With spring finally stuttering into life, it’s time to turn our attention to warmer weather and preparing for longer days on the trails. Mountain bike clothing and apparel is all about hitting the balance between comfort and performance – after all, it’s no good looking awesome and then ending up with a jersey that gets torn to shreds at the slightest hint of a tumble.
Whether you’re using the spring as an excuse to get away from the UK for your first riding trip of the year, or simply fancy digging your trail-munching machine out of the shed and visiting the local centre, you’re going to need some appropriate kit. We’ve brought together five items here whose features are designed to enhance the rider’s ability to ride harder for longer, not to mention looking the business on the bike.
Demo Pro Long Sleeve Jersey
The Demo Pro jersey is perfect for long days on the trails, bringing plenty of battle-ready toughness, as well as a solid level of comfort. VaporRize knit construction offers a lightweight, breathable and moisture-wicking layer that is durable enough to withstand crashes. The comfortable and casual fit provides good coverage and long-sleeved construction to accommodate armour and pads, as well as UV protection. There is even a zippered side pocket for phone, keys and other essentials.
Enduro/Andorra Comp Shorts
The Enduro Comp Shorts (and the Andorra, the women’s equivalent) were recently featured in the Dirt 100 – Dirt Magazine’s comprehensive list of the best bikes, components and kit of the year. The shorts were picked because they offer the perfect marriage of comfort and performance, enabling riders to push harder for longer. The shorts are manufactured from the same VaporRize fabrics as the Demo Jersey, providing that same breathable, quick-drying comfort. SWAT storage in the form of two pockets provide convenient and secure space to store trail essentials.
Mountain Liner Bib Shorts With SWAT
The patent-pending design of the Mountain Liner shorts comes complete with no less than five integrated SWAT pockets. These pockets are shaped close to the body to prevent items from moving around and vary in shape and position to accommodate items of different shapes and sizes. The shorts (once again made using VaporRize fabric) can be worn with or without the SWAT storage pockets and fit neatly under with shorts when layering. Finally, the Body Geometry Mountain chamois in the shorts keeps pressure off sensitive areas like nothing else on the market, while also enhancing blood flow and support in the saddle.
Body Geometry Gel Long Finger Wiretap
{8809:}
A decent pair of gloves are a key piece of kit when you head for the trails, but they must do more than just cover your hands. The Body Geometry Gel Long Finger gloves provide maximum comfort and coverage with minimal fatigue. Furthermore, the touch screen friendly Wiretap technology allows for convenient use of mobile devices without removing them.
Ambush Comp Helmet
The most valuable item for cyclists of all shapes, sizes and disciplines is a helmet. If you’re looking for the value and versatility of an all-mountain lid, then the Ambush Comp is equally suited to trail rides, enduro races and anything in between. It is extremely lightweight, ventilated and provides comfortable extended coverage, all at a wallet-friendly price. Specialized helmet technologies including Composite Matrix ventilation, Mindset 360 fit system and 4th Dimension Cooling optimise the helmet’s protective credentials.