WINTER 19-20 GEAR GUIDE - CLOTHING
Pearl Izumi Merino Base Layer - $90
Every few years I stock up on a good selection of base layers. When I got these I thought they might be a little thin for what I needed, but after wearing them under multiple different fabrics and conditions, I’ve decided that they’re just right. Under a ¾ sleeved enduro jersey, it’s perfect for the cusp season. Under the Women’s Pro Merino Jersey, it added the extra layer of warmth and wicking I needed on colder rides. Pearl Izumi has used a proprietary fabric they call “Transfer Merino” that’s plated construction puts the wicking polyester of the blend against your skin, and the Merino layer on the outside, so that sweat (and I really, really do sweat) is lifted away from your skin-- a must for me in the winter. After many uses I’ve found that despite the poly being against your skin, the material doesn’t get the sweat stink that many base layers suffer from after a few wears, and the poly is as soft as the Merino so it’s extremely comfortable and not scratchy. My favorite detail is the thumb loops on the long sleeve version to keep the base layer in place on your arms as you put on more layers. Genius.
Pearl Izumi PRO Merino Thermal Jersey - $195
Since it arrived, I’ve been reaching for this jersey more and more often. This jersey has the versatility to be worn on warmer days solo or layered under (and over) on the colder days. The 60% Merino wool fabric strikes the balance of being super soft and cozy, while still wicking and not creating a big stink. The pockets are generously cut and the lower hem doesn’t ride up-- even when the pockets are full. I really love the color as well. This is an easy, breezy pic for anyone’s winter wardrobe.
7mesh Women’s TK1 Tights - $200
True confession: I’m pretty much totally crushed out on 7mesh as both a brand and their product, but I’ve never been a fan of their chamois… until now. 7mesh bills these as a road riding bib tight, but I’ve only used them this season on the trail and they were just perfect. Plenty of breathability (a must since I sweat no matter how cold out it is) and the design of the fleece still kept me cozy in weather in the high 30’s (5 or below for those of you using celsius). More importantly, my experience with most other fleece bib tights is that they just weren’t comfortable-- the material would shift around or seams would dig in where they shouldn’t. I can give these tights the highest compliment: they are so comfortable, they just disappeared. All of the seams are smooth and the layout of the fabric makes them move with you, not around you. Also key: 7mesh’s Pull2P technology finally allows women to wear bibs and NOT have to disrobe when it’s freezing outside. You just pull them down when mother nature calls, no muss, no fuss, warm bits. Now I’m looking for excuses to ride outside-- just so I can wear them.
7mesh Women’s Rebellion Jacket - $350
It rains a lot where I’m from in the Pacific NW, so I’m always reaching for the right jacket. Often this season I’ve been reaching for the 7mesh Rebellion. About 4 months out of our season, it’s not just wet, but wet and cold, so I like a jacket that’s a bit more substantial but also able to pack down as I’m already carrying extra gloves, hats and god knows what else. The Rebellion is a perfect weight-- not the paper thin, ultra light of some jackets, but entirely packable and able to give me a little extra warmth when I need it on our dismal days. The large wrist zippers make it easy to take gloves on and off, even with wet, stiff hands. Plus 7mesh has done it again with choosing fantastic colors, especially the contrast for the zipper. The Rebellion makes me a bit more eager to face the (f-ing) rain, and get me through the season.
Pearl Izumi Women’s Symphony Thermal Jersey - $140
This piece has become one of my favorites of the season. I find myself wearing it as more as a jacket around the house or out for a quick commute around town than I do as a traditional jersey. The color and accent design details on the pockets and shoulders are lovely. It definitely crosses the line to really fashionable, which many sports wear brands fall short. Part of the reason I wear it less as a jersey is also due to the fact that the 100% polyester material is soft and so, so cozy, and the pockets and design make me want to show it off. More importantly, wearing it as a jersey made me stink by the end of the ride, so I found it worked better as a jacket over my street clothes. I hope Pearl Izumi considers bringing this back next year as a merino blend-- then I’d wear it on my fitness rides, too.
