Sean M Burke/Business Insider
- As a former road racer, one of the things that I love the most about mountain biking is that it isn't too serious.
- Mountain-bike riding doesn't place as much emphasis on aerodynamics, so you can wear looser-fitting clothing. Modern mountain-bike shorts combine the comfort of road shorts with a robust and good-looking outer short.
- Breathable fabrics and bike-friendly cuts make these T-shirts, shorts, and flannels fun to ride in as well as hang out in after. For an evening ride followed by a stop at the brewpub, Stio's Hagen Trail Shirt ($59.50) is a comfortable, attractive option.
As a former road racer, one of the things that I love the most about mountain biking is that it isn't too serious. I can finish a ride with a beer, punctuate trails with a donut stop, and even head out for a ride without having to dress in figure-hugging outfits that make me look like a NASCAR racer.
Recently, a lot of brands with a deep heritage on the Spandex side of cycling have taken their knowledge of fit, comfort, and protection and added a dose of the "I can be seen in public wearing this" style, which is sometimes lacking in road-cycling gear. The result is comfortable, safe, and totally brewpub-appropriate cycling gear.
However, you can't just wear your regular cargo shorts on the trail. The weight will be a hindrance, the placement of the seams can be very uncomfortable, and the positioning of the pockets works well for walking, but not so well for pedaling. Instead, you'll want a bike-specific pair of shorts that works with a Spandex liner and chamois (aka seat pad) to give you some padding and comfort for long days on the saddle, but still looks good enough for long evenings at the bar or around the campfire.
The same is true of shirts, although you could just wear a T-shirt, the cotton will quickly absorb sweat and become heavy, wet, and uncomfortable. It also doesn't afford much protection if you fall. A good mountain-bike shirt will be breathable, robust enough to withstand a crash, slightly longer in the back to cover your lower back when you're in that bent-over bike position, and might even have a tiny pocket to stash a snack or your keys.
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