MTB Clothing
What outfit should you wear for mountain biking?
Before choosing your MTB clothing, it is important to define your discipline. The outfit differs whether you ride cross-country (XC), trail, all mountain, enduro, downhill (DH) or freeride. Your mountain biking equipment should allow you to be comfortable in your discipline. It should protect you and of course, changes with the seasons. Indeed, you will find: jackets, jerseys, pants, under-pants and MTB shorts specifically designed for mountain biking. The comfort and enjoyment you will have behind your handlebars depends on your clothes. They also influence your performance, especially when racing. The brands selected by Glisshop have all mastered the science of combining various materials to design technical clothing specifically suited to each season.
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Choosing MTB clothing fabrics
Most brands designing clothing for mountain biking use synthetic materials, as they are stretch and resistant. They also have the benefit of being breathable, which is absolutely not the case of cotton, which once soaked in sweat, dries very slowly. Indeed, we do not recommend cotton for any outdoor activity, because by staying wet, it usually gives an uncomfortable sensation, notably of cold, as soon as you stop or when there is a bit of wind.
Among MTB clothes, some are made of merino wool, it is the case of the items manufactured by Patagonia. Some, like the ones made by Maloja are in recycled polyester and hemp. Merino wool and hemp are natural fibres, they are breathable too, but also thermoregulating and with antibacterial properties, limiting odours caused by sweat.
Choosing your riding equipment depending on your mountain biking style
Trail and all mountain riding
For trail or all mountain riding, we advise a short-sleeved jersey, better when it is warm. Depending on the season we also recommend 3/4 or long sleeves for their forearm protection against thorns in narrow singletracks. In case the weather is uncertain, if a rain shower may happen, we advise a waterproof MTB jacket, it should definitely be breathable for good body temperature regulation. You can also choose an insulated of simply windproof jacket depending on the weather. For the bottom half, we recommend a pair of shorts with enough inseam length to cover the top of knee guards, combined with a pair of MTB under-shorts with a chamois pad protecting from chafing and providing comfort on the saddle.
Cross-country (XC) clothing
The XC MTB outfit is quite similar to what road cyclists wear: a stretch tight fitting top and bibs or Lycra shorts to ensure good aerodynamics and great freedom of movement. In this case as well, short or long sleeves, a windproof MTB jacket or even insulated MTB jacket can be chosen depending on the season and the weather.
Clothes for downhill (DH), freeride, enduro mountain biking
To ride DH or freeride in good conditions, the outfit resembles the one motocross riders use: for the top, a MTB jersey, preferably with long sleeves, just loose enough to be able to wear a back protector and elbow guards under. For the bottom, you can choose shorts or MTB pants. The outfit should be aero to maximize speed.
For enduro riding, it is important to take into consideration the breathability of garments. They should be comfortable enough for efficient pedalling during liaisons between stages. Once again, to be protected from the elements, you can opt for a simple windproof jacket or a waterproof and breathable one.