The best mountain bike kit for warmer weather has to do more than simply look the business. Summer shorts and jerseys need to keep you cool and comfortable when the temperature rises, and to achieve this and ensure maximum breathability, ventilation and rapid moisture wicking, they turn to high-performance technical fabrics and innovative features.
The right choice of summer kit will depend on your nearby trails and local climate, whether or not you wear kneepads, as well as your preference when it comes to styling and design. In warmer weather, comfort and ventilation is key, and while fit can be quite personal, the number one priority is that your kit shouldn’t restrict your movement on the bike, run too hot or get saturated with sweat.
Technical fabrics and weaves are crucial to ultimate performance, and many of the materials here use sophisticated, aerated constructions, with different fabrics in particular body zones according to their properties. The way garments are tailored or articulated to flow with body movements and work seamlessly on the bike is also crucial.
Shorts or jerseys that are either too tight or too flappy and don’t stay securely in place can chafe, flap and annoy, so we’re looking for discrete, unobtrusive seams as well as highly breathable construction and secure fasteners and adjustments. And the only way to put these factors to the test is by riding garments for long distances in warmer weather. So the recent hot spell has let us rack up the miles and really put this gear through the wringer.
Many brands produce jerseys and shorts for both men and women, with the main difference usually being the cut of the jersey and colour options. This means the technical performance of fabrics, breathability, durability and performance should translate between the sexes if you’re looking at women’s kit from the same brands.
USED & ABUSED
How we test
Fortunately, we had weather to match our summer riding kit test, with constant scorching days that ramped up rider temperatures and really challenged the sweat absorption and drying potential of fabrics. We assessed comparative fit, sizing and comfort while out pedalling, and also the position and capacity of pockets and the effectiveness of fit adjusters and zips. We also washed each set of kit and timed it on the washing line as a rough and ready check to see if drying times matched our experience on the trails.
JARGON BUSTER
Know your shorts & jerseys
VENTILATION
Trail jerseys for hot weather often use perforated material to encourage air circulation and improve drying times. Different materials are often used under the arms or across the back, and some feature mesh back panels.
