All Arround MTB

Tech tees, due to their simplicity, tend to sit at the right end of most budgets, but even so, for $45 we don’t usually expect anything that’s more than basic. The Trillium confounds that by delivering a great cut combined with better-thanaverage fabric. It’s got a relaxed, but not baggy, fit and a wide neckline that makes it easier to get on and off than many tops of this type and feels less restrictive on the bike. The taped seam at the back of the neck is a technical detail that’s usually only found on more expensive styles. A Polygiene antibacterial treatment is incorporated into the fabric to help prevent the pong associated with manmade wicking fibres. Given that tech tees can be worn for just about any activity, this is a truly bargainous piece. Price $45

On board, no matter how demanding the ascent or descent” is how Dakine describe these shorts, and with that in mind we’ve been trying them out on everything from cross-country spins to full-on downhill runs. They’re certainly comfy and won’t stop you getting into wild shapes, thanks to the four-way stretch fabric and the huge, stretchy mesh panel at the rear. The DWR coating is also good at shrugging off a bit of light rain and keeping your legs dry. Sizing is generally good, although lankier testers found them a smidge too short in the leg. With internal Velcro tabs to adjust the waist, as well as belt loops, you can be sure that wearing these won’t result in any embarrassing incidents, and with zipped hip pockets you won’t have the embarrassment of losing your keys either. Price $90

It’s not often that we award a heavier weight pair of shorts four stars, because riding comfort is often compromised by the extra protection. Not so with the Descents.

The Drafter is a pack designed for riders who prefer long days getting lost in the woods to race day palpitations. There’s a fleeced outer phone pocket and one main hangar, which unzips fully to reveal pockets and pouches for tools and the like so you don’t end up groping around blindly to find the kit you need.

Most of the shorts in this review are of the silky, lightweight variety. Dakine’s 8 Track shorts, however, aren’t playing that game. Think of these things as the industrial-strength Carhartt models of the mountain biking world–the 8 Track’s polyester, canvas shell is burly as hell. These things shrug off spills and abuse without flinching. If you’re hard on your gear or are looking for shorts that are a bit warmer than the rest, the 8 Tracks, with their bomber build and hefty Durable Water Repellant coating, are the perfect choice.

The Sentinel sits atop Dakine’s women’s glove line, and it’s a noticeable upgrade from the lower-priced Covert model. After about five months of regular wear, the glove’s durability stands out–the seams remain intact and the stretch mesh between each finger free of rips.

SOMETIMES YOU JUST want simplicity. The Rail is very much of its type – a casual bike T-shirt made from a performance fabric – but it does the job well.