SUMMER GEAR GUIDE 22 - CLOTHING

Velocio Women’s Signature Zipperless Jersey

Velocio offers some of the most well thought-out gear we tested this season. Some companies seem to be based on a specific asthetic, while Velocio has put functionality as their highest priority. The zipperless design is accentuated by the contrast detail across the semi-v-neck, which also helps keeps the bugs from finding their way down into my sports bra– an issue most B cup or larger women can attest to. The material is buttery soft and easy to forget you’re wearing it’s so comfortable. Also, for those of us who have larger arms (or actually have some muscle in their upper body) the sleeves are plenty long for both coverage and movement. Bonus that 85% of it is made from recycled materials, so it not only feels great on, but you can feel great about wearing it. As far as fit, Velocio’s Italian influence definitely fits on the snug side, so if you’re on the fence in sizing or want a little extra room, size up.

Velocio Ultralight Bib Short

I simply love this bib short. The chamois is (and I don’t say this lightly) perfect. It isn’t overly thick but has a density that offers great support on long rides. Their bibs are designed for compression, so they intentionally fit on the small side. I love this as the material feels great (not too bulgy on this curvy girl), and the compression keeps them in place even after hours of riding. While ultra-light, it doesn’t succumb to also being ultra-see-through like other brands, and I feel confident in full coverage. It’s become common for women to be offered an “easy drop” design (no clothing removal required for pee breaks) but often those also include annoying clasps. Velocio has hit the mark on their “Fly Free” design that truly makes taking a nature break simple and quick. These are by far my favorite bib shorts of 2022.

7mesh Desperado Merino Shirt 3/4

This is an absolute gem of an every-where piece– an investment you won’t regret because it’s so versatile. 7Mesh has always done an amazing job creating pieces that can easily go from shredding trail to commuting to apres anything, and the Despirado is no exception. I LOVE the color, which they call “Shark” but I would call a dusty rose/grey, and the fit is designed to give my muscled upper body room to move but not leave me baggy and shapeless. As always, it’s thin enough that it’s wicking merino-blend is great for when I build up the sweat without leaving an (ahem) unappealing stink when I dry out.

7mesh Northwoods Windshell

I don’t like to mention other brands in a review, but suffice it to say the last time I found a similar jacket to this in packability, style, and function, when I showed up on a ride wearing it for the first time 5 of the 7 women there were wearing the same one and gushing how “magic” it was. I never thought I’d find anything I liked better, but 7mesh once again proved me wrong, because the only thing you could do to improve a super light-weight, crazy-packable wind shell is to add two tiny straps so I can strap it to my bike or pack. I’ve come to prefer a hip-pack for most of my riding, so adding in the ability to pack my jacket to the exterior (or my frame or bike packing bag) is a godsend. The subtle Yucca color is bright and beautiful, and makes me a little more visible in the woods on those darker days. I’m so happy with my new Northwoods Windshell. I shouldn’t be surprised 7mesh continues to make outstanding, highly functional and stylish products, but happily, I continue to be impressed.

Gorewear Ardent Jersey

Simple yet superb. The Ardent Jersey hits all the right notes for my style and riding. Long-enough sleeves that give great sun coverage and plenty of movement for reaching the bars. The material is fantastically wicking, lightweight, and soft– even when I’m sweated out from a hard climb– and dries quickly. It looks fantastic on and the style is versatile enough that I can choose it for a commute or a century. This has been one of my most frequently-reached-for pieces this summer, and I can’t say enough that Gore really hit it out of the park with fit. Sleek design but stretchy enough to accommodate muscular arms and movement on the bike. Long enough in the torso it never rides up. I just love this piece!

Gorewear Long Distance Bib shorts

Gorewear bib shorts are consistently some of the most comfortable I have owned, year after year. My favorite aspects of these are the wide, ultra-compfy straps that don’t cross in the back and get tangled or twisted. They’re compressive yet lightweight, and the chamois is dialed for those long summer days when you just don’t want to stop pedaling. The material is super soft, the waist band included is high enough that it provides good coverage and the silicone leg bands keep the shorts where you want them without being noticeable. Though I’m not always a fan of large logos, I love the flash the iridescent, reflective color this one gives.

