What should you wear when mountain biking? My MTB Apparel Guide

Mountain biking is a great sport that can be done by anyone, no matter their age or gender. Whether you are new to the sport and want to know what you should wear while riding, or an experienced rider who wants advice on what gear to buy next, this article will be helpful for you!

Mountain Biking Gear: The Basics

The first thing you need to do before buying any equipment is research it thoroughly. There are many different types of bikes out there, so make sure you understand how they work and which one best suits your needs.

Helmet

A helmet is a necessary accessory for any type of biking. When mountain biking, it is imperative to wear head protection. The terrain is more difficult and there's the chance to take a tumble onto rocks or even into water. By wearing a helmet, you can minimize the risks and avoid injury.

A good quality helmet should have an EPS liner that absorbs impact energy from falls. It also has to fit snugly on your head without causing discomfort. You may want to consider purchasing a cycling specific helmet as well. These helmets usually come with better ventilation than standard ones.

Shoes

Many of us think that a bike is just a bike--whether you're biking for leisure or for exercise, what you're wearing on your feet doesn't really matter. But it does! It turns out that if your shoes are too bulky or heavy, or don't have enough grip, they can become a burden. In fact, the wrong shoes could be downright dangerous.

If you ride in wet conditions and get caught by surprise when riding through puddles, slipping off your pedals because your shoe soles aren't gripping properly can cause serious injury. And even though we all know how important proper posture is while pedaling, poor foot placement can lead to back pain.

Gloves

Mountain biking is popular, but what should you wear when mountain biking? Gloves can keep your hands and fingers safe. Glove types include: fingerless, full fingered and full-fingered cycling gloves. Fingerless gloves will not interfere with the use of the brake or gear shifters. Full-fingered gloves have a padded palm that can offer more protection from vibrations or impacts from the handlebars.

A good pair of (Hydrostatic) Cycling Gloves are essential for any cyclist who rides in wet conditions. They provide excellent grip on slippery surfaces such as mud, snow and ice. The rubberized palms also help prevent slipping off the pedals during hard braking.

Shirt / Jersey

Bike jerseys are perfect for mountain biking because they protect your skin from the friction that will happen when you ride down a mountain. They also provide more ventilation than traditional shirts, which is important in hotter climates where you sweat more. You should consider wearing shorts when you mountain bike if the weather is hot because the fabric around your crotch can get pretty

uncomfortable after riding for extended periods of time. Mountain bikers often wear long-sleeved t-shirts to keep their arms warm while on the trail. If it's cold out, then you'll want something with some insulation like fleece or wool so you don't freeze up.

Shorts

I'm going to be talking about what you should wear when mountain biking. There are different types of shorts, and I will explain the advantages and disadvantages of each type. For example, there are padded mountain biking shorts which can help you avoid getting a sore bum from all the bumpy terrain. On the other hand, they may be a bit more expensive and they can feel hot because of the extra padding. 

Then there is regular cycling shorts that have no padding at all but offer great ventilation for your legs. They also tend to fit better than padded ones as well. The last option would be full length compression pants (also known as Lycra).

Pants

Pants. The one article of clothing you think about the least until you don't have it. When you're riding your mountain bike, should you wear jeans or sweatpants? What about when the temperature is dipping down into the low 40s? To answer these questions, I reached out to my friend John who lives in Boulder Colorado to get his opinion on what pants to wear when mountain biking.

He said "I like wearing shorts and a t-shirt with a long sleeve shirt underneath." This works really well if you are going from warm weather to cold weather because then you can just take off your top layer and put on another pair of clothes.

Sweatshirt / Jacket

Many people assume that when they start mountain biking, they should be prepared to be wearing a lot of clothes; however, this is untrue. The truth is that it’s very likely you won’t need to wear anything more than a t-shirt and a sweat suit.

You may wear your sweatshirt over your t-shirt and take off the sweatshirt and tie it around your waist if it gets too hot. If you do get wet, you will want to change into dry clothing as soon as possible. A good rule of thumb for most conditions is: "If I'm not sweating, I don't have enough layers".

Backpack/water bladder

In order to fully enjoy a day of mountain biking, you will need a pack to store your snacks and a water bladder to keep hydrated. Your bike may come with a small pack on the frame, but it is not nearly big enough for anything more than a few mints.

You will also need a backpack that fits comfortably on your back and can hold all of the items you need as well as your protective gear.

Socks

Socks can be an overlooked detail of mountain biking, but they are necessary for more than just your comfort. When your socks get wet, they will reduce the amount of friction between your foot and shoe which can increase blistering. If you're not wearing socks, the constant rubbing of the shoe against your skin will irritate it.

The best way to prevent this from happening is by using (Hydrogen Peroxide) or other similar products in order to keep your feet dry. These products work because when water touches them, hydrogen peroxide breaks down into oxygen and water vapor.

Armor

Many of us have a love hate relationship with the mountain. We all know that if we’re going to get anywhere, we need to get on our bikes and hit the trail. But what should you wear when mountain biking?

Let’s take a look at some of the most common bits of gear, and how they might help or hinder your ride. Helmet: A helmet protects your head during an accident. It also helps protect against brain injury. If you are riding without one, then you could be putting yourself at risk for serious injuries.

Wristwatch?

The sport of mountain biking can be a challenging and exciting activity to take part in. In order to maximize your experience, it is important to wear the appropriate attire. Here are some tips to follow when putting together a well-rounded mountain biker's wardrobe. 

Clothing: The right clothing will keep you comfortable while on the trail. You should have layers that allow you to adjust as conditions change throughout the day. For example, if you plan on spending time outside after dark, make sure you bring along warm clothes.

What’s the bare minimum in MTB apparel?

Mountain biking can be a great day out in the fresh air with friends. However, there are many factors you should consider before heading over to your favorite mountain biking spot. First, what type of terrain will you be biking on? Is it uphill or downhill? Should I bring a pack for snacks and water? How is the weather forecast for this particular day? Will my bike have enough gears to handle the hills? What clothing would best suit my needs on this particular day? 

Conclusion What should you wear when mountain biking? My MTB Apparel Guide

In conclusion, try wearing durable, form-fitting clothes that provide padding and protection. Wear sturdy shoes or boots with good treads for grip and rubber soles to protect your toes. The best thing to do is take a few moments and think about what you will be doing while mountain biking and then choose the appropriate clothing and equipment based on the weather, terrain, and length of time you will be out there.

Now get out there and get pedaling!