A while ago I wrote a piece on Ron’s new cycling shoe collaboration with Stomp Lox. The SPD-compatible bicycle shoe was called Slack. It was a cycling shoe that sported a nice alternative look when compared to a typical cycling shoe. Plus it looked like it had a nice, wide-toe box… I really dug the looks of it and wanted to try a pair.

Unfortunately, Ron wasn’t able to send over a pair of the brown top grain model for me to review but was able to introduce me to Mamyia at Stomp Lox Japan directly to get a pair of the olive suede style sent over to me to try out.

Note: The version of the Stomp Lox Slack that’s sold through Ron’s Bikes is made exclusively for them in Japan, and comes in sizes 8 through 13. Ron’s Bikes version has the LeRon Tulip label on the tongue and comes with brass hardware. The version of the Slack that I got directly from Stomp Lox is made in China, and doesn’t have brass hardware, or the tulip label, and only comes in black suede or olive suede.

Slack Out of the Box

When I received the Slack and opened the box, I found that the shoe looked much narrower than the photos. They were packaged well and arrived undamaged. I was surprised that the shoes didn’t come with a rubber “block” or cover for the cleat area, in case you didn’t want to use them to clip in.

The Slack is made of durable genius suede cow leather for the outside of the upper and uses a breathable, wear-resistant pigskin on the inside.

These shoes are compatible with any 2-bolt cleat system, come with cleat plates, and are pre-laced and ready to roll. The Vibram sole seems to be a nice touch and looks thick and durable. The suede is not waterproof and Stomp Lox suggests that they should be sprayed with waterproofing spray before use.

I received the Slacks way back in February and have finally gotten through some other reviews and was able to slip these on and take them for a first ride.

The Slack’s First Few Rides

One of the things that attracted me to these shoes, besides their looks, (I love the way they look like they just walked off the Dolomites circa 1966), was the wide-toe box and laces. I honestly hate the way most cycling shoes feel on my feet. It’s one of the reasons I had switched to flat pedals, after 25+ years of riding clipping in

The traditional cycling shoe is like everything else the bike industry offers in wearable goods, they seem to be made with only smaller individuals, who race, in mind.

The Slack has a medium stiff sole which has proven good for on or off-the-bike walking as well as the few hike-a-bike sections I have in my riding area.

I ordered the USA 11, and the fit seems pretty true to size. They hold my foot snugly without having to crank down on the laces to tighten them. On the first few rides, I noticed zero heel lift and no hot spots on my foot.

The Slack’s full leather upper and supple pigskin made them really comfy right out of the box. I would imagine that the shoes may stretch, making the shoes even more comfortable as they get worn in.

The Slack’s Vibram sole is part of Stomp Lox’s Power Ride Core System. This is a system that offers the “perfect balance of stability and flexibility”. Stomp Lox says the Vibram sole is also replaceable.

Upon my initial impression and the first few rides, the shoes checked all of the boxes for me.

They’re comfy right out of the box, they have a great non-traditional look to them, they’re made with quality material and they have laces, which I feel are infinitely more adjustable than other fastening systems for varying foot sizes and needs.

They’re really quite comfortable off of the bike. They seem to be made well, which is to be expected with the lofty price tag. Overall they seem to be a great pair of bicycle shoes. We’ll see how they continue to perform when we get into more detail in my full review in the next few months.

The Slack Sizing and Retail

Retail: $250 (Stomp Lox version direct)

Color: Olive suede or Black suede

The Slack comes in two shapes; “normal fit and Asian fit”

The sizing is as follows:

USA: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13

UK: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 11.5

EU: 40.5, 42, 43, 44.5, 46, 46.5

Japan: 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31

Stay tuned here at Bikerumor for my full, long-term review of the Stomp Lox Slack!

StompLox.com

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While not fully comprehensive, the brand does offer a good range of bicycle helmets across road, urban and mountain biking sectors, with helmets for children and toddlers in there, too. While some of ABUS’ high-end road helmets are made in Italy – like the AirBreaker and GameChanger – all of their off-road models including the lid reviewed herein are manufactured in Asia.

Here’s our take on the brand’s top-level offering for trail riders; the ABUS CliffHanger MIPS.

ABUS CliffHanger MIPS

In terms of its coverage, the CliffHanger is ABUS’ most comprehensive open-face helmet. It is aimed at trail and enduro riders who can’t bring themselves to wear a full face helmet, for whatever reason. It has a multi-shell in-mold construction; meaning, its three outer shells are bonded directly to the EPS liner, the latter being the shock absorbing element. Additional structural reinforcement can be seen bracing across the vents at the front.

Externally, the CliffHanger’s outer shell wraps the EPS entirely giving it a premium look and feel. Adding to that is a three-position peak, a retention cradle with plenty of vertical height adjustment, a magnetic Fidlock buckle, and the so-called TriVider webbing spreader; ABUS’ fancy name for the dividers that bring together the two arms of the chin strap just underneath the wearer’s ear lobe.

The CliffHanger conforms to EN1078:2012+A1:2012 requirements: the European standard set for bicycle helmet safety. It has not yet been submitted to Virginia Tech for independent testing, nor have any of the brand’s helmets, for that matter. There are two models to choose from: a standard model retails at £159.99, while the MIPS-equipped model retails at £179.99. We review the latter here.

A growing number of helmet manufacturers offer an integrated crash detection device that can be configured via an App to notify friends and family if the helmet suffers a blow while you’re out on a ride. ABUS is one such manufacturer, offering the QUIN Sensor for this purpose. Not only does it notify your chosen emergency contact of a potential crash, it also sends them your GPS coordinates, a cool feature which could prove to be life-saving.

The CliffHanger MIPS is sold at £179.99 without QUIN; a recess at the back of the shell can accommodate the sensor should you wish to part with a further £56.99 for the added peace of mind on solo rides. For a review of the QUIN Sensor’s functionality, check out Steve Fisher’s review of the QUIN-equipped MoDrop helmet.

Our Impressions of the ABUS CliffHanger MIPS

The ABUS CliffHanger MIPS is available in three sizes; S (51cm-55cm), M (54cm – 58cm) and L (57cm – 61cm). With a head circumference of 54cm, I opted for the size small. On my Park Tool scale, it weighs in at 333 grams – a lot lighter than the advertised 390 grams.

Putting the helmet on, it feels plenty deep enough to provide good coverage. My head being on the larger end of the spectrum for the size small, it does feel quite narrow, though not so much as to be uncomfortable. Those with a broader temple region may want to consider up-sizing. That said, if you can, it’s always best to try before you buy.

The CliffHanger’s chin strap can be adjusted both in terms of its length, and its lateral positioning. The TriVider allows the wearer to feed some of the strap through from either side to get it to sit exactly underneath the ear lobes, where it is intended to be. It’s a little tedious to adjust, but it gets the job done. This design, in my opinion, is better than those dividers that clamp the straps into position – in the past, I have found these to accidentally pop open while riding.

The peak has three indexed positions, and a decent amount of force is required to move it between them. So, the peak doesn’t shift positions under the g-force experienced while riding. Visibility is great no matter the peak position; the lower-most position isn’t so low that it occludes any view of the trail ahead, even on the steepest fall line trails.

In its top-most position, there is plenty of room to place googles or sunglasses underneath. A ridge at the rear of the helmet does a good job of preventing a goggle strap from wandering up. Recesses underneath the peak allow sunglasses to be stowed securely.

The CliffHanger helmet works really well with my Smith Squad goggles; vents at the forehead region encourage airflow in this area prone to sweat accumulation.

The retention system’s cradle cinches down nicely, tightening from the rear. Despite being near the top end of the size scale for this one, I do need to cinch the cradle down to its absolute tightest position in order to feel secure in it.

The cradle’s position can be adjusted vertically, too, over a 4.5 cm range. This is a ratchet-style adjustment, wherein a tab slides through a notched mechanism to determine the distance the cradle sits from the base of the helmet body.

I have to say, this style of vertical adjustment isn’t the best, in my opinion. While it often allows for a wider range of adjustment, and is quicker and easier to dial in fit, it isn’t as secure as more traditional mechanisms of vertical adjustment, such as that seen on the Fox Speedframe Pro, for example.

On the CliffHanger, I find the ratcheting-style mechanism offers up too little resistance. It is too easy to accidentally push it away from my preferred position, especially when fitting, adjusting or removing googles, or even just carrying the helmet about.

On more recent rides, I have actually noticed that it has clicked away from its original position over the course of a fast, rough descent – but only by one or two clicks, which I deduce equates to less than half a centimeter of change at the forehead – not enough for me to consider it a safety concern, as such. I simply find myself readjusting it before I drop into the next trail.

While riding, the ABUS CliffHanger is largely unnoticeable in that it provides plentiful comfort and great ventilation, with six vents at the front, two on each side, three on the top and four at the rear. Inside the helmet, I can see that the three front-most events actually extend all the way to the exhaust vents at the rear, allowing for a continuous flow of air from front to rear – something riders with a lot less hair than I will be best-placed to appreciate.

I will say, the MIPS liner is a little creaky so you can hear it rubbing against the EPS as it moves during riding. This is not unique to the ABUS CliffHanger; I have found most MIPS-equipped helmets exhibit this property.

Pros

• Good coverage
• Fantastically well-ventilated
• Retention system is ponytail-compatible
• Great compatibility with goggles and sunglasses
• Lightweight

Cons

• Over-priced
• Vertical adjustment of cradle could offer more secure indexed positions

The ABUS Cliffhanger MIPS is an impressively lightweight helmet given how good the coverage is. It is also well-ventilated offering plentiful comfort for long days in the saddle. Personally, I also think it has a pleasing aesthetic. However, it is a little let down by its retention system adjustment.

Overall, I feel it is a bit over-priced, especially when you consider the fact that comparable helmets such as the Fox Speedframe Pro, Bluegrass Rogue Core MIPS and Scott Stego Plus are all a fair bit cheaper.

abus.com

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One thing is for sure; this new helmet is an all-rounder that has already proven effective in many different cycling disciplines. Aero road isn’t just for on-road anymore.

KASK Elemento aero road bike helmet, but more…

This all-new KASK Elemento is a top-tier offering from the Italian helmet manufacturer. A design which aims to help make elite athletes faster competing in the world’s best road, cross-country, cyclocross, and gravel events. To phrase it simply — any cyclist who is driven by the quest for ultimate speed $ performance.

Elemento Development

KASK started the journey of the Elemento back in 2020, when they conducted an in-depth analysis of numerous scientific studies on how athletes’ performances varied as their body temperatures changed. The study illuminated that an athlete’s thermal comfort (helmet-wise) is as essential as a helmet’s weight and aerodynamics.

INEOS Grenadiers Testing and Design

KASK immediately began working with INEOS Grenadiers on the Elemento, across all racing disciplines.

The INEOS Grenadiers squad and the KASK design team looked to produce a helmet that was not only super aerodynamic but also offered high levels of safety and improved ventilation. A helmet that fits great and does everything well…easy, right?

Elemento Fluid Carbon 12 tech

Fluid Carbon 12 is a new KASK composite technopolymer capable of absorbing more energy from an impact than traditional materials. The material of the Fluid Carbon 12 shell absorbs the impact and then can distribute that force more evenly across the helmet.

With this new technology, the design team at KASK can increase the size of the Elementos internal channels without worrying about neglecting safety. Increasing the internal vents improves the helmet’s ventilation while simultaneously reducing the size of the ventilation holes, which also makes the helmet more slippery in the wind.

3D-Printed Multipod padding & safety technologies

Multipod is a new KASK-designed structure that is 3D-printed and used for the Elemento’s internal padding. Think of it as an elastomer-like material with more airflow and comfort – just like we’ve seen with 3D-printed saddle padding. These Multipods are a direct result of KASK’s own Rotational Impact WG11 Testing. The WG11 is the internally-developed test protocol performed at KASK to address non-linear impact forces on a rider in a crash. After many tests, KASK found their new Multipods enable the helmet to withstand linear and rotational impacts better. The Multipod structure also has isotropic properties, meaning it’s equally strong in all directions, the same thing that makes 3D-printed saddles so popular.

That characteristic property helped the new Elemento receive a five-star review from Virginia Tech’s highly authoritative test lap.

Octofit+ and No More Leather Strap

KASK’s new helmet fit and adjustment system is now dubbed OCTOFIT+, offering easy on-the-fly adjustments and sturdy attachment to the rider’s head.

The Elemento also uses the KASKs “Pro” chinstrap, the same ultra-lightweight chinstrap used by INEOS. Bidding arrivederci to the iconic leather strap, that has been a mainstay on KASK helmets for years.

KASK Elemento Details

• Sizes: SM (50 – 56), MED (52 – 58)*, LRG (59 – 62) *tested
• Weight: 260 grams (size M)
• Colors: Classic Black or White, New metallic finishes: Beetle Green, Oxford Blue (pictured), Red, and Silver.
• Price: USD $400, EUR 375€, GBP £335.

KASK Elemento — Initial Thoughts

We’ve had very little time in the KASK Elemento, but what we tell so far is that it is exceedingly comfortable. The helmet disappears on your head, especially when the wind cuts through it on the open road.

The styling and fit are what you would expect from KASK, and the updated metallic color is excellent. The shape is refined enough to keep it out of overly aero-offputting designs and into the good-looking all-around territory. Paired next to the matte Fluid Carbon 12, the shell has a powder-coated look with a deep rich color — very nice.

The helmet is straight-up breezy in the wind, with zero to no wind chatter or slight whistly noises that can accompany some aero helmets.

We look forward to more rides in the new KASK Elemento, especially as the summer heat starts. Stay tuned for a full review coming shortly.

KASK.com

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We rounded up a diverse selection of the best mountain bike helmets available in 2023 and put them through their paces on a wide range of trail types, riding styles, and weather conditions. From desert XC loops, loamy forest laps, shuttle runs, and gravel rides, we spent ample time riding in each model while assessing key elements of their performance. 

While testing, we scrutinized important characteristics that matter on the trail like fit, comfort, coverage, visors, ventilation, and durability. We took detailed notes and narrowed down the field to our favorite models and those that excel for specific reasons compared to the rest. Though no single helmet will be perfect for every type of riding or rider, we’re confident you’ll find something to suit your needs and budget. 

We’ve listed our top recommendations below, and to compare the models we tested at a glance, check out our comparison chart. If you need help deciding what you need, be sure to check out our buying advice and FAQ for answers.

The Best Mountain Bike Helmets of 2023

• Best Overall Mountain Bike Helmet: Giro Manifest Spherical
• Best Budget Mountain Bike Helmet: Specialized Camber
• Runner-up Best Mountain Bike Helmet: POC Kortal Race MIPS
• Most Comfortable Mountain Bike Helmet: Troy Lee Designs A3 MIPS
• Best Ventilated Mountain Bike Helmet: Specialized Ambush 2
• Best Overall XC Mountain Bike Helmet: Giro Aries Spherical
• Runner-Up XC Mountain Bike Helmet Helmet: POC Octal MIPS

Best Overall Mountain Bike Helmet

Giro Manifest Spherical

Specs

• MSRP $260
• Weight 362g (Medium)
• Rotational Impact Protection System MIPS Spherical
• Adjustable Visor Yes
• Number of Vents 19
• Available Sizes S, M, L
• Virginia Tech Helmet Safety Rating 5-star

Pros

• Comfortable
• Great Ventilation
• Good Coverage
• Eyewear integration

Cons

• Expensive

Jeremy Benson

Giro has been a leader in the mountain bike helmet industry for years and that continues with their flagship model, the Manifest Spherical. The well-rounded model quickly earned high regard among our testers and rose to the top of a stacked selection of helmets in this review. 

Boasting a 5-star rating in Virginia Tech’s independent helmet impact testing, the Manifest brings a high level of protection to the table. It employs MIPS Spherical for rotational impact protection and features dual shells connected with elastomers that function as a slip plane in the event of an impact. It has a relatively deep fit with extended coverage at the back of the head and temples and a snug fit enhanced by Giro’s Roc Loc Trail harness that pulls tension evenly around the head. 

Ventilation is among the best we tested with a whopping 19 vents and wide open channels that effectively allow air to pass over the scalp and out the back of the helmet. Comfort is enhanced with well-placed antibacterial Ionic+ padding and strap splitters that hold the straps flat around the ears. At 362g (size Medium), it’s also relatively lightweight considering its coverage and goes largely unnoticed out on the trail. 

Features like an adjustable visor allow you to position it effectively to keep the sun out of your eyes or to stash sunglasses or goggles under it when not in use. Integrated rubber grippers work with most (but not all) sunglasses and an additional patch of grippy rubber at the rear of the helmet helps keep your goggle strap in place. A Fidlock magnetic buckle secures the chinstrap and allows for easy one-handed operation.

The Giro Manifest Spherical comes in a wide range of colors to suit your taste or match your kit, and it is offered in three shell sizes, S, M, and L, to fit heads between 51cm and 63cm. It carries a high price tag, but we feel the cost is justified considering its well-rounded performance, protection, and features. In addition to testing this helmet for this buyer’s guide, Bikerumor’s Zach Overholt gives a more detailed look at the Manifest just after its launch.

Check Price at BackcountryCheck Price at EVO

Best Budget Mountain Bike Helmet

Specialized Camber

Specs

• MSRP $75
• Weight 400g (Large)
• Rotational Impact Protection System MIPS
• Adjustable Visor No
• Number of Vents 13
• Available Sizes XS, S, M, L, XL
• Virginia Tech Helmet Safety Rating 5-star

Pros

• Very reasonably priced
• High-end look and feel
• Comes in 5 shell sizes
• Surprisingly comfortable
• 5-star Virginia Tech safety rating

Cons

• Non-adjustable visor isn't great at blocking the sun
• Basic strap design
• Moderate ventilation

Jeremy Benson

Specialized isn’t exactly known for making budget-friendly products, but they’ve chosen to make a helmet that everyone can afford with the Camber. This helmet is easily the best value we’ve ever seen with a look and feel that far exceeds the asking price. In fact, it looks nearly identical to its more expensive siblings, the Ambush 2 and the Tactic. Adding to its appeal is the 5-star rating in Virginia Tech’s independent impact testing, besting many models that cost significantly more. 

The Camber comes with a standard MIPS liner for rotational impact protection that sits inside the streamlined in-mold shell. It comes in a whopping 5 shell sizes to fit heads ranging from 49 to 63 cm, and our size Large test helmet fits true to size. The Headset SX fit system works well to dial in the fit to your unique head shape, the thin and minimal padding proved to be surprisingly comfortable, and the Y-shaped strap splitter yoke prevents any unwanted and annoying contact with the ears. Though not advertised as a feature, we found that some sunglasses could be stashed in the two lowest vents above the brow.

While the price-to-performance ratio of the Camber is very impressive, this helmet does have some quirks. The straps attach at three points inside the helmet at the back of the head and above the temples, and while that doesn’t seem to affect its impact protection, it feels less refined than higher-end helmets. The 13 vents do a decent job of keeping the head cool, but it feels a little stuffy compared to the best-vented helmets we tested. Finally, the non-adjustable visor that’s placed high on the helmet does very little to block low sun angles compared to other visor designs. 

Still, the Camber truly impressed us for the price and we feel it is a great option for anyone just getting into the sport, those operating on a tight budget, or anyone who appreciates a good value. Willing to spend just a little more? The Specialized Tactic 4 has a little more coverage, better ventilation, and a better strap design and retails for $120.

Check Price at BackcountryCheck Price at Jenson USA

Runner-Up Best Mountain Bike Helmet

POC Kortal Race MIPS

Specs

• MSRP $250
• Weight 401g (M-L)
• Rotational Impact Protection System MIPS Integra
• Adjustable Visor Yes
• Number of Vents 17
• Available Sizes XS-S, M-L, XL-XXL
• Virginia Tech Helmet Safety Rating Not tested

Pros

• Generous coverage
• Lots of safety features
• Great Ventilation
• Meets Dutch NTA 8776 e-bike standard
• Comes in multiple colors

Cons

• Extended coverage at temples can conflict with some sunglass arms
• Sizing runs a little big

Jeremy Benson

POC has been producing quality protective gear for years and the Kortal Race MIPS is their latest half shell model that puts an emphasis on protection. Designed for aggressive trail and enduro riders, the Kortal has a deep fit and loads of coverage over the occipital and temporal lobes. It comes packed with safety features integrated into the design including MIPS Integra, an evolution of their previous SPIN system.

Overall, the Kortal Race MIPS is a comfortable helmet, though we found its sizing to run a little bigger than advertised and it is slightly narrower than most. One of our testers has a 59cm head and easily fits into the M-L which is listed as 55-58cm. Regardless, in the correct size, it has a snug fit with a 360° adjustment system that wraps around the whole head with soft and squishy MIPS Integra pads. Ventilation is also top notch with a total of 17 wide open vents that effectively draw air in, over, and away from the head, and the MIPS integrated padding doesn’t restrict any airflow. The strap splitter yoke holds the straps flat against the side of the face with no unwanted ear contact with a simple buckle to secure the chinstrap. 

The large visor is adjustable to accommodate stashing goggles beneath it and the rear vents have been designed to fit a goggle strap without blocking them. The rear vents also function as an “eye garage” to stash glasses when not in use. While the visor does adjust, we found that its lowest position is already pretty high, and mostly kept it down. The visor also has a highly effective breakaway feature to help reduce the chance of a neck injury in a crash and it easily snaps back into place if/when it comes off. It has an EPS foam lining surrounded by a unibody shell that is reinforced with aramid bridges for additional structural support as well as a RECCO Reflector and a twICEme NFC Medical ID chip. 

The Kortal Race MIPS was designed to work seamlessly with POC’s Devour sunglasses, but we found that the extended temporal coverage could conflict with the arms of some other sunglasses. It’s not the lightest helmet around, but it’s pretty reasonable given its protective qualities and features. It carries all the standard safety certifications as well as the Dutch NTA 8776 e-bike standard. It’s not cheap, but we feel the Kortal Race MIPS is among the best and most protective half shell models on the market. Bikerumor staff contributor Steve Fisher shares his experience using the Kortal Race MIPS in this review.

Check Price at REICheck Price at Backcountry

Most Comfortable Mountain Bike Helmet

Troy Lee Designs A3 MIPS

Specs

• MSRP $250
• Weight 412g (MD/LG)
• Rotational Impact Protection System MIPS (B-Series)
• Adjustable Visor Yes
• Number of Vents 16
• Available Sizes XS/SM, MD/LG, XL/2XL
• Virginia Tech Helmet Safety Rating 5-star

Pros

• Super comfortable
• Extended coverage
• Sweat management system
• Adjustable visor
• 5-star Virginia Tech rating

Cons

• Slightly heavier than some helmets
• Expensive

Jeremy Benson

Not content to rest on their laurels and the success of their popular models the A1 and A2, Troy Lee Designs introduced their latest half-shell, the A3 MIPS. Though it maintains the signature styling of those older models, the A3 is an improvement in virtually every way. Not only does it feature more coverage at the back of the head and the temples, but it also earned a 5-star safety rating from the independent test lab at Virginia Tech.

The A3 has more coverage than previous TLD helmets, extending further over the occipital and temporal lobes. It also comes with a B-Series MIPS liner intended to help dissipate rotational forces in a crash. They’ve also employed dual-density foam with co-molded EPP and EPS intended to better handle the forces of both high and low-speed impacts.

What really stood out to our testers was the high level of comfort, as noted by Jessie-May Morgan in her full review of the A3 MIPS. TLD describes it as “so comfortable you’ll never want to take it off”, and while that might be a stretch, it’s definitely one of the most comfortable helmets we’ve tested. This has a lot to do with the agreeable shape of the helmet, the way the fit system wraps around the head, and the generous padding inside. The X-static antimicrobial pads are also trimmable to dial them exactly how you like, plus it comes with an extra set.

The ventilation of the A3 MIPS is quite good as well, not the best we’ve ever tested, but not far off either. When things get sweaty, the TLD Sweat Glide System (an EVA foam pad at the brow), actually helps to direct sweat off to the sides of your face instead of into your eyes. The 3-position Magnajust visor allows you to leave it low to block the sun or up out of sight or to stash goggles. A FidLock chinstrap buckle, a set of extra visor screws, and a helmet bag round out the features of the Troy Lee Designs A3 MIPS. For more info, read our full review of the A3 MIPS.

Check Price at BackcountryCheck Price at EVO

Best Ventilated Mountain Bike Helmet

Specialized Ambush 2

Specs

• MSRP $180
• Weight 375g (Large)
• Rotational Impact Protection System MIPS SL
• Adjustable Visor No
• Number of Vents 15
• Available Sizes S, M, L
• Virginia Tech Helmet Safety Rating 5-star

Pros

• Excellent coverage, especially at the back of the head
• Outstanding ventilation
• Effective eyewear integration
• Less expensive than many other top of the line helmets
• Competitively lightweight

Cons

• Non-adjustable visor – doesn’t block sun effectively
• Styling may not be for everyone

Jeremy Benson

When Specialized redesigned their trail riding helmets, the Ambush 2 got a complete overhaul to the point that it doesn’t even resemble its predecessor. This helmet checks all of the boxes, feels light on the head, and virtually disappears while riding. It also manages to come in at a price that’s a little lower than many other brands’ flagship models. 

Specialized upped the ante of protection with the Ambush 2, and this is evidenced by its 5-star rating in Virginia Tech independent testing. The coverage is impressive with a deep fit that extends way down the back of the head over the occipital lobe. The MIPS SL system is integrated into the pads with little rubber elastomers that allow them to shift to reduce rotational forces in the event of a crash, and dual-density EPS foam has also been strategically placed inside the shell.

