If you haven’t gone mountain biking before, you’re probably asking yourself, “What should I wear?”
I know I did! In fact, I researched each article of clothing which took far more time than I would have liked. You can catch road cycling on TV and see them wearing tight fitting clothing. I never saw mountain biking on TV before. Do you wear the same thing?
Sure, you could but it may not be the best option.
In this article, I’ll cover the basics of what to look for when buying mountain biking apparel and gear from head to toe.
We’ll cover the following:
Helmets
Eye Protection
Shirt / Jersey
Shorts, Pants, and Chamois
Gloves
Padding / Protection
Socks
Shoes
Mountain Biking Helmets
Finding the right mountain bike helmet is all about your style of riding. Riding more technical features and steeper descents will require more protection and coverage.
Cross-Country Riding is all about speed. Speedy climbs are just as important as the descents but you will encounter far less technical riding and steep descents. It is the most mellow of mountain bike riding and therefore you may sacrifice a bit of protection for comfort. You will want to look for a helmet similar to a road helmet and offers plenty of ventilation.
Trail Riding consists of more technical features than cross-country and will require a bit more protection. Trail helmets generally provide more coverage around the back and sides of the helmet than a cross-country or road cycling helmet.
Enduro Riding includes steep, technical, and fast descents which will warrant more coverage than trail riding. Enduro helmets are often full-face and have plenty of ventilation. Some even offer a detachable chin bar so you have full ventilation on the climbs and then full protection on the descents.
Downhill & Park Riding requires maximum protection. This is the most extreme riding style with super technical, steep, and fast descents. Similar to an enduro helmet, downhill helmets are full-face but often are heavier, have less ventilation, and offer maximum impact protection.
Your mountain bike helmet is not something you want to “cheap out” on with quality. A high price doesn’t always equal high-quality so it’s important to pay attention to the helmet’s features. It’s always possible to find a high-quality helmet at a great price. It’s the one piece of gear protecting one of your most important organs and it doesn’t take much to fall and hit your head. MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) is a good feature to look for when buying a helmet. MIPS is a layer in the helmet that reduces rotational impact forces and helps protect your brain from a concussion and trauma.
Mountain Biking Eye Protection
Eye protection isn’t necessarily required but will make your riding experience more pleasurable. Generally, eye protection comes in two forms, sunglasses or goggles.
Sunglasses come in all shapes and sizes. Sure, you can wear your casual pair in a pinch but generally a good riding pair will have more coverage. Many times, the lenses will curve around your face to prevent wind and dust from getting into your eyes. Specific lenses can be found that are better for riding on bright and sunny days or for riding in low light. If you’re not looking for sun protection, clear lenses can also be found. There are styles of riding glasses that also offer interchangeable lenses so you can customize them to your riding. Glasses are most often paired with cross-country or trail riding helmets but they can be used with enduro or downhill helmets.
Goggles offer more eye protection than sunglasses. Similar to sunglasses, the option for different and interchangeable lenses are available. Goggles are used with full-face helmets and therefore are generally only used with enduro and downhill style riding.
Mountain Biking shirts & Jerseys
The main goal for a mountain biking shirt or jersey is comfort. The ability to wick moisture is incredibly important and often mountain biking jerseys are looser than road jerseys. A typical athletic t-shirt is perfectly acceptable if you’re looking to save some money. Often times, a mountain biking jersey will offer more durability while still being light and breathable. Long sleeves provide additional protection from brush, branches, and sometimes crashes.
Some jerseys offer additional pockets for storing essentials such as keys, a phone, snacks, or repair kits. If you ride with a pack, pockets won’t be necessary.
Cross-country riders will often wear road cycling jerseys for the benefit of increased aerodynamics, moisture wicking, and the front zipper for ventilation.
Mountain Biking Shorts, Pants, & Chamois
Mountain biking shorts come in many colors and styles with different levels of comfort, durability, and breathability. Cross-country and trail riders generally lean towards a more comfortable, light, and breathable short, while enduro and downhill riders value durability. Generally, more comfortable shorts are going to have material that stretches. You want a fair amount of stretch that the shorts move with you but not so much that they get caught on your saddle.
Inseam length is something to consider as well. Mountain bike shorts inseams typically range from 5 inches for women’s shorts to 18+ inches in men’s shorts. Women tend to prefer their shorts in the 7-to-10-inch range while men typically prefer a 9-to-12-inch inseam. Length is mostly about preference but those who like shorter inseams generally prefer the lighter, less restrictive feel, and arguably believe they look better. Those who prefer a longer inseam are generally looking for a barrier between their legs and saddle, added protection & coverage, and prefer their shorts to overlap their knee pads.
Another consideration are pockets. Hand pockets are a given on any pair of shorts but if you carry a pack while riding, additional pockets may not be necessary. If you’re looking to carry items such as keys, a phone, snacks, or other items, you’ll need secure pockets with the right placement for your preference.
If you’re looking for a great mountain biking short that is the perfect blend of comfort, durability, and breathability, check out our HILINE 12 and women’s Sentinel 7 mountain biking shorts. They’re incredibly light, breathable, and oh so comfortable, yet they are durable enough to handle the abuse of mountain biking. Believe me, I’ve given them a solid test! Can I get an OTB?! We also included waist adjustment straps so you can fine-tune the fit. Our Trailpaws shorts are made with the same craftsmanship and quality materials as other high-end shorts but we always have a great deal to get them at a steal of a price. Be sure to check us out on social media if you’re not seeing a great price!
