Whenever I hear the word “Crossmax,” I instantly envision the iconic Mavic Crossmax wheelset:
These wheels sport big, bold graphics that instantly set themselves apart from the rest of the pack. Well, Mavic has taken that design ethos to their new line of enduro clothing, which bears the same Crossmax name. Lighter than downhill gear but roomier than XC gear, the Crossmax kit is the best of both worlds.
The Crossmax long sleeve jersey has a generous fit. I normally wear an XL for comfort, but I found that a large was plenty big. With a deep V-neck and a straight cut to the jersey, the Crossmax top has a nice fit to it. Using a mix of materials, the front, rear, and arm panels are all made from Trail Wick materials (100% polyester), and feature a double-stitched arm and waist cuff for added durability. Under arm vented inserts do well at controlling heat and smell. The overall cut is designed with a rider’s position in mind, with a lowered shirt tail. Regardless of body position, the fabric has a nice amount of stretch that follows the body rather than tugging and inhibiting body movement.
The Crossmax Short Set sizes a bit differently, so try before you buy. I find that the shorts are a bit on the tighter side of the indicated sizing. It’s important to use the guide found at Mavic’s website to get the correct size for you (measure your waistline).
The Crossmax short set has a separate outer shell and padded liner:
The outer shell is made from Mavic Trailtech material, which is a blend of polyester and elastane, providing a good amount of ruggedness as well as flex. This material makes for a light-feeling short. A zipped back and front right pocket provide a good measure of security to hold keys and cash. The other pockets are your typical pockets found on other garments–big enough for other items like snacks. The enclosure is a single oversize snap and zip, with belt hoops if needed. The shorts are cut to kneecap length and are open enough that if you do choose to wear soft armor, there is room for that as well.
The liner is a nylon polyester blend with a heat-formed chamois. The Ergo 2D chamois has a mulit-layered surface with dual density pads and a polygene treatment to combat odor. Both the waist and legs have elasticized silicon beads to prevent unwanted movement.
The gear felt very comfortable out on the trail. When in motion, the kit (both top and bottom) breathed well. In an aggressive riding stance with elbows and knees slightly bent, everything feels just right. There’s no pulling or tugging on clothing, no snagging on armor, and plenty of room if you wanted to add a soft vest underneath for added protection. Even after repeated rides, tumbles, and washes, both the top and bottom Crossmax gear exhibit no wear. There isn’t so much as a single stitch out of place.
Bottom Line
The Crossmax jersey and shorts are products that are built to last, look as good as the day they arrived, and feel great with plenty of room to move.
Jersey MSRP: $80
Shorts MSRP: $120
A big thanks to the folks at Mavic for providing the Crossmax jersey and shorts for review.