GORE Women’s C7 GoreTex Shakedry Viz Jacket - $279
Boom. Super lightweight? Check. Nice Visibility? Check. Shakedry technology so I can sweat (which in my case is inevitable) and stay dry from rain? Check. If there are boxes to tick when I head out on the road, these are it. Whether it’s for a road ride or a commute, this super lightweight (95g!) and packable jacket makes it easy to head out in nasty, or even threatening weather. Gore has designed this piece specifically for cycling with thoughtful design touches like a draped back, the high visibility material on the sleeves, reflective logos and the same stretchy fabric on the inner cuff that the Hooded Trail Jacket offers. The cut is tailored for women, and as someone with broad shoulders I still have plenty of room to reach my bars without it pulling across my back, and slimmer in the torso I to keep me a bit more aerodynamic. I also love the taller collar as the winter winds always seem to find their way down my neck, and the material is soft against my skin so there’s no annoying zipper rub.
GORE Women’s H5 GoreTex Shakedry Insulated Jacket - $399
This jacket was a life-saver. It arrived just before a big, end-of-September trip to support a mountain bike event in the woods. It was supposed to rain. It was supposed to be colder than normal. It was not supposed to snow our 2nd night and keep snowing and freezing the next 5 nights, but when it did, I just layered this wonder piece over my puffer, zipped the ultra-comfortable, high collar up and slung the hood over my beany, and I was snug and protected from the elements. The adjustable hood (with built-in visor!) was perfect for when I needed to take off my hat when I was working hard, and it’s nearly impossible to find a Shakedry jacket with pockets to shove my cold hands into when they needed a break from the cold or somewhere to shove my gloves as I worked on a project that required dexterity. I also really appreciate the reinforced shoulder material so you can wear a backpack without worrying that the straps will cause damage. I tested the durability a bit when we had to fell a tree for more firewood (we’d run through 5 cords in the days before) and haul it back to camp. I was cradling heavy, rough-cut, bark covered rounds against my chest not giving a thought to the jacket, and found it was more than ok-- the jacket performed outstandingly. While Gore brands this as a fast-hike jacket, it’s become my go-to, packable, winter mountain biking jacket I can wear with my pack, as well as my camping, hiking, and snow fun outer layer.
GORE Women’s R7 GoreTex Shakedry Hooded Jacket - $299
Being on the bike when it’s totally unpleasant out pretty much drains all the joy and fun out of riding, so I choose different adventures. When the weather turns, so do I: towards more hiking and (despite my best efforts) to running. These are squarely the territory of the R7 Gore-Tex Shakedry Hooded Jacket. In fact, I ran today in the pouring rain and felt pretty invincible, which is quite a feat if you know how bad I am at running. The slim, but not tight fit makes it easy to put a few thin layers under and still have great freedom of movement in the most disagreeable weather. Gore-Tex’s Shakedry technology is a wonder that makes it so the jacket can never soak through and always beads up, which seems impossible until you wear it and realize it’s true, and yet… it’s still highly breathable and super lightweight, so I don’t mind throwing it into a pack as a “just in case”. The inner cuffs have a lovely stretchable fabric that makes it easy to get the jacket on and off and add some comfort. The hood is both adjustable and has a slight faux bill that helps it stay in place while you’re running, hiking or just taking in the sights. There is one pocket in the back, so it’s carrying capacity is limited, but it would definitely fit your ID and phone, and Gore claims it’s durable enough to wear with a backpack, so you can always bring a bit more. I also really love the reflective detailing that makes me more visible on these shorter days when I sometimes don’t get out until after dark. (Gore also claims on their website that this jacket packs down into the front chest pocket, but no pocket like that exists on the version I have, nor on the one pictured on the web. Buyer be aware.)
MEN’S CLOTHING
7mesh Synergy Jersey - $180
We’re lucky that our climate is similar to Squamish, where 7mesh calls home. It’s rainy, It’s windy. We feel that the Synergy is the perfect jersey and with a bit of thought towards your base layer this can be the perfect jersey for most of your fall and winter riding. The Synergy is a hybrid jersey that has so much protection that it works as a jacket. GoreTex Infinium softshell fabric on the body and arms keeps the wind at bay, while offering amazing breathability. The rest of the jersey is a soft brushed interior loft material that stretches as you move and is extremely comfortable and wicking. Finally, we get three generous pockets and two zippered pockets for things you need to keep secure. We’re loving the Supreme Blue this season and 7mesh is stepping out with some hi vis color pops, which is fun to see. I feel like they were a couple years ahead of their time with this one, since Pearl and others are just now releasing their versions. 7mesh have come up with so many innovations for the cycling clothing. We can’t wait to see what’s next.
