Tested: Alchemist Hannibal Hoodie
Great Fit, Comfy, Eco-Friendly Material and Simple Style
Designed as an eco-conscious casual hoodie, the Hannibal Hoodie combines a comfortable fit with eco fabric technology. Boulder, Colorado based Alchemist creates a range of two-wheel inspired clothing, from OG T-shirts to Custom Lycra race kits. The Hannibal hoodie is the newest addition to Alchemists line of casual goods.
Tested: Deuter Compact Air EXP 10 Pack
The Deuter Compact Air EXP 10 is built to exacting German standards, it's bomber. Plus, this pack can be used for more than just mountain biking - use it for almost every sport year-round - skiing, hiking, motorcycling. It will last for years.
Tested: Funkier 3/4 Shorts
When you hear the word “Israel”, mountain biking probably isn’t the first thought that comes to mind. But singletrack cuts through the grassy rolling hills of the Judean Plains, and the trail from Arad to the Dead Sea traverses wild desert country. It’s prime mountain bike country.
This is the proving ground for Funkier, a 22 year old clothing company in Israel that converted completely to making bike clothing eight years ago. They’ve won several awards in Europe for their MTB clothes. One of their signature pieces is the Hawk Baggy 3/4 Short.
Tested: Mavic Inferno Jacket
Warmest Cycling Specific Jacket?
The aptly named Inferno jacket is a Primaloft-insulated soft shell offering dead-of-winter protection worthy of a ski jacket but with a snug, cycling-specific cut and clever features that will help you endure pedaling adventures throughout the winter months.
Tested: DZR Dice Black Cycling Shoes
Cycling Shoes for Those Who Dream Big
To put it simply: if you want to know the who, what, and why of DZR shoes, I’d venture to say the above video just about sums it up. Admittedly, I say this without having engaged a thorough mise-en-scene, shot by shot cinematography and editing analysis and having no formal education in film theory.
Tested: Nikwax Basewash
Do your Riding Jerseys and Shorts Wearout before they should? Maybe your Washing them in the Wrong Detergent.
With as much money as we have invested in riding gear, it is important to get the most out of each $200 pair of shorts. Nikwax Basewash is the perfect solution, designed to safely clean and deodorize this cleaner also claims to improve a garments wicking properties and accelerates drying. Harsh chemicals in traditional detergents can wear out sensitive athletic clothing after repeated washing
Tested: Women’s G.S. Panache Bibshort, G.S. Panache Jersey, Tour Splinter Jersey.
Putting "Victory Graded, Gutter-Inspired" to the test
Based in Boulder, Panache calls their clothing “racer-bred, victory graded, gutter-inspired.” Don Powell, who founded the company, raced professionally in Belgium during the early 1990’s. Think rain, crosswinds, and kermesses. After stints at Salomon and Pearl Izumi, Powell set out to start his own clothing company in 2008, and Panache is the result.
DirtBaggies - the Might of Light
By Nathan Ward
Everyone wants to find the best gear possible, so I Googled “best mountain bike short” and DirtBaggies came up number one on the list. DirtBaggies are made by Tim Lane in Southern California, a combination of lightweight outer short and inner-bib short that he believes is “the world’s most comfortable MTB shorts”. It’s a big claim, so I decided to put them to the test.
Tested: Walz Caps
Barista Approved
I walked into Cafe Dawn, the choice coffee shop in Salida, Colorado, and the woman behind the counter, said "Nice hat!" I was sporting my new brown tweed wool cycling cap from Walz Caps. Now, Salida is a cycling town, so not everyone everywhere is going to consider a cycling hat a fashion statement, but I'll take it where I can get it.
Tested: Smartwool Midweight Zip T Baselayer
Smartwools Midweight Zip T Base Layer adds Comfort to Your Recreational Pursuits with the Simple Elegance of Merino Wool.
Smartwools base layers are a great addition to any arsenal of cycling gear, or any active sport for that matter. With Merinos natural wicking and anti-stink properties, along with a soft comfortable feel, they offer a great return on your investment.
Tested: Road Holland Arnhem Jersey
“Serious and stylish cycling wear”
Focused as functional cycling clothing that can go directly from a ride to a night on-the-town. Blending 39% wool and 61% synthetic fibers creates a silky, comfortable feel with a simple yet upscale look.
