What To Wear for Mountain Biking
The uphills can be hot and sweaty, the downhills can be cold and windy so wearing good technical gear can really improve your day but it shouldn’t just be reserved for the roads. Top quality clobber will enhance your ride whether you’re pootling on the canal or shredding the trails. So here is a breakdown of what gear you will need to be a champion of the mountains.
Jerseys
Wearing a jersey isn’t essential for cycling, but it does help to make for a more comfortable ride. Our jerseys are made from the best lightweight, technical fabrics. They wick sweat away from your skin so you won’t get clammy and they dry quickly so the moisture doesn’t stay in the fabric meaning you don’t get cold on the descents. Short-sleeve jerseys will keep you cooler in the heat of summer but long sleeves are a tad thicker and will offer more protection on your arms–from prickly nettles, thorns and branches as well as keeping you nice and warm in the colder months.
We Also have our windproof MTB jersey. The perfect jersey for those in between months as it has a fabric back and sleeves and a windproof front so it will help to regulate your temperature, wick away sweat when you’re working hard and protect you from the wind chill on long downhill stretches. The zip neck gives you the option to zip up tight or get some ventilation when you need it.
The overall fit is personal, but ideally your jerseys shouldn’t be flappy but should still be loose enough to give you unrestricted movement. If you wear protective padding underneath, take that into consideration of your desired fit.
Jackets
For travelling purposes, jackets should be packable, waterproof and lightweight so they’re there if the weather decides to turn when you’re out. Our waterproof jacket ticks all the boxes with a high storm collar and drop tail. It also has a drawstring bottom so you can pull it in as tight or as loose as you want, keeping you warm and dry.
Bottoms
Time to sort out the bottom half. The biggest problem with MTB shorts is that they ride down and expose your backside – no one needs to see that – but more importantly it can leave your back cold and uncomfortable. Our Cracking shorts and trousers have a deep Lycra panel which fits high around the waist and ensures that there’s no unsightly gap. It’s also super comfortable, doesn’t dig in and flexes with you, as you move on the bike.
Finding a solution to store your belongings can be a task. Instead of stuffing your pockets with tools or random junk and then having it all jangling about on your legs with every pedal stroke, we’ve opted for one zip pocket on our MTB bottoms to provide ample storage for all of the essentials–car key, money and mobile. Everything else you need, should be on your bike.
Baggies are out and tapered legs are so in fashion right now. The tapered leg of our cracking MTB trousers have Velcro fastenings at the calf and ankle so you can adjust them in as much or as little as you need. Plus we think they’re smart enough for the pub after your ride. They’re so comfortable and look good that you may just wear them all the time.
Undershorts/Liners
Just like road cycling, it’s important to keep downstairs nice and comfortable, otherwise they will get sore. Some MTB shorts come with built-in liners, but ours don’t , so you will need to purchase either a pair of undershorts or a pair of padded bibs to ensure that your important private parts are taken care of.
Other bits and bobs
Mountain Biking Shoes - investing in a pair of proper mountain biking shoes instead of some sport trainers will offer you more grip to your pedals, something that other trainers can’t provide.
Helmet - it might seem like a no brainer but it’s important to get a mountain biking helmet that will give you the most protection in the event of a crash (fingers crossed you won’t).
Knee Pads - If there is one piece of protection (other than a helmet) that you should invest in, it’s knee pads. Not only will they help with grazes and hard knocks to the knees, but they can also save you from the inevitable pedal strikes that will happen at some point!
Gloves - This is definitely an on-going debate if gloves should be a thing or not due to personal preference and comfort. But we believe that gloves are a staple item. They help increase grip and protection while wicking the moisture from your hands. If you’re on the fence about them, buy a cheap pair and trial them out.
Click to explore our mens, womens and spare tyre MTB gear.
Now that you’re dressed the part and feeling super comfortable, there’s nothing stopping you from trekking through the trails.
For information about Mountain Biking, click to read through our beginners guide to Mountain Biking.