7mesh TK1 Bib Tights - $200
7mesh bib shorts latest iteration are hands down my favorite bib shorts, so I was anxious to ride test their bib tights. If you don’t have bib tights, do yourself a favor and get a pair. I used to favor bib shorts and just add leg warmers, but honestly when it’s cold enough for warmers, just skip the sausage leg effect and be honest with yourself. You don’t really need the option to remove the legs during a ride. Bib tights work better and look better. These tights have a good amount of brushed fleece for warmth. DWR material on the outer face sheds moisture nicely. I have yet to come home from a ride soaked, whether from sweat or rain penetrating. Paneling is as obsessive as perfect as ever. 7mesh know how to make clothing that fits your body and perform perfectly. They even added some mesh pockets in the lower back area. Stash an emergency bar and some “hot hands” there to prevent bonking or freezing. That detail may or may not be a clue to what they have coming next season.
7mesh Callaghan Merino Hoody - $200
We love versatile pieces like the Callaghan Merino Hoody. It’s relaxed fit and casual good looks ensure that you’ll feel stylish enough to make a trip to your local fancy coffee shop. You want to head directly to the trail and rip a couple laps? Do it! Because the Callaghan uses polyester on the exterior, it easily sheds light precip and croissant flakes. Soft merino on the inside translates to warmth and comfort. The hood is sized perfectly to fit under a helmet if needed. The jersey version of this piece has become a favorite of mine this year on cold days. It provides great warmth and superior breathability. I think the Callaghan would make a great world travel piece in that merino doesn’t stink after days of use. It layers really well under 7mesh’s Guardian jacket when the rain pours. I’m not telling you to chuck all your cotton hoodies, but if you were to buy one quality top that you’ll fall in love with, The Callaghan would be the one.
Houdini Commitment Chino - $160
We love to check out new brands in the gear guide. Houdini is a Swedish brand working hard to make sportswear more sustainable. Their have a strong aesthetic and a great environmental story - all their products are made with recyclable material. They even have a program where you can rent or subscribe to their clothing! Need a special jacket for a one time trip? Rent it. That’s smart! How about the chinos? They’re really comfortable and look great on. I love the cut, not too slim, not too baggy. I love the simplicity and the fact that they look like Dickies. My only complaint with the fit is that the legs are a bit short. I feel exposed when I sit. Otherwise, they work great on the bike. Houdini says the fabric is a stretch polyester twill - it moves well without feeling stretchy like spandex. They’re quick to dry, so I think they’ll make a great travel pant. Finally, the fabric has a nice soft feel next to the skin, and they’re completely recyclable since the poly is not blended with any other fibers!
Wool & Prince Slim Fit Chino Pant - $188
Last year we tested Wool & Prince’s merino button-down shirt and loved it for it’s clean looks and wearability. We jumped when we saw they’ve expanded their line to include pants! The fabric is a unique blend of merino wool and cordura called “Combat Wool” They should dry quickly and keep a clean finish. So far they’re brilliant. They look clean and fit great. Just a bit of stretch and a gusseted crotch means they pedal well on the bike. The leg length is more than sufficient. My sole complaint is that they look so nice I’m afraid to get bike chain grease on them. But that’s not my style to be too careful with pants. I’ll get over it and wear these everywhere. Nicely done, Wool & Prince!
Velocio Men’s Signature Long sleeve Jersey - $179
You want a jersey like this in your quiver. It’s what I would call a mid-weight jersey. I’m going to call this an ideal Portland jersey, since it’s usually in the 40s or 50s here. Velocio claims it has excellent wicking and breathability, which I wouldn’t disagree with. I’ve worked up a good sweat in this jersey in early fall conditions, but the jersey handled it well. If I found myself getting chilled, I just threw a light shell over the top. It worked well with 7mesh’s Cypress hybrid vest and the solid coloration means it plays well with other like-minded pieces. I’d call this a great foundational piece of kit. Definitely handsome enough to go to one of those new hipster coffee joints for a post-ride coffee and avocado toast.
