Mountain biking shorts have certainly come a long way in the last few years. It seems like just yesterday all my shorts were black, skin tight, and uncomfortable. These days there are dozens of different styles of mountain bike shorts to choose from but if you ask me few can match the Sugoi Greta MTB shorts.

Like the Crossroads henley I reviewed last week, the fabric in the Greta also contains carbonized bamboo.  Spring and summer rides can be hot and sweaty here in the dirty south so I can really appreciate the anti-bacterial properties of these shorts. The Greata shorts also sport UV protection which means they’ll last forever and won’t fade as quickly as unprotected shorts (remind me to let you know how they’re holding up in a year ). Some mountain bike shorts are made of stiff, thick fabrics but not the Gretas.  A little bit of spandex in the poly/bamboo blend makes these shorts soft and stretchy allowing me to pedal freely in these roomy shorts.

The best part about these shorts is the removable mesh liner.  The RC Pro women’s specific padding is ultra comfortable with molded panels providing a little extra cushioning where you want it most.  The chamois has ample coverage from front to back and fit snugly against the body and after a 3-hour ride at Raccoon Mountain my butt was ready for another loop!  Also, the sticky rubber leg grippers keep the extra-short liners from slipping; these liners would also work well under a skort if you want to show off your hill-climbing quads.

The neutral brown color looks good with almost any jersey, so I plan on getting a lot of use out of these shorts.  I found the Greta sizing was slightly larger than expected, particularly in the waist.  I didn’t mind the loose fit though, comfort is the most important element of mountain bike clothing and these shorts were extremely comfortable on and off the trails.

With spring fast approaching I was looking for a lightweight, long sleeved jersey and Sugoi’s new Crossroads Henley fit the bill perfectly.  This women’s top has full length, black and white striped sleeves that look like arm warmers but are sewn into a light blue raglan cut henley.  The henley has a casual, loose fit and is made using a unique Toasted Bamboo fabric which is an environmentally sustainable material.  The sporty polyester fabric is also infused with carbonized bamboo to enhance UV protection and anti-bacterial properties against the skin. I’m pretty sure this jersey has more technology built in than my iPod.

I was excited to get out and test the Sugoi Crossroads Henley but the day it arrived the trails were wet so I wore it road running instead. The jersey was super soft and loose fitting to allow my arms to move around freely and running proved to be a good test of the Crossroad’s extreme wickability.  The Finomesh fabric definitely kept me cool and dry while the jersey itself was so light and airy I found myself leaping over puddles instead of running around them.

That same breathability worked wonders on the mountain bike trails too.  Though the Crossroads Henley is a long sleeve jersey, it’s not a winter jersey – it’s definitely more of an “early spring” or summer morning jersey.  The fabric allows for a lot of ventilation and air flow and zipping down the trails I could feel the cool breeze go down the v-neck and pass through the front of the jersey.  The Crossroads really gives you the best of both worlds – long-sleeve warmth at the trailhead and ventillation on the trail after you’ve had a chance to warm up.

The jailhouse stripes are probably my favorite feature of the Crossroads Henley. When my front suspension engaged on the trail the stripes on my arms would shake a little I had a momentary whirling feeling, like I was being sucked into… “the zone.” The jailhouse stripes also give me a feeling of busting loose on a run or mountain bike ride.  After being a prisoner of winter, I can’t wait to rock this jersey into the spring!

I’m a big fan of mountain bike specific shorts for a lot of reasons: they’re comfortable, they look good, they fit well, they protect stuff, and they’re ultra-low maintenance. The Viper shorts from Sugoi are the perfect example of what’s great about mountain bike shorts and if you’re not already a believer, allow me to explain…

Comfort: The Sugoi Viper shorts are designed first and foremost with comfort in mind. From the integrated S.100 chamois with one piece construction and zero seams to the breathable dry wick outer material, these shorts just feel good on the bike and on the trail. Some folks may not care for an integrated liner but for me, it’s a good compromise because the liner material can be much lighter weight and breathable than typical spandex bike shorts. I hardly noticed the padding which is a good thing – not so thick that I feel like I’m wearing a diaper but thick enough that my ass wasn’t hurting after a moderate ride.

