There are a lot of options for warm weather mountain bike clothing, and the selection grows every year. For spring and summer gear I like to consider four main elements: breathability, durability, overall fit, and finally aesthetics. With their Scrub Amp kit, ION has checked all four boxes and added a few I hadn’t considered.
Scrub Amp Jersey
The Scrub Amp jerseys are made of two different fabrics, selected to provide maximum comfort and ventilation. The front of the jersey is a fabric ION calls DriRelease that feels similar to cotton but reportedly dries four times faster. This synthetic cotton makes the jersey look like something you might wear off the bike, but maintains the material characteristics you want for riding. The back and sleeves are a “pique jersey” material that is lighter and more breathable than the front.
Under the right front corner of the jersey, ION stitched in a handy lens wipe to keep your shades clear on the trail. On the left-hand backside, a zippered ticket-pocket keeps your lift ticket handy for park days.
The breathability of the Scrub Amp is top notch. This will be a great jersey for hot summer days or shoulder seasons with an added base layer. The fabric and construction feel sturdy enough for several years of use, though I will be careful with the delicate zipper on the ticket-pocket. The jersey is cut a bit long for my taste, hanging roughly 6″ past my waistline (size small) while in a riding position. This extra length could be beneficial for folks who prefer to ride with their jersey tucked in. Apart from the extra torso length, the fit is spot on.
MSRP: $69.95 USD
Scrub Amp Shorts
As I have come to expect from ION, the Scrub Amp shorts include a number of cool hidden features worth mentioning.
Borrowing 4-way stretch material tech from the company’s extensive board shorts line, the Scrub Amp shorts offer all of the give and flex you need for gravity riding. Laser cut ventilation holes on the inside of either leg create maximum airflow for the already breathable fabric. The bonded seams are glued instead of stitched, resulting in a flat inseam that ION claims is highly durable.
A neoprene cellphone sleeve in the front right pocket protects your device from light rain, sweat, and minor impact.
The waistband on the Scrub Amp shorts can be adjusted with two hook and loop flaps on either hip. The front closure uses a zipper-free design, with two pieces of hook and loop and a sturdy snap button to keep the shorts shut. The hook and loop patches are strong enough that you could skip the snap if you were in a rush to get rolling.
I tested a size small in the Scrub Amp, and they are some of the best fitting shorts I have ridden in. They are tight enough to keep from catching on my saddle and loose enough to allow proper air flow. They cover about 1/3 of my kneepads, which is plenty of overlap for my needs.
For dry rides, in warmer temps, the Scrub Amp shorts are a fantastic piece of kit.
MSRP: $129.95 USD
Rider measurements
- Height 5’8″ (173cm)
- Inseam 30.5″ (77)
- Waist 30″ (76)
Check out our mountain bike shorts buyers guide and our picks for the best mountain bike shorts.