Velocio Men’s Thermal Bib Tights - $249
Sometimes I just want to give a three word review. Let’s try it. Warm, water-resistant, comfortable. Oh and those cool reflective panels on the back of your calfs. I blew it. There’s actually a lot going on with these bib tights. They fit quite well and are extremely comfortable due to the compressive fit and high quality chamois. I haven’t run these in super cold temps yet, but they’ve been handling the standard 40’s and 50’s blustery Portland fall/winter quite well, never really overheating and shedding light rain like it ain’t no thing. Quality bib tights right here. I’m quickly becoming a Velocio fan.
Velocio Signature Reflective Bootie - $109
Thank you Velocio for giving us booties that light up when light hits them! If you didn’t know they were reflective you’d just say they’re stylish grey booties. Good booties can be hard to find. These stretch well and fit well and seal up nicely at the ankle. They fit properly and give the cleat plenty of room to move. They’re not overly thermal - they keep wind and rain out. I doubt they’re a deep winter bootie but they seem perfect for Portland winters. Right now these will continue to be my go-to booties.
Velocio Merino 160 LS Base Layer - $99
We like Velocio’s whole program. Italian construction and materials, 1% for the planet, Recycled materials when possible. I feel like they’re trying hard to do things right from the ground up. We like that they’re doing quality road riding gear and pieces that will work well for gravel/mountain. We also appreciate their dedication to simplicity. Take this mid weight base layer for example. It’s just a long sleeve henley. I think about the choice to use merino, but only 28 percent merino. The other 72 percent is poly for durability. The cut is casual enough to wear on its own, and snug enough to layer over. The big test is always sweating in a piece like this and letting it dry. So far, the stink is mild and only after a couple workouts. I know you’re going to blame me and tell me to go take a shower. Fair enough. It’s a clean and comfortable henly and the fit is trim, not snug. I suspect I’ll get a lot of use out of this versatile base layer.
GORE C5 Hooded Trail Jacket- $279
We’ve been banging on about shakedry, which is a brilliant advance for waterproofness and packability, but let’s no overlook other technology like GORE Active. The strength of this jacket is that it finds a great blend of weather resistance, durability and breathability. This is one for the bikepackers. You want a jacket that’s going to perform and you don’t want to worry about it getting ruined. The cut is slim on purpose. Gore gave us a bit of room to layer, but they kept it slim to reduce wind resistance and bulk. This is not just a repurposed mountaineering jacket - it was designed with trail riding in mind. The cuffs are well thought out - a functional blend of elastic and velcro lets you either snug up or open up to vent. It’s nice to have a choice. The close fit collar is well done and lets you seal up well when the wind blows hard. The aesthetic is Euro high-contrast and blocky, which isn’t my favorite but we do tend to favor colors that keep you seen mid-winter, so there’s that. They do make a black/grey combo that feels a bit less like a construction crew jacket. If you’re looking for a good slim trail jacket, give the C5 a shot. It’s light, durable, water shedding, and ready to hit trail.
GORE R5 Partial GoreTex Infinium Soft lined Long Sleeve Shirt - $199
Whoa! That product name is a mouthful! If you’re not up on your Gore technologies, Infinium is the new hyper breathable windstopper fabric. Any product with an R in the title means it was designed with running in mind, but we like that there is carry over. Runners generate a lot of heat easily - you know the term “high output” sport. I’m pretty sure that’s what that means. My only beef with this piece aside from the high-contrast black/blue aesthetic (they do make an all black version) is the lack of pockets. I kept thinking it was a cycling piece and wondering where my pockets went. I love that we get to ride test these pieces like this that are on the forefront of technology. The stretch panels give this a great fit and we love hybrid jersey options like this that prevent us from sweating out in these mild PNW winters. Extra bonus is the moto jacket faux leather vibe. This might not be my first pick for a blustery ride, since the it seems to allow wind through fairly easily, but it might be ideal for intervals or XC skiing. Either way, I can tell that GORE is pushing things with conceptual pieces like this and working hard on applications for their fabric technologies. They’re definitely a brand to watch going forward.