Comfort levels are high with well-placed padding and an adjustment system that pulls tension very even around the whole head and a low profile dial that’s integrated into the shell. The padding also manages to effectively wick moisture and help keep sweat out of the eyes and it doesn’t block airflow whatsoever. On that note, the Ambush 2 has some of the best ventilation of any helmet we’ve ever used. The vents at the front of the helmet bring air in and the large internal channels draw it over the head and out to the back. This ventilation is noticeable at any speed and was nearly too effective when riding on cool days. 

The Tri-Fix strap splitters keep the straps comfortably away from the ears. Goggles play well with the Ambush 2 and there is ample room to stash them below the visor when not in use. The two outer/lower vents at the front of the helmet also feature sunglass storage with rubber flaps that hold sunglass arms very securely when stored. Additionally, a Specialized ANGi crash detection sensor (sold separately) can be added to the helmet if you choose. 

Our biggest complaint about the Ambush 2 is the high position of the non-adjustable visor which we found to do little to block the sun at low angles. We found you’ve really got to tip your head to keep the sun out of your eyes at certain times of day, which is not ideal. It also has somewhat bold, storm trooper-esque styling (especially in the white color we tested) which may suit everyone’s tastes. Otherwise, the Specialized Ambush 2 is a protective and very well-ventilated helmet that we’d highly recommend. 

Check Price at BackcountryCheck Price at Jenson USA

Best XC Mountain Bike Helmet

Giro Aries Spherical

Specs

• MSRP $300
• Weight 270g (Medium)
• Rotational Impact Protection System MIPS Spherical
• Adjustable Visor N/A
• Number of Vents 24
• Available Sizes S, M, L
• Virginia Tech Helmet Safety Rating 5-star

Pros

• Super lightweight
• Excellent ventilation
• Highest ranked model in Virginia Tech’s impact testing
• Comfortable

Cons

• Expensive
• Less coverage than dedicated trail riding helmets

Jeremy Benson

While it is technically a road cycling model, the Giro Aries Spherical is a great cross-country mountain bike helmet. Chosen by some of the top pros in gravel and XC mountain bike racing, the Aries is a super lightweight and well-ventilated helmet that doesn’t skimp on protection. In fact, it has a 5-star Virginia Tech rating with the lowest score (lower score = better protection) of the 190 models they have tested.

The Aries is very lightweight at just 270g in the size Medium we tested. It’s so light that it barely feels like you’re wearing a helmet at all, with an excellent fit with minimal but well-placed padding, and an adjustable harness that wraps tension evenly around the whole head. The Drycore padding above the brow wicks seat effectively and features Ionic+ antimicrobial treatment. It is also one of the best-ventilated helmets we’ve ever used with 24 total vents and massive channels that keep air flowing and your head cool. 

The Aries uses the same MIPS Spherical design as the trail-oriented Manifest Spherical. This design is comprised of outer and inner shells connected with rubber elastomers that allow them to move independently to help dissipate rotational forces in the event of a crash. Given the Aries’ Virginia Tech rating and score, it seems like it must be pretty effective. 

Compared to trail or enduro-oriented half-shells, it doesn’t have as much head coverage, but it is comparable to other XC and road helmets. Like other XC helmets, it gives up a visor in favor of aerodynamics and weight savings. It’s also one of the most expensive helmets we’ve tested. That said, if you’re looking for a featherlight and extremely well-ventilated lid for XC racing or cross-country riding, the Aries Spherical is an excellent choice that works just as well on the road or gravel bike.

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Runner-Up XC Mountain Bike Helmet

POC Octal MIPS

Specs

• MSRP $200
• Weight 278g (Medium)
• Rotational Impact Protection System MIPS
• Adjustable Visor N/A
• Number of Vents 21
• Available Sizes S, M, L
• Virginia Tech Helmet Safety Rating Not tested (previous version with SPIN: 5-star)

Pros

• Very lightweight
• Excellent Ventilation
• Secure eyewear storage
• Moderate price point

Cons

• Less coverage than trail-oriented helmets
• Sizing runs a little small

Jeremy Benson

The Octal MIPS has been a mainstay in POC’s helmet lineup for years. This versatile model is used by XC mountain bikers, road, and gravel riders, and it delivers with a super light, 278-gram weight (size medium) and excellent ventilation. Previous versions used SPIN for rotational impact protection, but POC has recently switched to a more standard MIPS liner. 

Coming in at a feathery 278 grams, the Octal MIPS is so light that it barely feels like it’s on your head. The fit harness is highly adjustable to properly cradle the occipital lobe, plus it wraps the whole head for a snug, secure, and comfortable fit. Factor in the impressive cooling properties of the recognizable ventilation design with 21 vents and deep airflow channels, and it’s easy to stay cool on hot days and during hard efforts. The strap splitter also does a great job of keeping the straps flat and away from the ears and the chinstrap is secured with a standard buckle.

POC designed the Octal to be lightweight and airy, but they still prioritize protection. A fully wrapped unibody shell protects the EPS foam lining and gives it structural support, and the EPS has been optimized to handle impacts with added thickness in important zones. The MIPS liner is relatively standard and intends to help dissipate rotational forces in the event of a crash. 

Much like other XC-style helmets, the Octal leaves more of the head exposed compared to modern trail-riding helmets. It comes in three shell sizes to fit heads between 50 and 61cm. Our size medium claims to fit heads between 54-60cm. Our tester with a size 59cm head is near the upper end of that range and found the fit to be manageable, but tighter than expected. This is in contrast to the Kortal Race MIPS, which we found tends to run a little larger than advertised.

The POC Octal MIPS sells for $200 and costs a fair bit less than the Giro Aries, yet it only weighs a paltry 8 grams more. We think this helmet is an excellent choice for XC-style riders looking for a lightweight and breathable lid for riding or racing.

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Best of the Rest

ABUS Cliffhanger MIPS

Specs

• MSRP $200
• Weight 423g (L)
• Rotational Impact Protection System MIPS
• Adjustable Visor Yes
• Number of Vents 14
• Available Sizes S, M, L
• Virginia Tech Helmet Safety Rating Not Tested

Pros

• Lots of Coverage
• Good Ventilation
• Highly adjustable harness system
• Quality Construction
• ActiCage reinforced EPS

Cons

• Light pressure points at top/back of head
• Hard to stash sunglasses in front vents

Jeremy Benson

The ABUS CliffHanger MIPS is one of the German brand’s latest models and sits at the top of their line of trail and all-mountain half-shells. Designed with the modern trail and enduro rider in mind, this helmet has a deep fit with loads of head coverage and a robust, quality feel. It also happens to look pretty darn good, and it retails for less than many other brands’ flagship models. It comes in three shell sizes to fit heads between 51 and 61cm, and multiple colorways to suit your tastes.

ABUS didn’t skimp when it came to coverage, and the CliffHanger certainly covers a lot of your head. The shell sits fairly low over the brow, temples, and ears, and the rear extends way down over the occipital lobe and behind the ears. They incorporated ActiCage into the EPS foam, a system that is intended to provide structural reinforcement and strength while allowing them to limit the amount of material and weight. On the topic of weight, our large test helmet tipped our scales at 423g, fairly standard for its size and level of coverage. Inside there is a relatively standard MIPS liner for rotational impact protection. It’s also compatible with QUIN, a crash-detection sensor, that can be purchased separately and added to the helmet.

ABUS’s Zoom Ace adjustment system is incorporated into the MIPS liner and pulls even tension around the whole head, plus it can be moved up or down to find the perfect placement at the back of the skull. The fixed strap splitter yoke holds them flat and away from the ears and the magnetic chinstrap buckle makes for one-handed buckling convenience. The large, 3-position adjustable visor works very effectively for keeping the sun out of your eyes, and it flips up plenty high to stash goggles when not in use. Ventilation is pretty good, but not amazing, with a total of 14 vents and deep channels that allow air to pass from front to back.

We found the overall comfort of the CliffHanger to be quite good, although our lead tester found that he could feel the shell pressing slightly against the top/back of the crown of his head. Fit and comfort will be different for everyone, however, so we don’t expect this to be an issue for all users Unlike many helmets that have dedicated sunglass storage, we found it somewhat difficult to stash sunglasses securely in the front vents. You can make it work, but it isn’t ideal. Otherwise, we think the ABUS CliffHanger MIPS is a great new option for aggressive trail and enduro riders seeking a well-made half-shell with loads of head coverage.

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Bell Super Air Spherical

Specs

• MSRP $235
• Weight 478g (L)
• Rotational Impact Protection System MIPS Spherical
• Adjustable Visor Yes
• Number of Vents 21
• Available Sizes S, M, L
• Virginia Tech Helmet Safety Rating Not Tested

Pros

• Robust, protective feel
• Good coverage
• Comfortable fit
• Sweat Guide Pad actually works to manage sweat
• Comes with camera/light mount
• Can add chin bar to make it a convertible

Cons

• Comparatively heavier weight
• Not the best ventilation

Jeremy Benson

Bell has been in the mountain bike helmet game since the beginning and the Super Air Spherical is their current top-of-the-line half-shell model. This beefy helmet is also the basis of the convertible Super Air R Spherical, just without the removable chin bar. It has great coverage, a robust, protective feel, and features like MIPS Spherical, a camera mount, and an effective sweat management system that makes it stand out from the crowd. It comes in three sizes for heads between 52 and 62cm and is offered in a whopping 11 different color options.

Bell and Giro are two brands that incorporate MIPS Spherical into their designs for rotational impact protection. For the Super Air, this involves two distinct shells, inner and outer, that are connected with small elastomers that allow them to shift independently of each other. This adds a little bulk and weight, but it does seem to work quite effectively (at least in hand and when moving it atop the head). The deep fit surrounds the head with great coverage, particularly at the back of the head. It also just feels beefy and well-made, adding to the sense of protection it provides.

We found it to be quite comfortable with generous padding throughout that has a soft, pillowy feel. Bell’s Float fit system does a fine job of fine-tuning the tension around the head to achieve a snug fit. Bell has also managed to create a sweat management system that actually works with their Sweat Guide Pad. The padding extends slightly forward on the inner shell where it draws moisture out and away from the face, making it less likely to drip directly onto your sunglass lenses. The Super Air has a large 3-position visor, and it works well with goggles and even has a small rubber patch at the rear of the helmet to keep your goggle strap in place. The front vents easily accommodate sunglass arms, but they don’t feature grippers or anything to add extra security.

The Super Air Spherical has decent ventilation, but the dual-shell design hinders airflow a little compared to other models. At 478g, it’s also the heaviest half-shell model we tested by a significant margin, and the weight is somewhat noticeable on the head. That said, it is designed to pair with a removable chin bar to work as a convertible full face, so the added heft makes sense. Regardless, if you’re an aggressive rider seeking a fully featured half-shell and don’t mind a little extra weight, the Bell Super Air Spherical is a solid option to consider.

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Bontrager Rally WaveCel

Specs

• MSRP $160
• Weight 420g (L)
• Rotational Impact Protection System WaveCel
• Adjustable Visor Yes
• Number of Vents 13
• Available Sizes S, M, L, XL
• Virginia Tech Helmet Safety Rating 5-star

Pros

• Moderate price point
• Comfortable fit
• Boa adjustment system
• Scores better in Virginia Tech testing than the more expensive Bontrager Blaze

Cons

• Straps could be improved
• WaveCel adds bulk
• Doesn’t have the best ventilation

Jeremy Benson

Bontrager made waves (pun intended) a few years ago when they introduced a new rotational impact protection system called WaveCel. They incorporated it into a number of their cycling helmets including the half-shell mountain bike helmet, the Rally WaveCel. The brand makes some pretty big claims about the effectiveness of this system, and given its 5-star rating in Virginia Tech’s impact testing, it seems like it must be relatively effective. Otherwise, this mid-priced model has a relatively traditional style and it comes in 4 shell sizes. The XL size is claimed to fit heads all the way up to 66cm, which is significantly larger than 62 or 63cm where most other models max out.

WaveCel is the primary thing that sets the Rally apart from the other helmets we’ve tested. This cellular structure resembles a bunch of tightly packed waves and it comprises the majority of the inside of the helmet, surrounded by a thinner outer shell of EPS foam. According to Bontrager, WaveCel is designed to function in three steps, flex, crumple, and glide. So, it is intended to absorb impact force like a more traditional foam lining while also functioning as a slip-plane for the reduction of rotational forces. At the same time, it allows air to pass through, so it remains breathable despite the full head coverage.

We found the Rally to have a very comfortable fit that seems like it should work well for most head shapes. The Boa adjustment system works well to snug it up around the head, and the thin Boa wires don’t conflict with sunglass arms as much as some other systems. The adjustable visor has three positions, one of which is very low, and we kept ours in the middle or all the way up while testing. The highest visor position doesn’t allow enough space for stashing goggles, but we were able to wedge our sunglass arms into the front vents under the visor.

While WaveCel is certainly an interesting feature, it does add a little weight and bulk to the Rally and it is generally just a bit larger overall than most of the other models we tested. The cellular structure does allow air to pass through, but it does inhibit the flow of air somewhat. It is similar to the Smith Forefront 2 in this regard, where the airflow is okay, but far from the best. We also found the strap design to be a little quirky, as the single attachment point at the back of the head required a little extra care to be taken when donning the helmet so they didn’t hang up on the adjustment harness.

Beyond that, we feel the Bontrager Rally WaveCel is a quality helmet for everyday trail riding that brings a unique approach to head protection with the WaveCel system.

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Smith Forefront 2 MIPS

Specs

• MSRP $250
• Weight 414g (L)
• Rotational Impact Protection System MIPS
• Adjustable Visor Yes
• Number of Vents 20
• Available Sizes S, M, L
• Virginia Tech Helmet Safety Rating Not tested

Pros

• Unique styling
• Better ventilation than original Forefront
• MIPS and Koroyd
• Adjustable visor
• Sunglass storage

Cons

• Still not the best ventilation
• MIPS liner can be a little noisy
• Fairly expensive

Jeremy Benson

Smith has been making the Forefront helmet for many years, and the Forefront 2 is the latest version of this popular trail riding model. It has some of the most recognizable styling of any helmet on the market with unique looks and visible Koroyd in its construction. Beyond its futuristic appearance, Smith set out to make a highly protective helmet, and their use of Koroyd sets them apart from most other brands on the market. The Forefront 2 is offered in 14 different colors and three shell sizes for heads ranging from 51cm to 62 cm.

Smith’s use of Koroyd is the main thing that differentiates the Forefront 2 from other helmets on the market. This honeycomb-like material is designed to crumple on impact while remaining air-permeable, therefore providing protection and allowing heat and moisture to escape from the head. The majority of the helmet has a layer of Koroyd that is bordered by and then covered with a thin layer of EPS foam and the helmet’s outer shell. Inside, there is a relatively standard MIPS liner for rotational impact protection. The level of coverage is quite good, although slightly less than some other models in this review.

Unlike the original Forefront, the Forefront 2 has a couple of wide-open vents on top of the head that improve its ventilation slightly. The minimal but well-placed padding combines with the adjustable Vaporfit harness system for a snug and comfortable fit. The three-position adjustable visor works well for blocking the sun, and it shifts high enough to fit goggles when not in use. Smith also designed the helmet to hold sunglasses securely on top with the Koroyd providing the grip on the sunglass arms.

While the ventilation of the Forefront 2 is better than its predecessor, it still can’t compete with the airiest helmets on the market. The Koroyd simply doesn’t allow for air to move that freely from front to back. The MIPS liner can also be a little squeaky at times, which can be a little annoying. Regardless, the Smith Forefront 2 is a great trail-riding helmet that will suit many riders’ needs perfectly. While it may not be for everybody, we love the unique style. Our lead tester has been riding in the same one for the past two years, and it’s still going strong.

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Fox Speedframe Pro

Specs

• MSRP $190
• Weight 408g (L)
• Rotational Impact Protection System MIPS
• Adjustable Visor Yes
• Number of Vents 21
• Available Sizes S, M, L
• Virginia Tech Helmet Safety Rating 5-star

Pros

• Feature packed design
• Comfortable
• Good looking
• 5-star Virginia Tech rating
• Good coverage

Cons

• Some noise from MIPS liner

Jeremy Benson

Fox Racing is one of only a few brands that can outfit riders from head to toe with everything they could possibly need for mountain biking. They’ve been making helmets for years, but it wasn’t until they launched the Speedframe Pro a few years ago that they had a contender for the best half-shell model on the market. This uniquely styled helmet is not only good looking, but it checks all the boxes and comes with all the features you’d expect in a modern trail riding helmet. It comes in numerous colorways so you can be sure to find one that suits your taste, and they also sell the Speedframe without a MIPS liner for $140.

The Speedframe Pro comes packed with protective features in an effort to keep your head safe, and it earned a 5-star rating in Virgina Tech’s impact testing. It has extended coverage over the temples and down around the back of the head, with a MIPS liner for rotational impact protection. The outer shell completely wraps around the edges of the Varizorb dual-density EPS foam, which is intended to better manage the forces from high and low-speed impacts than single-density foam.

We found it to fit comfortably, and the 360-degree adjustment system snugged it up securely all the way around the head and we didn’t encounter any pressure points of any kind. The straps are well executed with a Y-shaped yoke around the ears that hold them nice and flat and away from the lobes. The Fidlock SNAP buckle makes the chinstrap a “snap” to open and close, even one-handed. The 3-position adjustable visor is great, and it flips up high enough to store goggles on the climbs. The 21 vents and internal air channels work well to keep air moving and the head cool, with 3 well-positioned brow vents that go straight to the forehead.

Overall, the Fox Speedframe Pro is a well-executed trail riding helmet that is lightweight and well-designed without any serious drawbacks. And, at $190, it also sells for a bit less than some other brands’ top-tier models. For more information, read our full review of the Fox Speedframe Pro.

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100% Altis

Specs

• MSRP $125
• Weight 383g (L-XL)
• Rotational Impact Protection System SmartShock
• Adjustable Visor Yes
• Number of Vents 14
• Available Sizes XS/S, S/M, L/XL
• Virginia Tech Helmet Safety Rating 3-star

Pros

• Reasonable Price
• Looks good
• Decent Ventilation
• Adjustable Visor
• Comes with extra set of pads

Cons

• SmartShock Elastomer caused minor pressure point in forehead
• 3-star Virginia Tech rating
• Slightly less coverage than similar helmets

Jeremy Benson

100% may be better known for their full-face helmets, but they make a couple of half-shell models with the Altis and Altis Gravel. This affordable helmet comes in at the lower end of the price range of the models we tested, with a retail price of just $125. We think the Altis looks great, and it has some interesting features like 100%’s proprietary impact protection system called SmartShock. It comes in three sizes for heads ranging between 50 to 63cm, and several color options. The Altis Gravel is essentially the same helmet, just without the visor.

The Altis has pretty good head coverage, though just slightly less than some of the other models in this regard. The EPS foam is in-molded to the polycarbonate outer shell with the lower edges fully wrapped for durability. Inside, 100% has developed the SmartShock system to help mitigate rotational impact forces. This consists of 11 blue rubber elastomers that protrude out from small depressions in the EPS foam and through holes in the liner pads. They essentially suspend the helmet around your head and serve the purpose of absorbing some direct impact while having the ability to shift slightly in any direction. How well this works compared to MIPS isn’t exactly clear, but when you shift them around with your fingers or wiggle the helmet around on your head, they seem like they work as intended.

The adjustment harness works well enough to snug the helmet around your head, though it lacks any vertical adjustability. The fixed, Y-shaped strap splitters work well to keep them away from your ears, and the chinstrap has adequate adjustability and a standard buckle. While we found the Altis to be generally comfortable, we did note one distinct pressure point where one of the SmartShock elastomers pressed into our tester’s forehead. He does have a particularly prominent forehead, however, so this may not be an issue for all users. With 14 vents, the ventilation is relatively good, but the general lack of internal channels doesn’t allow air to move quite as well as the breeziest models out there.

100% wanted to make sure the Altis worked with goggles, and the visor flips way up and out of the way in its highest position to accommodate them. We did not, however, find a good way to store glasses on the head, other than keeping them on your face. At 383g, our size large test helmet is relatively lightweight in its class. We also happen to like the way this helmet looks, especially when paired with some big ol’ 100% riding glasses. If you dig the style and don’t want to spend a lot on a quality trail riding helmet, we think the 100% Altis is worthy of consideration.

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Scott Stego Plus MIPS

Specs

• MSRP $200
• Weight 420g (L)
• Rotational Impact Protection System MIPS
• Adjustable Visor Yes
• Number of Vents 17
• Available Sizes S, M, L
• Virginia Tech Helmet Safety Rating 5-star

Pros

• Comfortable fit
• Comes with 2 visors (one with integrated GoPro mount)
• Good ventilation
• Comfortable
• Offered in numerous colors

Cons

• High visor placement doesn’t block sun as well as it could
• Slightly less coverage than some other models

Jeremy Benson

Much like Specialized, Scott is one of the few brands that can outfit you head to toe and sell you a mountain, gravel, or road bike too. The Scott Stego Plus MIPS is their top-of-the-line half-shell helmet that is “designed for enduro riders”. It has good coverage and comes packed with all the features you’d expect for the price. Like many of the other helmets in this review, it also earned a 5-star Virgina Tech impact rating.

Scott designed the Stego Plus to provide a good level of head coverage with a shell that extends down slightly over the temples and down over the occipital lobe. The in-mold EPS foam and polycarbonate shell protect from direct impacts and inside they’ve equipped it with a relatively standard MIPS liner to help with rotational forces. Scott also added some small PU pads that are hidden slightly under the visor that they claim are intended to help protect in low to mid-energy impacts.

Our tester found the fit of the Stego Plus MIPS to be excellent. Perfect, actually. Fit and comfort are subjective, of course, but she really enjoyed the way this helmet fit. The Halo 360 fit system offers a huge adjustment range to secure it on the head and it pulls tension all the way around. 16 vents also do well to keep you comfy providing good ventilation. That includes a couple of brow vents that blow air straight on the forehead and help minimize fogging of eyewear. The straps are easily adjustable, and the magnetic buckle makes securing the chinstrap quick and easy.

The adjustable visor has been designed with eyewear and mind and it flips up nice and high to accommodate goggle stowage. The rear of the helmet also has a rubber strip to help keep the strap from slipping off. The Stego Plus MIPS comes with 2 visors, one standard affair and one with an integrated camera mount. This is great for those who love to capture all their exploits on camera, and it can be mounted on the underside of the visor for the optimal POV filming angle. You do need to unscrew the visor screws to swap them out, but we feel this is a nice included feature.

You can learn more about the Scott Stego Plus MIPS in our full review.

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Lazer Jackal KinetiCore

Specs

• MSRP $220
• Weight 345g (L)
• Rotational Impact Protection System KinetiCore
• Adjustable Visor Yes
• Number of Vents 19
• Available Sizes S, M, L
• Virginia Tech Helmet Safety Rating 5-star

Pros

• Lightweight
• Well-ventilated
• Good coverage
• Comes with camera mount
• Works with removable rear light (sold separately)

Cons

• Experienced some pressure points on the head

Jeremy Benson

Lazer is one of several brands that’s making an effort to reinvent rotational impact protection through new designs with KinetiCore. They’ve implemented this design across many of their mountain and road helmets, including their flagship mountain bike half-shell, the Lazer Jackal KinetiCore. Though it looks identical to the previous version with MIPS, it’s a bit lighter weight, and what’s going on inside the helmet is actually quite a bit different.

The easiest thing for most brands to do is just stick a MIPS liner in their helmets, so we applaud Lazer for stepping outside the box and developing their own new safety technology. KinetiCore is intended to work in a similar way to other rotational impact protection systems, though the design is completely different. Instead of a liner or elastomers, they have essentially incorporated it into the shell itself with controlled crumple zones built into the EPS foam. These small, isolated blocks of foam are intended to crush and crumple both vertically and laterally in the event of an impact. Our tester even crushed some of them with her hand to see how it in action. New technology is great if it works, and it seems like it does based on the Jackal KinetiCore’s 5-star Virginia Tech rating.

Beyond KinetiCore, the Jackal has a modern shape with ample coverage. It has great ventilation with 19 well-placed vents, and the air is able to pass through the empty space between the KinetiCore blocks. The one-piece interior padding is comfortable and treated with Polygiene Biostatic, and the Advanced TurnSys adjustment system provides a secure fit. The straps are highly adjustable and the magnetic buckle makes for easy one-handed operation. It also comes with a camera mount that attaches to the top of the helmet with a velcro strap, and Lazer’s Universal LED light can be mounted to the back of the helmet for enhanced visibility.

The Lazer Jackal KinetiCore has an adjustable visor that is designed to stow goggles when not in use and it has no problem accommodating them when flipped up in its highest position. At the back of the helmet, a rubber goggle grip pad keeps your strap securely in place. By the temples, they’ve specifically shaped the shell with recesses to prevent sunglass arms from making contact. Our only real gripe with the Jackal KinetiCore is that our tester had some pressure points from the adjustment system. The preproduction sample she tested also had an issue that has since been resolved. You can find out more in our full review of the Lazer Jackal KinetiCore.

