The essential gear beginners need to start mountain biking

Hip packs are a wonderful option for bringing small gear with you on your ride. They keep weight closer to your center of gravity and allow you to feel more balanced when hitting small jumps or rounding corners. The Thule Rail 4L is one of my favorites I've tested thanks to the smartly designed ReTrakt hose system. Other hip hydration bladder hoses have a tendency to come undone while you're riding or get in the way while peddling. The ReTrakt hose system utilizes a long rail of magnets along the hose to keep it in place and it truly works wonders.

The 4-liter pack is just big enough for my essentials and doesn't leave too much room for things to bounce around as I ride. There's a specific zippered pocket for my phone that's lined with soft fiber and is easy to access with one hand in the middle of a ride. The hip strap is ultra-adjustable thanks to a two-part closure system that employs a layer of velcro to perfectly wrap around your hips. A buckle closure on top of the velcro ensures everything stays in place.

What I also considered: CamelBak Podium Flow Belt 21-ounce and Dakine Hot Laps 5L Hydration Waistpack

I've been using the Rudy Project Protera+ helmet for a little over 2 years now and I've fallen in love with the ventilation and overall fit. The unique geometric ventilation design on the lid has 18 vents and keeps my head relatively cool, even on warmer days. The internal bug mesh is a nice added touch to keep unwanted creatures out of my hair on the downhills, too.

The click-turn knob on the back of the helmet is easy to adjust on-the-go and makes for a tight fit overall. The internal padding is anti-microbial which has fended off many post-ride smells. I'd highly recommend this helmet as a great lightweight, protective option, though the only thing missing is a MIPS lining, which can help reduce harmful forces to the brain in the event of a crash.

What I also considered: Giro Radix MIPS W Helmet and Smith Venture MIPS Bike Helmet

Check out our guide to the best bike helmets

It took me a long time to come around to liking full-finger gloves. They tend to be restrictive and very rarely did they actually fit my small hands. I've tested the Xnetic Trail glove for roughly a month and have been impressed with the overall fit and comfort. Using a knit technology commonly found in footwear, these gloves have a one-piece backside that doesn't have any seams that can be annoying on longer rides.

The tech-friendly pointer and thumb tips allow me to answer calls or change music during rides without having to take off the gloves. They don't have a velcro closure system, instead of utilizing a slip-on cuff which I found to be a little hard to get on and off, but I did appreciate the snug fit once I had them on.

What I also considered: Pearl Izumi Attack Bike Gloves and Troy Lee Designs Flow Bike Gloves

I've been ranting and raving about these sunglasses since I got them in the Spring, convincing anyone who will listen that they need a pair. The Julbo Fury with the Reactiv lenses are a must-have for any mountain biker thanks to the color-changing lenses that react to the current light conditions. I love these for mixed rides that run in and out of trees or shady areas — while my friends are constantly taking on and off their sunglasses, I don't have to worry about that at all and can keep them on through everything.

The wrap-around design keeps out wind and bugs and provides plenty of protection for my eyes. The design isn't overly masculine and I've found that it looks good on smaller and larger faces alike. If you need prescription-compatible glasses, I recommend using a service like SportsRx which offers a similar pair of sunglasses outfit with the same Reactiv lens technology called the Julbo Aerospeed.

What I also considered: Smith Attack Mag MTB and Julbo Spark Polarized Sunglasses

It's common for bike apparel brands to simply adapt their men's shorts for women and send it out the door. Wild Rye starts their design process with a woman's body in mind and you can clearly tell that it's done this way. These shorts fit like a dream and feel great on the trail thanks to the forgiving wide gusset in the crotch. I have the Emerald Sloth pattern and they never fail to get a smile from friends, too.

The longer fit of the Freel doesn't bunch or get caught on my seat like other longer shorts I've tested and there are two front pockets and a side zippered pocket for small essentials. The belt loops easily accommodate a belt of your choosing and the stretchy nylon-spandex blended material resists tears against bushes and tree branches.

What I also considered: Giro Women's Arc Short and Dakine Faye 7-inch Bike Short

Check out our guides to the best women's bike shorts and the best men's bike shorts

Made from a blend of 45 percent nylon, 39 percent merino wool, and 16 percent spandex, this cycling short has the best features of each material. It's stretchy but still retains its shape over time thanks to the combination of nylon and merino wool fibers. I found I was able to wear these for 3 or 4 rides before really needing to wash them and would often just hang them to dry in a cool place after every ride.

Strategically placed silicone gripper lines the bottom hem along the thigh and the waistband to help everything stay in place. The women-specific pad doesn't feel bulky and has multi-density foam to give you padding where you need it and minimizes it where you don't. And if you crash wearing your Kitsbow gear, they'll help you replace it or repair it for a reasonable fee.

What I also considered: Giro Women's Chrono Expert Reflective Halter Bib Short and Machines for Freedom Essential Cycling Shorts

Here in the desert of Santa Fe, it's common for temperatures to hit 80 degrees before 8:00 am so even early morning rides can be brutal in the heat of summer. It's an absolute necessity for me to wear a shirt that can withstand buckets of sweat and not feel like a wet garbage bag. The Icebreaker Motion Seamless tank is just right for sweaty rides and wicks moisture away beautifully.

The shirt is stretchy, lightweight, and can be worn for a few rides thanks to the wool material that doesn't hold on to odors as synthetics do. I also have the sports bra and leggings in the same material and would highly recommend both for any outdoor pursuit.

What I also considered: Giro Women's Venture Jersey and Wild Rye Mia Tank

A small, efficient multi-tool is essential for mid-ride adjustments and fixes. The Ratchet Rocket Lite NTX+ is the perfect option for this as it features a ratchet mechanism that makes jobs go by so much quicker than I'm used to. The whole kit includes a magnetic bit holder, hardened steel tools in 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8mm hex, T10, T15, T25 torque bits, #2 Phillips bits, and a steel chain tool.

The whole kit weighs just 240 grams and packs down small enough to keep in a hip pack or seat bag. The ratchet has a reverse lever that allows you to switch easily from tightening to loosening, depending on your needs. The included chain pin breaker makes for easy chain repairs on-the-go.

What I also considered: Crankbrothers M-19 Multi-tool and Topeak Mini PT30

Having a good playlist blasting in my ears is integral to any successful ride. I've been using the Jaybird Vista earbuds for over a year for mountain bike rides, runs, and hikes, and won't leave home without them. They fit snugly inside my small ears and don't budge when hitting jumps or bumps. They're surprisingly comfortable for in-ear wireless buds and come with three different silicone earpiece sizes so you can find your perfect fit.

The included magnetic case charges the buds when stored inside so they're always ready to go. The charging case battery lasts a surprisingly long time and I never have to charge it as often as I think I do. The buds themselves are dustproof, shockproof, waterproof, and sweatproof so they're down for any adventure you throw at it.

What I also considered: Jaybird Tarah Pro and Skullcandy Jib Plus Active Wireless Headphones

Since I'm also a rock climber who lives in a small space, I look for gear that can provide me more than one function. The Arc'teryx Arakys is technically a rock climbing approach shoe, but I've found that they double perfectly as mountain biking shoes. The climbing-grade Vibram sticky rubber on the bottom of the shoe provides excellent contact with bike pedals and the shoe is relatively stiff for extra stability.

The single-strap closure system doesn't risk coming undone mid-ride and loosens quickly when I'm back at the car. The heel and tongue tabs are great for pulling the shoe on and off without too much effort, too. If you're looking for a shoe that does more than just biking, this is a great option.

What I also considered: Five Ten Freerider Mountain Bike Shoe and Black Diamond Session Approach Shoes