Fox Racing has a new line of women’s mountain bike gear for 2020. The Fox Ranger line has been out for quite some time, and it remains for good reason. The Ranger line offers versatility and high quality for a decent price. Although Fox offers their Defend line for winter and Attack Flexair line for summer, the Ranger line is the brand’s go-to for all-around riding. Offering robust and lightweight materials designed to last a full year of riding (or more), the Ranger line is meant for just about any rider from all skill levels.
Fox Women’s Ranger Shorts
- MSRP: $89.95
- Available at Amazon and other online retailers
Right off the bat, I was quite pleased that a chamois was included in the Fox Ranger Shorts. That meant I didn’t have to worry about searching the interwebs for one. The chamois has enough padding to make any 5-10 mile ride comfortable and enjoyable. The fit is perfect, and honestly, I have no complaints.
Now, back to the actual shorts. Made with a lightweight nylon, water-repellant fabric, it’s apparent these shorts can take the abuse of year-round riding. Stretchy and breathable, I could barely notice I was wearing them which is a good thing. They never got in the way of my riding or looked out of place while waiting in line at my local Vitality Bowl.
With just one zippered pocket on the left thigh, I was limited to only fitting my iPhone XR in there. This made the shorts feel a bit tighter, and I like my shorts loosely fitted. I didn’t feel comfortable carrying my phone in there, so I decided instead to fit a snack. For larger items, riders will want to bring a hip pack. Luckily, there are also two mesh hand pockets for stashing other small trail snacks or gels. You could fit some keys, but I always advise to not carry sharp objects in your shorts (use a hip pack instead).
Though not perfect, these shorts still offer versatility and value. An all-year-round design with a chamois included, all for less than $100. That’s a yes in my book. In terms of fit, measure twice and order once.
Fox Women’s Ranger Shorts Features:
- Removable liner with dual density chamois
- Stretch ripstop fabric
- TruDri®™ lined waistband moves sweat and moisture away from the body keeping you comfortable and dry
- Secured zip pocket
- Durable Water Repellent finish
- Inseam: 12″
- Shell: 65% polyamide nylon / 29% polyester / 6% elastane. Lining: 66% polyester / 17% polyamide nylon / 17% elastane
- Available in multiple colors: Black, Khaki, Pewter (light gray), and Dark Purple (tested)
Fox Women’s ¾ Ranger Drirelease Jersey
- MSRP: $49.95 – $55.95
- Available at Performance Bike and other online retailers
The Fox Ranger Jersey is comfortable, t-shirt-like, and while there are no mesh sections or ventilation holes, the soft fabric wicks away moisture and breathes very well. The three-quarter sleeves each have a bold “FOX RACING” print logo if you’re into that. The sleeves are fitted and will stay snug in place if you choose to ride without elbow pads, and can easily be pushed up for elbow protection. Living in the Bay Area, this jersey with its 3/4 sleeves is a great choice for evening rides when the temperature can get cool quickly and you don’t want to carry a jacket.
Overall the Ranger Jersey is form-fitting and contours to the body. I’m 5’7 at 154lbs and the medium size feels snug on me. It doesn’t leave much extra room for airflow, so if you like a looser fit for roomy comfort, consider sizing up.
Fox Women’s Ranger Jersey Features:
- Drirelease® yarns wick moisture, dry quickly, and neutralize odors
- Length (HPS): 27″
- Color: Black and Dark Purple (tested)
- 85% polyester / 15% cotton drirelease®
Fox Women’s Defend Gloves
- MSRP: $35.95
- Available at Jenson USA and other online retailers
The Defend gloves offer a lot of style and functionality. The usage of lightweight and durable protective materials made them a must for those technical trail rides. Hands are vulnerable while riding, so any bit of protection helps. With rubber molded silicon on the knuckle area, these made me feel confident while the lightweight robust outer materials also made me confident in their longevity.
The velcro compression cuff is comfortable and stays put, and the single-layer soft palm held nicely on my grips. A plus on these is the touchscreen compatibility, which is always great to be able to access your phone or tracking devices while riding. Although they have palm perforations, these gloves felt hot for summer riding, so they are probably best for cooler temperatures. Unfortunately, the gloves ran a little large and I had some leftover fabric at the tip of some of my fingers. For reference, my hand is about seven inches long (from the tip of my middle finger to my wrist), and about three inches wide (side to side).
Fox Women’s Defend Glove Features:
- 4-way stretch polyester construction
- Single layer Clarino® palm with strategically placed perforations
- Stretch mesh finger gussets for improved airflow & movement
- Compression molded cuff for secure fit
- Touchscreen compatibility
- 40% nylon Cordura® / 28% nylon66 / 20% pet / 12% spandex
- Available in Black, Sand, and Dark Purple (tested)
Check out our mountain bike shorts buyers guide and our picks for the best mountain bike shorts.
The Feel Good, Ride Good series is an effort to help women find mountain bike gear and clothing that just feels right. We recognize women have different body shapes, styles, and needs so we hope to help them discover women’s products that fit those unique requirements so we can just focus on the ride. While we are all different, we all want gear that fits, that works, and matches the energy and personality we bring to the bike. We’ll be back on #FeelGoodFriday with more women’s MTB products. In the meantime, please share your thoughts with us in our women’s mountain biking survey.