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Smith Engage 2

Specs

• MSRP $120
• Weight 405g (L)
• Rotational Impact Protection System MIPS Evolve Core
• Adjustable Visor Yes
• Number of Vents 21
• Available Sizes S, M, L, XL
• Virginia Tech Helmet Safety Rating Not tested

Pros

• Reasonable price
• Reasonable weight
• Good ventilation
• Sunglass storage

Cons

• Strap splitter could be better
• Sunglass storage doesn’t work with all sunglasses

Jeremy Benson

Smith makes a full range of cycling helmets with the Engage 2 falling at the lower end of the price spectrum in their line of mountain bike half-shells. Unlike the futuristic Forefront 2, the Engage 2 has a more traditional look with significantly less Koroyd in its design, and it costs less than half the price. Still, it has everything we look for in a modern half-shell helmet with a look and feel that exceeds the asking price. It comes in 4 shell sizes to fit heads between 51 and 65cm, and six color options including the Matte Slate/Fools Gold we tested.

The shell has a fairly deep fit with good coverage at the sides and back of the head. The polycarbonate shell wraps all the way around the EPS foam, and there are two strips of Koroyd strategically placed on the sides of the helmet. Smith incorporated a MIPS Evolve Core liner for rotational impact protection, and the Vaporfit harness connects to it for a nice 360-degree adjustment system. It has a well-made feel and the judicious use of Koroyd isn’t a negative, in our opinion.

Less Koroyd in the construction means that more of the vents are wide-open, and the Engage 2’s ventilation is quite good. The 21 vents allow plenty of air to pass through with the 4 at the front providing a nice breeze at the top of the forehead. It has an agreeable shape that should work for most heads and we never experienced any pressure points or quirks in the fit. The padding is minimal but well-placed, adding to the comfort.

The visor is adjustable with three positions to suit your needs. The highest position makes it possible to fit goggles when not in use or stash some sunglasses. You can squeeze some sunglass arms into the outermost front vents as well, although we found this didn’t work with all the sunglasses we tried. The straps offer plenty of adjustability at the ears and the chin, but we found it difficult to get the splitter to make the straps sit completely flat by the ears.

Regardless, we feel the Smith Engage 2 is a great helmet that will suit most riders’ needs that sells for a budget-friendly price of just $120.

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Comparison Chart

Why Should You Trust Bikerumor?

At Bikerumor, we take cycling very seriously, and no matter what type of riding we’re doing, our safety is of the utmost importance. For that reason, a quality helmet is the most important piece of gear we put on before every mountain bike ride. We’re always seeking the most protective, comfortable, and best-looking mountain bike helmets we can find so we can have fun on the trails with the peace of mind a good helmet provides.

Our editorial staff has been testing the latest and greatest mountain bike helmets for over a decade. Sure, we’ve all got our favorites, but the market is ever-changing with new and updated models coming out all the time. Fortunately, we get to try them all out, often before they are even available to the public. This experience has given us unique insight as to what makes a great helmet, along with the ability to discern the differences in performance and functionality between the different models we test.

Review author, Jeremy Benson, has been professionally testing and reviewing mountain bikes and accessories for 6+ years. In that time, he has tried over 30 different helmets. Whether for XC rides, shuttle laps, or adventurous backcountry loops, he has honed in on the specific performance attributes that make a great helmet. For the purposes of this review, he tested 10 models side by side to directly compare things like fit, comfort, ventilation, coverage, and visors. Those findings, combined with models our editors have recently tested, are presented here to help inform your important mountain bike helmet purchase decision. Need a quality rack to keep your bikes safe during transport? Check out our review of the best hitch bike racks.

Mountain Bike Helmet Buyer’s Guide

There’s a lot to consider when choosing a new mountain bike helmet. Here we break down some important factors that may help with finding the right model to suit your needs.

Different Types of Mountain Bike Helmets

As there are several styles of mountain biking, there are just as many helmets to meet the needs of different riders. As the sport has evolved, so too has the protective equipment we use, and these days, helmets are safer than ever. In general, mountain bike helmets fall into three different categories and we explain the differences below.

Trail, All-Mountain, and Enduro Half-Shells

Half-shells for trail, all-mountain, and enduro riding are the most common type of helmet we see out on the trails. These “open-face” models cover the top of the head with modern shell designs offering extended coverage on the back and side of the head to better protect the occipital and temporal lobes. These helmets almost always have a visor (peak), and many are designed to work with both sunglasses and goggles. The added materials involved with extended coverage, visors, and other features typically result in helmets that are slightly heavier than their XC-oriented counterparts.

XC Helmets

Cross-country riders and racers often prioritize lightweight and aerodynamics, so XC helmets are somewhat different than their trail-oriented counterparts. In fact, most professional XC racers are using what are technically considered road bike helmets. This style of helmet is typically sleek, low-profile, and well-ventilated, and they provide a bit less coverage of the head than the extended coverage models. They also generally do not come with a visor, although some riders will wear a cycling cap underneath to act as a visor in certain conditions.

Full Face and Convertible Helmets

Full face helmets provide the most head protection with shells that extend over the ears and large chin bars that provide protection for the front of the face. Convertible helmets are those that have a removable chin bar, allowing the user to choose when they want half-shell or full-face coverage. This style of helmet has traditionally been worn by those in gravity-oriented disciplines like downhill and enduro racing, although a new breed of lightweight and well-ventilated models has expanded their appeal to a broader range of users. Full face models now come in a range of designs, styles, materials, and weights, with models geared toward virtually every type of rider or protective needs.

Getting the Right Fit

A properly fitting helmet is critical for it to not only be comfortable but to work properly in the event of a crash. If it is too loose or too tight, its protective qualities may be compromised or its protective features may not function properly. Additionally, a properly fitting helmet is more comfortable, allowing you to focus your attention on the trail ahead. It is important to note that fit and comfort are subjective, and not every individual’s head shape will work with every helmet. If your head is very round, very narrow, or your forehead very pronounced, you will probably want to try a helmet on before buying it to ensure that it fits your specific head shape.

Sizing

Just like people’s heads, most helmets come in multiple sizes. Helmet manufacturers almost always have a size guide on their website for reference. Each helmet size typically fits a small range of head sizes, and these are usually shown as head circumference in centimeter measurements. As a general rule, the best way to determine if a helmet fits is to try it on before you buy. This will ensure you get the proper fit the first time.

If you are unsure of your head’s size, all you need to do is measure it. A flexible measuring tape is the best tool to do this, otherwise, a length of string and a ruler will also do the trick. Measure the circumference of your head in a circle above the eyebrows, ears, and across the occipital lobe (back of the skull). Record this measurement in centimeters, and you should be able to identify the appropriate size helmet. Most adult helmets come in several sizes to cover heads ranging from 51-63cm in circumference (give or take), with each shell size covering a smaller range. For example, the Giro Manifest Spherical comes in three shell sizes: S: 51-55cm, M: 55-59cm, and L: 59-63cm. Most people will fall within one of these sizes. If you are on the cusp between sizes, it is typically better to size up than squeeze into the smaller shell size, in our experience.

If you get a helmet that is too tight or too loose, try and exchange it for the correct size before you wear it and get it sweaty or dirty.

Fit Adjustments

Most quality helmets have fit adjustment systems to help you dial them in to your exact head shape to keep them stable, secure, and comfortable when in use. An adjustable harness is one such feature that is used to snug the helmet up against the occipital lobe/back of the skull. These harnesses usually have a small dial that you can turn to tighten or loosen it, and most have a vertical adjustment inside the helmet so you can be sure to position the harness properly under the occipital lobe as well. When tightened properly, the harness should feel snug but not uncomfortable and it should keep your helmet from bouncing around as you ride over rough terrain.

Likewise, the chin strap is another important adjustment that helps to keep your helmet on your head in the event of a crash. Too tight and it can be uncomfortable. Too loose and your helmet can come off your head. Most chin straps can be tightened or loosened to fit your specific needs, and this adjustment is quick and easy to make. A general rule of thumb is to be able to fit a finger or two between the strap and your neck for it to be tight enough while still avoiding irritation. The straps should also split around the ears, and we prefer them not to touch our ears at all, if possible. Many strap splitters allow for some adjustment, so you can fit them to your ears for comfort.

Wear it Correctly

Even if you get a helmet that is the right size, it is important to wear it properly for it to work as intended. Modern helmets are designed to be worn level on the head and snug enough so that they don’t move around. Most of your forehead and the crown of your head should be inside the helmet, as opposed to the helmet sitting up too high or off the back.

How Mountain Bike Helmets Work

Mountain bike helmets protect the head by providing a barrier from direct impact and dissipating the forces from impact. At the most basic level, mountain bike helmets are comprised of two parts, an inner foam layer (usually EPS foam) and an outer polycarbonate shell. Combined, these layers provide a protective layer that takes the brunt of an impact. The firmer outer shell performs the important task of protecting the softer foam underneath, and when impacted, helps to spread the force of the impact over a greater area. The softer EPS foam compresses and absorbs those forces and it often crushes, cracks, or deforms in the process.

Always Replace Your Helmet After a Crash

Due to the fact that helmets are designed to partially destruct when absorbing the forces of an impact, they are meant to be replaced after a crash. Often, cracks or other signs of damage will be obvious, but not always. Even low-speed impacts can result in damage that can compromise the integrity and protective qualities of a mountain bike helmet. For your safety, it is recommended that you always replace your helmet after a crash. Thankfully, many brands offer discounts for crash-replacement helmets.

Rotational Impact Protection

Since the introduction of MIPS (Multi-Directional Impact Protection System) several years ago, rotational impact protection has become commonplace in mountain bike helmets. MIPS was the originator and is still the most common, although it has developed over the years into numerous iterations, such as MIPS SL, MIPS Evolve, MIPS Spherical, and MIPS Integra, to name a few. The basic idea, however, remains the same. MIPS and similar technologies strive to enhance head protection by reducing the rotational forces that reach the brain during certain impacts. They do this by creating a slip-plane that allows the helmet to shift around the head and absorb some of those forces before they reach the brain.

Many other brands have also developed their own rotational impact protection systems that are intended to work much the same as MIPS. 100%’s SmartShock system relies on small rubber elastomers built into the shell that are intended to absorb both rotational and direct impact, and Leatt’s Turbine 360 works similarly. Bontrager’s WaveCel design features a zig-zag honeycomb-like structure that is intended to crumple and shear on impact and KinetiCore was developed by Lazer to work in much the same way, with isolated columns of EPS foam.

Which one of these technologies works the best is hard to say, but we’re glad that helmet manufacturers are trying to improve helmet safety. At Bikerumor, we don’t have our own impact testing equipment, so we refer to Virginia Tech’s Bicycle Helmet Ratings for more insight. For years, Virginia Tech has been a leader in helmet impact testing, and they do it independently and provide their findings free to the public. They test each helmet for its ability to reduce linear acceleration and rotational velocity with 24 different tests. Of course, they haven’t tested every model on the market, but they do have 190 models of cycling helmets currently tested and rated on their site.

Coverage

As mountain bike helmets have evolved over time, the amount of head coverage has increased. For half-shell models like those reviewed here, this is most noticeable on the sides and back of the head where the shells drop down further to better protect the sensitive temporal and occipital lobes. This is particularly apparent in trail, all-mountain, and enduro-oriented models that are often referred to as “extended coverage” half-shell helmets. Unlike old-school helmets that sat high atop the head, modern helmets now surround much more of the skull. In general, we typically equate more head coverage with better head protection, and we feel this is a welcome advancement.

Ventilation

Depending on the climate where you live and ride and how much you sweat, ventilation may or may not be a high priority. For those that live in warm climates, ride at the heat of the day, or simply perspire a lot, how well a helmet allows air to pass through to cool the head may be of the utmost importance. Not only does good ventilation reduce the amount of sweat running down your face or dripping onto your lenses, but it helps to keep you from overheating. Fortunately, most helmet manufacturers do their best to make their helmets well-ventilated, though they are not created equal.

While important, the number of vents is not the only factor when it comes to ventilation. Instead, a well-executed design that involves adequate air intake vents at the front of the head, internal channels that move air over the head, and exhaust vents at the back of the head for air to escape is generally the most effective.

Visors

Visors, sometimes referred to as “peaks”, are a common feature on most mountain bike helmets and they serve several purposes. Many visors are adjustable, allowing the rider to position them at various angles. This makes it possible to drop them down low to help keep the sun out of the eyes at low sun angles or move them up and out of the field of view at high sun angles. They also serve to deflect trailside branches and can help keep light rain from reaching the eyes while riding. Adjustable visors and those positioned higher on the helmet typically also accommodate a pair of goggles or sunglasses stashed beneath them when not in use. Some visors are also designed to break away in the event of a crash to reduce the chance of injury.

Eyewear Compatibility

Many helmet manufacturers are designing and marketing their helmets with integrated sunglass storage and goggle compatibility. It has long been the case that you could wear goggles with many helmets and stash sunglasses in the front vents, but now, these features are often a part of the design. The spacing of the front vents is pretty critical for stowing sunglasses, and some manufacturers have taken to adding rubber grips or other materials to better hold sunglass arms. At the rear of the helmet, many now feature a rubber strip or pad of some kind to add grip for a goggle strap. As mentioned above, visor adjustability or placement is also a factor when stowing either sunglasses or goggles when not in use.

Additional Safety Features

The whole point of making helmets for cyclists is to help prevent injury, and manufacturers are seeking additional ways to protect the people who buy their products. They do this in a variety of ways, including the implementation of new technologies. Brands like Specialized and ABUS make small crash detection sensors, called ANGi and QUIN, respectively, that can be attached to the helmet. These small units can sense the forces associated with a crash and send a notification to your contacts in an emergency situation. POC includes a twICEme NFC medical id chip in certain helmets, which can be read by first responders to find out important personal, medical, and contact information if the individual is unresponsive or unable to communicate effectively.

As mentioned in the visors section above, some models have visors that are designed to break away in the event of a crash which may help reduce the chance of injury. Other brands use structural reinforcement in their designs with things like aramid bridges or ActiCage integrated into the EPS foam to add strength. The foam itself can be varied with some companies using dual-density foams like EPS and EPP which absorb the energy from high and low-speed impacts differently. Koroyd is another interesting material used by brands like Smith and Endura. This honeycomb-like structure is intended to crush and crumple on impact while remaining porous and allowing air to pass through and heat and moisture to escape.

Durability

Unless you crash often or are careless with your gear, helmets tend to have a pretty good lifespan. Quality helmets have in-mold constructions with the inner foam well bonded to the outer shell, and most now have full shell coverage over the lower edge of the foam. Exposed foam is more susceptible to damage, so the more it is covered, the better. The durability of the outer shells of helmets can vary, however, with some being quite resilient and others being more prone to denting if struck by a branch or dropped in a truck bed with too much force, for example. Remember, your helmet may prevent serious injury or even save your life, so treat it with care.

If you don’t ride that often, most helmets will last for several years without issue. If you ride every day, you’ll probably want to replace your helmet more frequently, every couple of seasons or so. Always remember, if you crash and impact the helmet, it should be replaced.

Value

Mountain bike helmets vary wildly in terms of price with the models we tested ranging between $75 and $300. Sure, many of the more expensive models feature the latest and greatest technology, lighter weights, and flashier designs. The reality is, any of these helmets will protect you better than none at all, and even the least expensive model we tested, the Specialized Camber, beats many of the costlier models in Virginia Tech’s impact testing and looks pretty darn good doing it. So, you don’t have to spend a lot for quality head protection, but it’s your head and brain we’re talking about here, so you make the call.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mountain Bike Helmets

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Construction and Features – Ultralight Rain Jacket:

Velocio’s Ultralight Rain Jacket is a thin but fully waterproof shell made from eVent DV Storm fabric. This fabric is lightweight, yet completely blocks wind and rain while offering breathability as well. The jacket features taped seams, and a dropped rear hem with a silicone gripper. This shell has no hood, but does have a high soft-lined collar to keep the elements at bay.

Simple and lean stretch panels at the cuffs keep the sleeves in place as you ride, and a zippered inside chest pocket with a media port offers storage for credit cards, MP3 players or even smartphones. The main zipper has pull tabs for easy use with gloved hands, and a zipper hood up top to keep your chin and neck comfortable. The jacket is finished with reflective logos and details.

Two large vents on the back encourage heat to escape, and allow you to access your jersey’s back pockets without taking off the jacket (the vents line up very nicely with the pockets on the Alpha Long Sleeve).

The Ultralight Rain Jacket retails for $349 USD. Color options are Navy or Citron (yellow), and men’s sizes range from XS-4XL. Women’s models are also available, in the same color options with sizes from XXS-3XL.

Alpha Long Sleeve Jersey:

Made with 63% recycled material, the Alpha Long Sleeve is an ideal layer under a shell for colder, wetter rides, but can also be worn on its own or over a jersey in nicer weather. The front faces of the jersey are made from a grid-style Polartec Alpha Direct insulation while the sides, back, and lower sleeves are Velocio’s Merino 210 fabric. This fabric combination traps warm air in the front faces while allowing excellent breathability and moisture management; the polyester-faced Merino 210 back panel offers a soft touch and resists abrasions.

A half-length front zipper keeps thing light and trim, and the long, thin hems on the sleeves do a great job of keeping wind out of your jacket while fitting easily under or over other layers. The Alpha Long Sleeve’s collar sits fairly high, and a fabric hood keeps the zipper covered. The slightly dropped rear hem includes a silicone gripper, and the jersey has three large pockets across the lower back.

The Alpha Long Sleeve jersey sells for $199. Men’s models are available in Fire Red or Navy, in sizes XS-4XL. Women’s models are sold in the same colors, with sizes ranging from XXS-3XL.

Ride Impressions:

Before we talk about performance, let’s address how the Velocio garments fit. I’m 5’10” tall with a slim build, and I’m wearing the Alpha Long Sleeve and Ultralight Rain Jacket in size medium. Both pieces provide a slim fit but covered my body and arms well. The belly is cut fairly high on the rain shell, but on the bike, it’s just long enough for me. The Alpha LS is a bit longer in the body than the jacket (particularly in the front), so its grippy hem holds onto your pants or shorts quite well.

I’ve found no comfort issues with the collars on the jacket and Alpha LS: The jersey’s collar sits just against my neck at a perfect height, and the jacket matches it to a tee.  Arm length was perfect for both garments, and the jacket’s cuffs were snug enough to stay put over my gloves.

Despite the Ultralight Rain Jacket having a very lean cut around the body, I had no issues with mobility on my gravel bike rides. The jacket’s shoulders offer a little extra room, so I never found any limits to my range of motion while riding drop bars. That said, this jacket was clearly cut for riding position… off the bike, if I spread my arms wide, the jacket’s chest tightens up.

While the Alpha LS and Ultralight Rain Jacket are clearly best suited for road or gravel riding, I did ride them on my enduro MTB to see how they felt. Due to an injury I didn’t get the chance to go for any real trail rides, but I pedaled around town and had no issues spreading my arms wide enough for my 800mm handlebar. I expect the jacket’s mobility would be fine for MTB rides, I could only see the tight chest area becoming an issue if you took a tumble and your arm(s) got pulled back harshly. With no limits to mobility the Alpha LS could easily work well for MTB rides, as long as you don’t mind the road-biased styling.  

My first test ride with the jacket and jersey was a cool winter day of 2-3° Celsius (35-37ºF). With bibs and a long sleeve jersey underneath, the Alpha LS and Ultralight Rain Shell kept me happy and warm throughout the ride! Both are thin and lightweight garments, but the Alpha LS held in my body heat very well and the jacket did a great job of blocking the wind. 

Even on rides where my ears started off a bit chilly my body was warm enough with the jacket, Alpha LS and a long-sleeved jersey right out the door. I didn’t have to pedal hard to get warmed up, and I stayed warm throughout the rides without overheating. If you do get hot in this combo, simply opening the jacket will cool you down quickly as the Alpha LS allows wind to cut through fairly easily. 

Finally, when spring came temperatures were high enough to drop the jacket. My first ride with the Alpha LS as an outer layer was about 9-10° (48-50ºF), in sunny conditions with light wind. With a long sleeve jersey underneath I was easily warm enough on this casual Sunday ride. The Alpha LS is definitely not windproof, so you’ll feel air flowing through it as you ride. Despite that it still traps a bubble of body heat around you so it’ll take a chilly wind before you need to toss a jacket over top.

I got a chance to ride the jacket in light rain for over an hour, and everything beneath it came home bone dry – My arms stayed dry right to the hems, the high collar kept my neck fully protected, and only two or three inches of my pants between my saddle and the lower hem got wet. I noticed water beaded up nicely on the shell and shook off easily after the ride, so I’m confident this jacket could handle a lot more rain than I subjected it to. An over-helmet hood would be nice for really rainy rides, but I accept its absence in the name of keeping the jacket lean and light.

I love the long, soft hems on the Alpha LS’s sleeves. They’re comfortable, thin and easy to slip into jacket sleeves (or over/under gloves), and they keep the wind out. The waist hem is snug but comfortable so it does a great job of keeping wind away from your torso.  

The Ultralight Rain Jacket offers a zippered inner chest pocket, which has a port for headphone wires, so I threw my older iPod Nano in there. The slim pocket doesn’t leave much room for movement, and I couldn’t even feel the iPod as I rode. This pocket is large enough to carry a smartphone; it might feel a bit heavy in there but it’s nice to have the option.

The Ultralight Rain Jacket does pack up pretty small. You probably couldn’t squeeze it into your down tube, but most jersey pockets should work, and any backpack or decent-sized cargo bag could carry it easily.  

One final note – I like it when your comfy riding clothes can be worn casually as well, but the Velocio gear is clearly made for riding. Both garments have a slim, lean cut and look like performance cycling clothes, so they’d seem a bit extreme off the bike… they are great for their intended purpose though!

velocio.cc

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Quoc x Restrap bikepacker’s Sandals

On top of Quoc’s recent Lalashan Collection of new cycling shoes and their first ever non-cycling shoes – the Lala Slides – comes another pair of sandals that you aren’t supposed to wear while riding – the Quoc x Restrap Sandal.

These new sandals share much of the same simple construction, but get upgraded with adjustable velcro straps to dial in your ideal fit, a heel strap for proper retention, and one clip-on strap to make them easy to lash onto the outside of your bikepacking bags.

Tech Details

From a technical standpoint, these sandals are the epitome of a Quoc & Restrap collaboration – taking advantage of what each company does best.

The new sandals share the exact same grippy molded foam sole as the Lala Slides, and the same Gran Tourer durable microfiber for the side of the straps (both produced in Vietnam). Then, those get sent over to Quoc in the UK where they add Restrap signature Hypalon tabs on pivoting hardware, adjustable velcro straps, and Restrap’s own unique locking clip repurposed from their bag straps to make these easy to attach to your adventure setup.

The result is a comfortable & adjustable sandal that’s still lightweight – my size 43 Quoc x Restrap sandals weigh just 402g for the pair – 1/3 less than a pair of Keen slides or 1/2 the weight of a pair of Chaco sandals that I would sometimes carry for summer bikepacking trips.

Post-Rides Review

Like the Lala Slides, these Quoc x Restrap bikepacker’s Sandals aren’t actually for riding, so my review is more just how nice they are to lounge in. Simply, they are a nice pair of light and adjustable sandals. Loosen the straps a bit and I was wearing them around the house with socks, first after riding, then pretty much everyday.

When the weather warmed up a bit and the sun came out, the socks went away immediately after the ride and I could tighten the straps down for a more secure fit making the sandals suitable for something that leaned more towards light hiking.

And now with the rear strap pivoted up (like in the Tech video above), I can wear them as slides, too.

The sole felt thin at first when I put them on, mostly because they really just feel a lot lighter than other sandals that I regularly wear. But I quickly settled into them and now appreciate the textured (but generally flat) footbed, a little bit of shock absorption walking over rough surfaces, and the simple but grippy outer tread.

The only real bikepacking-specific feature is the clip-on mid-foot strap, which is certainly nice, but a bit tricky to use. With two hands you can pop open the buckle, then clip the two sandals together, and if you adjust the velcro you can wrap the linked shoes around your saddle pack.

As for myself, the sandals are light enough that I will probably just put them on top of the pack most of the time, with the pack bungee cord looped through the sandal straps for security, then I can keep the velcro set where I like it.

All-in-all, I’m happy with the comfort, lightweight & versatility of the Quoc x Restrap bikepacking sandals, and I’m regularly wearing them not just around bikes. Now, I just have to wait for Quoc & Restrap to collab on a clipless version to ride in…

Quoc x Restrap Sandals – Pricing, Options & Availability

The new Quoc x Restrap bikepacker’s Sandals sell fog $130 / 100€ in whole EU sizes from 38-47. The come in all black, or the sand color that I’ve been testing with a black footbed & straps.

You can buy them now direct from either Quoc or Restrap’s webshops, or through either of their select retailers around the globe.

Quoc.cc & Restrap.com

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Pas Normal Studios Mechanism Pro road race cycling kit

In their new PNS headquarters in a renovated weapons factory in Copenhagen, we got a sneak peek at an all-new Pas Normal Studios Mechanism Pro line of pro race-ready cycling kit that the Danish clothing brand sees as their stepping stone to move up into the professional road peloton.

Founded with an international cycling club ethos as an alternative to what they saw as uninspiring cycling clothing on the market just over 8 years ago, the brand is growing by leaps and bounds. And it looks like the kit is evolving just as fast.

What started out as a single private event jersey outsourced to Giordana, now culminates with custom-developed materials from an all-new aero stretch-woven fabric, race-tuned compression, and structured mesh to optimize fit and performance at the absolute peak level of cycling, and all made in-house by Pas Normal.

So what’s actually new?

