Essential Mountain Biking Apparel for Summer: Jackets, Jerseys, and Shorts Tested

Stay Cool, Stay Protected: Your Ultimate Guide to Summer Mountain Biking Gear

Embracing Layers: The 7Mesh Northwoods Jacket for Unexpected Weather

Despite the prevailing heat of summer, an effective lightweight jacket, such as the 7Mesh Northwoods, proves indispensable for mountain bikers. Ideal for chilly early-morning excursions or high-altitude bike park sessions where conditions are often cooler and breezier, this garment offers crucial wind protection. Its design prioritizes simplicity and functionality, featuring a primary front zipper, elasticated cuffs and hood, and a discreet zippered pocket that cleverly converts into a compact stuff sack for easy portability. Constructed from 100% polyester, the jacket boasts a soft texture, avoiding the typical crinkliness found in other windbreakers, and its featherlight 170g mass ensures it can be effortlessly stowed in a hip bag or frame storage, ready for any sudden weather shifts.

Innovative Comfort: Backcountry Drirelease Jerseys

Beyond offering attractive deals, Backcountry.com impresses with its proprietary line of mountain biking apparel. This summer, the Slickrock Drirelease shirts, available in both long and short sleeves, have proven to be a revelation. Their unique blend of polyester and lyocell mimics the luxurious feel of Merino wool, presenting an excellent alternative for riders who prefer natural fibers but seek a more budget-friendly option than pure Merino. While Merino wool remains a personal favorite for road trips and cold-weather layering, the Drirelease shirts excel in moisture-wicking, rapid drying, and overall performance, easily rivaling their natural counterparts. Thoughtful additions like convenient side pockets for snacks further enhance their practicality on casual rides.

Precision and Performance: The Redesigned Fox Flexair Kit

Drawing inspiration from its advanced DH-racing Speedsuit, Fox introduced its latest Flexair collection this spring. This new range, while not a direct replica of the one-piece race suits, incorporates two key attributes: exceptional breathability and a snug fit. These characteristics enable the Flexair pants to perform surprisingly well in summer heat, making them a viable option for riders who typically avoid full-length legwear in warm conditions. Both the pants and shorts in the Flexair lineup feature the brand's thinnest material to date, complemented by numerous perforations for enhanced airflow. Practical elements include a high rear waistband, a "race-rachet" adjustable belt, and secure zippered pockets. Despite the tighter fit, the Flexair garments are celebrated for their supreme comfort, ensuring they remain perfectly in place throughout the ride and offer unparalleled stretch and lightness, solidifying their status as a preferred choice for many riders.

Premium Durability: Arc'teryx Enters the Mountain Biking Arena

Renowned for its high-performance outdoor clothing, Arc'teryx has finally extended its expertise into the mountain biking sector with the debut of its Rhoam Collection. This collection introduces shorts, weather-resistant pants, and a rain jacket. Focusing on the Rhoam Shorts for summer, they share similarities with 7Mesh's Transition Shorts, featuring both standard and zippered pockets, a longer cut, and a snap closure with an adjustable nylon belt. However, the Arc'teryx shorts are noticeably thicker, suggesting enhanced durability, though this also translates to a slightly warmer feel. Consequently, they are best suited for moderate temperatures rather than the hottest days. Nonetheless, their comfort, secure fit, and resistance to snagging make them a reliable option. The provision of numbered sizing, rather than lettered, also contributes to a more precise and comfortable fit, albeit at a higher price point.

Versatility and Comfort: 7Mesh Shorts and Merino Tees

For warm-weather mountain biking, 7Mesh offers the highly commendable Transition Shorts and Desperado Merino T-shirt. The Transition Shorts, with a 13-inch inseam, lean towards a longer style, which might be a consideration for shorter individuals, though for most riders wearing kneepads, this length is generally acceptable. Their thoughtful design includes both standard open pockets for easy access to items like keys and wallets, and zippered hip pockets to secure phones and other essentials during rides. The adjustable waist, featuring a snap closure and nylon straps with buckles, alongside belt loops, ensures a custom fit. Made from a balanced blend of nylon, polyester, and elastane, the fabric is neither too bulky nor too flimsy, maintaining comfort without excessive warmth, even in the absence of perforations.

Superior Performance: The Desperado Merino T-Shirt

Merino wool t-shirts are a perennial favorite for their exceptional moisture-wicking properties, quick-drying capabilities, and natural odor resistance, characteristics that often surpass synthetic alternatives. The Desperado Merino T-shirt, a blend of 53% polyester and 47% Merino wool, exemplifies these benefits, making it an outstanding choice for long, demanding summer rides. Its soft, simple fabric design ensures comfort and efficiency, preventing overheating and remaining comfortable even when damp. This makes the Desperado an ideal garment for multi-day trips, maintaining freshness through several wears without developing unpleasant odors, a testament to the superior qualities of Merino wool blends in activewear.