Did Emilio De Marchi ever imagine his legacy would reach Kyoto? Here at De Marchi Kyoto, that legacy lives on. De Marchi is more than just a shop. It’s a portal into the world of high-end Italian cycling apparel, a testament to a family’s dedication to quality and innovation. The De Marchi story began in 1946, shortly after World War II. Emilio De Marchi, an athlete and manager for the Bottecchia cycling team, founded the company. He quickly gained recognition for his use of superior Merino wool in cycling jerseys and shorts. De Marchi was also a pioneer, among the first to utilize circular knitting. This technique created more comfortable jerseys. He also championed the use of buckskin leather for cycling shorts’ pads, a softer alternative to the commonly used sheep leather. Here at De Marchi Kyoto, you’ll find that same commitment to quality and innovation. The shop is a stylish boutique, showcasing the brand’s premium cycling clothing and accessories. It’s more than just merchandise. It’s a curated collection of vintage Italian cycling memorabilia, blended with local Kyoto touches. This fusion creates a unique atmosphere. De Marchi continued to innovate over the years. In 1991, they patented and sold the first high-technology cycling pad, a microfiber creation with air cooling silicone gel filling, dubbed “Soft-Gel”. This innovation enhanced comfort for cyclists of all levels. Later, in 2000, De Marchi patented another groundbreaking bike pad, an elastic interface designed to minimize irritation. This quickly became a standard in high-quality cycling wear. Here in Kyoto, you can experience this legacy of comfort and performance firsthand. The De Marchi legacy remains within the family, a continuous thread connecting the past to the present. De Marchi Kyoto carries that thread forward, offering a taste of Italian cycling heritage in the heart of Japan.