All-New Fabrics

The core of Pas Normal’s new Mechanism Pro line is all-new proprietary fabrics. And that’s what actually makes it both unique and interesting. Instead of just taking existing performance fabrics and adapting them to tailored cuts, Pas Normal worked with their fabric mills in northern Italy to create all-new lightweight 4-way stretch woven synthetic materials. In fact, it’s quite similar to what Rapha did with their Shadow fabric a few years back, but the Pas Normal Mechanism Pro solution takes it a step further – creating something a lot lighter, more breathable, and with a woven texture for improved aerodynamics.

The result is a comfortable compressive fit that hugs your body on the bike, wicks well & dries incredibly fast, and is said to be abrasion resistant. The fabric also integrates grippers for a feel that simply stays in place and raw laser-cut edges that transition smoothly to your skin.

Mechanism Pro Jersey

The regular Mechanism Pro jersey is the highlight of the new second-skin line-up, and one of the lightest aero jerseys available. The race fit is based on Pas Normal’s standard Mechanism kit, but with a more aggressive cut for a forward position on the bike. It gets wind-tripping textured aero ridges around your arms, the sides of your hips, across the shoulders & lower back to reduce drag, while optimizing seam placement for compressive support and a fit that follows the body as you move. Made in Portugal from 3 different polyamide/elastane stretch-woven fabrics, the ultralight jersey features a classic 3-pocket layout, a YKK zipper, laser-cut sleeves without gripper & laser cut hem with integrated woven-in silicone-free rear gripper.

All-in all, the minimalist $245 / 220€ Mechanism Pro jersey looks very simple in classic black or almost translucent white (for either men or women), but the unique fabric details pop out in the men’s Mahogany red with orange) or the men’s & women’s Earth two-tone green.

Mechanism Pro Bib Shorts

The $325 / 300€ Mechanism Pro Bib Shorts are equally techy sharing similar ultralight 4-way stretch woven fabrics and more supportive ‘zoned’ compression. Pas Normal calls the compression an evolution of that found in their standard Mechanism bibs to enhance blood flow & muscle support, but these shorts are in fact compressive while feeling less tight & less restrictive than their predecessors, a testament to the upgraded “structurally-mapped” stretch-woven fabric and more advanced 7-panel main body cut.

The bibs get new white mesh & elastic bib straps with an offset rea radio pocket, silicone-free woven-in grippers at the raw cut leg openings, carry over the stretchy 4-layer light chamois pad of the standard Mechanism & Escapism bibs, and are also made in Portugal in black or Earth khaki in men or women-specific cuts.

Mechanism Pro Baselayer & Zipless Jersey

The Pas Normal Mechanism Pro Baselayer & Zipless Jersey are effectively the same thing – a structured knit polyamide/lycra mesh baselayer developed to regulate your temperature by pulling sweat away from your skin and allowing passing air to evaporate it for a cooling effect. The Pas Normal solution uses alternating bands of smaller & larger openings in the mesh to give it structure and make it conform to your body.

The $80 / 75€ Mechanism Pro Baselayer is a simple sleeveless affair with a men’s cut only, made in Lithuania in black or white.

The $220 / 200€ Pas Normal Mechanism Pro Zipless Jersey is effectively the same mesh fabric transformed into a ridable jersey on its own. It adds sleeves, a hem gripper, and a traditional 3 rear pocket layout in an ultralight jersey that you can pull over your head, made in Portugal. The men’s-only jersey is incredibly light for riding on the hottest summer days, comes in Celeste or Earth greens for a bit of modesty since they are still just mesh, and does NOT offer UV protection so requires wearing sunscreen if you don’t want to get a weird sunburn.

First Rides Review

So far, I’ve had a chance to ride the new Pas Normal Mechanism Pro kit racing around the warm dry air of the indoor velodrome of Denmark’s oldest cycling club, causally riding sunny spring roads in the Czech mountains, and an all-day cool-weather gravel ride in southern Poland. All three have highlighted some of the new kit’s best features, and together hint at its race-ready versatility.

The kit is also incredibly lightweight. My size Large (I’m 185cm & 82kg) Mechanism Pro Jersey truly weighs just 68g, L bib shorts at only 152g, L baselayer at 58g, and L zipless jersey at only 87g.

In the warm and dry air of the velodrome, I was amazed at how quickly the lightweight jersey wicked sweat away from my body and instantly dried. I sweat a lot and continuously. And after about an hour of chasing each other in steep-banked wooden circles around the 250m Ballerup Super Arena track, the pads of my helmet were soaked, my jersey & shorts were bone dry with just a hint of sweat on the chamois.

Outside on home roads & gravel trails, I quickly was reminded of how thin the jersey fabric was on a cool morning descent (paired with the classic Mechanism bibs shorts and insulated leg warmers in these few photos.) A lot of air flowing over those textured side panels does a good job of cooling. But once muscles warmed up, I was comfortable all day even in low double-digit °C weather.

Of note: The Mechanism Pro kit does not say PNS on it anywhere, thankfully!

Wearing the mesh Pro baselayer under the Mechanism Pro jersey in more humid riding conditions at 16-20°C, as I would sweat I could feel some moisture held against my lower back doing a good job of evaporative cooling. I never felt sweaty, and finished a 5-hour ride with dry shorts and a mostly dry jersey & baselayer, just slightly damp in the lower back under my full pockets.

Overall, I’d rate the Mechanism Pro wicking & drying in the top-5 of any kit I’ve ridden in the last decade. And I look forward to proper hot weather to see how the jersey, and just the mesh zipless jersey fares in intense heat. Plus, while a lot of “pro-level” kit feels overly compressive, this Mechanism Pro kit is more gently compressive. It’s simply comfortable to wear and ride in.

PasNormalStudios.com

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The name gives it away, but the latest Coyote from Lazer is one of their Kineticore models. Instead of using a rotational impact mitigation system like MIPS, the Kineticore helmets feature “Controlled Crumple Zones” to help absorb the impact forces of both direct and rotational hits. The fact that the helmet crumples on impact by design means you certainly need to replace your helmet after a crash – but you should be doing that anyway. And if you are unlucky enough to crash and damage your helmet, Lazer offers a Crash Replacement Program that is good for 50% off a replacement helmet within 3 years.

Not only is the Lazer Coyote Kineticore 3% lighter than the Lazer Coyote MIPS, but it also gained a 5-star score from Virginia Tech whereas the MIPS version was rated 4-star.

For a $110 helmet, the Lazer Kineticore also offers a lot of premium features. The adjustable visor has three preset retention spots, and offers enough room for goggles underneath – there’s also a goggle strap recess out back. If you prefer sunglasses to goggles, there are recesses on the inside of the shell to make sure you have room for the earpieces underneath. A magnetic buckle makes operation easy with gloves or one hand, and the Lazer TurnSys dial system is easy to cinch down and offers multiple vertical adjustment positions. Even the padding feels more premium than the price tag would suggest.

Not included with the helmet are additional compatible accessories including a universal LED light for the back of the helmet, and even a Winter Kit that adds a soft fleece liner to keep your head and ears warm.

First Impressions

Since it was early in the season, most of my first rides with the Coyote were in cold weather at the pump track, or on the road. I wanted to wait until I got some warm weather testing before writing any kind of review, and fortunately, I got that while down in Texas. It was in the mid-80s, which isn’t Texas-hot, but it was hot for the conditions I am used to in early March.

I was quite pleased with the ventilation, with the 21 vents and internal channeling doing its job without complaints – and doing a better job than some more expensive helmets. Overall, the helmet is quite comfortable and seems to offer above-average sweat management to keep it from running into your eyes.

The frontal profile of the helmet around the visor looks a little bulky, but that’s about the only criticism I can come up with. The Coyote Kineticore is definitely one of the best $100-110 helmets I’ve tried.

Pricing & Availability

Offered in S, M, and L sizes, the Coyote Kineticore comes in six different colors. The helmet is available now from Lazer or Lazer dealers for $109.99.

lazersport.us

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Quoc Lalashan Collection of riding & post-ride shoes

Calling the new collection inspired by hunting forest mushrooms in northern Taiwan’s Lalashan mountains, Quoc pretty much doubles their shoe line-up across an even wider spectrum – now from road rides to XC racing to off-the-bike recovery. At one extreme there is the most high-performance off-road race shoe yet from Quoc. At the other, it’s as chill as you can get near a bike. And in the middle are a couple of simple but modern shoes for any ride in between.

It’s a pretty broad scope to drop into a single release, but Quoc unifies it a bit with a color palette of subdued pink, an earthy amber yellow, and sandy beige.

Quoc Gran Tourer XC mountain bike or gravel race shoes

Quoc’s Gran Tourer was their introduction to modern cycling shoes, targeted at adventurous gravel riders. In its original weather-resistant lace-up guise, it became popular for all sorts of off-road riders, and with a recent upgrade to modern dial retention more performance-focused riders took notice. Now taking inspiration from their stiffer, 2-dial road shoes, Quoc has given the Gran Tourer an XC upgrade.

Calling it the “ultimate, off-road adventure shoe”, the new Gran Tourer XC adds a stiffer carbon-reinforced sole and that second dial for improved fit adjustability, all while keeping the tough upper & popular Gran Tourer looks – perfect for gravel, cyclocross, cross-country, or marathon mountain bike racing.

GT XC tech details

The new shoes are now built on a much stiffer carbon composite outsole, covered with durable TPU ‘AL_Terrain’ MTB tread for good grip, but also adding thread-in toe spike for even more traction in especially bad conditions. A bit of a change from the other Gran Tourers’ GravelGrip lugged soles. Improvement in retention comes from two of Quoc’s own dials for more fine adjustment across the forefoot, separated from the main midfoot closure.

The upper is still made from tough “abrasion-resistant microfibre” with perforations throughout for ventilation, and gets the signature rubberized wrap-around scuff and weather protection of the Gran Tourer family, plus an extra TPU toe bumper. Inside the GT XCs add three different height arch supports to the insoles to further fine-tune your fit.

The Gran Tourer XC shoes sell for $310 / £240 / 275€, and are available now in Dusty Pink (sand+pink), Charcoal (grey+black), or all Black. The shoes come in whole EU sizes 38-47, with a claimed weight of 342g per shoe (size 43).

GT XC First Impressions

Unpredictable and unseasonably cold spring weather has limited our pre-launch testing time with the new Gran Tourer XC shoes mostly to gravel riding. But outside of summer XC race season, gravel feels like a great fit for these shoes. They are noticeably stiffer than either of the previous generations of Gran Tourers, making them feel even more efficient while pedaling the paved sections of our gravel rides.

In fact, combining the still pretty stiff upper with a much stiffer sole and improved fit adjustability, they have made a pretty efficient option for winter all-road training while keeping walkability. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that our small size 38 shoes are a lot lighter than claimed at 564g for the pair (282g per shoe). With better weather on the horizon, we’ll be putting a lot more kilometers in on these shoes off-road, but I think the all-road versatility will see them rack up even bigger mixed-surface distances, too.

Quoc Escape Off-Road gravel & MTB shoes

While the GT XCs take off-road stiffness & fit to a new race-ready height and higher pricepoint, the all-new Escape pairing simplifies the Gran Tourer family to the core essentials in order to create more affordable, yet still modern performance shoes.

The Escape Off-Road is of course the walkable MTB SPD clipless version targeted at mountain bikers and gravel riders, but still with plenty of efficient pedaling stiffness.

Quoc Escape Road shoes

The Escape Road is pretty much a carbon-copy of the Off-Road version, which is a good thing for endurance roadies. The upper is the same – just with simplified scuff bumpers – and it gets a stiffer road-friendly carbon composite sole.

Escape tech details

Both Off-Road & Road variants share the same simple synthetic upper with plenty of randomly dispersed perforations for venting, zig-zagging webbing guides sewn onto the shoe, and a single Quoc dial closure that with 3-lace points makes for very fine tension adjustment, even if there is only 1 dial – just like on the recently updated Gran Tourer 2.

The Off-Road shoes get a walkable glass fiber-reinforced nylon sole, with the same ‘al_terrain’ lugged TPU sole that wraps up into a toe bumper, just like on the new Grand Tourer XC. They also get the same replaceable toe spikes, and get rubberized scuff protection just around the toe & heel.

The Road shoes step up the stiffness with a carbon-reinforced nylon composite sole, add a small toe tread pad that curves up into a tiny rubber toe bumper, and get a replaceable heel pad for some walking stability.

The Escape Off-Road shoes sell for just $200 / £150 / 185€, and are available now in Sand, Amber, or classic all Black. The shoes come in whole EU sizes 38-47, with a light claimed weight of 311g per shoe (size 43) thanks to their simplified construction.

(Our 43s were a tad heavier at 315g a shoe.)

The Escape Road version also sell for the same $200 / £150 / 185€, in White, Amber, or Black. They are available in the same EU 38-47 size range, and weigh just 262g per shoe (size 43).

Quoc Lala Slide post-ride slip-on sandals

Lastly, the Lala Slides are Quoc’s first non-cycling shoes. They call them ‘athlesiure’. Developed for either hard-charging cyclists who need to let their feet relax after a long ride, or just as a lightweight slip-on for adventure bikepacking riders to pop on for post-ride camp life, the Lalas get their name directly from the Lalashan mountains.

Lala tech details

The Lala slides are pretty simple, but still pack in some good tech – and an outdoor-ready grippy outsole. Quoc designed the anatomic cushioned foam footbed to offer support and a secure fit, with space for air to move around and under your toes, whether still in socks or barefoot. Then, they bonded on soft, thick microfiber straps – the same durable Gran Tourer fabric – for durable but comfy hold around your foot.

The Lala slides come in four colors that actually create very different looks – from the all black that kind of disappear, the Sand tan straps with a black footbed for a bit of almost monochrome contrast, or the gray footbed with either Amber or Dusty Pink straps to stand out a bit more. The slip-on sandals sell for $50 / £39 / 45€ now in the same size range, with a weight of just 150g per shoe (size 43).

Lala First Impressions

Just because the snowy, cold & wet weather kept us out of the XC shoes didn’t mean we stopped riding. So tired feet needed lots of recovery time. To be honest, we wondered if we really needed a pair of cycling-specific slippers, but oh how we’ve changed our tune. The Quoc Lala slides are simple and kinda perfect.

Again, our little size 38 ones are quite a bit lighter than the average at 246g (123g per shoe).

Around the house after a ride they were super comfortable to slip on, and quickly became a daily favorite – whether there were bikes to ride or not. Justifying the price for a pair of slip-ons will always be a tough call, and a personal one. But these slides look great, feel great, and have probably been worn for more hours in the past month than any other single pair of shoes in the house. That’s our hot take.

All four new Lalashan Collection shoes are available now direct from Quoc, and from their retailer network.
Quoc.cc

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Like any product though, improvements can be made. One of the biggest improvements that Thousand wanted to make to the helmet was making it fit more riders in an effort to be more inclusive to all. That meant introducing what they’re calling a “unique hybrid head form that is designed with both the Asian (round) and European (oval) head shapes.” Thousand points out that most helmet companies fit the latter headform, so the new Thousand headform should comfortably fit more riders globally.

In terms of sizing, the Heritage 2.0 is offered in three sizes, Small (54-57cm), Medium (57-59cm), and Large (59-62cm). The fit is certainly different from a lot of helmets that I’ve tried – at 56cm, I’m typically on the small side of a medium. The size guide for Thousand puts me in a small, which just fits but it’s a little tight at the temples. However, my wife whose head measures 55cm (and is more oval shaped) fits perfectly in the small.

I would say that the sizing is generally a bit bigger than other helmets out there, though I think I would still prefer the medium for my head. Adjustments are made with the dial fit system and internal cradle that offers three vertical positions. The vegan leather straps don’t have any ear cradle adjustment, but they’re well-positioned and fasten with a magnetic Fidlock buckle.

Improved Ventilation

Outside of the change in fit profile, the outer shell has been updated as well. Increased ventilation at the top of the helmet should make it a bit more comfortable in hot weather. While the front of the helmet lacks any visible venting, the inner brow of the helmet has internally molded channels that allow air to flow from the front of the helmet, and out the top and back. All together, Thousand claims this is responsible for a whopping 70% increase in ventilation from the original Heritgage helmet.

PopLock Still Popping

Unlike many of the helmets on the market, the Heritage 2.0 is not an in-molded design meaning there is a hard plastic outer shell with an inner EPS layer. That makes it more durable for daily use including locking it up to the bike – which is a perfect time to use their patented PopLock.

The magnetic PopLock cover is tethered to the helmet, so you can easily pop it out, thread your lock through it, and lock it to the bike.

Increased Visibility

The Heritage 2.0 gets another magnetic party trick as well with the addition of a new magnetic tail light. When available this summer, the light will be sold separately for $25 and will simply pop onto the back of the helmet. Then you can easily remove it when locking up the helmet or to recharge it.

Thousand Heritage 2.0 Helmet Actual Weight

A non-in-molded helmet will typically be heavier, and that’s the case with the Heritage 2.0. At 455g, the helmet is on the heavier side, but it’s both CPSC certified for bikes and ASTM F1492-15 certified for skateboarding and roller skating.

Pricing, Colors, & Availability

Offered in eight standard colors with additional seasonal colors coming soon, the Heritage 2.0 is available now for $99 with the option to add a monogram for $17-19. You also get their free accident replacement program where if you have an accident and your helmet is damaged, they’ll replace it for free. Also, each helmet ships in an environmentally friendly bamboo fiber bag, and Thousand has been a Climate Positive business since 2020 by offsetting 110% of their carbon emissions.

explorethousand.com

The post The New Thousand Heritage 2.0 Helmet is More Ventilated, Visible, & Fits More Diverse Riders appeared first on Bikerumor.

After reading her amazing story, and also finding out that she really dislikes kale, I was inspired. I also really liked the aesthetics of the Olefin fabric she was using, but more on that a little later.

The Fierce Hazel HQ Tour

Fierce Hazel is headquartered in Los Angeles, California. That’s only about a 40-minute drive for me, so I thought I’d pop over there and pay her a visit and get the scoop on how she operates. Up on the eighth floor of an old, early 1920s building on an eclectic block in the heart of downtown Los Angeles’s Garment District is where I met Frankie. She informed me that she had just moved (early in March) to this new space. It was neat and organized.

The artsy, loft-style space is surrounded by windows, looking kinda familiar, like something you’d see in a movie.

Upon walking in, the space she shares with her photographer husband feels instantly welcoming while having a very palpable feeling of creativity to it.

Frankie seemed at home in a space like this, being an artist herself. Fierce Hazel runs its day-to-day operations out of this HQ, but it’s also the space where she designs and creates all of the Fierce Hazel pieces.

Frankie started Fierce Hazel by making the “lightest, most functional cycling wallet possible”, which then evolved into different pouches, specialty wallets, and bags of all types.

The bags were clever in their design and sustainable in their construction.

The Urban Explorer Bag is my favorite of the “off-the-bike” type bags that she makes. You know I’m a big fan of versatility, and this bag is just that, as it can be worn as a backpack, sling, across-the-body, flight sack, or a “relaxed backpack”. Check it out if you get a chance.

The Urban Explorer Bag uses the same Olefin fabric as the True Grit Bike bag line. She tells me that, after taking a long time looking for an overseas manufacturer for the True Grit line, she decided on a shop in Vietnam that only deals in remnants (including the Olefin), or scraps that are left over from other manufacturers/brands.

Vietnam is easier for her to visit and do quality control check-ups, so she chose them to manufacture her True Grit line.

So, on to the True Grit bike bags.

As I mentioned earlier, I had already received the Saddlebag and Handlebar bag and had been testing the Handle Bar bag for a few weeks. So I will be giving some insight on that bag. I can’t touch on long-term durability, but will touch on all of the features in my review below.

But first, let me tell you a bit about the True Grit Saddle Bag.

Fierce Hazel True Grit Saddle Bag

The Fierce Hazel Saddle Bag is a good-sized, albeit compact saddle bag that tucks in nicely under your saddle. I didn’t get a chance to actually review this bag, although I did mount it up to see how it looked.

I mounted it on my Brooks B17 and on my wife’s ol’ WTB saddle for comparison. Fierce Hazel says it’s big enough to hold up to two tubes, as well as tools, and some snacks. In my wife’s case, it holds one 26″x 2.25″ tube, a Co2 cartridge, an inflator, tire levers, and an old (big) Topeak Alien Tool, still leaving room for a Gu packet or two…plus the space in the flap pocket.

It has a handy key clip and a pocket on the convenient, downward-opening flap that could hold an ID and/or some credit cards. On the inside of the saddle bag, on the side wall, there is a well-thought-out elastic strap to hold a tube, tire levers, or tools up out of the way, while keeping them from getting buried in the saddle bag causing a near-full unload to get to something you need.

The Saddle Bag is made from eco-friendly Olefin. Olefin is an extremely durable synthetic fiber, and it’s stain resistant. The True Grit Bike Bag collection is a very handsome and unique set of bags… classy looking.

Features

• Rugged, weatherproof construction
• Visibility features for added safety
• Upcycled Olefin shell, with a waterproof nylon interior
• Internal key fob, elastic strap, and pocket
• Sustainably produced

Size: 7″ x 4.5″ x 4″

Weight: 3.8oz

Volume: 0.9 liters

Retail: $79

Fierce Hazel True Grit Handlebar Bag Review

I’ve been using the Fierce Hazel True Grit handlebar bag for a few weeks, grabbing rides between the rain that we’ve been getting here. I’ve had it long enough to get an idea of the quality and whether it’s for me or not. Right off the bat, I will tell you that the bag is extremely well-made. It’s a high-quality bag, with a top-notch fit and finish around the edges and seams.

At first, the bag seemed a little on the small-ish size, but after mounting it up, I found it tucked into the handlebars nicely.

Out of curiosity, thinking that my Roadrunner Burrito Supreme Bag was a lot bigger, I put the two side by side and the True Grit bag was the same width but only a little bit smaller in diameter, a difference of .6 liters in volume. That was surprising because the Burrito Bag looks so much bulkier.

It has a handy, although very tight outside, mesh pocket that seems hard to put much in except for maybe a Gu pack or two. Also on the outside of the True Grit bike bags are external light mounts and a large reflective strip across the bag, which is a nice touch.

When mounting the bag to the bars, I noticed some little protective pads that are permanently sewn underneath the buckles. These served two purposes in my experience with the bag, 1) as a sort of grip to keep the bag from slipping, in case you don’t want to use the additional velcro headtube attachment, or 2) they’re simply there as a protection pad for your bars.

Speaking of the velcro attachment strap, the “fuzzy” part of the velcro stops a few inches away from where it starts. This means that if you have it tightened as much as I did (like in the above photo) it leaves an untidy amount of strap danglin’. But, I feel that this was purely user error, as I didn’t need to tighten it as much as I did. If you don’t tighten it as I did, you are left with a clean application of that strap. Plus, it’s removable, so you don’t need to use it if you don’t want to.

The handy key fob tether came in well, handy. A quick pull of the tether (that is conveniently sewn right at the opening of the bag) makes for a quick grab of your car or house key when the bag is stuffed full.

The handlebar bag was able to hold quite a bit when I started loading it up for a ride. I loaded the bag with a banana, my bandana, my keys, and Wolf Tooth multitool (it goes everywhere with me), my driver’s license, and bank card (tucked into the Fierce Hazel Super Uselful Card Holder), sunglasses, my Paul bottle opener (for beer), and my favorite fig bar.

Not shown in the picture are the Giro D&D gloves that I ended up taking off during my ride and shoving in there… leaving plenty of room to spare.

Features

• Rugged, weatherproof construction
• Visibility features for added safety
• Upcycled Olefin shell, with a waterproof nylon interior
• Internal key fob, elastic strap, and pocket
• Sustainably produced

Size: 8″ x 4.5″

Weight: 6.4oz

Volume: 2 liters

Retail: $89

In Conclusion

As I mentioned earlier, I can’t attest to the long-term durability yet, but I can’t see any glaring issues that would lead me to believe that the bag wouldn’t last a very long time.

The True Grit Handlebar bag did, however, live up to its handsome exterior and performed as well as it looks. It mounts quickly and easily, making it easy to remove from the bike. This makes it nice for someone (like me) that does a lot of shorter rides during the week where a handlebar bag isn’t really needed. That being said, it looks small and tidy and would be a bag that I could easily leave on the bike 24/7.

Fierce Hazel is a female-owned, small operation, that runs ethically, and eco-consciously. Their products are all designed in California and are well thought out, clever products that fit many needs throughout the whole line.

The True Grit on-the-bike bag line is a welcome addition to the choices we have for these types of bags. They are very reasonably priced for the quality of the bag you are receiving. I would recommend them.

Check out all of the Fierce Hazel Goodies by hitting the link below.

FierceHazel.com

The post HQ Tour: Fierce Hazel is Designing New True Grit Bike Bags in LA appeared first on Bikerumor.

We stuff it full to see how it stands up…

Restrap Tool Pouch 0.6L everyday saddlebag

What do you really need out of an everyday saddle bag? Room for everyday tools & spares. Secure, but easy attachment under your saddle rails. Durable construction that will protect the things you carry, and stand up to the abuse of riding in foul weather. The new Restrap Tool Pouch does all of that, and it’s made in the UK from tough synthetic materials, and doesn’t cost an arm & a leg.

Restrap says their Tool Pouch is designed “for storing essential tools for on-the-go access, from short weekend rides to long lightweight trips with additional kit”.

Tech details

Really it’s just a well-made saddlebag – a bit larger than usual – that can be an everyday bag for road, gravel, or mountain biking – with just enough adjustability that you can stuff something like an ultra-compact mini-pump inside too.

The Tool Pouch is made of rough & tough 1000D nylon, with a smoother slippery orange liner (in all color versions), and a single mesh internal organizer pocket. It also gets a thin layer of internal foam padding where the bag rests up against the back of your seatpost, plus around the bottom & sides to help protect whatever you pack inside.

