Our mountain biking holidays are truly global covering some incredible trails in the UK, Europe, or South America. Working out what to wear for mountain biking in spring and early summer conditions can sometimes be a bit tricky but Endura, our technical bike clothing partner, has some tips on how to choose the right kit, whatever kind of spring you’re riding.
Based in Scotland, their guide is aimed at those cool and changeable climates of northern Europe, but if you’re heading to warmer conditions then the same principles apply, but you can take the need for element protection down a notch or two.
Most riders are aware of the basics of layering their riding gear to achieve an outfit (or system) which can protect you from the elements, provide the relevant level of insulation and effectively wick sweat away from the body to keep you dry from the inside, but it’s always worth having a think about what you have in your riding wardrobe and how you could mix and match your outfits to the weather.
Baselayer
A good baselayer is the keystone of any technical apparel system and can make or break an outfit. Knowing what works best for you is essential so think about what you need most – wicking should be the priority if you sweat heavily, whereas insulation needs to be the focus if you really feel the cold.
Merino baselayers provide excellent insulation and temperature regulation, even when wet, but they don’t dry as quickly as a good synthetic fibre meaning they work well for low to medium intensity riding, but are not so well suited to all out, high tempo blasts.
Mid-layer
The term mid-layer is a little bit of a misnomer in a spring outfit as if things change when you’re riding then it can become an outer layer too. A long sleeve jersey is perfect here adding warmth whilst allowing body moisture to move outwards. Again, choose a mid-layer that suits your physiology – if you run warm then you can get away with a thinner jersey and go for something with more insulation if you need it.
Waterproofs
Waterproofs – the layer that keeps the outside out – wind and rain are the enemy and a good jacket can save a ride if the weather takes a turn for the worse. For adaptability, choose a waterproof shell jacket that packs down small and that way it can be stashed away in a back pocket, hip bag or frame bag when not needed.
When you know it’s going to be raining heavily and cold all day then a full-on waterproof shell jacket is always the way to go. The days of boil-in-the-bag waterproofs are fortunately long gone and with modern high performance breathable fabrics, vents and good old front zips you can ride hard all day without getting wet from the inside, rather than the outside. The only downside is that these come at a cost in terms of packability (and cash).
On better spring days, a good quality packable shell provides a “best of both” solution providing protection from the elements that can be deployed when the weather turns or for a bit of extra warmth when you stop for a lunchtime macaroni pie.
Gilets and warmers
There are some other bits of kit that we love for spring riding that mountain bikers sometimes overlook – gilets and warmers. The gilet is an item that the apparel obsessive will covet, often owning a selection of different weights to ensure the perfect core body temperature in all conditions. Gilets provide warmth and insulation where you need it most and the lack of sleeves means no restriction on the shoulders when things get techy.
Arm, leg and knee warmers may appear somewhat strange to the non-cyclist but these simple thermal tubes are arguably the ultimate in versatile bike wear and once you start using them you’ll never look back.
Accessories
Gloves- the hands are one of the most vulnerable areas of the body to the cold and in spring its always worth taking a spare pair for changeable conditions.
Multitube – a super-simple item that can make a huge difference to how warm you feel. A large amount of heat escapes through the collar and neck area, so blocking this off can really help keep you comfy.
Endura have 30 years of experience in creating kit for mountain bikers and all of their gear is designed in Scotland, with a crew of in-house testers riding in all conditions. Find it all at endurasport.com
Endura Spring and Summer Kit & 25% off!
Here are a few of our favourite pieces of kit for the coming riding season. Make sure you check out our Endura Quick Kit Guide too for more tips and kit. Remember, you’ll get a 25% Endura discount voucher when you book your next cycling holiday with Skedaddle!
Women
Men