Style: The Viper shorts look cool as hell. I know, I know, you’re gonna say buying clothes based on how they look is silly but if that were true you’d be going to work covered in a burlap sack. Nope, style is at least a little important to most of us and the Viper shorts are semi-fitted giving them a sporty profile and just the right leg coverage (down to the kneecaps). Colors are neutral and sleek on the outside while the inside includes some neon details that just might surprise you (I’ve never seen a bright orange chamois before). In terms of fit you may want to consider choosing a smaller size if you’re unsure – the large shorts are a little droopy on my size 33 waist.

Fit: In my mind fit and style go hand in hand but when you’re mountain biking fit is all about managing flapping fabrics. The Sugoi Vipers have a high cut in the rear to keep your shorts from snagging your saddle nose on steep descents and are are virtually unflappable even at high speed. No need to worry about material getting sucked into your wheel or chain either – the length on the Vipers is perfect. One thing the Viper is missing is a drawstring for cinching up toward the end of a dehydrating epic ride (or epic diet).

Protecting stuff: We all have stuff to protect and the liner in the Viper shorts will secure your family jewels comfortably. The outer shorts are made from tough Nylon material that should stand up to all but the gnarliest tree snags and dirt slides. The Vipers also include four velcro-sealed pockets (two front, two back) to keep your gear secure, even on rooty and rocky trails. I actually had a hard time quickly accessing my pockets because the velcro is so tight – must be some extra strength velcro or something…

Low maintenance: Throw the Viper shorts in the wash with all your other clothes – how low maintenance is that? The shorts also include two elastic loops inside which I imagine could be used to hang them to dry after a quick rinse at the campground. Integrated liner means you won’t have to match up your shorts after every load of laundry.

Yep, the Sugoi Viper shorts make a solid foundation for any mountain biker’s trail ensemblé and are a HUGE upgrade for anyone still rocking the tight spandex or Umbro soccer shorts on the trail. Try them out and you’ll see what I mean – no need to thank me.

More than anything else, getting out and riding during the winter is simply a matter of having the right clothes. Sure, you could throw on two pairs of sweatpants and your ski jacket to stay toasty on the trail but you probably won’t be comfortable. Instead I decided to check out a merino wool jersey from Sugoi to see how it would stand up to cold, damp January riding conditions.

The Sugoi Wallaroo jersey is made from 100% Australian Merino wool (not from Wallaroo fur as the name might imply ) which is nature’s original technical fabric. Like most technical athletic fabrics, Merino wool is breathable and dry wicking but it’s also warm wicking meaning that even when wet from sweat or precipitation it retains much of its insulating value. I’ve been wearing my short-sleeve Wallaroo jersey this month as a base layer and it’s kept me SUPER hot to the point of sweating after just 10 minutes on the bike. On a foggy, cold ride yesterday at Heritage Park I finally stripped off my long-sleeve outer layer and rode short-sleeved in total comfort. Mudhunny couldn’t believe I was riding in a short-sleeve jersey since she was layered up with long pants and sleeves!

The Wallaroo is my first wool jersey and I was afraid it would somehow be itchy or uncomfortable as a base layer but it turns out the opposite is true. The jersey is probably the softest I own and even when wet it didn’t chaffe one bit. Wash and care instructions for the Wallaroo jersey seemed a bit daunting at first – machine wash cold inside-out on gentle cycle, tumble dry low – but after *accidentally* washing the jersey with a normal load I found it no worse for the wear. Who would have thought a Canadian company with a Japanese name could do such amazing things with Australian wool?

I’m also a big fan of this jersey’s style – a touch Euro with neutral colors and rock & roll type treatment. The Wallaroo’s zippered rear pocket is a nice touch even though it’s not quite as convenient as open rear pockets. In terms of sizing, I generally wear size large jerseys but the Wallaroo fit big on me – next time I think I’ll go with a medium.

The Merino wool Wallaroo jersey from Sugoi is a great piece to add to your mountain biking wardrobe for those cold winter rides and it has quickly become my go-to base layer this season. You know what they say about biking jerseys – once you go wool you never go back!