It’s prime time for mountain biking. The weather is warm, the dirt is tacky and the trailheads are open. So, whether you’re new to mountain biking or the local King of the Mountain, hit the pedals and enjoy.
We’ve rounded up some of our favorite items to shred this summer, from multi-tools to snazzy shirts.
Five Ten Trailcross LT Mountain Bike Shoes (Women’s) & (Men’s)
Five Ten sets the standard for mountain bike shoe design, and the Trailcross LT boasts the company’s signature features in a sporty package that’s comfy on and off the bike. The mesh upper and tongue offer a light and breathable fit, while the midsole is more balanced than many other flat bike shoes. There’s enough flexibility for the occasional hike-a-bike, but still enough stiffness for proper pedal transfer. Like all FiveTen shoes, though, the star of the Trailcross LT is the Stealth Phantom rubber outsole with a dotty pattern that offers a friction grip for unparalleled connection with the pedal. $140
Osprey Syncro 5 Hydration Pack – Men’s – 2.5 Liters & Osprey Sylva 5 Hydration Pack – Women’s – 2.5 Liters
There are so many bike-specific packs on the market, but it’s the little things that set the Osprey Syncro and Sylva apart. The pack comes with an integrated rain cover, the bite valve has a magnetic connection to the sternum strap, and a bungee pull on the back securely holds your helmet when you’re not wearing it. As for the meat and potatoes, you get a 2.5-liter bladder, enough storage space for layers and tools and an uber-breathable back panel. $145
Rapha Trail Hip Pack
For shorter rides when you only need the necessities, Rapha’s Trail Hip Pack offers three liters of storage in a smartly designed package. The largest pocket has slots for tools and snacks, and even enough room for tubes and a sandwich (or a beverage can). An additional zipper pocket offers a safe place to stash your phone, wallet and keys. The form-fitting back panel with adjustable waist straps provides a no-bounce fit, and two exterior water bottle pockets mean you can bring as much water as you need. Bonus: It’s made from recycled materials. $90
DAKINE Covert Bike Gloves (Women’s & Men’s)
Full-fingered gloves can be hot on summer rides, but DAKINE’s Covert has a mesh back that wicks moisture and allows air to permeate the fabric to keep things cool on the steamiest days. Meanwhile, the synthetic suede palm provides enough coverage if you find yourself sliding across the dirt. A couple of nice bonus features: The gloves are touchscreen compatible and have a microfiber thumb wipe. $27-$30
Troy Lee Designs A1 MIPS Classic Bike Helmet
It doesn’t matter what kind of dirt you’re after—cruisey singletrack, sculpted jumps, epic downhill, long cross-country miles—the A1 is the lid for the job. This helmet from Troy Lee Designs has all the bells and whistles: a MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) layer that helps absorb rotational forces during a crash, intake vents to bring in cool air, an adjustable visor and a one-handed dial-in fit. $145
Troy Lee Designs Speed Knee Sleeves
A little protection goes a long way when things go south on your bike. The Speed Knee Sleeves are soft and comfortable, so they won’t hinder your pedaling. But they’re packed with 4mm of D30 foam, which is flexible under normal conditions but hardens on impact to absorb the shock and help protect your knees. Silicone grippers keep the sleeves in place as you pedal. $54
Wild Rye Ramsey Mountain Bike Shorts – Women’s
The Wild Rye Ramsey might look good enough for casual wear, but don’t let the aesthetics fool you—these shorts are meant for shredding. A loose fit means you can slide a chamois underneath (not included); a 12-inch inseam that hits just above the knee. The poly and spandex build has plenty of stretch as well as UPF 50 sun protection, while the single zippered pocket keeps your phone or keys safe. $95
Troy Lee Designs Flowline Bike Shorts with Liner – Men’s
There’s nothing overtly fancy about the Flowline, but they are designed to get the job done without a lot of fuss. The shorts are made from 100% Coolmax polyester that breathes well and dries fast, and the fabric is bluesign®-approved so you can feel good about wearing them, too. The longer cut (21.5-inch outseam) helps protect your knees and legs when you find yourself off the bike, while rubber waist adjusters help dial in the fit and deep hand pockets are easy to access. And there’s no need to buy an extra chamois—Troy Lee Design’s new COMP padded liner is included. $79.
Patagonia Capilene Cool Trail Bike Henley Cycling Jersey – Women’s
Sometimes, simple is best. The Patagonia Capilene® Cool Trail Bike Henley marries understated style with technical features designed for riding bikes. Articulated seams add mobility while a longer back hem offers extra coverage when you’re leaning into your handlebars. Odor-control treatment helps prevent foul-smelling microbes from accruing so you can enjoy a relatively stink-free happy hour. The best feature? It’s made from recycled polyester. $55
Flylow Anderson Shirt
Everyone needs a plaid button-up. Flylow upgrades this fashion staple with technical chops. The Anderson Shirt’s patented fabric contains 15% spandex for unbelievable stretch on and off the bike. The lightweight layer breathes well, dries fast and offers UPF 50+ sun protection, making it as useful on the trail as it is good-looking in town. $80
crankbrothers M-17 Multi-Tool
If moving parts are inherent failure points, then bikes are chock-full of could-go-wrongs. Be prepared for trailside repairs with this multi-tool from crankbrothers. The pocket-size tool has 17 tools, including hexes, spokes, opens and even a Torx for disc brakes. It also has two screwdrivers and a chainbreaker. (For even more tool options, consider the crankbrothers M-19 Multi-Tool.) $30
Diamondback Release 29 2 Bike
The Diamondback Release 29 2 is built to handle anything the forest can put in your way. The sturdy aluminum frame is built on a 130mm Level Link rear suspension platform with a Fox Float DPS shock that’s responsive and spongy, even in the most hectic situations. Meanwhile, the 140mm Fox Rhythm 34 fork keeps you stable up front. The 29er wheels help increase rollover during chunky sections of trail but are also equipped with wide 2.3-inch tires, which help soak up some of the chatter and increase stability and confidence. Meanwhile, the Shimano SLX hydraulic disc brakes offer maximum stopping power when you need it. $3,400
Interested in more staff picks and kits? Find more collections here.