About us
We make Ultimo Clothing right here in New Zealand - we're custom clothing manufacturing specialists We're involved in every step of making your kit. We own the quality and pride in workmanship for your kit in a way we couldn't if we were just a marketing agent for an overseas factory.
We take social responsibility seriously, and believe our NZ factory is the most ethical choice for your sportswear.
Our choice of quality fabrics and components from Italy and around the world, along with our experienced local workmanship means we make products that we're proud of - but don't take our word for it - check out our testimonials.
We support the community that we live and work in. We're also New Zealand's fastest custom cyclewear and sportswear supplier - by far.
The Team
Danny
Danny's the guy who's most likely to answer the phone when you call us.
He can help you out with everything you need to get into custom gear - he'll make the process really easy.
When he's not here, he's usually riding around the Wellington hills, and has completed half Ironman, Ironman, a couple of marathons, Karapoti, and of course the Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge.
Our crew
We have a great team here in our New Zealand factory, including a graphic designer and a patternmaker, both are qualified and experienced, as well as a specialist dye-sublimation machinist and highly skilled sewing machinists. We get occasional help from locals, including some gifted cyclists & triathletes, who both work with us, and give our kit a good workout.
Testimonials
World 200-mile Champ Kim Hurst
Kim has a raft of Road, MTB and cyclocross wins to her name, including the UMCA World 200 Mile Road Champs and Karapoti winner 2012, 2013, women's course record holder.
"You could say I've road tested the full range of Ultimo kit. In fact I've road, mountain bike, duathlon and cyclocross tested it! It looks fantastic, the quality is superb and its super durable and hardwearing, washing up good as new after even the filthiest of races! But aside from looking great the garments are also extra comfortable.
Short chamois are funny things and even the most expensive high tech designs that look flash in the shop can niggle when you're out on the bike. Ultimo shorts are just brilliant with padding in all the right places - so no niggles - without making you feel like you've donned a nappy. I should know, I've ridden in them for 12 hours."
Age Group Track Record Holder Amelia Sykes
Amelia wore an Ultimo speedsuit on the way to winning three national titles and a national record at the 2020 Age Group Championships.
"The speedsuit was very comfortable and a good fit.
It's a well-made suit that held up well to the intense use (including washing) over the five day event."
(Photo credit Eugene Bonthuys).
Race Across America Endurance Rider Ron Skelton
Ron "iRonMan" Skelton wore Ultimo on his gruelling 3000 mile Race Across America
"A BIG thanx to Ultimo for all the support in my successful 2019 Race across America finish
The clothing was awesome and the assistance offered by Ultimo during design phase was amazing enabling all of my supporters to have their logos displayed.
Even a last minute alteration as the kit went to print wasn't a problem with Allen placing me on hold & dashing to the print room to halt production and redesigning kit.
I have used Ultimo clothing since 2008 when they supplied the strip for NZ Army cycling and again in 2014 when they made a custom set of triathlon kit when I went to Kona for Ironman world championships.
For over a decade Ultimo have had my back my front and all other bits covered.
I especially like the Windtex jackets they have supplied me on several occasions an amazingly functional addition to my adverse weather wardrobe.
In short I think Ultimo is the best cycling kit around and am proud to pedal the brand good on them for keeping it Kiwi made all these years."
Ultra-Endurance Rider Nick Dunne
Nick wore Ultimo custom clothing during his 96 hour, 1600km endurance ride (10 laps of Lake Taupo).
"I would like to thank Ultimo for your support of my 10 lap ultimate enduro, it is great to have support of a local company and I feel great pride every time I pull on my custom kit.
In 2010 I completed the 8 lap extreme enduro [in another supplier's clothing] I suffered so much damage that I had to have 1 month off the bike and I used 3 large tubs of chamois cream. This year I rode the ten laps [in Ultimo clothing] I used 1 tub of chamois cream and was able to ride the next day feeling tired but physically fresh I think that speaks for itself.
My Ultimo kit is the most comfortable kit I have ever worn, I wish I had worn it sooner. I have found your team to be fast, efficent and produce a top product and I love the design."
