All Arround MTB

If you want comfortable shoes with loads of pedal feel and decent weather/ loam protection, O’Neal’s new Sessions are really good. But they’re not so great if you want the serious start snap and power delivery hinted at by the Boa-style dial closure on the side. The fit of the reinforced toe is wide and the whole shoe is relatively loose for a given size. While the tensioning dial and cross strap can be used to tighten things up considerably, we’d suggest you size down for a snug fit. The upper shrugs off puddle splashes and there’s a neoprene ankle collar to stop water and roost getting into your socks. That’s ideal for colder UK riding conditions, but they do get hot on those rare warm days. Down below, the soft, flexible ‘Honey Rubber’ outsole gives excellent trail feedback and foot mobility. The cleat is recessed just the right amount to give easy release and connection with every caged pedal we tried, without protruding obviously when walking. They’re a reasonable weight t...

This is a classic baggy MTB jersey, with a boxy cut that gives complete ease of movement simply because there’s lots of room in there. There are days when you won’t want all that excess material flapping around, but for more casual riding it’s an easy one to throw on, and light enough for warmer days. A slimmer cut to the arms ensures the O’Neal jersey doesn’t slide about as you ride. Contrasting material is used on the forearms, which gives the appearance of a three-quarter-sleeve top with a baselayer underneath. But this turns out to be not just about the looks, because the stretchy fabric means the sleeves can be pushed up easily and stay in place.With a bonus feature of a large lens wipe, this is a deceptively simple jersey that scores well on riding comfort. Price $67

O’Neal’s Dirt pads are hot and sweaty, but they offer secure, low-profile protection at a bargain price. If you’re after breezy or easily-removable day-ride protection, these pads aren’t for you.With only a thin strip of mesh fabric up the rear of the otherwise neoprene construction, they don’t take long to heat up and get sweaty even in winter. The snug, tubular design isn’t easy to whip off in between enduro stages either – that’s what O’Neal’s Junction Lite pads are designed for. That sweaty hug, plus broad top and bottom Velcro straps, gives them excellent security when you crash, though. The segmented ‘IPX’ foam is pliable enough that you can still pedal OK but hardens on impact to meet EN-1621 L2 motorbike protection standards. They’re slim enough to sneak under skinny jeans, too, and at $67 are a bit of a bargain. Price $67

The Element FR is a classic downhill/freeride-style top with a relaxed fit and a long tail that can be tucked in securely if required. Long sleeves give added protection from wind, mud and thorns, and we like the mesh inserts under the arms and through the sides to help prevent you overheating. But we didn’t love the feel of this jersey – while the polyester fabric wicks moisture away and dries well enough, it’s not as soft and light as the best materials here. For all that the bold graphics are appealing, the construction quality and fabric feel just aren’t quite as good as they could be. That said, the price won’t break the bank and a less princessy wearer might have no problem with the feel, in which case let the good looks (it comes in six other colours too) be your guide. Price 58$

The Element FRs are heavyweight shorts with a durable and protective feel. In fact, they’re so firm that they almost stand up on their own!

O’Neal’s dimpled Honeycomb tread aims to strike a balance between high grip and easy foot repositioning. On the trail, this is born out to some extent. In direct comparison with other shoes on pedals with an intermediate level of grip, we did find them to bounce around and slip slightly more than the extremely grippy Shimano AM41s.

These pedalling-friendly offerings have no side padding, with coverage being limited to the knee cap and surrounding area. A stretchy mesh sleeve keeps the pad in place, with a wide cutout at the back to help keep things cool.

THESE WINTER GLOVES from O'Neal use a thin, insulated palm that doesn't feel too bulky when gripping the bar and doesn't get in the way of shifting gears or braking.

THESE PADS HAVE a well ventilated, strap free design, with a large open area at the back of the knee to help keep you cool on hot rides.

THE TORQUE GIVES plenty of protection for riders who use platform clipless pedals. It sits well on bigger pedals and the flexible sole gives plenty of grip and trail communication if you’re unclipped.