Montbell Light Down Pants- $209
This is the year of down pants. I know that’s a ridiculous statement, but it’s true. Leave it to the Tour Divide racers to push the limits of comfort and packability. Racers will sleep 4 hours or less and wake up before the sun rises, which makes for some truly cold starts. It’s not to say that these ultralight down pants won’t work on the bike as well. In races like the Silk Road and the Tour Divide - those passes that you trudged up must be descended too. Why freeze on an extended descent? Put a pair of light wind pants over these and stay warm. Another way these can be used would be for an extra layer of warmth if you’re pushing the limits and packing a light summer bag. These can be insurance for not freezing. They pack up (stuff sack included, of course) as small as a water bottle and weigh only 7.1 ounces. I’ll bring these XC skiing and snowshoeing as well, since they fit so easily in my pack. No need for your legs to freeze…ever.
Montbell EXlight Down Anorak- $299
Another essential piece for the gram-counting trail enthusiast, whether thru hiker or bikepacker. We reviewed an older version of this jacket and loved it. Montbell has refined the fit to be slimmer and thus more efficient with retaining warmth and having room for layering. They boosted the fill weight to 900 and gave the hood two-way adjustability. We love Montbell because they pursue fast and light without shame. They know you care about packability and function above all else. With layers like this you don’t sit around and complain about missing features, because it has what it needs and nothing else. That’s the point. At 7.6 ounces and taking hardly any pack space, you can’t really afford to leave this at home. This anorak, paired with a nice hooded shell and a good base layer, should handle most 3-season situations.
Montbell Versalite Pant- $139
I was surprised how much I liked these minimalist rain pants. They weigh just over three ounces and pack up ridiculously small. Sometimes rain protection is in the back of your mind and the weather isn’t too cold, you want to pack a just-in-case shell. The Versalite provide all the rain protection you need and fit easily over street clothes. They practically disappear when you wear them, but provide an awesome rain barrier. I don’t suspect they would hold up well to daily commuting, but they’re ultralight hiking pants. Again a great piece that would work well for bikepackers and thru-hikers looking for a minimalist emergency layer.
Montbell Mirage Parka- $399
We go out of our way to find the best ultralight pieces, but what about maximum warmth? When you go to Alaska or Berlin or Vermont in the winter, you better pack some guaranteed warmth. The Mirage is a Montbell classic and it got an overhaul this year. The outer fabric is a 7-denier ballistic Airlight nylon. The focus with the Mirage is maximizing down content, so it gets 900 fill down and its baffles maximize the way the down lays in the jacket. I can’t tell you how happy I was to have this jacket when I had to edit photos in the cold for Trans Cascadia this year. At some point in a trip you just get tired of adding layers to keep warm and you reach for one jacket that you know will keep you warm - this is that parka.
Pearl Izumi PRO AmFib Shell- $225
Add Pearl Izumi’s PRO AmFib Shell to your list of hybrid jersey/jackets worth checking out. This shell makes a long list of claims and I can’t disprove any of them at the moment. It claims to be completely windproof and highly water resistant due to the use of a 3-layer 4-way stretch softshell fabric., They claim the material to be 50 percent more breathable than “typical membranes” I have found the shell to be extremely comfortable and the fit is nice in that it’s trim, without being roadie snug. They got all the pockets right - there’s plenty of room to bring too much stuff and they added a nice zippered pocket with a nice chunky zipper. The arm cuffs are unique in that there is a fitted inner cuff and then a looser outer cuff that could maybe go over your gloves. I’m not sure. The price seems reasonable for such an ambitious piece of technology. I’m giving Pearl a big thumbs up on this piece.
Pearl Izumi Elite WxB pants- $150
We’ve said it before and it’s worth repeating: Pearl Izumi makes good affordable basics for riding bikes. The Elite WxB pants are no exception. The fit strikes a good balance between trim and relaxed. I’m not a massive fan of the velcro adjustment at the waist. It’s not that it doesn’t work - it just seems basic and I feel like it’s going to catch on other layers. But the rest of the package is great. The zipper legs seem unnecessary, but could be nice if you use the pants for skiing or other activities where you need to fuss with your boots. The nice part of that is that you can snap them for a tighter fit when on the bike. I like that a lot. I don’t have too many days of rain in these yet, but the Pearl WxB series has always been quite good in the wet, so I suspect they’ll hold up well. I think at this price and level of packability they make a nice option for bikepackers or bike touring. Anyone looking for a dependable set of rain pants should give the Pearl Elite WxB pants a look.
