All Arround MTB

SixSixOne’s Recon pads have a comfy fit and articulate incredibly well, but they’re not cheap. The stretchy sleeve incorporates a mesh panel at the rear that runs the length of the pad, which helps prevent you getting too hot. Silicone print at the upper and lower openings does its best to create traction with your skin, in the absence of any Velcro straps. For the most part it stops the pads sliding about, although if you hit a particularly long, rough descent you may find yourself needing to readjust them every once in a while, especially if it’s sweaty out. If you have a SixSixOne Evo armour jacket, the pads will popper onto it, helping them to stay put. Thanks to their lightweight, slimline nature, the Recons will fit under most jersey sleeves comfortably. That lack of bulk means they’re only good for ‘scuffs and scrapes’ prevention, though. Because they rely on the stretchy sleeve to keep them secure, with no additional strapping, we had no comfort issues even when wearing t...

SixSixOne’s top-end open-face helmet uses a ‘Contego EPS’ liner that’s claimed to provide superior impact absorption to standard foam. Large, plush pads mean the Evo AM is one of the most comfortable helmets on test, but it didn’t make us too hot-headed, thanks in part to the large vents at the front of the lid. The BOA retention system extends most of the way around the head and fits securely. It sits relatively high above the ears though, making the EVO AM feel a little shallow when combined with the large pads. Also, it doesn’t offer any vertical adjustment, although this didn’t cause us any issues. The peak is fixed in position too. Adjusting the no-nonsense chin strap is easy and its ‘Fidlock’ magnetic closure system works refreshingly well. A MIPS version is available for an extra $60. Weight 331g Sizing XS/S, M/L, XL/XXL Price $150

Knuckle protection used to mean having a big chunk of plastic or carbon sewn onto the back of your glove, but luckily we’ve moved on since the days of those unergonomic monstrosities. The new Evo IIs from SixSixOne have rubber strips on each knuckle and a pre-curved, flexible D3O underlayer that hardens on impact but otherwise leaves hand movement on the bar unobstructed. Made from Clarino synthetic leather, the palm gives an excellent bar feel but will still protect your hands when you take a digger. There’s also a thicker pad on the heel of the palm for a bit of impact protection. So far, the gloves have shrugged off everything we’ve thrown at them, apart from being a bit less white than they started out! They’re not the prettiest mitts around, but hey, they’re a hell of a lot better looking than armoured gloves used to be. Price $66

There’s a lot of clever stuff going on here. Much of the padding is impact-gobbling D3O, the comfy chest guard extends round to protect your ribs, and SixSixOne's PADLOCK system lets you snap additional armour into place as required. Underarm cut-aways make it one of the coolest jackets on test too.You can even remove the backplate and replace it with a bladder – genius! There's a long-sleeve version with elbow pads too. It’s cut fairly short so, as with all armour, it’s worth trying before you buy to get a perfect fit. Price 195$

SIXSIXONE’S NEW KNEE pads sit at the lighter end of the scale, at just 145g a pair, and are designed for the trail and enduro crew.

OPEN-FACE HELMETS with increased coverage have becoming a lot more popular in recent years. The new SixSixOne Evo AM has the requisite dropped rear and ups protection with a liner made from Contigo foam, which is better at absorbing impacts than the EPS used by most manufacturers. The helmet is also available with a brainprotecting MIPS layer for an extra 45$.

THE FILTER IS a super-heavy but sturdy and well priced BMX style shoe for all-round gravity use. Cutting the sole to expose the cleat holes is a pain but there’s enough space around them to stop clogging. The flat sole gives plenty of outboard overlap on wider pedals and the shoes work OK if you’re unclipped.