A simple sewn-on velcro strap secures it under your saddle, with small reflective stitching for a tiny bit of extra visibility.

Review First Impressions

My first takeaway when loading this little bag up was just how much you could stuff inside. I packed mine up for gravel with the biggest Unior Euro 17 multi-tool in my toolbox, a pair of Unior tire levers, a Restrap Tire Boot Kit, a big Challenge latex tube, a CO2 & PRO inflator, and still had plenty of space for a salty Pizza bar care of Chimpanzee. It was mostly full, and still closed completely. You could pack less and cinch the main velcro flap down more, or stuff it even more.

Fully loaded it’s about 10cm wide x 7cm tall x 13cm long when fully closed (with a 5×8.5cm opening). But its 3D tapered shape can easily be extended by about 3cm, meaning you can easily fit in a tiny pump like the 14cm long Lezyne Pocket Drive road or HV mountain series. Either way, the simple velcro strap looping around the saddle rails means you can always get it secure.

The bag itself weighs just 75g, but feels pretty heavy-duty. I’ve not yet had much foul weather beyond riding through some stick mud and a few puddles so far, where it was almost entirely protected by my Ass Savers Win Wing fender (so much for abusive bag testing, sorry). It seems likely to keep its contents pretty well protected as the flap is wider than its opening, but it is obviously not an overly waterproofed design. So I wouldn’t pack anything likely to be damaged by water, and will empty the bag out to dry after especially wet rides.

All-in, the bright orange liner, small mesh pocket & big adjustable storage have made the Restrap Tool Pouch a solid saddle bag for off-road rides.

Restrap Tool Pouch – Pricing, options & availability

The new Tool Pouch is Restrap’s smallest bike bag, but it is still entirely handmade in the UK and backed by a lifetime warranty. The 0.6L saddlebag sells for $50 / £33 / 40€ and comes in three colors – black, olive green, or bright orange, all with an orange liner to help find small items inside.

Get yours today direct from Restrap or through a global network of retailer shops.

Restrap.com

The post Restrap Tool Pouch Carries All Your Spares in Heavy-Duty Mini Saddlebag – First Rides appeared first on Bikerumor.

Tailfin Top Tube Packs: Small Rackless Bikepacking Bag Storage

For a company that has built a brand around a lightweight bikepacking setup with a unique rack, it’s interesting to see Tailfin going deeper with bags in the on-bike bag game too. From a technical perspective, a few things make the Tailfin Top Tube Packs unique.

First, three sizes. A 0.8L bag is pretty small, mostly fitting a phone, mini-tool, and some snacks. The 1.1 L still feels compact while offering more usable storage, including a compact shell vest or jacket. And the 1.5 L seems pretty huge when it sits just behind your relatively tiny stem, easily fitting pretty much any packable jacket along with plenty of other small items. You can probably equate it to what you would comfortably carry in one, two, or three jersey pockets without feeling bogged down.

Next, are two closure types, which really make for two different experiences that will appeal to different users. The zip-opening is pretty classic, simple, and hard to argue with. The new Flip Lid version offers a much wider opening that will help get more bulky items inside like a camera or even my DJI Mini drone — something you can really do through the slit you get with a zipper. The Flip Lid models feature a magnet that automatically grabs the top once it falls closed, plus a secondary loop you can then hook in place for super secure closure.

The last big new thing is Tailfin’s V-Mount attachment that uses a molded rubberized bracket to hook on your frame — actually adapted tech from Tailfin’s other rackless on-bike bags, its Downtube Packs. This one bracket allows you to push a bolt through for bolt-on bikes, or loop its own Voile-style TPU rubber strap for a secure install on frames without top tube bag bolts. Tailfin designed it to work with classic small diameter round metal frame tubes or modern flat carbon bikes, to completely eliminate the small movement that rubs away your paint finish, and without the need for any stabilizing strap around the stem thanks to lightweight internal HDPE support structure.

A few more details include fully waterproof welded 210D Hypalon/Diamond ripstop nylon construction, a full-length internal mesh pocket that helps keep things organized (and keeps your expensive phone separated from whatever else you stuff inside), a cable port flap in the front so you could push through a wire to power a light or navigation device from a battery inside protected from the elements, and the zip versions come with its standard blue zipper pull AND a black one if you can’t stand so much color on your bike.

And Now on to the Tailfin Top Tube Pack Reviews

Zach’s Take

After testing a bunch of different top tube packs in the past, I had come to the conclusion that they really just weren’t for me. I found that almost all of them suffered from one of many flaws — they either rubbed on my legs when pedaling, wouldn’t stay put, fit the bike poorly, or they simply didn’t offer enough storage to be practical.

James from Tailfin told us that its new packs would be different. Sure, we’ve heard that before, but this was coming from Tailfin, the masters of the uniquely technical bike bag.

I wanted something that would absolutely not rub on my legs, so James suggested I try out the 0.8L zip-opening top tube pack. This is the smallest of the range, but it is still big enough to offer useful storage. The bag is tall enough that it will fit some phones, waffles, and other taller items, but it’s short enough that even on smaller frames you can still straddle the top tube without it getting in the way.

My favorite use for top tube bags is to provide easy access to snacks without having to stop. The Tailfin Top Tube pack performed that duty perfectly with an effortless zipper that is easily opened and closed with one hand. The opening of the bag is also crafted in a way that is easy to reach inside, but it resists the contents just bouncing out if you’re trying to grab the contents over rough terrain.

The only comment I have about the zipper is that if you don’t close it all the way, the zipper pull can be a bit noisy. The solution is easy though — just push it all the way into the zipper garage, and it’s silent.

More importantly, the tapered design of the pack means it’s extremely difficult to get it to rub on your legs while pedaling. I’ve used other bags that have managed this feat, but not with this much storage. When looking down from the top of the bag, the Restrap frame bag I was running underneath was wider than the top tube bag. The narrow profile matched with the semi-rigid design of the Tailfin pack means that it’s the perfect shape for unobtrusive storage.

It’s also the most stable top tube pack that I’ve used. It seems like all bolt-on frame packs should be equally as stable, but the Tailfin pack doesn’t budge thanks to the V-Mount hardware, which is attached to the rigid internal structure of the bag. The rigid connection also means a front strap around the steerer isn’t needed.

On top of the internal structure is a sort of foam insole that cushions anything inside the bag (like your phone) and keeps the hardware from damaging it.

As usual, Tailfin has absolutely obsessed over every detail and created a class-leading product. Given that this bag is able to fit almost any frame out of the box without having to buy any accessories or adapters makes it an easy recommendation.

Cory’s Take

My perspective covers more of the bigger bags, and more specifically the flap-top closure. While many riders deal with their knees hitting top tube bags, I am usually not bothered. My concern is more the ability to easily get in and out of the bag one-handed while riding for snack storage or a place to keep my phone or camera protected from rain on bad weather days and my own sweaty back (or hip pocket) on sunny days.

So, honestly already being a fan of another flap-top bag, I was looking forward to more storage options.

Lightweight is great, and it’s nice that my 1.1L Flip Lid pack was exactly as advertised at 189 g with the two included straps I would need to fit the bag to my old-school lugged steel adventure bike.

But really, the stability offered by those V-Mount brackets might be what sold me on the packs.

This old metal cyclocross-style travel bike has had tons of iterations from mechanical canti rim brakes and mechanical shifting to modern hydraulic disc brakes and wireless shifting. It still has external routing on the top of the top tube, so good luck getting a bag there without compromise. And yet …

The Tailfin V-Mount clamps securely on top of my cable guide and allows the rear brake line to pass next to the mount (see two photos above for the side profile). And I can still unstrap and transfer it to a more modern bike in literal seconds.

I love the flip-top style for easy access, and this 1.1L Flip Lid bag offers plenty of space for a ShakeDry shell, a full-sized multitool, and a few snacks — all things that meant less in my pockets.

Really I can overstuff this little bag and it still closes easily with a little magnetic grab. Then, the stretchy loop offers plenty of extra length for me to clasp it over the plastic hook for a visible secure closure. And there’s even extra room for me to overstuff it a bit more.

As for knee rub, this mid-size bag still gets a tapered shape like the very thin 0.8L bag Zach tested, but this one isn’t quite so thin. I didn’t have a problem with my knees touching the bag most of the time, but it is certainly wider than the steel tubes on this bike, and off-road out-of-the-saddle efforts could involve me brushing the bag’s sides, especially when it was overstuffed.

The flap-style closure also does make the bag both wider and more prone to catch on your knee. So riders who are afraid of rub should stick to the smaller zippered bags. But I am sticking with this one.

We also tried out the bigger zippered bag for some snowy fat biking, and we came away happy but unsurprised how a bigger bag than the mid-size is pretty much only for mountain bikes with long reach and wider top tubes.

Tailfin’s own suggestion is that the really big 1.5L versions are only for MTB and only for people who have no concerns about knee rub. That seems fair, and those bags do offer a ton of storage for those riders really looking to carry more.

Tailfin Top Tube Packs: Pricing, Options, and Availability

While there are three sizes and two styles, only the zip bag comes in the smallest as the flip-top requires a bigger overall footprint. The Tailfin Top Tube Pack Zip comes in the $65/60€ 0.8L (138 g), $70/65€ 1.1L (154 g), and $75/70€ 1.5L (178 g) sizes.

The Tailfin Top Tube Pack Flip Lid comes in the $75/70€ 1.1L (167 g) and $80/75€ 1.5L (187 g) sizes. All weights here are claimed for bolt-on setups; strap setups add an extra 12 g.

All are available now, direct from Tailfin with a five-year warranty, the ability to replace the straps and V-Mount brackets if ever needed, and a discounted crash-replacement program for as long as you use the bags.

Tailfin.cc

The post Tailfin Top Tube Packs Offer Extra Bikepacking Storage for All Sizes & Preferences: Review appeared first on Bikerumor.

And then, while looking for a different way to approach my cycling, getting bored with the same ol’ way of doing it … I tried it.

I’m here to tell you, it’s a good time. I’ve been riding my bike exclusively with sandals for many years and on many, many different terrains, including during a torrential hail storm on the way to ride Mr. Toad’s in South Tahoe.

I first started my cycling-in-sandals adventures sometime in 2016, with a pair of Tevas. I can’t remember the model, it was the Hurricane somethin’ or other. But it’s not important because I didn’t like them much.

After discovering the benefits of “zero drop” footwear, I looked to find another sandal to ride in. After some searching and review reading, I discovered Bedrock Sandals in 2017. I’ve been wearing them nonstop ever since.

But hold on, what does “zero drop” mean? Zero drop simply refers to the angle of where your heel sits compared to your toes. Traditional footwear, like the Tevas I was wearing (as well as all of my other shoes), elevates the heel between a half and a full inch (14-24 mm). Some say that this misaligns the spine and causes an “unnatural heel strike.”

Zero-drop footwear keeps your piggies (toes) and heel level, mimicking the natural state the foot is in while barefooted and standing on a flat surface. Simple.

I went ahead and ordered a pair of Bedrock’s Cairn Adventure Sandals. I kinda fell for them right out of the box — I loved the way they looked and they were instantly comfortable. After wearing them for the first week, my feet felt great, and they felt light while walking. While outdoors, camping, and riding, they performed great. The aggressive tread held on to the pedals perfectly.

I ended up putting hundreds and hundreds of miles on my Cairns. But, when the weather got cold, I put them away for the winter.

When Bedrock announced the launch of its Mountain Clog, I thought “all right, now I can wear Bedrocks all winter long … with socks.”

Bedrock Mountain Clogs: First Impressions

Upon the initial unboxing, I noticed that these new Mountain Clogs ($160-175) are very similar to my Cairns. They have three adjustment areas, adjusting similarly to the Cairns, so I tried to match the settings of the Cairns and started wearing them.

The side and heel daisy chain adjustments are adjusted just once when you get them on to find the right fit. Then to remove and tighten the clog, you just pull and loosen the strap on the outside of the clog.

The Mountain Clogs come in actual leather (Ecco Nubuck) and synthetic leather. The synthetic comes in two colors: Clay and Gray. I received the gray synthetic-leather version.

They have a Vibram Megagrip rubber outsole that looks like it will be super durable. The Mountain Clog is re-soulable (not a typo), just like Bedrock’s other sandals as part of its Re-Soul Program.

The Re-Soul program is Bedrock’s attempt to lessen its environmental impact, “redefining conventional product lifecycle.” If you damage your Bedrock footwear, or wore out your sole, it offers comprehensive repair and re-sole options for reasonable pricing.

The new clogs felt pretty light out of the box, so I decided to weigh them against my Cairns. The new Mountain Clogs came in at 381 g and my Cairns weigh 324 g. So, the clogs were not that much heavier than the Cairns, even though there is much more material used on the clogs.

The synthetic leather version makes the Mountain Clog 100% vegan in its construction. I have to say, I think the actual leather will “patina” nicer than the synthetic over time, and I’m curious how the synthetic will hold up. So far, it seems durable, but I’m just getting started. I plan to use these as I’ve used my Cairns: for everything, every day.

The clogs’ footbed is anatomically molded and is zero drop but feels more cushioned than my Cairns. It’s made of polyurethane and if your socks are a little baggy, you have to do some wriggling to get your foot all the way in, making it a smidge difficult to “quickly” slip on.

I’ve spent all day long in them every day for about a week now, and so far they a very, very comfortable. The weather here in Southern California has been a little colder than normal for this time of year, and they’ve kept my tootsies warm.

These Mountain Clogs seem to be a really nice pair of foorwear. I will be putting them through the same conditions as my Cairns. And I’ll be returning here to tell you all about it in the full review.

Stay tuned.

In the meantime, check out the goods at Bedrock below.

BedrockSandals.com

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Luckily I also got a pair of cold-weather gloves from Lizard Skins, which were an ideal partner to the Chilco Anorak. The Monitor 3 SZN gloves cover nearly the same temperature range as the Anorak and felt grippy and comfortable on both drop bars and MTB handlebars.

7mesh WTV Chilco Anorak: Construction & Features

First off, WTV stands for “Wind Thermal Ventilation.” 7mesh took a lofty grid-style inner fabric and mated it to a woven, wind-blocking face material to create a thermal pullover that traps body heat in, but only to a point. The face fabric does allow some air permeability, and when you get really warm, the perforated lines in the grid fabric help hot air and moisture escape.

The Chilco Anorak is a quarter-zip pullover with a large kangaroo pocket on the front. All three zippers employ lightweight string pulls that are easy to grab with gloved hands. The Anorak features a structured hood with an elasticated edge, which can be squeezed over a helmet. The waist hem includes a nearly hidden drawstring, and the 7mesh logos on the front and back are reflective. The Chilco is a fairly lightweight garment (especially for how warm it is) with a medium listed at 370 g.

The WTV Chilco Anorak retails for $200. Color options are Black, Honey, or Midnight Blue, and men’s sizes range from XS-XXL. Women’s models are also available.

Ride Impressions

My first fall ride in the WTV Chilco Anorak was a gravel ride in temperatures ranging from about 8-11° Celsius. I wore a long-sleeve jersey underneath the Chilco, and it was a good choice. I was comfortably warm right out of the car, and after a little pedaling, my body easily stayed warm throughout the whole ride. I did wind up getting a bit warmer than necessary, but never got sweaty or too hot. Right away, I noticed the WTV fabric blocking the chilly wind quite well.

My next ride was a bit cooler and wetter, at about 6-9° in mist and light rain. I wore my POC Guardian Air shell over the anorak (and a long-sleeve jersey). Even with its hood, the Anorak fit well underneath the POC shell. Again I got a bit warmer than needed but did not overheat or get sweaty inside. Usually, I’d lament a lack of armpit vents on a thermal layer, but the WTV fabric does a great job of regulating temperature and the Chilco Anorak performs very well without them.

As temperatures dropped, I got out for a 5° C MTB ride. I started with my POC shell but only wore it to the trailhead. I knew I’d warm up quickly while climbing, and continuing with the Chilco Anorak and a long-sleeve jersey proved perfect. For MTB laps, I’d say the Anorak’s ideal temperature range (with a jersey underneath) is roughly 3-10° C (37-50º F): With an outer shell, that range could be pushed into freezing temps easily. While descending I was reminded of how well the WTV blocks wind and how well it traps body heat (despite me never using the waist hem’s drawstring).

One thing the Chilco Anorak is not intended for is rainy rides. The WTV fabric does not have any kind of water-resistant coating or treatment. The fabric is designed to dry quickly, so it can handle a lot of humidity but the Chilco is not advertised as a water-resistant or waterproof layer.

I found the fit of the Chilco Anorak nearly perfect. 7mesh carefully tailors its clothing and this thermal offers a reasonably lean cut without restricting motion in any way, whether you’re on flat bars or drop bars. The only slightly odd thing about the fit of the WTV Anorak is how it wants to sit on my shoulders. When I put it on, I always have to pull it forward to get the shoulders to sit nicely on my body, or the front rests right up against my upper chest. Once I tug it into place, it is perfectly comfortable and the shoulders/collar don’t try to migrate backward while I ride.

The Anorak’s arm length is bang-on for me, and I love the simple hems with the small stretch panels — the cuffs are clean and lean and do a good job of staying put over gloves. The Chilco’s body offers good coverage, with its dropped tail reaching right to my saddle. I also like how the collar is tall enough to tuck your chin inside on those chilly starts.

I never rode the WTV Chilco Anorak without a base layer, but I did wear it around the house against my bare skin. The inner grid fabric is soft and comfortable, so riding with the Anorak alone or dropping your base layer to cool down are definitely reasonable options. 

Since last fall I’ve worn the Anorak quite a few times, often with outer layers or a backpack, and there is no visible wear and tear to speak of. The WTV fabric is proving to be impressively durable.

While the Chilco Anorak is fully intended for riding, I wear it as a casual garment more often than most of my riding clothes. It’s good-looking, warm, and cozy! I appreciate the bang-for-your-buck factor of garments that ride great but that you’ll likely wear casually too.  

Lizard Skins Monitor 3 SZN Gloves: Construction

Lizard Skins’ Monitor 3 SZN Gloves feature a one-piece palm with a perforated pattern for maximum grip. Furthermore, the palm material is hydro-resistant so it’ll remain grippy when wet. On the backside, Lizard Skins offers a thin fleece-lined Thermal Flex back panel to provide warmth.

The Monitor 3 SZN Gloves also include elastic cuffs with a water-resistant nano lining and microfiber nose-wipe panels on both thumbs. MSRP is $39.99, and sizes XS-XXL are available in Jet Black only.

Ride Impressions

The Monitor 3 SZN Glove proved to be a good option for chilly rides, and I found them ideal within the range of roughly 4-10°(39-50º F). The gloves aren’t super warm right off the bat; at temperatures around 5° or lower, I did have a few cool starts with them but once I warmed up, they held heat in well for the remainder of my ride. I rode these gloves down to about 2° C (35º F), and my hands started off chilly but got comfortable after a while.

After several gravel rides and a few MTB laps, I’d say these gloves might be better for MTB at near-freezing temps. While the gloves feel fairly windproof, the wind seems to get through them a bit as my hands always took longer to warm up on my gravel-bike road rides versus my MTB laps. My trail network starts with a climb, and with some hard pedaling, it doesn’t take long to warm up enough for the gloves to trap in your body heat. I enjoyed a fall MTB ride at 5° and the Monitor 3 SZN Gloves were perfect for it.

While I never got out in heavy rainfall I got to ride the gloves in light rain for over an hour, and they handled it easily with my hands staying completely dry inside. The soft cuffs are long enough to ensure the wind doesn’t get up your sleeves, and the lack of closure straps makes them easy to slip into a jacket. 

The Monitor 3 SZN Gloves aren’t amazingly thin but I had no issues with dexterity, bunching, or discomfort on either drop bars or MTB bars. I’m also pleased that they’re proving quite durable — I found one tiny cut on one palm but otherwise, there’s no notable wear and tear on the gloves.

7mesh.com; LizardSkins.com

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Northwave Rebel 3 x Epic Series XC mountain bike shoes

Billed as a mix of long-distance comfort and enduring high performance, the new Northwave Rebel 3 x Epic Series edition cross-country marathon mountain bike shoes get their debut this week in South Africa at the Cape Epic on the feet of Andreas Seewald and Martin Stošek. But we also have a pair too, and they strike a solid balance of performance stiffness, light weight, walkability, and a price that’s not astronomic.

Tech details

The Rebel 3 x Epic Series gets Northwave’s second-stiffest XC12 carbon mountain bike sole with a combination of overall carbon composite structure reinforced with a full-carbon insert around your cleats, then over-molded with TPU protection, replaceable toe spikes, and non-replaceable rubber lugs. The Rebel 3 XC12 sole is internally rated by Northwave as a Stiffness Index 12, compared to the SI 14 of their range-topping Extreme XC 2 MTB shoes.

The Rebel 3 features a 1-piece seamless synthetic microfiber upper with laser-perforated side & toe vents, a mesh vented tongue, two Northwave SLW3 dial-wire adjustment, and heat-welded TPU toe & heel reinforcement. The special Epic Series edition gets a unique matte black finish, with amber yellow (orange) NW logo and Epic Series graphics on the outer side of each shoe. They also get a special edition matching black & amber foam insole/footbed, as well.

First Impressions

We’ve just received a set of the special edition Northwave Rebel 3 x Epic Series shoes, and they seem to strike a good balance of fit & performance. Unlike the top Northwave XC shoes, the Rebel 3 upper & tongue configuration provides a bit more fit adjustability to cyclists with low to medium volume feet. And the shoes feel very stiff on the bike, but still do have a little front-to-rear flex, mostly feeling in the mid-foot to heel on the bike. Off the bike, a little toe flex makes walking up steep inclines a bit easier.

The compromise that cuts 1/3 of the price off the Extreme XC2, is the more basic upper, the slightly less stiff but still carbon sole, less fancy wire lacing, and in-house rubber that’s probably going to wear longer but is not as sticky as the more expensive Michelin lugs. In fact, they are even 50g lighter than the Extremes, with my EU43 pair without cleats weighing in at a respectable 709g.

Northwave Rebel x Epic shoes – Pricing & availability

The new Northwave Rebel 3 x Epic Series shoes retail for 210€. They are available in EU whole sizes 36-48, and half sizes from 39-46. Get a pair now in-person at the Cape Epic or any Epic Series race villages, direct from Northwave’s website, or through any of their regular retailers.

Northwave.com

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There are so many different ways to ride dropbar, gravel, or mountain bikes that there isn’t one best shoe style for the job. Fortunately, there are plenty of options — including these two from Specialized.

Balancing style and function, the new Recon ADV should check a lot of boxes for various riders. While it’s considered a “gravel” shoe, the ADV seems like a great option for anyone spending long days on the bike while needing a shoe that’s comfortable walking around off of it. Whether that means endurance gravel events, bikepacking, or just out exploring all day, the Recon ADV should be up to the task.

Unlike the BOA-equipped S-Works Recon SL, the Recon ADV relies on classic shoe laces. While not as quick to put on or take off, the laces offer a lightweight, adjustable closure that is easily repairable wherever you are.

Fit

Hidden amongst the Recon ADV are fit details pulled from years of Body Geometry development. The unassuming insole includes longitudinal arch support, a metatarsal button, and the shoe integrates a varus wedge to keep your feet in the best position while pedaling. There is also substantial (but soft) shaping around the inside of the heel cup to help keep your heel in place.

Sizing seems to be right on the money as I’m most often a size 41.5, and this pair of 41.5s fit great. Even for someone with fairly wide feet, I found these to have plenty of room in the toebox to be comfortable.

Specialized Recon ADV Actual Weight

Speaking of weight, the Recon ADV is fairly impressive at 303 g per shoe (size 41.5) when compared with the S-Work Recon SL. For double the price, you end up with a shoe that is 288 g per shoe (size 43).

Performance Pedaling but Still Walkable

Built with a carbon sole, the Recon ADV is no slouch when it comes to pedaling efficiency. But that carbon plate end just forward of the cleat pocket allows for what Specialized calls its STRIDE toe-flex technology.

The tech allows for exactly what it says: a flexible toe to make walking more comfortable. In addition, the tread pontoons on the toe are raised from the cleat pocket, which allows the shoe to sort of rock forward when walking, before ever flexing the toe.

That tread is also extremely grippy thanks to the Greater SlipNot rubber tread. I appreciate how the rubber flows from the front of the shoe to the heel, which gives you a grippy spot under your arch if you miss a pedal, or have to scramble to keep moving without being clipped in. You won’t find any replaceable parts or optional toe spikes here, but that’s part of what makes them lighter and more affordable.

The Specialized Recon ADV aren’t exactly affordable at $225, but they’re substantially less than the $450 S-Works models. Offered in three colors, the Recon ADV will come in full sizes from 36-49, and half sizes from 38.5 to 46.5.

Overall, you get a very comfortable gravel/adventure shoe with a supple, laser-perforated microfiber upper, and a TPU mudguard in a stylish package. If a lace-up adventure shoe is your speed, these are definitely worth a look.

Specialized.com

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Leatt revamps MTB shoe range to suit trail to gravity riders

We’ve actually already teased a good bit of the second-generation MY23 updates to Leatt’s mountain bike shoe range, but it’s worth taking a closer look at improved performance that makes its way all the way down to their $99 entry-level shoes. And to be honest, the naming schemes are a bit easy to mix up, so worth explaining. Plus, I’ve been riding the two higher-end versions of the new flat pedal shoes, so can offer some real-world feedback on how well they stick.