Mountain biking pants are very similar to shorts except, umm, they’re longer. Mountain bikers generally wear pants for enduro or downhill riding, or simply when it’s cold outside. Not all pants can be used for mountain biking. Mountain biking specific pants become narrower and tighter below the knees so they do not get caught in your chain ring. Trust me, you don’t want that to happen! Like shorts, you’re going to value durability the more extreme your riding style is. You’ll want to consider all of the same factors mentioned with shorts in addition to the amount of room you’ll need for your padding. If you have big bulky knee pads, you’re going to need a pair of pants that can accommodate them.
A Chamois or liner is additional padding to help limit soreness from your saddle. Some shorts and pants include a padded liner that can either be permanent or detachable. Most mountain bikers prefer padding separate from their shorts/pants. Buying a chamois separately allows you to find the perfect fit for your body versus using a pair that is only compatible with your shorts. Some riders won’t hop on a bike without one and others never wear a chamois. I find that with time and consistent riding, the need for a chamois diminishes. One thing is for certain – never wear underwear with your chamois as it will cause chafing.
Mountain Biking Gloves
There is one thing we’re going to settle right here and right now. Keep fingerless gloves on the road. Full-fingered gloves are the way to go for mountain biking because you’ll need the grip when those chunky descents are trying to throw you off your bike. You don’t want all of your digits exposed to the elements like they’re Florida. Find those babies a home! You’ll look cooler too. Thank me later. Moving on…
Gloves might seem like a small piece of gear, but they play a significant role in your overall comfort and control while riding. They protect your palms from blisters, enhance your grip on the handlebars, and offer some level of protection in case of a fall. Just like other mountain biking gear, gloves come in various styles and designs to suit different riding preferences.
For cross-country riders, lightweight and well-ventilated gloves are often preferred. These gloves provide a good balance between protection and breathability, making them ideal for the faster-paced nature of cross-country riding. Trail riders might opt for slightly more padding and protection, especially on the knuckles, as the terrain can get rougher. Added padding on the palms can be helpful in reducing fatigue but can also reduce your grip and “bar feel.” For typical trail riding, I prefer my gloves from Trail Manos since they are lightweight and have a ton of really cool designs.
Enduro and downhill riders prioritize maximum protection. Gloves with reinforced padding and Velcro wrist straps are commonly chosen. These styles of riding often involve technical descents and higher speeds, increasing the risk of accidents. In such cases, having gloves that offer superior protection can make a world of difference.
Mountain Biking Padding and Protection
Speaking of protection, additional padding is something to consider depending on your riding style. Again, the more aggressive your riding style, the more padding you will need.
Cross-country and trail riders will often opt for knee and elbow pads at most. Lightweight padding with limited movement restriction will do.
With more aggressive riding, typically enduro and downhill, you’ll want knee and elbow pads with more protection. Chest and back protectors are often utilized by these types of riders and sometimes even full body suits. The added padding is often bulkier but well worth the extra protection from injuries with this aggressive style of riding.
Mountain Biking Socks
Mountain biking socks are typically made from moisture-wicking materials such as merino wool or synthetic materials to keep your feet cool and dry. The length of sock is a matter of preference but I find mid-to-longer socks provide better protection and help to keep dirt out of your socks. It’s also nice to have a bit of protection from your pedals which will inevitably strike the back or front of your shin at some point.
Mountain Biking Shoes
There are many varieties of mountain biking shoes that will make your head spin. Yes, there is a significant benefit of having mountain bike specific shoes over other shoes (even skate shoes). Some key factors to consider are:
Pedal Compatibility: There are two main types of pedals, clipless and flats. I won’t dive into a whole history lesson here but to avoid confusion, clipless pedals are made to clip into a “cleat” on the bottom of your shoe. This allows you to attach yourself to your bike and your foot will always be in the perfect position. Flat pedals are likely what you mostly see. These pedals are indeed flat and have pins that create a surface that your shoe can grip to.
Walkability: Some shoes are easier to walk in than others. Newer riders will find themselves with two feet on the ground pretty often. You will want grippy soles that will make walking on the trail and scrambling over features easier.
Pedaling Efficiency: The stiffer the shoe, the more efficient they will be with pedaling. The trade off? They will be much harder to walk in. Cross-country riders will typically lean towards a stiffer shoe while other riding styles will lean towards a softer shoe but still has stiffness in the sole to prevent fatigue.
Waterproofing: If you find yourself riding in wet and cold weather, it might be wise to consider a shoe with a waterproof liner. The trade off is that moisture can’t get in but it also can’t get out despite what most marketing will tell you.
Newer riders will typically opt for a flat pedal shoe with a moderately stiff and very tacky/grippy sole. Flat pedals allow riders to quickly dismount their bike and will generally provide more confidence when trying to tackle new features. Nothing is worse than not being able to clean a feature while being clipped into your bike. Newer riders will also be familiar with the term “hike-a-bike” so a walkable shoe will be very important.