Tour of Southland Event Director Bruce Ross
Ultimo have supplied Team apparel and Leader's apparel for the Tour of Southland for over a decade, including a huge range of artwork designs, and some very last minute team entries.
"Organising a world-class stage race like the Tour of Southland is a complex, time-critical job. I need everything to be ready on time for race day, and there's no margin for error in sizing, design or delivery date.
Ultimo have proved themselves time and again that they can produce top quality kit on a really tight time-frame.
It can be a real challenge for teams to get their rider sizes and sponsor details together, but Ultimo come to the party and make sure that everyone is kitted out for race day - even the late entries."
Social and environmental responsibility
Ultimo custom clothing is made right here, in our own factory in New Zealand.
Fabric that cleans the oceans - Our Italian-made Lycra was chosen for it's superior performance as well as it's composition of recycled polyamide. Carvico who supply our fabric support the healthy seas initiative, which among other things, recovers fishing nets from the oceans and recycles it into quality techincial fabrics. You can read more here.
Cleaner energy - All dye-sublimation processes use electricity. We use NZ's electricity supply which is more than 80% renewable, others use China's mostly coal power.
Lower transport carbon - We sea-freight bulk fabric, others airfreight finished products - sea freight releases around 20x less carbon than air freight.
Less waste plastic - We have phased out single-use plastic bags for individual items, you'll now receive your new kit in a PEFC certified paper wrap. That's thousands fewer bags to end up in landfill, the landscape or the oceans.
First-world employment conditions - We choose to make our apparel here in New Zealand - meaning our staff enjoy New Zealand's employment and health and safety standards.
Responsible components - Our Italian-made cycle pads are are made in accordance with Oeko-Tex® standard 100 certification.
Honest communication - We hear of people feeling mislead when they've bought from another "NZ owned and operated" supplier, but when their kit arrives that they realise it was made in China. We believe clear communication of country of origin is part of our social responsibility - Ultimo custom cycle & multisport apparel is actually made here, in New Zealand.
Did you know? We're not just New Zealand owned, we make our kit right here in New Zealand, too.
Ultimo in the community
Our support of the local New Zealand community starts with our commitment to keeping our manufacturing here in New Zealand.
Being local means that when we have a job to be done, we give it to a Kiwi.
It also means that when you buy Ultimo, your money stays here, circulating in the New Zealand economy.
We are proud to support New Zealand events, athletes and good causes.
Cycling CHB Junior Tour
As part of our ongoing support of up and coming Kiwi cyclists, we proudly support the Cycling CHB Junior Tour.
There's great racing in fantastic countryside - it's an event worth checking out.
There's also the chance to go home with pride of winning a Leader's or King of the Mountain jersey.
Louise Curtis
One of New Zealand's more inspiring people, Louise Curtis doesn't let injury and illness stop her cycling and raising funds for good causes.
We are proud to support Louise with kit to help her rides and to help fundraise for the Cancer Society and the Malaghan Institute.
You can read more of Louise's story here.
You can help Louise fundraise at her givealittle page.
Nick Brockelbank
Nic is an awesome guy who is raising funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Nic has worked amazingly hard and achieved a great result in The Rev 28km ride. We were proud to be able to support Nic with a jersey made to his own design.
Nic's also published a cookbook - find out more at Nic's Cookbook's facebook page. If that wasn't enough, Nic's even been on prime time One News - you can see the video here. It's a fantastic story of achievement, self belief and cycling - just what we like to see.
Invicutus Games - New Zealand Defence Force Team
The Invictus Games is an international sporting event for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women.
Instigated and supported by The Royal Foundation of the Duchess of Cambridge, His Royal Highness Prince Harry and the UK Ministry of Defence, The Invictus Games will spotlight the sacrifices participants made while serving their countries, and highlight their determination to overcome personal restrictions to continue to lead lives of excellence.
Ultimo are proud to have supported the NZ Defence Force Cycling Team at the 2014 Invictus Games.
The company
Our company is Action Apparel Ltd, although everyone knows us by our trading name, Ultimo Kiwi-made Custom Clothing. Our physical address is 29-31 Cuba Street, Petone, Lower Hutt. Our postal address is PO Box 38 274, Wellington Mail Centre, Lower Hutt 5045.