Pretty much all of Leatt’s MTB shoes initially had a hollowed-out waffle-pattern tread like Vans skate shoes with plenty of negative space (called WaffleGrip). But the webs connecting the tread actually made the shoes too stiff for the best grip. So they inverted the design, creating WaffleGrip Pro with individual 2mm tall triangular tread blocks that can each deform separately, and allow the sole beneath to flex unrestricted by the tread. The result is plenty of negative space for both short & long traction pins to dig in, plus a more self-cleaning design.

Yet, Leatt still wanted more grip, so they formulated a 20% softer rubber – dubbed RideGrip Pro – that’s even stickier on the pedals, as well as off-the-bike scrambling up rocks. Plus, it’s said to deliver almost the same level of durability as the harder rubber, so the shoes will still last you several seasons.

Review Leatt MTB 3.0 Flat Pro shoes

The big evolution in Leatt’s flat pedal shoes continues from the new grip and stickier rubber, also to an improved midsole that mixes EVA foam and rubber to provide additional damping of vibration and impacts. Much like a flexible shoe can bend over the pedal to maintain grip, if the structure of the shoe can damp impacts a bit, it is more likely to stay on the pedal and not bounce off when you barrel through chunky rock gardens. Plus, the shoe:pedal interface is the biggest transfer of forces between rider and bike when you are flying down the trail, so the more comfort & stability the better.

The $150 / 170€ Leatt MTB 3.0 Flat Pro shoes are targeted at all-mountain, enduro, and downhill riding, combining the medium-stiffness upgraded sole with a reinforced upper. With a wide skate shoe sneaker feel, they are cut fairly high at the ankle both inside & out with a loose-fitting neoprene cuff that offers a bit of protection from an errant pedal or flying trail debris, and has so fair kept most dirt & rocks out without feeling too tight.

My Pro-level shoes are tightened with a micro-adjust MOZ cable & dial (Leatt’s own Boa-style system that they back and provide replacement parts for) attached to the stiff rubber surround of mesh side vent panels, and a long velcro strap up top. They get also get perforation vents across the rest of the synthetic leather upper, and heavy-duty rubber toe & heel protection.

The shoes feel pretty light for a well-protected enduro shoe with a sticky rubber sole, weighing in at 809g for the pair in my size 43 in snow camo.

There’s also a lace-up version of these 3.0 Flat Pro shoes that sell for $130 / 150€ for those who don’t want the added complexity of the dial closure, plus you may even save a few grams.

I’ve been riding and hiking trails now for a while in these new Leatt MTB 3.0 Flat Pro shoes and can really appreciate their latest sole & midsole construction. On the bike, they feel firmly planted on a couple of different platform pedals I’ve tried, hooking up like velcro whether the pins are short or shin-shredding long.

Hike-a-biking in the snow & mud shows they aren’t magic, but any dirt, rock, or root to grip on at the revised WaffleGrip Pro tread is a huge improvement over the older Vans-style tread. After just a few, you could start to see small divots in the tread blocks from the longest pins making contact, but now around 10 rides in there’s not really any more wear as the pins seem to have found their place.

And really, the shoes might even feel more connected to the pedals now. Or that could be my imagination, as I just get used to new shoes that are breaking in around my feet?

Review Leatt HydrDri 7.0 Flat shoes

Now more in more season-appropriate conditions, the most expensive shoes in the 2023 Leatt MTB lineup are these $190 / 210€ waterproof HydrDri 7.0 Flat shoes, unsurprising as they are certainly more complex. Unlike many winter shoes, they are not insulated making them more versatile in all seasons, and the outer shell is not actually what makes them waterproof. Instead, underneath you find a more conventional shoe construction with a Leatt 10k/10k breathable membrane on the inside and simple speed-laces that cinch tight, held in place with a cam lock.

On the outside, the HydrDri 7 shoes do have a tough outer gaiter shell that is highly waterproof yet flexible, also with heel & toe reinforcement, a waterproof zipper, and a secure snap closure at the top that fits tightly but comfortably against your leg, and under your pant leg. Then, there is the same top-tier WaffleGrip Pro x RideGrip Pro sole for maximum platform pedal grip.

That’s really where these shoes shine, offering the same flat pedal grip, even when the weather outside is miserable.

Even with the outer protection gaiter, the Leatt HydrDri 7.0 Flat shoes aren’t much heavier than a regular pair of gravity shoes, a real 895g for my size 43 boots shoes.

I also have to really resist the temptation to call them boots. They look like boots and sit next to my insulate winter boots from Northwave & 45Nrth at the moment. But really, because of the low-cut inner shoe construction, they feel a lot more like a regular trail sneaker than real winter boots. If you ride in the Arctic that might be a downside, but really these are just more versatile.

That big surprise here for me is that the HydrDri 7.0 shoes are really just foul-weather shoes, not winter shoes. In fact, they don’t feel overly warm at the moment when we are still in the death throes of winter. But in the same size 43, these shoes do offer a bit more room for thicker socks. That means I can go with merino ski socks to stay warm in freezing temps, but I will still be able to ride in these waterproof shoes when temps warm up.

But the cuff stays tight against my leg, and stays under slim-cut riding pants, so the mud stays out, my feet actually stay dry while riding super sloppy wet trails, and you can just hose them clean at the end of the ride without worrying about wet socks. And when I’m worrying about hunting for grip under my tires on slick trails and muddy off-cambers… I have had sticky predictable grip on my pedals.

I already mentioned that it’s nice to have the exact same grip on summer & winter shoes, right? That’s a welcome new feature to me, as I usually had resorted to non-cycling-specific boots for winter platform pedal riding. And now I wonder why I didn’t get proper winter flat pedal shoes before.

Other MTB Flat & Clipless shoe options

I haven’t tried the Leatt clipless shoes at all. They do share some similar construction details up top, but combine a stiffer WaffleGrip (not Pro) sole with a recessed cleat pocket cutout. The uppers are very similar to my 3.0 Flat shoes, with the option for the $160 / 180€ Leatt MTB 4.0 Clip Pro with the same MOZ dial closure or the simplified $150 / 160 Leatt MTB 4.0 Clip with classic laces. These clipless shoes use the original hollowed-out waffle pattern (WaffleGrip) with block tread lugs at the heel & toe, and stick with the longer-wearing but not quite as soft RideGrip rubber.

I also haven’t ridden the $99 / 120€ Leatt MTB 2.0 Flat shoes, but their sole construction is exactly the same as the 3.0 Flat Pros I have been riding, just with a simpler skater sneaker-style lace-up upper. Word on the street is also that Leatt will continue to introduce limited edition designs at this affordable price point, as well.

Wrapping up more solid Leatt riding gear…

Also of note in these riding photos that we show last week at Mountain Bike Connection Winter in Tuscany…

I’m riding in Leatt’s new jeans – the $120€ MTB Gravity 3.0 Pants which are surprisingly comfortable on & off-the-bike thanks to a hard-wearing stretchy polyester denim fabric with plenty of movement to fit over kneepads, and smartphone-friendly pockets. The kneepads I am wearing are the new $130€ AirFlex Knee Guard Hybrid Pro that offers extended coverage and extra protection above the knee. And then the $150€ MTB All-Mtn 3.0 helmet with 360 Turbine anti-rotation impact protection, a nice Fidlock magnetic closure, and dial-adjust that makes this lid fit my head more securely than any other Leatt half-shell helmet yet.

Leatt.com

The post Leatt MTB Shoes Stick on New WaffleGrip Pro Rubber: HydrDri 7.0 & 3.0 Flat Pro Review appeared first on Bikerumor.

Enter the Rail XC, the brand’s latest effort to accommodate a customer base ranging from long-distance cyclists to golfers. The XC leads with the brand’s fototec lens, which “darkens as the day grows brighter,” and a frameless shield shape geared toward coverage and ventilation.

The XC is the successor to Tifosi’s first Rail, which had a bigger, higher-profile lens. The angle with the XC is to fold in folks with smaller faces. While the XC is dramatically smaller on the vertical axis, everything else remains virtually the same between the designs.

There’s the lens that combines mirroring with photochromic qualities (read: self-adjusts to light intensity). And the earpieces and nosepiece adjust to help dial in fit. The budget price tag is still there: $80 MSRP. (Note: the original Rail is on sale for $60 as of this writing.)

The Rail XC weighs a manageable 31g, and the shield dimensions are 52.6mm x 131mm.

On my first pass at the Crystal Clear Fototec XC, I liked the tint right away. The lens blocked blues nicely, and turned up contrast and clarity on anything reflective or semi-reflective, like wet pavement or vehicles. The glasses fit comfortably and felt balanced.

It was clear to me that Tifosi met its design goal of ventilating wearers’ cheeks and eyebrows and everywhere in between. There was plenty of gap at the top and bottom of the lens to let air circulate.

That said, It was also obvious that the XCs wouldn’t do much on my face shape to cut road glare from directly below. I do find that I’m more highly susceptible to this than some, either due to the sensitivity of my eyes or the seemingly low position of my ears on my head (which tends to push the bottom rims of glasses outward).

The tint didn’t cut direct sunlight very strongly, but I could tell I’d be fine if I ducked below my helmet lip or visor.

All things considered, the Rail XC felt like an agreeable enough tool for summer road rides. I plan on rotating it into my kit for further evaluation.

tifosi.com/railxc

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On its own, that would make it a decent jacket for cool-weather pursuits. But it’s the pockets and hood that make it great for mountain biking in particular.

Under the hood’s visor is a slim gripper panel that rests against your helmet’s visor. Cinch it down with the two elastic side cords and the rear adjustment to customize the fit and it hugs your helmet, then turns with it thanks to that grip strip.

If you’ve ever pulled a hood over your helmet and turned your head only to be looking at the inside of the hood, then you know how wonderful this feature is. The Lupra’s hood moves fluidly with your helmet and head, maintaining full visibility.

That capability is enhanced by three patches of soft, micro-fleecy material at the back of the hood that keeps that part sliding over any helmet parts, straps, etc. The Infinium material itself is very much a soft-shell, so there’s no crunchy wrinkling noises as you bob and weave through the trees. Meaning, no distractions, you can still hear your tires ripping across the dirt.

The Infinium material is windproof and highly water resistant (shown above from the inside, it’s the silver material).

From teh outside, it’s barely differentiated…until it gets wet or muddy. The lighter, more breathable stretch material across the back, under the arms, and around the forearms makes a great windbreaker on cooler days…it’s soft and comfy, unlike most wind shells. The placement keeps the jacket more breathable under a pack, and under a pack’s hip belt.

Speaking of, note the pocket placement in the top photo…they’re intentionally placed above the belt line so you can access them easily even when wearing a pack. Not wearing a pack? It’s even more breathable. Even on long climbs on cool days, I never felt like I got too sweaty or overheated.

The downside to the mixed materials is that the softer parts will get soaked if it really starts raining. A light mist or occasionaly splash is no problem, but when it started sprinkling and didn’t stop, the forearms got very wet, then cold. It’s a weird feeling having only part of my arm being cold and wet, so I wish Gore would put the Infinium all the way down the top of the arm AND all the way around the forearms. That would make this jacket really perfect for the intended use.

As is, I still really like this. A lot. It’s still looking fresh after numerous washes and wears, and all that dirt you see came completely out in the wash. Other key features include:

• Dropped tail
• MTB cut for easy movement, but not too baggy
• Taped shoulder and hood seams
• Dries quickly
• Four colors (black, olive, mustard, purple)
• Men’s and Women’s versions
• Five sizes (XS – XL, I tested size Large at 6’2″, 187lb)
• MSRP $200

If you’re looking for something that’s fully wind- and waterproof, Zach prefers their Endure Jacket. But for those rides when breathability takes precedence over complete waterproofness, but you still want some protection and warmth, the Gorewear Lupra hits that weird sweetspot between windbreaker and rain jacket.

Gorewear.com

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As someone who thinks handlebar bags are way to un-aerodynamic for long rides, I tend to overstuff my pockets. So, the Louis Garneau Clutch Jersey with it’s adjustable pocket count seemed like a solid solution. Combined with their Corridge Bibs, you can have a 10-pocket outfit for all the Groads…

The Clutch Jersey ($160) comes in light blue and dark blue, so, um, hope you like blue. But it comes in seven sizes, from XS to 3XL. Overall construction and material are standard, with good sleeve length for taller riders. It’s a light, summer-weight jersey that’s very breathable and wicks sweat away quickly. A good start.

Where it really shines is the pocket count. The two side rear pockets have zippered attachments that allow an outer flap to swing around and zip to the side of the jersey, creating two additional pockets.

Louis Garneau says it’s a five pocket jersey, but each of the flaps has a small additional pocket with a flap cover, creating two additional pockets that are perfect for gels or empty wrappers. So, seven pockets, all in easy reach.

While I probably wouldn’t overload all five/seven pockets at once, it’s nice to spread the load out over a wider area. A full width silicone grip strip on the inside of the jersey’s hem keeps it from sliding around when fully loaded.

Need more storage? Pair it with their Corridge Bibshorts ($270)…

Mesh side pockets on both legs are wide, but not too deep. I wouldn’t trust my phone it in, but for snacks, used wrappers, beanie, etc., they’re great. Why stop there?

The entire rear panel is a mesh pocket, too, which is actually a great place to stash food wrappers so they’re out of the way and you’re not trying to feel around in your other pockets and discern trash or treat while hammering along.

So, 10 pockets, all in one kit. The Corridge Bibs don’t appear to still be available in this matching colorway, but the dark blue and black options should go with almost any kit. The chamois pad is very good (they say it has an anti-vibration insert), with a mesh split at the front and perforated foam to improve air flow down there.

Both items are somewhere between a race cut and club cut; not too tight, not too loose. I’m somewhat muscular, so the top was more snug around the shoulders and arms, but the body of it could have been a little tighter. And, the kit runs a bit big. I usually wear XL in most things like this, but I tested a Large and would consider a Medium for race days. As is, it’s quite comfy and breezy for those lollygagging summer rides.

LouisGarneau.com

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Shimano MW702: What’s New? 

The Shimano MW702 replaces the outgoing MW701 and expounds on some of the newer features the MW701 brought to the Shimano winter shoe line. The MW702 features an improved BOA L6C enclosure system, fully sheltered by a GORE-TEX lined flap with a Velcro neoprene fastener. The fit is slightly wider than the MW701, better accommodating for winter-weight socks and toe warmers. Plus, the outer sole gets Shimano Ultread rubber and deeper lugs to offer a better grip in icy and wet conditions. 

It’s cool to see that the design from the original and early versions of the shoe is present in the MW-DNA. You can see some similarities to the Shimano MW81 (below), my first introduction to winter cycling shoes, and a piece of kit I’ve used for years.

The heel retention wasn’t the best, but the overall performance was unrivaled at the time.

Key Features: Shimano MW702 

• Wraparound shield with tall cuff shuts out water to keep feet drier when and wherever you ride
• Waterproof GORE-TEX Insulated Comfort liner keeps feet warm and dry in cold and wet weather
• Generous amount of cleat adjustment for fore and aft positioning
• Toe spike compatible, though they do not come with any 
• Lightweight Shimano Ultread rubber outsole delivers a competition-grade grip that lasts
• Low stack height midsole helps stabilize the foot and makes changing from winter to regular cycling footwear less of an adjustment 
• BOA L6C dial makes winter wearing easy with a wide-open release and quick micro-adjustments with gloves
• Fleece-lined insole for added insulation and heat retention over long rides and hikes 
• 360-degree reflectivity for high visibility; excellent for commuting and dark winter riding 
• Sizes: Wide: 38-48 (43 tested) 
• Stiffness: 7 out of 11 (Shimano’s SH-XC902 is an 11)
• 500 g per pair (size 43 tested)
• Price: $300

First Impressions: Shimano MW702 

When the MW702s came across my desk, the weather in Pittsburgh was starting to get cold. It was extra-thick overshoes time — or time to commit to a full-blown winter shoe. After a particularly frigid week, I decided there was no better time than now to get this rolling and set off for winter mode. 

When I first tried on the MW702s, I could tell the fit was slightly different. The “inner shoe” fits slightly like an older Nordic ski boot, having a lower profile and good heel retention. The new BOA enclosure makes it easy to open the shoe wide and get your foot in, even with toe warmers stuck to the forefoot.  

I usually ride in a 42.5-inch SH-XC902, and since the new MW702 only comes in full sizes, I went with the 43 for the extra room.

Shimano MW702: Fit and Dial In 

The Shimano MW702 has a slightly wider fit than the MW701, and the sizing comes in wide only. If you’re riding with winter-weight socks, this extra room fills up fast, but there is enough wiggle room to keep airflow open for cold toes. The BOA dial is a single knob for each foot and does an excellent job of keeping the foot in place without cutting off circulation. 

The MW702 had slightly more fore and aft cleat adjustment than the shoes I swapped. The distinctly different feel from an XC race shoe to a winter shoe was enough to stay calm about the cleat position, and I found a nice middle ground quicker than I would have thought. The stack of the MW702 is slightly higher (like most winter footwear), and I went up about half a centimeter on my seatpost to keep the same position.  

The fit and overall feel of the MW702 is comfortable and roomy, but the BOA cinches down nicely without creating hot spots. The inner boot has a secure feel, like a low-cut traditional cycling shoe. The flex and movement of the MW702 are as natural as a cycling boot can offer. The thin Gore-Tex material keeps it easy to make natural pedaling motions — something that’s not great in more robust winter cycling footwear. The cut of the ankle cuff from Gore-Tex to neoprene is in the perfect place for exaggerated movements (like climbing up an icy hill) to feel uninhibited. 

On the Bike

On the bike, the Shimano MW702 became a quick training friend: warm, waterproof, and comfortable for many winter miles. I never wanted more warmth from the MW702, with at most using a chemical-style heater and my Rapha winter socks (I love those things!) to keep warm. My coldest day out was Pittsburgh’s cold blast with a -10 degree wind chill. My feet were warm, though I only spent a small amount of time on the road and most of my time in the woods. 

When you first put on the MW702 and tighten them down, that’s only the initial tightening. After moving around a bit, you need to snug up the BOA again for the final pre-ride tighten. Though I like my shoes super tight, others might not be as picky.

If you’re looking for winter training, commuting, and something that will last for many seasons, this is your shoe. The extra volume in the shoe allows for better movements and blood flow to the feet. The torsional and lateral stiffness is more on the recreational side, but these are winter shoes. The semi-flexible sole is nice when you’re off the bike hiking unrideable climbs, trail features, or just slogging through the snow. If you’re looking for full-on winter racing footwear … you may want to keep your XC race shoes on and invest in mega-thick overshoes. 

The $300 price is what I expect from a shoe of this quality, and I believe it’s worth the money. The craftsmanship is top-notch, and if my older Shimano winter shoes indicate life expectancy, these will be around for many seasons. 

My only gripe is the stock insoles were fleece-lined but lacked any support or protection from the cold coming from underneath. I’ve enjoyed other winter shoe manufacturers including aerogel insoles that help from the coldness of the cleat seeping into the footbed. I swapped the stock insoles for the 45NRTH Jaztronaut Aerogel insoles I used in my last winter shoes. 

Final Thoughts

The Shimano MW702 is it if you’re looking for trustworthy winter training, fat bike racing, commuting, and an all-around comfy cold-weather shoe. The MW702 has been a pleasure to train and ride in over the winter months. I’m impressed with the slight updates’ impressive impact on performance — mainly the entire GORE-TEX enclosed BOA drape. I recommend looking for a local shop with a pair in stock to judge sizing because the fit is generous accurately, and it could be a thin line between roomy and oversize. 

The post Shimano MW702 Winter Shoes Review: Better Fit, Better Protection From the Elements appeared first on Bikerumor.

Thus far, I’ve ridden the Blaze on both gravel and mountain bike rides, from all-day epics to 3-hour trail adventures. Temps have ranged from low 40ºs into mid- to upper- 50ºs (Fahrenheit). I suspect they could handle into the upper 30ºs, too, especially with slightly thicker socks.

Speaking of, I’ve worn them with thinner wool socks on every occasion, and it’s been a killer combo of wicking and warmth, without ever overheating.

Definitely, when temps get into the upper 50ºs, you don’t need a shoe like this, but when the forecast led me astray and the sun came down harder than anticipated, I never felt like my feet got too hot. In fact, I never really noticed them at all, despite a 15º swing on a single ride.

I suspect thicker socks would make them a bit snug, so I’m glad they insulate and protect well with a standard (thin) cycling sock. The padded, insulated tongue sits taller than the rest of the upper, helping buffer against cold air as you’re pedaling through it.

The outer is a stretch-woven fabric that’s highly waterproof. Gentle misting rain and a shallow stream crossing were no match. They’re also easy to wipe clean.

One trick I found necessary was to ensure the zipper was zipped all the way to the top, otherwise it had a tendency to slip over time. But it seemed to lock into place if pulled all the way up, so just don’t be lazy about getting them on and out the door.

That outer wraps around a more traditional-looking shoe upper, all of which is covered in high-loft fleece & Primaloft insulation. Padded ankle protection is a nice touch, too.

A long heel strap makes them easier to pull on, and a cinch-tight speed lace worked great at keeping my foot secure.

The footbed has a heat-reflective foil laminate layer combined with fleece to prevent cold spots underneath.

On the bottom is a soft rubber tread they say works well on ice, but I didn’t get to test that.

The only niggle I have is that they’re only available in full sizes, no half sizes. If you’re in between, definitely size up as it’ll allow for thicker socks should temps plunge. But, I found the sizing to be spot on for what I’m used to, which means as a 47 I’d have to jump a full size to 48 (monstrous) if I wanted to make room for really thick winter socks.

Giro rates them down to 14ºF (-10ºC), though, so you may not need to over sock. (That’s the rating on the website; the shoes have different numbers on them. Believe whichever you want, they’re both extremely cold.)

Reflective striping and logo on the sides and back improve visibility.

Claimed weight is 385g per shoe for size 42. My size 47 weighed in at 460g and 462g per shoe.

Where many winter MTB shoes have a bulky, padded upper cuff, I like that Giro’s Blaze is streamlined and thinner. Because it forms a snug cuff around the ankle, it won’t let cold air in, and is thinner and smoother than a neoprene cuff…and it wipes clean easier, too.

When I first put them on, that cuff can feel a little stiff just standing, but once riding it’s unnoticeable. The rest of the shoe feels and looks equally sleek. Highly recommend them if you’re looking for a fast, comfortable winter shoe that looks as good as it rides.

MSRP is $250, available now in sizes 40 to 50.

Giro.com

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Bell Full 10 Spherical – Construction and Features:

The Full 10 Spherical is the successor to the Full 9 MTB helmet, and shares key technologies incorporated into Bell’s Moto 10 Spherical off-road motorcycle helmet. The Full 10 is certified for Downhill, BMX and e-Bike use, and is also ideal for slopestyle or freeriding.

Inside its unidirectional carbon shell, you’ll find the Full 10’s main safety feature; Spherical Technology, powered by MIPS. Bell’s Spherical Technology allows the helmet’s inner and outer EPS/EPP liners to rotate around each other during a crash (like a ball and socket) to redirect and reduce rotational forces on the brain. If you haven’t seen one of Bell’s Spherical helmets up close, they hide all the anti-rotational technology so you don’t see a typical MIPS liner tacked on to the interior; the inside looks like a non-MIPS helmet and is fully padded for comfort. 

Another key safety feature is the Magnefusion magnetic pull-out cheek pads, which can be yanked from the helmet easily to aid in removal when first responders believe a neck injury may have occurred. Less crucially but also convenient, the Full 10’s interior uses Ionic+ antimicrobial padding with silver yarn to reduce odor buildup.

Ventilation was a major priority when Bell designed the Full 10, so they incorporated their new ‘Thermal Exchange Airflow System’ (T.E.A.S.). Bell has figured out that good ventilation isn’t simply accomplished by cutting out the most or biggest vents on a helmet, but encouraging cool air to flow in the front and warm air to escape out the back easily. Bell tested this concept with their Moto 10 helmet and found great success, and they even looked at how the air flowing around the Full 10 helps to pull air through it.

The Full 10’s huge rear vents are hard to miss, but there are a host of smaller vents on the front and sides that keep air flowing too. By the numbers Bell boasts 3 intake ports, 5 outflow vents, and 13 chin bar vents. Furthermore, channels built into the Spherical Technology inner liner also aid in ventilation, directing air over your forehead and through the top of the helmet.

The Full 10 was designed with a Panoramic goggle port, and features Bell’s Flying Bridge visor. The visor itself includes ventilation channels, and offers a small range of non-incremental height adjustment. Just above the visor is an integrated breakaway camera mount, and a GoPro mount is included.

The top-end Full 10 is finished with titanium D-rings and a magnetic snap to keep your chin strap neatly tucked away.

Bell wasn’t trying to make the Full 10 the lightest full face helmet on the market, they were more concerned with including all the safety features they could. That said, this carbon-shelled helmet is not very heavy, with a size medium listed at 1000g. My scale showed my size XS/S weighing in at 1011g.

The Full 10 Spherical will be sold in XS/S, M, L and XL/XXL sizes, covering heads from 51-63cm. There are three different shell sizes, and each helmet comes with three sets of cheek pads in varying thicknesses. Bell will also be selling the thinnest and thickest available cheek pads separately (they’ve produced five different sets in total) to ensure a dialed fit for every head.

There are four colorways available – Matte Black, Arise Matte/Gloss Black, Arise Matte/Gloss White/Bali, and a Gloss White/Black Fasthouse edition. The Full 10 Spherical retails for $650 USD, and is now available online and through Bell retailers.

