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From sweat-wicking shorts to a minimalist shell, here are our favorite products to hit the trails this summer
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Between field tests and product launches, our team of six testers traveled to a dozen locations spread across the United States and Canada in the pursuit of great-fitting mountain-bike kits. We tested men’s mountain-bike apparel in the sticky heat of the Appalachian mountains, the temperate rainforests of the Pacific Northwest, and the arid desert Southwest. These varied climates showcased the strengths and weaknesses of the clothing we wore.
Be sure to check out our guides to the best enduro bikes and our many other bike guides.
All gear in this guide was tested by multiple reviewers. If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.
Pros and Cons ⊕ Excellent waterproofing for rainy day rides ⊕ No PFCs PFAS ⊗ Need to size up ⊗ Pricey
This is the jacket we reached for on days when we knew the forecast wasn’t in our favor, but we weren’t about to let a bit of precipitation ruin our ride. The Cache Jacket from 7mesh is a versatile trail companion that adapts seamlessly to unpredictable weather conditions. Crafted with a blend of two and three-layer fabrics that the company calls Airmap, this jacket provides water resistance precisely where needed (on the chest and back) while optimizing breathability on the arms and sides. The Cache is also free from PFC and PFAS coatings, also known as forever chemicals.
The Cache has a tailored fit, so we never felt like it was flapping around when speeding down the trail. While this jacket is on the slimmer side—and we advise sizing up if you frequently fall between sizes—there’s enough room to layer underneath. The clean silhouette also allows it to double as a casual jacket. Our testers valued this versatility, making the steep price tag more palatable. We’d happily use it for shoulder season trail runs and rainy walks to the coffee shop when the trails are too muddy to ride.
Pros and Cons ⊕ Very cooling in extremely hot weather ⊗ You can’t put it in the dryer after washing
The Delta Trail Jersey is a welcome trail companion for hot weather riding. We did our best to ensure it could keep us cool despite sweltering temperatures—we don’t recommend riding in Moab on a mid-summer afternoon. Still, we took our chances on the scorching slickrock to ensure this jersey delivered the goods.
Velocio offers this top in a traditional short-sleeved jersey as well as a long-sleeve version for added sun protection. We wholeheartedly recommend both options. The Polartec Delta fabric is constructed from a blend of recycled polyester and Tencel yarns with a tiny grid pattern that elevates the material from the skin’s surface. The result is an airy feel and rapid moisture wicking, even in the hottest conditions.
Pros and Cons ⊕ Ideal fit: slim, but wide range of motion ⊗ Inseam is too short to ride comfortably with kneepads
The FlexAir Ascent Shorts stood out for their comfort and breathability, making them perfect for long, hot days. Though these shorts blur the lines between gravel and cross-country, they are perfect for both. With a mere 9.75-inch inseam, the Fox Flexair shorts are designed for those who prefer riding without knee pads and prioritize freedom of movement. “Race baggies” is how one of our testers described these slim-fitting shorts. That description was spot on since we tested them at the grueling seven-day BC Bike Race.
In terms of features, Fox uses its proven Race-Ratchet waist closure to adjust fit. A single zippered side pocket is large enough to carry a smartphone or energy bar. If you don’t want to don a complete Lycra kit but also don’t want to look like you’re heading to the bike park, these shorts should do the trick.
$22 at Darn Tough $22 at Amazon
Pros and Cons ⊕ Wide range of sizing ⊕ Comes with an unconditional lifetime guarantee ⊗ Might replace the rest of the socks in your drawer
Technically, Darn Tough’s Element Crew socks are designed for running, but we found them to be excellent mountain-bike socks. The merino wool and nylon blend is quick-drying, breathable, and odor-resistant—all qualities we look for in cycling socks. The crew height, with an average of 8.5 inches from heel to cuff (depending on the size), provides ankle protection and prevents dirt ingress. Darn Tough’s claim to fame is that all its socks are manufactured in Vermont and backed by an unconditional lifetime guarantee.
Pros and Cons ⊕ Extremely packable ⊕ More affordable than other jackets we tested ⊗ Full-length zipper makes it bulkier than other jackets
Whether we’re riding through the lush forests of the Pacific Northwest or traversing alpine slopes in the Rocky Mountains, a packable shell is an essential part of kit we bring on any ride where capricious weather is on tap. The Summit Barrier Jacket is a minimalist “just in case” outer layer we seldom left home without. Testers tucked it into hip packs and even stowed it inside the downtubes of mountain bikes with in-frame storage as an insurance policy against wind and rain.
Admittedly, this jacket’s full-length zipper adds a bit of weight and bulk compared to partial-zip competitors, but it also makes this emergency shell easier to pull on in a hurry. We also love that Pearl Izumi uses a two-way zipper that makes it easier for riders to manage heat buildup while riding.
Pros and Cons ⊕ Extra space for kneepads ⊕ Super comfortable and breathable ⊗ Pricey
Since Rapha ventured off the pavement and onto the dirt a few years ago, the fit and quality of its mountain-bike apparel has consistently impressed our testers. We also respect the company’s commitment to keeping its garments in use and out of landfills by giving buyers fabric swatches for DIY repairs.
Unless you live and ride exclusively in the desert, a quality pair of rain pants is worth the investment, and Rapha’s Trail Gore-Tex Pants live up to the hype. They’re comfortable and more breathable than rain pants we tested from other brands. The Trail Gore-Tex Pants incorporate design elements of Rapha’s fair weather Trail Pants with weather-resistant Gore-Tex fabric, fully taped seams, and a durable water-repellent DWR finish.
On the trail, we appreciated the cam straps at the waist to adjust the fit quickly and the reinforced knees with ample space for kneepads—a smart feature for pants designed to keep you dry when riding slick and slimy singletrack.
When shopping for mountain-bike apparel, consider where and how you ride. If, for example, you spend most of your time in a bike park, focus on durability and protection first and breathability second. On the other hand, if you’re committed to logging big miles in the backcountry, lightweight, wicking fabrics are critical to comfort.
The fit of mountain-bike apparel varies depending on the collective fashion sense of the outdoor industry. Right now, slimmer-fitting garments are in, which makes it all the more important to try before you buy.
Your local bike shop should have plenty of options to choose from, and the pros can help you determine which pieces are best for your local climate. Also consider buying from a used gear shop—with apparel, you don’t need to worry as much about safety, and you can easily save money from pre-loved garments.
Our search for the best men’s mountain-bike apparel focused on a few key areas. First and foremost, we looked for pieces that were comfortable, breathable, and could survive a tumble through the dirt. We also sought out apparel made with recycled materials, that eschewed forever chemicals, and could be repaired by the end user. Simplicity was a very important factor for our team when looking for the perfect products.
Six testers took out 70 products from the Appalachian mountains to the Pacific Northwest, and in the Southwest regions of the United States. This allowed us to test apparel in extremely wet and dry, hot conditions. Apparel we tested endured downpours in the rainforest and scorching days in the desert, and our final six pieces handled those conditions the best.
Josh Patterson has been riding and wrenching on bikes for 20 years and, with a master’s degree in journalism, has been writing about the sport for over half of that time. He’s a cycling generalist who finds joy in riding road, gravel, and mountain bikes. If he had to choose one cycling discipline as a favorite, mountain biking would win out every time.
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