The VPD Air line offers lightweight and flexible knee and elbow padding that is barely noticeable when riding. In general mountain bikers always wear a pair of a long-fingered glove which makes absolute sense because it stops you from getting pricked by things like branches Gloves should be thicker in the palm : Not necessarily padded but should have a thin layer padding in the palm to … In general, trail riders and downhill riders tend to opt for baggy kit consisting of loose-fitting shorts with a pair of padded Lycra shorts underneath and a loose-fitting jersey, whereas more race-focused cross-country riders will often go full Lycra. Where you ride and the time of year/season will have a significant impact on what you decide to wear. MIPS is an additional layer, or slip-plane, inside the helmet designed to reduce the rotational forces on the brain, which can be experienced in certain impacts. They are double-sided and provide a stable, wider surface to support your feet. The only thing you’ll have to decide is the amount of extra space you’ll need for your essential items. EZRUN Padded Bike Shorts. Fit is key when it comes to riding trousers. What to Wear For Winter Mountain Biking. Wear a pair of booties or shoe covers overtop of your mountain bike shoes to keep your feet warm and dry. They also have a sole with a tread pattern that works with the pedal pins and is made from extra-grippy rubber for the same reason. Flat pedal shoes tend to look more like skate shoes or trainers, and will usually have a lace-up fastening, normally with an elasticated band to tuck the laces in to. This allows for more airflow to move into your jersey, keeping you dry. Bicycle Repair Kit Checklist, Electronics As stated above, cotton absorbs moisture, and your shorts and undergarments will start to bunch up towards your crotch as you ride. Subscribe today and get the next 3 issues of your favourite cycling magazine for just £5! No, but I used to. The moisture can also cause chafing on your inner thighs. It also delivers exceptional impact absorbency for the worst of crashes. The head gear that I wear when mountain biking includes a helmet and a pair of glasses. Unless you race cross-country, this type of mountain bike short just isn’t cool anymore. Never have, never will. They are usually made from a lightweight, moisture-wicking material. Mountain bikers find themselves dismounting their bikes to walk around challenging or muddy sections of the trail quite often. Already have an account with us? Wearing tights under your shorts on a cold day will help keep you warm. There are a bunch of different styles of helmets for mountain biking. The two most important factors when selecting a jacket for mountain biking are weight and waterproofing. This is because some shoes feature cleats that clip into the pedals, while other shoes have a flat sole for use on platform pedals. Fox Flexair MTB pant – Flexible Racing Pant. Helmets. These jerseys also come with back pockets for storing your essential items while riding. The VPD System Torso is a great option for chest and back protection. Shuttle runs, lift served trails, and mountain bike parks all exist thanks to the downhill (DH) crowd. If you have some spare cash lying around, it is always a good idea to invest in a pair of sunglasses with polarized lenses. The former are likely to be made from a hardshell fabric – the kind of waterproof trousers you might expect to use for hiking – and offer plenty of protection from the rain, but at the cost of breathability. This is because they are extremely durable and sell at an affordable price. Thanks! With the winter months upon us, it’s easy to slip into hibernation and hang up the bike until spring, but with so many great products out there to keep you warm and dry, there’s no reason mountain biking can’t be a year round passion. Not only can the cleats get ruined from walking over rocky terrain, but they can also get mud and debris stuck in them. We’re going to run through three of the main options: a lightweight shell, a hybrid jacket and a fully waterproof jacket. They also allow you to apply more power when climbing. Sign in to manage your newsletter preferences. For bike parks, downhill riding, and downhill and enduro racing, mountain bikers usually wear a full-face helmet, which offers all-round protection. Stay cosy all winter long with irresistibly snug bedding from Rapport Home Furnishings. Featured product: Shimano PD-M8040 XT MTB Flat Pedals. A helmet is an essential piece of kit for mountain bikers. If breathability is an important factor to you, look for jackets that have zippers under the armpits as this will add airflow. In addition, select two base layers for the good survival against the cool environment. This is because of the terrain they typically ride and the speeds at which they ride this terrain. Sometimes it’s hard to tell it’s even there. All mountain bikers need not wear gloves. Freewheel.co.uk, New to off-road riding? As a pro tip, try to match the color of your CamelBak with the rest of your gear. Cycling glasses … A short-sleeve jersey will keep you cooler in the heat of summer but a long-sleeve jersey will offer a little more protection for your arms – both from the sun and nettles, thorns and branches. But, wearing gloves is a good idea because of high likelihood of crashing in the beginning stage. Helmets probably have evolved the most throughout the years, besides the mountain bike itself. This is because can you exert more downward force without your foot slipping off, and you can also pull up using your quadriceps at the same time. The list of essential items varies depending on the rider’s personal preference and the type of riding you will be doing. Consider gloves that are not too bulky as this creates a loss of dexterity. This technology helps redirect impact forces which help reduce brain injury. These days, loose-fitting, motocross-style jerseys are much more popular among mountain bikers, especially among the enduro and downhill disciplines. The primary difference … At this point, you may need to look into another mountain bike. There are more lightweight options than ever before that offer protection while still being able to pedal comfortably. Most are made out of a breathable, moisture-wicking material that helps keep sweat off of your skin. Bell Helmets have been around for decades and offer some of the best protection in the industry. Chamois. For best results, use them with wide-platformed pedals. Check out their Resistance Pro DH glove if you are looking for a little more protection. This will intensify what used to be considered a small crash. When the weather is warm and