Summer is upon us, and we still have quite a bit of warm weather ahead. So, shorts and T-shirts always, right? Well, not necessarily.
Obviously, it is summer, and where I’m at in Bend, Oregon, temperatures are in the 90s. But this summer kit roundup also includes pants, long-sleeved shirts, and even a jacket. Don’t get it wrong; I absolutely have the correct season in mind.
Extra layers: 7Mesh Northwoods Jacket
Yes, even a jacket is needed in the summer months from time to time. Not only do I use something like the 7Mesh Northwoods Jacket on early-morning rides, but I’ve also used it quite a bit at the bike park. Up there, it is typically quite a bit cooler and always pretty breezy.
And that is really what the Northwoods Jacket is for — it’s a windbreaker. 7Mesh designed the Northwoods to be a fairly simple jacket, with a main front zipper, elastic at the cuffs and hood, and a zippered pocket on the left that doubles as a stowing pocket. The jacket is 100% polyester and feels soft, without that crinkly experience we might associate with other windbreakers. Best of all, it packs down small and weighs only around 170g, making it an easy option to leave in a hip bag or frame storage in case bad weather rolls in.
If the jacket is too much, I usually reach for the Patagonia Trail Craft Vest. While it wasn’t officially a part of the roundup, having a solid vest is a must — layers are a good call even during summer.
At nearly $200, the Northwoods Jacket isn’t cheap, but with 7Mesh’s warranty and repair options, a replacement or repair is available at little or no cost should any issues arise.
- Price: $190
- Sizes: XS-XXL
- Buy from 7Mesh
Backcountry Drirelease jerseys
Don’t sleep on Backcountry.com; in addition to good deals on all sorts of mountain biking apparel, they also have a solid lineup under their own brand.
This summer I’ve been testing the Slickrock Drirelease shirts, long- and short-sleeved. And I am a fan. With a blend of polyester and lyocell, they feel much closer to Merino wool. In fact, if you’re not a fan of the typical polyester/nylon jersey (I’m typically not) but don’t want to fork out big bucks for Merino, these are great options.
To be fair, my preference is still Merino wool, especially on road trips or cold rides where I’m layering. But, as far as wicking moisture, drying quickly, and overall general performance, Backcountry’s Drirelease shirts did pretty well. Oh, and they have cool side pockets that are perfect for stashing snacks on climbs or easy rides with my kids.
- Price: $49/$59 for short/long sleeve
- Sizes: S-XXL
- Buy from Backcountry: long sleeve and short sleeve
The new Fox Flexair kit
Inspired by its DH-racing Speedsuit, Fox introduced its latest Flexair lineup this spring. It’s inspired by, but certainly not the same one-piece design we’ve seen the likes of Jackson Goldstone and Asa Vermette racing at World Cups.
There are two specific things to point out about the new Fox Flexair kits. First, they are remarkably breathable, so much so that even the pants do okay in the summertime heat. Second, they are also quite snug.
I tested both the Flexair pants and shorts — essentially identical except for the missing lower leg portion. Both feature the thinnest material among their pants and shorts, and have quite a few perforations for breathability. They also feature a tall rear waistband, a “race-rachet” adjustable belt, and zippered pockets.
While I’m not a huge fan of the snug fit, the Flexair shorts and pants are easily the most comfortable out of this lineup. The tall back keeps them up and in place regardless of your position on the bike. The material is incredibly stretchy and lightweight, and, if I haven’t said this enough, very breathable. I know quite a few riders who aren’t keen on shorts — the Flexair pants are an easy choice for them.
- Price: $129.95/$174.95 (shorts/pants)
- Sizes: 28-38
- Buy from Fox Racing and Sun & Ski Sports
For tops, Fox has a short- and long-sleeve Flexair jersey. Mine must have been mixed up a bit because I received two long-sleeve shirts rather than one of each. Regardless, the material is so breathable that I can wear them in the heat regardless of sleeves.
Now, typically, these polyester/elastane jerseys are exactly the type of shirt I don’t like. I feel like when they get sweaty, they stop wicking moisture and get clammy. And, they certainly don’t dry as fast as the Merino blends I tend to lean toward. But the breathability of the Flexair shirt has me changing my tune, likely because I just don’t get that sweaty in the first place.
- Price: $89.95/$104.95 (short/long)
- Sizes: S-2XL
- Buy from Fox Racing and Competitive Cyclist
Arc’teryx enters mountain biking
While Arc’teryx has long been associated with high-quality outdoor clothing, they’ve yet to make their way into the mountain bike space. That is, until the brand introduced the Rhoam Collection this year, a collection made up of shorts, weather-resistant pants, and a rain jacket. Since this is a summer roundup, I’ll discuss the shorts, but keep an eye out for my thoughts on the other two offerings in the future.
The Rhoam Shorts are somewhat similar to the 7Mesh Transition Shorts, featuring standard and zippered pockets, a longer length, and a snap closure with adjustable nylon belt and buckles. However, the Arc’teryx shorts are without a doubt thicker, and while I imagine that likely makes them more durable, it also makes them a touch warmer. Simply put, on the warmest days, these aren’t the shorts I’m reaching for.
However, on days when temps are a bit more moderate, they work well. Overall, they are a comfortable option, stay put, and don’t snag on my knees or anything strange like that while pedaling. I also like that they have numbered sizes rather than letter sizes, which makes them one of the better-fitting shorts in the roundup.
But, they are also pretty spendy.
- Price: $220
- Sizes: 28-38 (waist)
- Buy from: Arc’teryx
Shorts and short sleeves from 7Mesh
For warm days on the bike, 7Mesh offers the Transition Shorts and Desperado Merino T-shirt, which I like quite well. With a 13” inseam, the Transition Shorts are a bit on the longer side, especially for my 5’8” frame. While the length doesn’t bother me much, us shorter folks may be out of options if we don’t like our shorts past our knees — not too much of an issue for me considering I’m almost always wearing kneepads.
The 7mesh Transition Shorts feature standard pockets on each side and zippered pockets at each hip, and I like the option of both. When I am getting ready and on my way to the trailhead, the standard pockets are great for holding my keys and wallet without fussing with zippers. When I’m actually riding, zippered pockets keep items like my phone secure.
At the waist, the shorts feature a snap closure and nylon straps with buckles to adjust the waist size. 7Mesh also included belt loops. Overall, the Transition Shorts are a simple design, and the material (50% nylon, 37% polyester, 13% elastane) isn’t too thick or too thin. While they don’t have any perforations for breathability, I don’t feel overheated wearing them, nor do I find them significantly warmer than other shorts that do.
- Price: $160
- Sizes: XS-XXL
- Buy from 7Mesh
I love Merino T-Shirts. In my experience, they wick moisture away from my body more quickly, dry quicker, and don’t stink like a polyester (or other material) jersey can. Merino doesn’t make you overheat in the summer and doesn’t turn cold when it gets sweaty, making it a great base layer in the winter.
With a 53/47% blend of polyester and Merino wool, the Desperado Merino T-shirt does all of those things exceptionally well. The shirt is simple, and the fabric is soft, making the Desperado an easy choice for long days in the saddle during the summer heat. And, it is a shirt I can take on a road trip and wear several rides in a row without it getting stinky.
- Price: $100
- Sizes: XS-XXL
- Buy from 7Mesh
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