Santini Adapt bib tights - $170
Oh dang! These have quickly become my favorite bib tights of the bunch. They fit really well - form fitting without being constricting and they work well in a wide range of temperatures. I’m guessing you probably think bib tights are just for cold winters 30 degrees and below. Well, that product does exist, but these are designed to handle everything from a light chill down to downright cold. The secret perhaps is the Polartec “Power Wool” that combines wool with synthetic fibers to give you the comfort of wool and the stretch and durability of synthetics. I like the look of the irridescnet diagonal lines for reflectors on the calves - nice touch of branding while tackling the reflective component. The price seems quite reasonable too for the quality. Santini is offering a special launch price on these. One note about sizing: I’m normally a medium and I size up to a Large with Santini. Bravi Santini. Nice work on these!
Smartwool Intraknit Merino 200 Bottom & Crew - $120
This is a big year for merino. I’m impressed with Smartwool’s Intraknit offernings. Not because of the fancy knitting, though that doesn’t seem to hurt the look or the fit of the pants. At the core, they’re just really nice long underwear. Does the 3D mapping help the fit or the ability to wick? I can’t say for sure. There are at least five other pieces in this gear guide that combine merino wool with polyester. By now you know the script. Merino for comfort and warmth, poly for stretch and durability. But there has to be a reason so many companies are coming to this conclusion. Merino on it’s own is super comfortable, but it can loose its stretch and its shape. It doesn’t wick quite as well as we’d like, so for active pieces the blend makes perfect sense. The weight of these is mid to warm. They’re not bulky in any way, the just offer plenty of warmth and would work great for xc skiing and snowboarding as well. The crew is extremely nice as well. It’s not body hugging the way you would expect long underwear to fit. That’s in contrast to how form fitting the bottoms are. I find my self wearing it daily like a sweater. Most days I just throw a shell over for a commute and I’m plenty warm.
Smartwool Merino 250 Joggers - $120
These merino sweats are ridiculously comfortable and the fit is perfect. They have two functional pockets. The ankle cuffs keep drafts at bay without being too snug. If you notice the inside of the waistband you can see that they continued the merino, rather than have elastic next to skin. So, if I had one complaint it would be that elastic wasitband with the Smartwool type repeated. No need to make these look like underwear. They’re really nice loose fit base layer and great looking / comfortable lounge pant. Still mega comfortable and essential for post-ride lounging and Netflix binges. Highly recommended.
Darn Tough Socks - Hiker Micro Crew - $23 - Fred Tuttle $21
I know socks are maybe a silly thing to obsess over, but Darn Tough is obsessing over socks and absolutely killing it. Good socks make a huge difference for folks that are on their feet all day, whether working in leather work boots or logging miles on the OTT or PCT. Take care of your feet and get yourself some good socks! I went out of my way to try a few different weights of their socks and my favorites are the heavier ones like the Hiker Micro Crew and the Fred Tuttle. Technically the Tuttle is a work sock, but they work just as well for me mountain biking and since my shoes are a bit on the large side, I like a thicker sock to fill them up a bit, and they’re just so darn comfortable. And I have to mention that they’re still made in Vermont. Final bonus is that every pair comes with an unconditional lifetime guarantee. Not satisfied with your socks? Send them back for another pair. I get a little proud when American made product is this good. Kinda gives you hope.
Smartwool Socks - PhD Hiking Crew $25
Whoa! Socks just got technical! PhD is Smartwool’s high end line - and the socks are worth checking out. The PhD hiking crew have become a quick favorite for colder rides. They’re called a mid weight, but for cycling I’d say they’re on the thicker end of things, which I like. They have what they call a 4D flex system, which means they’re providing flex zones in the ankle and special mesh venting zones for breathability. Sounds terribly gimmicky, but they actually fit really well and stay comfortable all day long. The PhD line offers a great range of thicknesses and heights. The range of artwork is impressive too. Don’t like statement socks? Well, they have you covered there too. Lots of tasteful blues, greys, blacks and browns for your subtle ways.