the trails (mostly) dry in the middle of summer, you’ll require less protection from the elements than the depths of winter. The Super 3R MIPS helmet by Bell Sports offers a removable chin guard and great ventilation. A helmet is an essential piece of kit for mountain bikers. Most of their helmets incorporate spherical technology powered by MIPS which is extremely important to have when mountain biking. He's a road cyclist at heart and is happiest in the mountains, even if he can't climb them particularly quickly. The Spark helmet by Bell Sports meets all the requirements for a great cross-country helmet. Gloves are an extremely important part of mountain biking as they add padding and comfort on longer rides and help protect your hands if you crash. You want to choose a lightweight jacket that offers waterproofing protection for riding in the rain. If you don’t feel the need for both chest and back protection, you can just buy the VPD System Chest or VPD System Back. They were named clipless pedals decades ago to distinguish them at the time from another style of pedal called “toe clips”. As you become more experienced, you may find yourself wanting to venture into a new discipline. You can also find padded shorts made of lightweight material or mesh, which are designed to be used just as liners under baggy shorts. Not only do these look kind of funny, but they also aren’t very comfortable to wear unless you are on the bike. You will notice that the tips of the fingers are exposed in road biking gloves, while mountain bike gloves have full finger lengths. Some jerseys also feature a zipper on the front. Shoes are a critical component of your mountain biking gear. The pedal offers double-sided entry which makes it much easier to clip-in when you are in a hurry. Although a little pricey, this helmet meets all the requirements for a great enduro helmet. It is also much better for your joints than other options like running or weightlifting. Lastly, it can also take some practice getting in and out of these pedals, but once you get the hang of it they’ll feel like second nature. Not only is mountain biking fun, but it is also a great way to stay fit. While a sopping wet t-shirt in the middle of the summer is nothing more than an irritation, wet clothing on a cold winter day could result in the onset of hypothermia. What to wear mountain biking in the cold – 8 things to consider wearing 1. You want to make sure you can comfortably grip the handlebars and use your shifters and brake levers. Helmet. This can make it extremely hard to clip-in again. There’s also the option of putting waterproof shoe covers over the top of riding shoes (most likely if you’re using slim-line shoes for clipless pedals), which adds even more wet weather protection. This is the mountain bike kit you need to get started. Neil gives you a insight into what you should be wearing when riding in a Bike Park. If you live in a colder region of the United States, you can extend your riding season by purchasing some cold-weather gear. This combination provides enough grip and control, while also allowing the rider to bail from their bike in the event of a crash. In association with Verbier. I recommend you to wear wool over the synthetic dressing to wear in winter for mountain biking. They are typically long sleeve and are made from the same breathable, moisture-wicking material as the tight-fitting jerseys. You find fewer mountain-bike-specific designs in outerwear. Don’t forget to look into one with great ventilation as full-face helmets will make you sweat on hot summer days. If you come from a road riding background and you dress the same way to go for a winter rip in the woods, you will roast. The style you choose should cater to the type of riding you do the most. That said, you’ll find a wide range of gloves out there, with lighter options for summer riding and more heavily insulated options for cold conditions. Downhill riders typically don’t use backpacks as they are usually more of an annoyance than a benefit. Many downhill mountain bikers prefer this type of pedal paired with a shoe that has a grippy sole. A mountain bike helmet can be a vital bit of kit for most mountain bikers. If you’re just starting out then the best kit is the kit you already have, but as you progress then chances are you’ll want clothing designed for the specific demands of mountain biking. A lightweight jacket will normally be made of a water-resistant material designed to offer some wind and rain protection, while still retaining breathability, often through mesh panels or perforations in the fabric. A waterproof jacket designed for mountain biking will tend to have a looser fit than a waterproof road cycling jacket, to accommodate layers and potentially body armour underneath and to allow greater freedom of movement. Shimano’s M520 clipless pedal is one of the most popular clipless options on the market for mountain bikers. There are two choices on offer: flat pedals and clipless pedals. A shoe that is grippy and easy to walk in will be beneficial to this type of riding. Also, when you are descending at high speeds, the wind from the speed alone can dry out your eyes, making it hard to see. Sure, your road and cross-country helmet will work fine, but the Trail and Enduro oriented … It is best to avoid using regular shorts, especially those made from cotton. As mentioned above, downhill and enduro riders typically wear full-face helmets. A waterproof jacket does what it says on the tin. If you end up going with the tights, be sure to choose a brand that offers a fleece lining for added warmth. It is important to purchase the right type of gear for the type of mountain biking that you will be doing. Helmets probably have evolved the most throughout the years, besides the mountain bike itself. For instance, when tackling expeditions that require technical skills such as steep descents, I go for a helmet with more coverage. If you ride year-round and live somewhere with an inclement climate (like us here in the UK!) As your skill level increases, you can increase the tension, keeping your feet more secure. An articulated cut will help in that respect, too. The great thing about platform pedals is they can be used with any shoe. BikeRadar's editor, George, has been writing about bikes for a decade and riding them for much longer. And the other should be useful on the top part. Most downhillers will wear goggles rather than glasses because they are more secure and offer more protection on long, technical descents. When it comes to contact points — where the rider makes contact with the bike — the shoe/pedal interface is one of the most important.