All Arround MTB

This long-sleeve baselayer from Wiggle’s in-house brand, dhb, works really well for chilly morning stints on the trails. It’s a decent length in the body, making it easy to tuck in to keep the draughts out, and the merino wool is incredibly soft against the skin. While the 200gsm fabric weight ensures this layer works well when the temperature drops, it wicks sweat well and is great on dull days when the sun never really makes an appearance. On top of that, it doesn’t stink once it’s dried out, though it can’t shed moisture quite as quickly as synthetic equivalents. Price $67

It may be budget-priced, but this softshell is anything but basic. The windproof fabric has a sturdy quality and a DWR finish keeps light rain at bay, while a grid-fleece lining aids wicking and gives an instant ‘ahh’ of cosiness, as well as feeling soft against the skin if you’re in short sleeves (and you really don’t need to layer up much – this is a warm jacket). The cut is casual but becomes more functional on the bike, with a dropped back hem, good sleeve and cuff shape, and soft inner cuff gaiters that seal in warmth. Mesh pocket linings that double as front vents, a waterproof main zip and a drawcord-adjustable hem and hood with a stiffened peak are extra features that add to the overall comfort and wearability. It’s incredibly well priced for a jacket that ticks so many boxes. Weight 562g Price $120

The new Trail Pros are competitively priced and well thought out. Tough ripstop fabric is used over the knees and hips to boost durability. Although this is a little noisy, it feels fine next to the skin. Elsewhere, dhb use a two-faced fabric with two-way stretch to keep things comfy and movement free and easy. Neat touches include silicone gripper inside the waistband, which has Velcro adjusters on either side, a seam-free crotch and three zipped pockets (though we’d happily ditch the rear pocket and would have preferred black zips). The Trail Pros feel particularly well-shaped around the waist, where they sit high enough to cover your lower back when hunched over climbing, and articulate well when pedalling and moving around the bike. They also stay put when caked in mud. The straight-cut legs allow ample room for pads but can get a little flappy if you’re not wearing knee protection. Price $90

THE AERON HAS a racy fit, with extra length at the back that kept the mucky spray from our gloopy spring test trails at bay. It’s a little tight under the arms but just about gets away with this due to the stretch of the fabric. More refinement in the cut would add comfort though, especially when layering.

DHB is an in-house brand of mail order giant Wiggle. This allows them to deliver a shoe exceptional value for money that really performs. Like the Herraduro, these employ a no-frills trio of Velcro straps to secure your foot. They can take a few attempts to get the tension spot on, but once done up evenly and tight, they do a sterling job.