MEC Flightcheck Jacket
I always look for a balance between breathability and protection when I choose a jacket. My biggest challenge is to find a comfortable jacket with those traits that also works for high-intensity output. The MEC Flightcheck Jacket is made of three-layer fabric with a DWR finish, and is fully seam-taped to be an exceptionally well-functioning waterproof-breathable layer. I took advantage of the helmet compatible hood on numerous occasions when the weather went south (which was a lot of the time). The jacket let me move freely and wasn’t restrictive, and it was good temperature-wise for the entire journey.
MEC T1 Merino Short-Sleeved Crew
It can be tough to dress for single-digit temperatures when you’re mountain biking. I combined the T1 Merino Short-Sleeved top with the Flightcheck Jacket, and was comfortable for both climbs and descents. The T1 is lengthy down the back, which helped keep it from riding up above my hips when I was in a hunched-over riding position. Since it’s merino, it also naturally controls odour (great for multi-day trips), has 4-way stretch, and is highly breathable. The best part? It stays warm when wet.
Raceface Indy Shorts
As a mountain biker on the tall side, I’ve learned to appreciate shorts that have stretchy fabrics and long inseams. These trail-style Indy shorts are made of three-way stretch fabric for unrestricted pedalling mobility, and have a DWR finish. They’ve also got a mini storage pocket that fit my multi-tool or smartphone perfectly.
Urge Supatrail Cycling Helmet*
I’ve worn every model of Urge helmet over the last three years, and I think the Urge Supatrail* is their most versatile helmet released to date. It offers a lot of head coverage, but is still cool and ventilated for long days in the saddle. Inspired by the Urge’s XC-style (the Supacross), the Supatrail* has a similar shell aesthetic but comes with a visor for more all-mountain style. Most notably, the Supacross* has an added shell size and a retention system, which further improves on their established helmet line.
* Turns out the Supatrail was so popular it sold out by the time we published this post… but the Supacross is still available, along with other helmet options from Urge.
EVOC Roamer 22L Hydration Pack
I split my time between the EVOC Roamer 22L and the EVOC Trace 18L, and I really appreciate the consistency of innovation and functionality of both these packs. The first thing I noticed when riding with an EVOC pack was that it had a longer shape than packs I’d used before. Other pack designs stick further off your back, which can throw off your centre of gravity when riding, but EVOC solved this issue with their bags’ shape and design.
Five Ten Maltese Falcon Race Shoes
I’m a rider with a lot of different shoes, but never a pair that overlaps purposes (or at least that’s what I keep telling myself). The Maltese Falcon Race fits in the “casual/flexible SPD trail shoe” category – not to be confused with a proper XC-race SPD shoe. These shoes are comfortable and lightweight, and have super grippy 5.10 Stealth rubber outsoles that give the traction of non-SPD shoes on SPD-compatible shoes, which is nice on steep hike-a-bike sections of trail. This is a fantastic all-around riding shoe for any level of rider.
This system of bike gear made my memorable backcountry ride a success. Find mountain bike gear for your trip – these items are just the start.