Tested (discreetly): Enzos Button Hole Chamois cream
With a name like "Enzo's Button Hole", how can you go wrong? Maybe not the most talked about cycling product but it is always important, especially early in the season. With its minty smell and all natural ingredients, Enzo's may be taking the chamois cream market by storm.
Tested: Mavic Stratos baggy short
Mavic released a full clothing line in 2010 and has continued to produce top-notch apparel products for both the road and mountain bike crowds. The Stratos short is Mavic’s answer to the usual heavy, burdensome baggy mountain bike shorts.Constructed from an extremely lightweight breathable fabric, the Stratos is comfortable even on warm days.
Smartwool Betasso Jersey: Functional, Comfortable, and Stylish
Wool jerseys are making a comeback. Smartwool is showing that wool can be more functional and more comfortable than those retro jerseys the mountain bike pioneers wore. Smartwool's Betasso shows that wool can be cool.
Pearl Izumi Octane SL II MTB Shoe
A lightweight "race" shoe that offers all day comfort and hikeability
Teko EcoMerino Wool Quarter Thin socks
Reviewed by Dave Sheldon Nothing beats the plush feel of soft wool socks on an autumn day, especially when the feet they cover will be crammed, buckled, and abused during an afternoon ride.
Pearl Izumi Vertex Microsensor Bib Shorts
Reviewed by Dave Sheldon
Considering the plethora of gear one needs to enjoy an afternoon on two wheels, it’s surprising to note that only a few pieces from a two or three thousand dollar kit truly support rider comfort. And of these crucial components, high quality cycling shorts reside near the top of the list.
Descente Velom Vest
Reviewed by Dave Sheldon
One thing that no cyclist can escape is wind chill, as the faster one pedals, the cooler it gets. Sometimes this perma-brezze has a pleasant effect. But when the sun disappears behind a damp cloud or you’re halfway into a twenty-minute mountain descent, having your core chilled can feel alarmingly frigid. For the properly equipped, zipping on a light wind vest is an easy answer, and the Velom Vest from Descente is a top choice.
Hydrapak Big Sur
Reviewed by Dave Sheldon Long days of backcountry saddle time require a handful of tools, some choice snacks, a weatherproof layer, and loads of H2O. And as hydration packs are perfect for toting these basic necessities, we eagerly accepted the chance to test the mettle of Hyradpak’s Big Sur during four months of riding.
Sheila Moon Riding Britches and Carbon 8-Panel Shorts
Reviewed By Caroline Spaeth I’ve always thought that commuting to work in Lycra shorts was wrong. Like seeing your boss in a bathing suit, there’s just something unnerving about mixing work and play. So I was more than happy to get a chance to try Sheila Moon’s riding britches, or knickers as they’re commonly known.
Descente Newton MTB Shorts
Form follows function…a difficult credo to abide by, especially if you are a technical clothing designer. Impressively, the Descente Newton MTB Short provides on all counts.
Portland Cyclewear Messenger 3/4 Pant
Are you still wearing your lycra monkey suit for your morning bike commute? (You are riding your bike to work, right?) It’s no wonder the rednecks try to run you over.
Chrome Lightweight Shins – SF Messenger Chic
Chrome, originally known for their bombproof messenger bags makes these classy three-quarter length technical cycling knickers right in the heart of San Francisco, USA and the craftsmanship really shows.
Gore Bike Wear’s Amazone Lady Jersey: Comfort and Style for the Ladies
Review by Caroline Spaeth Fashion is never far away from function in Gore Bike Wear’s apparel, especially the women’s designs. Gore’s cool weather jersey is the Amazone Lady Jersey.
Pearl Izumi Impact Shorts
Reviewed by Dave Sheldon
When Pearl Izumi’s Impact Shorts arrived at my door, I eyed the package with the eyes of a bomb squad technician. After all, blending the performance and comfort of padded Lycra tighties together with the look and feel of loose leggings is no easy task. “Would the box’s contents roast my ass, or bring more pleasant offerings?”
Deuter – Compact EXP 12 Hydration Pack
DEUTER of Augsburg, Germany, has been in the backpack business since 1898 - longer than any other backpack brand in the world. Since establishing a subsidiary in Longmont, Colorado, in 2001, Deuter has made a big splash in the U.S. market. The Compact EXP 12 brings all of this experience together in one well thought out hydration pack that is long on the features list. by Kurt Smith
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