Check out this video featuring Bell athlete R-Dog (Ryan Howard) explaining all the technology found in the Full 10 Spherical…. and of course jumping with style!

Ride Impressions:

The first thing I noticed while riding in the Full 10 Spherical was the ventilation – It is excellent! Air does flow very well through the helmet, and this lid is easily one of the coolest full faces I’ve worn. While riding I could feel air moving around my ears, on top of my head, and up over my forehead through the front intakes. The huge exhaust vents in the back must do their job because this helmet doesn’t hold in much heat, even after several bike park laps on a hot summer day.

One side effect of Bell’s Spherical MIPS construction is noise: I tested their Super DH full face helmet a few years ago, and noticed you can hear the inner and outer liners sliding around on each other while you ride rough terrain. The Full 10 is quieter than the Super DH, but you still hear the shell layers rubbing when your head is shaking around. I found this easy to forget about, but I could see some riders getting annoyed by it.

Looking at the Full 10, I am quite surprised Bell didn’t chop away at the chin bar a lot more. A lot of current full face helmets have gone that direction, and after riding in one myself (the Smith Mainline), I can confirm the airflow is excellent with a heavily cut-out chin bar. The Full 10’s smaller front vents do a fine job of letting air in, but where this helmet’s ventilation truly excels is on the top, sides and back of your head.

Due to Bell’s sizing, their helmets tend to fit quite snug on my head and sometimes don’t feel particularly deep. Although my head is 56cm around, a medium Full 10 was a bit too big so I went with an XS/S which is marked for 53-55cms. On my first few rides, I found it pretty snug but was happy to find my skull sat deep enough inside it. After a few rides, the liner packed out ever so slightly and the helmet got more comfortable. As testing went on I wore the helmet all day in the bike park with no comfort issues. Except that one time…

On my second ride, I fell victim to an uncomfortable (but easily fixable) surprise. After a few hours in the bike park I came home with a dent in my forehead! Part of the helmet left a circular, red indentation right at the middle of my hairline. Fortunately, I later discovered a button on the removable liner had popped out of place and was pushing into my head. I put the button back in place, and that problem was solved. This probably won’t be a common issue, but if your Full 10 suddenly seems to be jabbing you in the skull check the liner buttons!

Despite Bell’s ‘Panoramic’ goggle port, I found larger goggles problematic. I tried a pair of Leatts, which have big frames, and the Full 10 pushed down on them to the point of putting pressure on my nose. After a few hours of riding, the bridge of my nose was red and sore from the goggles, so I would not ride that combo again. Fortunately, the Full 10 does jive well with my leaner Smith Squad goggles. They still felt a little snug top-to-bottom, but weren’t uncomfortable to wear.

Earlier I mentioned the visor doesn’t have a huge range of adjustment, but the range it has is functional. In its lowest position, the visor is easily visible and definitely low enough to keep the sun out of your eyes. At its highest, you can still see it but it opens up your field of view almost completely. One thing this visor does not do is offer room for stashing goggles on your forehead. 

Finally, the Full 10 Spherical is a DH helmet and not marketed as an enduro lid, but I had to try climbing with it since it’s well vented and fairly light. My big takeaway was how you don’t feel a ton of airflow at climbing speeds with the Full 10, you need to be moving faster to get the benefits of this lid’s ventilation. That said, it was still pretty tolerable on a warm fall day. There are better options for enduro riding but this helmet is well within reason for the occasional climb if you’re taking your long travel bike up to something gnarly.

Check out Bell’s website for all the details on the new Full 10 Spherical.

bellhelmets.com

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I’d never heard of Vaude before, but I figured that if they were good enough for a 1900+ mile bike tour, like Erick’s Truth and Dignity tour, then they would be great for me. I decided to take a look, follow his advice, and acquired a pair for review.

I have to tell you, after the first few rides with them, I’m impressed.

I’ve been riding with flat pedals for a few years now after riding clipless for 25+, but I have recently switched back. The choice to come back to riding with clipless pedals came when planning the Masi Incanto Dream Build I just recently wrote about. The building of that bike made me want to go back to riding clipless.

So, it was time to try a new cycling shoe to use while riding my mountain bike.

Vaude TVL Sykkel Shoes

When searching for new shoes, the TVL Syskkel shoes had to fit a few criteria.

• I wanted the shoe to use laces. Check.
• The shoe needed to be good for both on and off the bike… like for hike-a-bike sections. Check.
• They had to be durable. TBD.
• I wanted a medium-stiff sole. Check.
• The shoe needed to have a wide-ish toe box. Check.

The TVLs seem to be fitting the bill so far. I just got them, so the jury is still out on durability.

Outta the Box

When the shoes arrived, they looked really good. The TVL Sykkel shoes come in either black or bison colors. I chose the “bison” color. It’s kind of an “ox blood” color, kinda like a brownish-red… ish. They are really nice looking in person.

Upon first inspection, the quality looked good, with a fine fit and finish. I ordered the shoes in a size 46, and when I initially tried them on, they felt ever-so-slightly on the big side. But after cinching the laces (I love the infinite adjustability that you get with laced cycling shoes), they ended up fitting pretty true to size.

These shoes are SPD-compatible and come with an easily removable, rubber pad that can actually be replaced later if you decide to run the shoes without the cleats. They also have a decently aggressive sole. Vaude calls it a “high-traction” outsole.

I’m making a guess that the durability will be fine. The well-constructed upper is made from hydrophobic nubuck Terracare leather that Vaude claims is “certified leather” that is sustainably manufactured in Germany.

You can actually check here for more information on how Vaude Sports uses Trustrace to give you details on, not only how the TVL Sykkel Shoes, but how all of their products are responsibly made.

Adding to the durability of the shoe, there are toe and heel caps to protect from scuffs and scrapes. The mesh tongue and ventilation holes will hopefully keep my foot nice and comfortable while riding… or walking for that matter. The pull tab on the “lace keeper” is a welcome addition, and really easy to use.

The TVL Sykkel shoe uses a SUPtraction R20 outsole that we will touch on more in the actual review of the shoes. But for now, know that the sole is medium-stiff, making it really easy to walk while still providing enough stiffness to deliver the power to the pedal.

That’s it for now, I’m excited to continue to ride with these and get more familiar with them. They seem like they’re going to be a great pair of cycling shoes.

Keep an eye out here for the full review.

Vaude.Com

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Apidura Cargo Cage with modular mount

The original Salsa Anything Cage has been around almost as long as Bikerumor, I think I first spotted the 3-bolt cages in 2009 or 2010… but adventure riding has evolved a lot since then. Now, it’s not only bikepacking bikes with dozens of braze-ons that go on adventures, so companies like Apidura continue to innovate to help outfit all manner of riders.

One of Apidura’s most interesting new little gadgets is this 2 or 3-bolt Cargo Cage.

Tech details

Built to carry both small & large loads wherever you can fit them in, the two-piece ADC12 alloy cage features a modular foot to support the base of a bag or bottle. Extend it fully to use 3-pack bolts, snap it back into the body of the cage to use 2 standard bottle bolts, or remove the foot entirely to simply strap longer items to the wings of the cage.

With 3 different way to install it, Apidura aimed to make the most versatile cargo cage possible – “a single, straightforward modular cage for all bikes and applications“. Especially nice if you want to use one cage for carrying tools/spare on your mountain bike, then to swap it over to the gravel bike to carry a bit of extra gear for a weekend bikepacking trip.

The 85g anodized cage has long strap slots on both wings so you can thread-in pretty much any strap you already use – from basic velcro straps to secure webbing straps like the Austere Cam straps we recently reviewed, to the Voile-style strap popular with bikepackers & adventure racers.

Apidura says the 70g Expedition Cargo Cage Pack is optimized for use under the downtube, offering a high level of protection in a slim bag that can will fit behind the front wheel and not interfere with your cranks.

The 1.3L roll-top bag shares the same tough, waterproof 3-layer laminate Trilon construction and similar details as Apidura’s Expedition fork bags – like the modular strap loops, reinforcement where it contacts the cage & reflective detailing – just dialed back to a 8.5cm diameter.

Riding Impressions

Of course, the fact that the Apidura Cargo Cage can work with either 2-bolt or 3-bolt installations is great – fit it to almost any bike to carry more gear. But what I feel is just as important, is that you can even slide the mount in between a bit to mount bigger items to a standard 2-bolt setup.

On this Canyon Dude fat bike there is only the 2-bolt mount on the downtube. But by sliding the cage a bit higher, I can support even larger items like this 28cm tall insulated L.L.Bean thermos that my wife has been taking on trips for 18 years. I was careful to align the mid-point support of the outer cage bracket with the upper cage bolt, so I could balance larger objects with minimal cantilevering about the bolts – strapped on with one webbing & Voile-style strap, to see which I prefer…

The cage is simple, light, easy-to-use, and quite versatile. I’m sure I’ll end up bolting it under the downtube or on the fork leg of some gravel bike after this winter’s snow melts. I have a feeling it would be a great way to strap my tent poles to the side of my fork, so I can stuff the tent into a smaller bag on the bike.

As for the Pack, we really haven’t used it much and likely won’t until wet riding returns – carrying small gear in the recent 1L MTB Backcountry Frame Pack in the meantime. The narrow ~9cm diameter of the 30cm tall bag makes it a bit tricky to stuff some gear all the way down inside compactly. With that said, it would be a nice spot to tuck some heavier repair spares away safely, like a tube and extra tools that you don’t need to access often while riding.

Apidura Cargo Cage & Pack – Pricing & availability

The Apidura Cargo Cage itself sells for $52 / 44€ including three steel bolts to mount it securely in any setup. And the separate 1.3L Expedition Cargo Cage Pack is an extra $48 /40 including two repositionable velcro straps to attach it to the cage. Both are available now, direct from Apidura and via their retail partners.

Apidura.com

The post First Rides: Apidura Cargo Cage Adapts Anything with 2- or 3-Bolt Expandable Mount appeared first on Bikerumor.

But I’ve still got some Honorable Mentions for a few promising new things that I just haven’t had a chance to spend quality time with, yet.

About Cory

As always a quick refresher on me and my proclivities: I’m a mountain biker, a technical one, not afraid to get sketchy on pretty much any ride. Sure, I’ll ride anything with two wheels, from almost any cycling discipline, and even the occasional motor. But it’s all gonna end up off-road at some point. Probably gonna get pretty muddy too.

I’ve been lucky this year to spend more time on fat, knobby tires – both at home and abroad. More secret enduro tracks, more chunky gravel roads, and again more days in bikeparks. All that trail riding even helped motivate me to ditch the city I lived in for 15 years, and move up into the mountainous borderlands where proper trails start just across the field from my yard.

Oh yeah! #afterworkrides

Experience

Editor’s Choice: Blinduro

A bunch of amateurs racing brand-new, purpose-built trails, all sight-unseen. So fun! Also humbling. Fronted by 3x World Champion Michal Prokop, the Blinduro mountain bike race series is a blast. Two days of blindly racing enduro trails no one has ever ridden before, in whatever weather comes your way, it’s both incredibly exciting and a reminder that you probably aren’t quite as strong a rider as you thought.

At least that’s my takeaway every time I show up to race.

But with a super welcoming atmosphere for riders of all levels and truly top-notch super technical trail building, Blinduro creates a great vibe where you can hang out with friends on the transfers between timed stages, pin it between the tape until you can see your heartrate, then meet new friends hanging out in between the two days of racing back at base camp…

All while trying to best your riding buddies on the enduro stage timing. My wife is more likely to end up on the podium again than me, but I’ll still be back for more for my third year in a row in 2023!

Or if racing isn’t your vibe…

Honorable Mention: S24O

Bikepacking seems like it takes a lot of commitment, a lot of gear, and a lot of time, right? But it doesn’t have to be. I didn’t get out on as many Sub 24-hour Overnighter bikepacking trips this year as in 2021. That’s a bit of a shame. Probably because I spent more days traveling abroad, testing new gear.

But the short overnight escape is always within reach. Pack up enough gear to make it through the night, some snacks for dinner & a quick breakfast, and pedal out of town to a secluded spot for some leave-no-trace wild camping. Get up early the next morning, and pedal back home before the time you left the day before… <24 hours out and back.

So, I think I have a New Year’s resolution to work on… back into the woods!

Mountain Bikes

Editor’s Choice: Canyon Spectral 125

A year ago, I definitely did not think that short-travel enduro was a thing. But Canyon’s excellent Spectral 125 proved me wrong. The regular 150mm/160mm Spectral 29er was already a solid do-it-all all-mountain bike. Then Canyon dropped a bike with 25mm less rear wheel travel, 20mm less front wheel travel, but the exact same geometry.

Would it ride like the bigger all-mountain bike?

Instead, it was even more fun, clearly the most fun bike I rode in 2022. The shorter travel makes the bike feel more progressive, yet the handling is confident through steep & rough trails. It’s an aggressive-feeling trail bike when you hit local singletrack, boosting off every trail obstacle. Then, you can still take it on steeper all-mountain & enduro trails, where the geo is forgiving when you get in over your head, you’ll just feel worked over at the end of a long enduro day.

This is already the fourth photo of me riding the bike across all 4 seasons, in an article not just about this bike (another below, too). It probably got the most saddle time of any one bike this year.

I feel like it’s the perfect bike for extra technical mountain bikers who group ride with people on longer all-mountain & enduro bikes. Or for riders who feel like they might want a modern enduro bike, but end up doing 90% of their riding on singletrack and more tame trails. It requires more work on steeper, rougher trails, but at the same time, you never feel like you have too much bike for more chill rides.

Gravel & Cross Bikes

Editor’s Choice: Ridley Kanzo ADV

Ridley completely revamped their gravel bike line-up over the last couple years, adding the more off-road-focused Kanzo ADVenture this spring. Along my idea of riding every new bike like a mountain bike, this thing actually almost is a modern rigid carbon mountain bike. It gets a bit slacker than normal gravel geometry, long frame reach, wide 1x Eagle gearing, and room for 29er by 2.1″ MTB tires… or faster rolling 45-47mm gravel tires, if you want.

But where it really excels, is as a versatile, adventure & bikepacking-ready gravel bike.

Prospective adventure riders can of course mount anything they can imagine to the 18 bolt-on points for cages, plus additional full fender tabs. But it’s maybe the ability to deeply customize your setup straight from Ridley that has me sold. Pick your fav tires, swap in your preferred bar & stem sizes, maybe even opt for a gravel suspension fork, or just have it custom-painted so you end up with a one-of-a-kind bike.

They’ll even build an adventure setup for you with a dynamo front hub powering front & rear LED lighting, and route all the internal wiring so you don’t have to mess with it!

It’s limitless possibilities that make this a great gravel bike, and you feel that out on the gravel roads or even singletrack. It all feels dialed on the Kanzo Adventure, making for a bike that’s fun to ride on any terrain.

(All) Road Bikes

Honorable Mention: Festka Rover

I’m kinda still over road bikes. Skinny tires just seem so limiting… I want to explore and wander aimlessly. And my local roads are all pretty rough & broken up.

But All-Road certainly has its appeal to me. Some of the bikes in this category are marketed as ‘light gravel’ or ‘fast gravel’. But I’m pretty content dubbing anything fitting bigger than 32mm & smaller than 40mm tires an ‘all-road’ bike.

My carbon all-road Festka isn’t ultra new – it actually came even before the name Rover, as Festka built the bike for me during their all-road/gravel prototyping & development stage. But the more I ride bikes with proper quick road handling but room for massive tires, the more I think this is what most people’s road bikes should be. Just 30mm road tires often aren’t quite enough, but 35s will take you anywhere you can imagine.

e-Bikes

Editor’s Choice: A TQ-equipped gravel bike

Update: Keep reading down, now that this ebike just dropped!

Here’s the thing… my favorite new ebike this year is a gravel bike, AND it doesn’t come out until January. But with TQ’s awesome HPR50 motor & light battery, it is enough of an improvement to what’s out there, that if I were going to buy a new e-bike (and if I had money to burn), I would just wait and get that one. (No more waiting required.)

BMC recently debuted a new version of their Roadmachine AMP X with the TQ motor, but its smaller tires limit it to all-road rather than gravel. And I also rode a TQ-equipped Scott Lumen eRide trail mountain ebike, which was really impressive – quiet, smooth, and super light. But I’m still torn about whether I would want to personally own an e-mountain bike or even e-road bike…

But with all the time spent above the 25km/hr pedal-assist limit on a gravel ebike, it feels a lot less like cheating and only really helps you on the significant climbs. And the TQ system is super smooth, surprisingly customizable, and a TQ carbon gravel ebike can be built up as light as many steel bikepacking bikes anyways, even before you strap on gear.

The wait is over.

Christmas came early for Scott and an early shipment of their new gravel ebike showed up sooner than expected. So what was thought to wait until January, is in Scott bike shops before the end of this year. The new 2023 Scott Solace Gravel eRIDE is almost as light as a normal gravel bike. Its TQ motor is virtually silent, powerful-enough, offers just-right range that’s also extendable, and has the most-natural riding feel I have experienced. There are 50mm gravel tire & 38mm road race tire versions to suit any kind of gravel or all-roading you want. If only we all had the budget for that top-spec model!

Honorable Mention: Hagen Flagship e-Cargo bike

This is a bit of a cheat, as this is essentially the same KP Nighthawk that I singled out last year. But KP changed their name, changed up their offerings a bit, and I decided to actually bike this workhorse. My cargo ebike is a grocery getter, a flatbed shuttling gear for testing back and forth from home to office, a wheelbarrow to transport anything from a kid to bags of recyclables. It’s made entirely in Europe, is gravel-ready, a bit of an activist, and it’s already gone through a second iteration to long-term test another alternate drivetrain. Stay tuned!

Hauling cargo is really where powerful e-bikes shine.

Wheels & Tires

Editor’s Choice – Gravel wheels: Hunt 40 CGR

These new Hunt 40 CGR, Carbon Gravel Race wheels weigh just 1400g, with a 40mm deep aero section 25mm hookless tubeless internal & 30mm outside and an affordable carbon pricetag of $1160/1200€. Hunt rates them for fast gravel racing on tires up to 65mm wide, but you can also fit tubeless-ready tires as narrow as 28mm for a fast all-road ride.

I’ve got them set with some knobby 40mm CX-inspired Tufo Swampero gravel tires (that earned their Editor’s Choice last winter) that keep the wheels feeling super quick, but with tons of grip when gravel devolves into muddy dirt roads, wet field crossings, or snow-covered singletrack. It’s a super versatile setup that makes any gravel bike feel fast.

Editor’s Choice – Gravel tires: Hutchinson Tundra

These Hutchinson Tundra gravel tires are essentially scaled-down, lightweight mountain bike treads and offer much of the performance you’d come to expect from a narrow XC race tire. It really rides a lot like the old Hutchinson Black Mamba XC tire, but with taller knobs that actually offer more cornering grip, even in this relatively narrow 700c x 40mm width. There are also 45mm & 50mm wide versions for even rougher riding, with the high tpi tanwall versions made in France.

Components & Gadgets

Editor’s Choice – Drivetrain: AXS Blips, remote buttons

My favorite drivetrain component this year is probably the set of unobtrusive SRAM Blip remote shift buttons that I stuck under my adventure bike’s bar tape this year. You can barely see the bulges just next to my stem. Mine are the older wired versions, but SRAM added Wireless Blips this summer to make setup even easier. You can argue about the disposable nature of those, if you want.

But after riding a bunch of other SRAM AXS test bikes this year, every time I got on one I was mad that they didn’t have a set of Blips in the same place as my bike back home.

Modern electronic shifts are so quick & precise, making it seamless to always match gearing to your ideal cadence. I shift maybe 1/3 more on an electro-shift bike than a mechanical setup. So, it’s super nice to have those little buttons just under my fingertips where my hands naturally rest while chilling with my hands on the tops. But that just makes me annoyed on all the other AXS bikes that are missing out on this opportunity!

Honorable Mention – Drivetrain: Shimano 105 Di2

Somehow I didn’t actually ride the new Shimano 105 Di2 R7100 groupset that I wrote about this year. Weird. Anyway, it’s less than half the cost of Dura-Ace Di2, yet still promises all the same semi-wireless and perfect electronic shift benefits for a few hundred grams more. Unfortunately, it’s still not cheap.

Therein lies the only real downside I see… that it’s a crying shame that the much more affordable mechanical 105 R7000 group (~2/3 the cost of 105 Di2) didn’t get the same 12-speed upgrade. Oh well,  progress marches on and waits for no one.

Editor’s Choice – Saddle: BikeYoke Sagma Carbon

This one came out just a few weeks ago, but BikeYoke’s unique floating, semi-suspension Sagma saddle now gets a lighter carbon-railed version that is just 210g, yet just as comfy as ever with the same supportively stiff memory foam padding.

Picking the softer elastomers lets the saddle move under you on the mountain or gravel bike to help eat up vibration and simply move more smoothly under your butt & between your legs when riding through the rough stuff. Or, I’ve swapped in a stiffer rear elastomer for a more stable platform for more hard surface & road pedaling, limiting my hips from rocking while still getting damping from the soft elastomer in the nose.

And for those who just want conventional rails, Sagma Lite has added those not too, with the same comfy top.

Honorable Mention – Saddle: Posedla custom 3D-printed Joyseat

The promise of 3D-printing saddles from the start was actual individual customization for each rider, but that never really materialized, until Posedla and their Joyseat. I’m really excited about their customization process, and how it will turn out.

It only gets an honorable mention because I don’t have it yet. But this fully custom 3D-printed carbon saddle is in the works and I’ve been documenting the process. I’ve provided all the rider questionnaire data. I’ve completed the home butt-scanning process (don’t worry it’s a scan of a butt imprint, not my bare backside). And the full-custom price is effectively the same as the stock, off-the-shelf cost of 3D-printed saddles from Specialized & Fizik.

Honorable Mention – Electronics: Wahoo Elmnt Roam 2.0

I don’t have this one yet either. But I still prefer the OG Roam for its big, easy-to-read screen and the ability to so quickly & intuitively, make changes on the go via their Elemnt app. Oh, and those useful custom alerts. The new Roam has a more colorful screen, increased contrast, more memory, improved GPS tracking, and USB-C…  what’s not to love with a great product getting better.

Tools

Editor’s Choice: SQlab SQ-Tool Nine Key Card

I’m an unrepentant Bike Tool Nerd, and this new SQlab SQ-Tool Nine Key Card scratches that itch. This 50€ mini tool kit is just a set of premium Wera hexes, Torx bits & a Phillips screwdriver that clip onto a credit card-sized plastic carrier with a rubber strap around it. On the back side is a recess to carry your ID, a card & a little cash.

Does it have every tool you will ever need on the bike? Of course not. But you won’t find a better quality set of tools this compact anywhere.

Editor’s Choice: Silca Gravelero Pump

Yes, Silca also got on the gravel-specific bandwagon with their new Gravelero pump. Sharing much of the same proven performance tech as was in their Tattico, the newer $75/90€ Gravelero mini-pump gets a slightly larger barrel that airs up larger-volume gravel & mountain bike tires much faster. The smooth external isn’t as nicely grippy as the Tattico, but it doesn’t fill up with mud on every ride. And both pump & hose are just a tiny bit longer. Still mini-ish so it will fit in a jersey pocket, bikepacking bag, or tuck out of the way under a water bottle cage… but it inflates tires faster & easier now.

Honorable Mention: Syncros iS Tubeless Handlebar Tool

The new $35€ Syncros iS Tubeless Handlebar Tool is another simple way to tuck tire repair into the end of your bars tool-free à la Sahmarai Swords – a plug needle, 10 classic plugs in two thicknesses & a knife to trim it clean. It only gets an honorable mention for two reasons:  One, I only had the Syncros tool on ~3 rides, although I did get the chance to plug one flat tire with it successfully. And two, the iS suggests an integrated System since its end tab fits best with Syncros’ grips that feature a special corresponding recess to easily get the tool in & out. The Syncros grips aren’t bad, but they’re not my favorites. And while this tool works with other open-ended grips, it will be harder to pull out when you need it.

Accessories

Editor’s Choice: Ass Savers Win Wing

My first thought was why did Ass Savers make a more complicated clip-on fender. Then, riding with the new Win Wing for a couple of months I realized that it delivers so much better protection – better ass saving – yet it also works better off-road than any full-coverage rear fender I’ve tried. Sure it is still rear wheel-only, but it fits everything from road to XC, rigid & suspension bikes, tires up to 2.35″ wide. And now, Ass Savers keep my taillight clean and my dropper post protected from wheel spray. All for just 25€.

Editor’s Choice: Beer CanClaw

With the simple note of “hold my beer” my friend Robert introduced me to what may be my most useful bikepacking accessory of the next year. Put all of those extra mounts on your adventure bike to good use with the CanClaw Dosenbierhalter (German for Can of Beer Holder).

For 15-19€, Team Dosenbier will 3D-print you a super-secure CanClaw carrier for 33cl, 44cl, or 0.5l cans in many different color options. It holds so tight, you can even take a beer mountain biking with you. Just watch which way you aim it as you crack open a cold one after an especially rocky ride… So, next time you ride past a gas station on the last leg to camp, you can clip-on a beer (or few) for a little post-ride celebration. It’s called a recovery drink, look it up.

Helmets

Editor’s Choice – All-mountain/Enduro: Dainese Linea 01 full-face

At a real 667g for my XL full-face helmet that’s DH certified and vents so well you’ll pedal up hills with it. The Dainese Linea 01 is a bit of a safety revelation. With MIPS inside & a twICEme NFC chip, it’s probably the world’s lightest full-face helmet. It’s so light on your head and so open with all the vents, that it certainly doesn’t feel like you are wearing a full-face helmet.

