Mountain Biking – or MTB – is a serious sport that requires specific high-performance clothing. Traditional cycling gear won’t make the cut; apparel needs to be durable, weather-resistant and stretchy. Saddle up and take a look at five of the mountain bike clothing brands out there today.
With fast downhill descents, quick pivots and narrow trails, mountain bike riding is an adrenalin-fuelled, fast-paced sport. It requires clothing designed for its specific demands, offering reliable protection that can withstand the toughest conditions. Fortunately, there are a number of reputable mountain bike clothing brands offering high quality, affordable gear. We’ve selected five of the best, based on range, quality, affordability and eco-credentials.
Patagonia
Pioneers of hardy outwear, Patagonia offers apparel for a range of outdoor pursuits, including climbing, surfing, fly fishing and mountain biking. Their MTB range is built for the harshest climates, so you can guarantee it will keep you comfortable in rain, snow and blazing sunshine. The Dirty Roamer collection offers the lightest, most breathable apparel and combines on-body storage with packable weather protection. Patagonia is well known for its sustainability efforts too, with apparel made from organic cotton and recycled nylon, and a commitment to donate one per cent of profits to environmental organisations.
Visit Patagonia.com
Endura
Endura MT500 Range (Photo: Endura.com)
Endura started life in Scotland in 1993. Founder Jim MacFarlane was dissatisfied with the cycling clothing on offer at the time, so decided to design his own. The brand now specialises in mountain bike apparel too, which isn’t surprising given its Scottish heritage. Clothing ranges from shorts to shinpads, but their award-winning shell jackets are particularly popular. Endura boasts three different mountain bike gear collections: Hummvee, Single Track and MT500. Hummvee is designed for mountain bike enthusiasts looking for their first pieces of technical bike apparel, while the MT500 was built with and for cyclists who have been hardcore peddling for years.
Zoic
If you’ve ever donned a pair of mountain bike shorts for a long, tough ride, you have Zoic to thank – the brand created the world’s first mountain bike shorts over 25 years ago. Dedicated exclusively to mountain bike riding apparel and gear, they’ve branched out from shorts to supply jerseys, fleeces, cycling lines, socks and hats. There’s apparel to suit all levels of rider, from entry-level mountain bikers to back road travellers. The brand prides itself on being a ‘grassroots, organic brand’, so you’ll often see them at bike festivals, shows and other events.
Fox
The Ranger Drirelease® mid-long sleeve jersey (Photo: FoxRacing.com)
Founded in California in 1974, Fox made its name in motocross apparel. Today, it’s a global leader in mountain bike apparel too. Fox gear is built for high intensity, physically demanding racing in the most torturous conditions, so it’s highly durable, versatile and robust. Mountain bike apparel tends to feature their signature loud fox designs while offering maximum breathability, increased mobility and rapidly wicking moisture to keep you cool and dry. Clothing ranges from entry-level 180 jerseys to mountain bike specific patterning bras, designed to reduce vertical motion and increase rider comfort.
Visit FoxRacing.com
Pearl Izumi
Pearl Izumi was founded in 1950 and was the first brand to make mountain bike-specific apparel. The brand offers affordably priced, high-quality gear for every mountain bike need, including headwear, socks, gloves, jackets and jerseys. They’re particularly well-known for their bib shorts, which offer more ventilation than traditional road shorts, as well as integrated storage for trail essentials. They take sustainability seriously too, with an aim to produce 90% of clothing from recycled, renewable or organic fabrics. You can buy Pearl Izumi apparel online or from most specialist mountain bike retailers.
Visit PearlIzumi.com