I especially like it for chill summer bikepark riding, when a bigger hardshell helmet will make me sweat too much and I don’t plan on trying any new backflips (eds note: Cory has thankfully never tried a backflip or he would break himself, good helmet or not). Or it’s perfect for really difficult enduro trail riding, where it just makes you feel more secure to have the extra face protection.

At 275€ it’s a bit more than most ultralight full-faces, and isn’t super adjustable so you have to get the fit right from the start. But this is the only full-face I will readily wear when I know I’ll be pedaling up big hills.

Editor’s Choice – DH/Bikepark: POC Otocon Race MIPS full-face

Yep, two awesome light full-face helmets in one year! A nod back to my techy riding this year. The POC Otocon Race MIPS  has some similar tech to the Linea (MIPS & twICEme NFC), plus a RECCO reflector and a dial-retention that securely wraps around the back of your head. But this slightly more closed and a bit higher volume full-face has a much more burly feel.

At a real 861g for my Large purple, this is the helmet I wear to feel most protected in the bikepark. But at the same time, it is well enough vented for pedaling on cooler days too. I rode it today on a snowy fat bike ride.

But what really makes this helmet shine is the way the dial retention comfortably tightens the helmet securely all around my head, while allowing the integrated MIPS Integra liner to still move to deflect an impact. It’s strange to have a full-face helmet that feels so comfortable on my head, yet be cinched so securely in place.  It instills a lot of confidence in me that it will deliver the best protection when I need it the most.

Clothing

Editor’s Choice – MTB jersey: RVMBLE long sleeve

I don’t often write about clothing from RVMBLE because the tiny German company typically only sells limited-edition designs on a pre-order basis. But these Ltd. DBM (Dynamic Body Movement) long-sleeve shirts are the best 3-season mountain biking tees I’ve worn in years. They are made in Europe from a lightweight & fast-drying, recycled Ocean Balance polyester – taking 500g of plastic waste out of the ocean to make each tee.

They are simple, keep me cool in the summer, yet don’t get too wet from sweat, and they are cheap for MTB jerseys – just 45€.

Above is a past Hide & Seek camo version, below is their Zack Bvmm pattern in white & pink (also in the first Experience photo, at top), and there’s also a NightTrip green colorway of the Zack Bvmm (in the first Blinduro photo & last Spectral 125 photo, above). The trick is, now there are still some brown versions of this zig-zaggy Zack Bvmm pattern still available today. Otherwise, get on the Rvmble newsletter to get on the next pre-sale.

Editor’s Choice – MTB pants: Rapha Trailwear Trail Pants

I have one pair of Rapha Trailwear Pants, but they are in 6 different ride photos in this article. Zach was pretty sure that the shorts were some of the best clothing Rapha ever made, and I think these pants are just as good.

The Trail Pants have a perfect tapered-leg close cut that never gets in the way & never bunches, while comfortably fitting most kneepads underneath. They have four useful main pockets, zippered mesh side vents, and a secure waist belt that’s easy to adjust but never comes undone. They also come with Trailwear repair kit, but I’ve crashed in them a number of times, and they still look unscathed and their DWR treatment still sheds light rain.

On & Off The Bike

Editor’s Choice: Chimpanzee Salty bars

Chimpanzee is a Czech-made, all-natural sports nutrition company that makes great bars, gummies, drink mixes & more to keep you fueled for your ride. The signature had been a real food taste to on-the-go nutrition. But with 3 all-new Salty bars, they’ve kinda turned things on their head. These three bars will make you rethink what you eat on the bike.

Almost every energy bar has a sweet flavor. That seems to come down mostly to athletes looking for quick energy from sugars to fuel their efforts. But Chimpanzee recognized there are only so many chocolate & berry flavored bars you can eat in a row before getting an upset stomach, so they went salty.

Chimpanzee picked Olive – the most chill of the bunch with cashews inside; Pizza – with some Oregano flavoring on top of cashews & tomato; and Spicy – packed with real smoked peppers & peanuts. All three are Vegan, gluten-free, and sell for around 2.5€ per bar or 46€ for a box of 20.

Do yourself a favor and try all three to see which you’ll like best after you’re sick of sugary bars.

Editor’s Choice: Lupine Piko headlamp

Ostensibly, the Lupine Piko is a super-bright 2100-lumen LED helmet light for mountain bike night riding. But get the whole All-in-One kit and it comes with a headlamp strap to make the brightest light you’ve ever strapped onto your bare noggin, plus a Bluetooth remote, and several stick-on & strap-on mounts for various helmet setups. The whole German setup is very well-made, and easy to swap around the latest generation Fastclick battery mounts & Frontclick lamp mounts (just be careful not to force the Frontclick).

The Piko isn’t Lupine’s brightest (leave that to the ungodly bright 8100-lumen Alpha), but it puts out plenty of light for most normal speed on or off-road night riding. And it feels like your best value in lumens per €.

Editor’s Choice: Kolektor Liquishot 25.1 pressure washer

The Liquishot is a really nice stand-alone cordless, high-pressure washer that looks like a cordless drill. That’s because the Slovenian company behind this premium cleaning tool decided to blend the proven ergonomics, power & battery of a Bosch Professional 18V handheld cordless drill and use it to pump out high-pressure water to clean anything that needs cleaning.

What you get is an easy-to-operate, light & compact washing setup (<1500g) that can pressurize water up to 350psi, and pump water out up to 3l/min. It doesn’t need external power, and doesn’t need a pressurized water supply. You can feed it out of a bucket of water, even hot or with detergent already mixed in.

It’s perfect for cleaning bikes away from a water source, but… the catch is, it’s not cheap. The core setup to get you washing is around 490€. Even cheaper if you already have a Bosch drill as it does share the same battery. But you can also get the Pro Kit with all the accessories too for a bit less at 450€ through the holiday shopping season.

Editor’s Choice: Austere Cam Straps

Straps do so much for a cyclist. Hook a spare tube under your saddle rails. Lash down gear onto a bikepacking setup. Strap down boxes on a cargo bike. Secure bikes in the back of a pick-up or adventure van. And for all that precious cargo, you need a strap you can trust. Austere’s Cam Straps with their precision-machined allow clamps and customizable strap lengths keep my stuff in place. Long straps tie down our whole family’s bikes when we go bikeparking, and short straps get all the small gear to stay where it belongs.

Parting thoughts

OK, that’s a wrap.

I could wax poetically without end ’til the cows come home about all the gear I’ve ridden in 2022. Instead, I’ll look back to starting the season in the sun with gravel friends in southern Spain.

And then, to the local mountain bike skills center, hitting frost-covered step-down drops with my wife after we dropped the kids off at school one day last week…

There may still be supply shortages as not every bike industry company managed to correctly predict what the world would look like after two years of pandemic followed by a year of war on the edge of Europe and a looming energy crisis. But there will always be new bikes, new tech, and new stories that need to be told. Sometimes that is easy, sometimes it is more complicated.

But I’m ready for another year of new bike gear, and I’ll do my best to show you the best of what’s to come.

Until then, a happy holidays to all of you beautiful nerds. I hope you can get out and ride your bikes between now and the new year. Or that you can appreciate your time off the bike. We’re all looking forward to more great rides, and more great riding with friends in 2023!

The post Bikerumor Editor’s Choice 2022 – Cory’s Best Bike & Gear Awards appeared first on Bikerumor.

From Massachusetts, Aaron Panone is the Product Designer and Engineer behind both AARN Chainrings and the AARN Nylaarn Sports Sunglasses. He’s been producing bicycle components and crafting eyewear under the name AARN for over a decade.

Acting on an idea from back in 2014, and with vast knowledge of eyewear design and manufacturing, Aaron decided to diversify his cycling component company. Around the beginning of COVID, he moved forward and started producing the AARN Nylaarn Sports Sunglasses, which are 100% made in the USA.

Unlike most of the glasses out there, these sunglasses do not come from a big eyewear factory. Aaron took two years to establish his own domestic supply chain to manufacture these frames. They are constructed out of a special ultra-high-performance bio-based plastic called “NYLAARN” from castor beans and not fossil fuels. A closed loop end of life recycling program means you can send broken frames back to AARN where they’ll be reused to form new glasses.

The frame material is said to be “lightweight, flexible, and durable. It is hypoallergenic with a high resistance to chemicals (like sunscreen), making them a perfect fit for all kinds of activities – whether you’re riding, running, or mowing the lawn.”

Well, they did look really cool, so we talked a little bit about them, and both agreed that I should review them. Especially since they’re available directly with prescription lenses, which I need.

So, I took two pair home with me.

What I am writing here, will be my first impression of the Nylaarn glasses, and not the actual review. I’ve only had them for less than a month, so, it’s not time for a review yet. There is a lot of tech in these understated beauties, and I will get into a pretty deep dive for the actual review, I promise.

First Impressions of the AARN Nylaarn Sports Sunglasses

For now, I will tell you that their understatedness was the initial thing that attracted me to them… that, and the unique shape of the frame. If you’ve read my other reviews, you already know that I like stuff that leans to the understated/out-of-the-norm side of things. And that’s definitely what drew me to these sunglasses in the first place. Aaron says the frames look different because they are different.

Right!? I mean, they were riding/sports sunglasses that didn’t make you look like you would “be back” like the Terminator or enter a triathlon. The casual look of the sunglasses was appealing to me, right off the bat.

As I keep saying, simple and understated but not devoid of quality manufacturing and attention to detail. Remember, this product does not come from a major eyewear company, and from what I can tell from my initial usage, what Aaron has done is downright impressive.

The Nylaanrn Sports Sunglasses come with an AARN-branded, sturdy, and well-made hard case with a  microfiber bag. The glasses I started using first were the Bio-Yellow “Mud Flaps” Blend. The “blend” means the “combinations of frame colors and lenses for different activities.”

The rose-colored trail lenses on the Bio-Yellow Nylaarns are specifically designed for changing light conditions and are said to be impact-resistant, polycarbonate, that features state-of-the-art photochromic technology.

The Bio-Yellow Nylaans are almost completely clear (with a slight rose tint) while in low light and quickly darken to a dark gray sun lens with a blue mirror during exposure to UV/sunlight.

I was happy that all of this worked out perfectly on the first ride because the route we took had long periods of shade and long periods of bright sunlight. The transition between the two conditions was seamless.

They were super comfortable while on the 7-9 rides. None of the rides were longer than 30 miles, so time will tell. They feel extremely light on my face. They say that the lenses have high-tech oleophobic coatings that reduce smudging from oils, liquids, and sweat. And I did notice that at the end of my rides, the inside of the lenses looked remarkably unaffected.

The attention to detail is fantastic, from the little etched logo on the outside, the upper “corner” of the left lens to the screwless hinges.

The hinges are tight and snappy with a positive “click” when closing them. The hinge is completely screwless and consists of a machined titanium mechanism.

The arms don’t add a feeling of pressure to the side of my head and, as I mentioned earlier, remained very comfortable on the rides I’ve used them on so far. The Nylaarns come with TPE temple tips that look unique and seemed to work to help keep the glasses from sliding down my nose on rougher terrain.

I’m excited to continue to test these glasses in the real world, or at least my world. But, so far I really like them. Stay tuned here for the complete review.

Check out all of the cool stuff Aaron designs at the link below!

shop.44rn.com

The post AARN Uses NYLAARN Bio-Plastic to Create Premium Sports Sunglasses with Screw-less Hinge appeared first on Bikerumor.

ABUS’ QUIN sensor not only contacts your chosen friends if you crash, but shows them exactly where you are on a map with GPS coordinates. With a subscription to the app you can also track a ton of ride metrics, but I did discover a few issues with my app’s functionality. Thankfully the most important feature, the crash notifications, worked just fine.

Construction and features:

For a full description of construction features check out my article about the MoDrop and Moventor helmets, but here’s a quick rundown of the MoDrop’s key info:

The MoDrop is built with Multi-Shell In-Mould technology, meaning the outer shell is bonded to the EPS liner. The MoDrop’s lower shell is also molded for added strength. The model I tested includes a MIPS liner to reduce rotational forces in a crash.

There are six intake and eight outlet vents, and ABUS’ Zoom Ace retention system offers a generous height adjustment to provide a solid fit. The visor is adjustable to four positions (although the highest two are really only there to allow room for goggles). I kept the visor in its lowest position, and it didn’t restrict my view at all.

The MoDrop sticks with a basic chin buckle and the straps have Y-shaped dividers that are easy to adjust. ABUS says their Goggfit device allows you to stash goggles on the helmet, but the word ‘device’ is a bit misleading… they mean you can lift the visor quite high up and put goggles on your forehead. I will say, the visor’s cut-away sides do accommodate goggle straps quite well.

The size small MoDrop QUIN lists its weight at 340g, but my scale showed it at 331g – Pretty good for a helmet with MIPS and an integrated QUIN sensor.

Fit:

Due to a miscommunication on my part I got a size small helmet (51-55cm) when I should have requested a medium, as my head is closer to 56cm around. Thankfully my skull did fit fully into the small shell, so I was able to proceed with the test.

While the shape of the helmet fits nicely with the top of my skull and the interior padding is comfortable, I find the shell a bit shallow. ABUS advertises the MoDrop as offering excellent head coverage, but I have a few helmets in my closet that fit deeper.

In its near-lowest setting, the Zoom Ace retention system offered a secure feeling fit (helping make up for the shallow shell) and was perfectly comfortable. I did run into one issue with the system; it doesn’t take much to knock it out of its height position. It’s not hard to raise the height adjustment accidentally when putting the helmet down, carrying it, etc. but thankfully I’ve never found it to move while I’m wearing the MoDrop.

The one advantage to the shallower shell is that the MoDrop easily accommodates my fairly large POC Crave sunglasses. I also tried three pairs of goggles and it had ample room for all of them.

The MoDrop’s ventilation is very good, I could feel air flowing through the helmet on all my rides and never felt like heat was building up around my head. I rode this helmet on some of the hottest days of summer, and was impressed with how cool it kept me.

Operation:

The QUIN chip charges via a standard micro-USB cable (not included). You do have to charge the chip in the helmet, as it is not intended to be removed! Charging takes 60-180 minutes depending on the power source. ABUS says a fully charged battery should last six weeks with two hours use per day, and I’ve only charged my helmet a few times over several months.

With a double-tap on the helmet, the QUIN sensor’s LED will blink to indicate its battery life. At first I thought it wasn’t working, as the sensor just blinked endlessly, but then I realized the helmet needs to be paired to the app to show the battery’s status – once I figured this out the double-tap function did work. The low life status kicks in with five hours of run time remaining, so you get ample warning to re-charge.

The little rubber plug that protects the QUIN sensor’s micro-USB port was about 50/50 for staying in or falling out during my test rides. I did not have anything get into the port and cause any trouble.

QUIN sensor and app functions:

The QUIN sensor’s most important function is to detect impacts, and notify up to three emergency contacts if you’ve had a crash. Notifications are sent by text and email, and include a link your potential saviour can follow that shows your location on a map and your GPS coordinates.

A countdown feature allows a rider to stop the emergency notifications if you crash, but don’t feel you need help. Of course to use the QUIN sensor you must be riding in an area with cellular coverage, and have data available on your phone. The emergency notifications do work without a subscription to the QUIN for ABUS app.

In addition to setting up your emergency contacts, showing battery life and connection status, the QUIN for ABUS app tracks a whole host of other things. You’ll have to purchase a subscription to enable ride metrics and tracking, so I signed up to see what it can do…

The app collects all kinds of data including how many rides you’ve done, distance, elevation gain and ride time (in total, on average and for each ride), calories burned, average speed, and how many SOS notifications have been sent. It also provides analytic data including intensity level, acceleration and deceleration stats, average cadence, etc. The app then gives you scores on your exertion and an overall Qscore. The app breaks own your key stats into overall, weekly, monthly, and yearly categories, but the analytic data only retains weekly stats with the current week overwriting the previous week.

The app will show you a map of your most recent ride (which seems very accurate) and your ride time, elevation gain, and distance stats. You can then dive into most of the stats listed above for your previous ride, and look at color-coded ride maps that show even more metrics.

App issues:

On my first three rides, I paired up the helmet, went for my ride, and came home only to find my phone saying it was not connected to the helmet! On my fourth attempt, and every ride after, the helmet remained paired with my phone as it should.

I’m not the most tech-savvy person, but I think ABUS could have made the ‘start recording’ button easier to find in the app. At first I didn’t see a start button on the app’s main screen, so I assumed the helmet would record my rides automatically based on movement. After several rides wondering why nothing was being recorded, I realized you have to hit the small icon of a rider on a bike at the top corner of the screen, then it takes you to another screen where you see a map and the ‘start ride’ button.

Once I figured this out, my rides all recorded properly. This definitely falls into the user error category, but I still think placing the start button on the app’s main screen, or maybe including text under the rider icon, would make it easier to figure out.

The biggest issue I had with the app is that it’s only showing me my most recent ride map and per-ride data. There is an ‘All Rides’ button but it does nothing when I press it, so I’m not sure why my app only saves one map at a time, rather than all my ride maps. Another functional app issue is the ‘rename’ button for each ride doesn’t seem to work. It glows blue when I press it, but nothing happens.

I made multiple attempts to contact ABUS through a brand rep, but after a month and a half I have not received any response. There is a slim chance I’ve missed something in the app, but I’m fairly certain not all the functions were working properly. I strongly suspect the app is supposed to save maps for all rides (given there is an ‘All Rides’ button), but with no contact from ABUS I can’t say why I can only see my most recent map.

Crash notifications:

I figured a good whack on a padded piece of furniture would set off the QUIN sensor without damaging the MoDrop’s shell, and it worked! My first two hits were too gentle, and the helmet alerted me with a ‘drop notification’, assuming it had fallen or perhaps had something fall on it. The alert suggested I make sure my helmet hadn’t suffered any damage.

When I smacked the MoDrop hard enough to set off a crash notification, everything worked perfectly. It notified my contacts by text within a minute of the impact, and my phone went to the emergency screen offering me the options of cancelling the SOS notifications, or calling my emergency contacts myself.

Your contacts receive a link via text, taking them to a website showing your approximate location on a map, and below that informing them you have triggered an SOS beacon. The time and date of your crash is shown, there is a ‘call now’ option, and most importantly a ‘navigate’ button which takes your contact to a precise map of your location, which includes GPS coordinates.

My only gripe is that your contact has to scroll down to find the crucial ‘navigate’ button; I would prefer to see it immediately, top and center on the screen you’re taken to. Instead you land on an approximate area map (which can be explored) and doesn’t pinpoint your precise location. This could lead to some confusion and lost response time. The one odd thing I noticed was the QUIN sensor disconnected from the helmet after each drop or crash notification. I’m not sure why it would, but it did its job beforehand.

It’s easy to see that the QUIN sensor and app could really help if a solo rider crashes alone, but I was disappointed to find functional issues within my app and to get no assistance from ABUS regarding those problems.

The MoDrop QUIN with MIPS retails for $139.99. Sizes S/M/L are available in Polar White or Velvet Black.

mobil.abus.com

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All in all I’m pretty impressed with the fit, quality of materials, simplicity of construction and the strategic venting most of the garments offer. As a guy who doesn’t race DH, I found some of the pieces aren’t the most ideal for recreational trail riding, but to be fair, that’s not what they were built for.

Since temperatures dropped after a long hot summer I was able to break out the long sleeved jerseys and pants again, so here are my impressions of Specialized’s gravity clothing. With a number of pieces to discuss I’ve focused on ride impressions here, so check out Specialized’s website for complete product details (and to see women’s versions of all pieces featured).

Specialized Gravity Pants: $160

My first ride in the Gravity Pants was on a 13° C (55ºF) spring day, with a bit of wind and light rain. I was pleased to find the pants weren’t too warm, and noticed the ventilation on the thighs really works! Even on a climb, air was flowing through the laser-cut vents and keeping my hips cool. Specialized says their Gravity gear provides venting at key ‘hot spots’, and I know what they mean after riding in these pants. While I never rode the pants in really hot weather, I’d bet they would be one of the cooler options with their thin fabric and effective venting.

Later in the fall I wore the Gravity Pants for a cooler ride (about 6-9° C, 42.8º – 48.2º F) in mist and light rain. The pants resisted this level of moisture easily; water beaded up on my thighs and never soaked through. Temperature-wise the pants kept my legs warm enough to start comfortably but not overheat throughout the ride.

After my first few rides with the Gravity Pants I had no issues with abrasions or friction, but on a recent ride I did get some rubbing on one knee from the Butter pants’ Cordura fabric. Again, I was pushing the pants’ intended use by riding trails in them; DH racers would be wearing kneepads underneath, and doing a lot less pedalling.

The pants’ fit was great for me; the leg length is perfect, the buckled waist is true-to-size, and the legs taper down with a slim but non-restrictive cut. My only question for race purposes is how substantial of a kneepad you could squeeze under these pants… the legs are fairly streamlined.

My only gripe with the pants is the total lack of pockets! Even a small lift pass pocket would make them great for bike park riding, but ‘specialized’ these pants are indeed. With pockets the pants could also work on the trails, but the rough fabric may be problematic without kneepads.  For racing the pants are a well-vented, lightweight and durable-looking option.

The Butter pants are the exact same as the Gravity pants in construction, materials and features. On their first test ride I got them muddy, and wondered if the mud would stain the fabric. The pants sat for a few days before going into the wash, and the mud did stain the seat of the pants a bit. Some grease from my drivetrain stained the inside of the right leg too, so if you want to keep these pants clean you’ll have to be a bit careful.

Gravity Shorts: $120

The Gravity shorts are basically a short-legged version of the Gravity Pants. They feature the same materials, buckle waist closure, and ventilation on the thighs and back of the waistline. However, the shorts don’t get the reinforcement panels seen on the Gravity Pants’ knees and lower legs. The shorts are obviously a cooler option for non-UCI racing, bike park or shuttle days in warmer temps, and would definitely accommodate DH-grade kneepads. Leg length is generous, reaching the bottom of my kneecaps, and the legs are not overly baggy.

The shorts’ Cordura fabric isn’t soft, but with kneepads I didn’t notice any abrasion while pedalling in them. I didn’t crash in the shorts, but they look and feel like they’d hold up to a few incidents at least. Like the pants, I know these were made as lean as possible for downhill racing but they’d be much more versatile for recreational riders if they had a pocket or two.

Gravity Jersey: $80

On first look, I was impressed with the Gravity Jersey’s construction. I love the super-thin hems on the collar and sleeves, the shoulder vent panels and the laser-cut vents on the upper back. Like the pants, the ventilation is effective and well positioned on this jersey.  It’s probably the coolest long sleeve jersey I’ve ridden in, and it saved me on a scorching day during Crankworx after I nearly sunburned my arms the day before. In cooler temps, the jersey’s fit is slim enough to easily wear under other layers.

At 5’10” my medium Gravity Jersey fits me perfectly; the body and arm lengths are both just long enough to ensure full coverage without a scrap of excess material. My only note about the jersey is regarding color; Specialized describes this jersey as ‘Imperial Red’, but it looks pretty pink to me! And I for one don’t care – it’s such a nice jersey I’d wear it in any color!

Trail Air Gloves: $30

The Trail Air gloves are a simple but thoughtful pair, featuring mesh vents between the fingers, and slim palms that provide a bit of grip on the thumbs and forefingers. These are slip-on gloves with no wrist closure, and while the seams inside the cuff look potentially uncomfortable they didn’t wind up bugging me.

Specialized sent me size large gloves, which I expected to be too big, but they actually fit me just fine. I usually wear small or medium gloves so it seems Specialized’s sizing is a bit smaller than other brands. The gloves’ pretty pink color (oops, I mean Imperial Red…) was showing some discoloration after a few rides, but they came out of the wash looking almost new again.

Trail Air Shorts: $130

The Trail Air shorts became my favourite piece from the Butter kit, not just because they are actually for trail riding, but they’re the coolest, lightest pair of shorts I own. The body fabric is very thin and construction is simple with a buckle waist closure, vent holes on the inseam, and one pocket on the left leg.

I found the waist buckle creates an overlap of fabric when cinched down all the way, but it didn’t feel uncomfortable and visually it hides under a jersey. The legs on the shorts are fairly roomy, and the fabric is stretchy and soft on the skin. The zippered smartphone pocket worked well; some leg pockets allow for too much bouncing, but this one kept that to a minimum.

Butter Trail LS Jersey: $65

The Butter Trail Long Sleeve Jersey is a very comfortable, soft cotton garment. While offering full coverage, this jersey is quite cool to ride in; the cotton is thin enough itself, and there are vent panels running down the arms too. A size medium fit me well, with ample room for movement but a slim enough cut to wear under other layers comfortably.

Given the jersey’s bright color I was concerned about staining, but my mud splatters came out in the wash perfectly. My only warning is for pack-wearers; the cozy cotton showed pilling on the back after a couple short rides, so durability could be a concern.

The Butter Kit:

Without warning anyone I showed up in the Butter pants and LS Jersey for a group ride, to see what kind of comments I would get from my friends! Unfortunately the Butter gloves I received were far too big, or I would have worn those for the full effect.

I’m sure Specialized knew the butter color would be a love/hate thing, and it seems to be! Most of my friends said I looked like I was wearing pyjamas, all agreed the color was ‘loud’, and most hilariously, I got called some interesting names. Of course I was overdressed for a casual eMTB ride, and on the DH track this kit would look far less extreme… but it was fun to see what people thought of it!

specialized.com

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