Gorewear Trail KPR Daily Shirt

I wasn’t so sure about this shirt as I can barely fit the head opening over my head, and I have to do my hair after putting it on or it will pull out my ponytail because the opening is so snug. (Note: as far as I know I have a very average-sized head and usually wear a medium helmet). However, that snug fit ended up being a blessing as it rides high enough on my neck that it gives me excellent sun coverage, and any reason to use less sunscreen is a win in my book. I’ve found myself reaching for this piece not only for regular rides but also for extensive days of trail work I’ve put in over the summer. The fabric is lightweight and wonderfully wicking, while soft and comfortable. The fit is slightly relaxed without being shapeless or boxy. The sleeves are a great length for both coverage and roominess and play nicely with arm screens so I don’t have gaps in coverage. So if you have a larger head, this might not be the shirt for you. Otherwise, I really do love the fit and highly recommend this piece!

Gorewear Fernflow Shorts

I received these shorts in the spring and they couldn’t have come a moment sooner. It was a wet one here in the Pacific Northwest, and these were the best cusp season shorts I’ve ridden in a long time. While the cordura material has gotten a little warm for hot summer temps, I’m already looking forward to late summer and fall riding in these when the hero dirt is at it’s finest. They were just the ticket for our wet spring since their water resistant treatment working spectacularly on wet days and through mud puddles. I love that they are rugged yet stylish, with stout material that still has the right amount of stretch so I can easily pedal up climbs without restriction. The length is just to the knee, so they work great with pads or not. Best of all, the waist is super comfortable and has a ton of adjustability. As most women know, our bodies (but especially the waist!) can change dramatically throughout the month, and the highly adaptable waist band is clutch. No matter where I am in my cycle there’s room for adjustments. Extra bonus features include the vented crotch area (where things can heat up) and the enormous pockets that easily fit my phone and hold it in place where I don’t notice it bouncing around. If you’re looking for a perfect cooler season short, go get these now!

MEN’S CLOTHING

Pearl Izumi Summit PRO Short Sleeve Jersey

I didn’t expect to like this jersey so much. It’s perfect for summer rides. I’ll let Pearl describe why it’s special: “The Summit Pro Jersey is our premier mountain bike jersey for riders who demand the best. This boundary-pushing piece is constructed from recycled Polartec® Delta™ fabric to amplify your body’s natural thermoregulation abilities, speeding up the cooling process to keep you comfortable. Low-profile bonded seams on the sleeves and collar feel great next to skin feel and allow unrestricted movement.” I love to see details brought over from road, like the low-profile bonded sleeves that give a simple finished look. Also notable is the recycled Delta fabric, which both breathes and wicks perfectly. I like the slim look and the longer short sleeves. For me, Pearl’s Summit PRO line is my personal favorite. We get lots of clothing, and I have to also mention’s Pearl’s effort when it comes to ditching unnecessary packaging. Their shipping boxes are minimal, and it comes in a simple disposable rafia band. Keep innovating Pearl. We’re watching you.

Pearl Izumi Summit PRO Shell Short

These have quickly become my go-to summer MTB shorts. They’re light, they’re stretchy and the fit is good. Not too snug, not too baggy. Again, let me share Pearl’s copy “Our flagship short is constructed from light and durable stretch-woven recycled nylon with PI DryⓇ permanent water shedding technology. Performance-focused details include an adjustable waist closure for on-the-fly adjustments and bonded leg openings for seamless pedaling comfort. Perforated panels on the inside of the legs keep the Summit feeling airy, while dual Trail Access pockets hold the day’s essentials within reach, but out of the way. Add your favorite chamois liner and hit the dirt.” I also like the lack of zipper and the minimalist cinch band that tucks away nicely makes for a functional clean solution for keeping your shorts in place. I’ve been riding 7mesh’s Foundation bib short and those have been perfect for warm summer rides. Paired with the Summit PRO shell short, and you’ve got a perfect summer riding combo. Recommended.

Pearl Izumi Elevate Long Sleeve Jersey

Regular readers of this site will know that I’m always going on about how much I like long sleeve sun shirts. It’s not just the sun protection, but also the coverage on overgrown trails. I want my long sleeve summer shirts to be lightweight and wicking and the Pearl Izumi Elevate is both. The only thing that could be better, my preference would be a light to medium grey for less absorption of rays, and I’m not a fan of the Pearl Izumi typography. At least it’s tone on tone. The slightly longer drop tail looks nice as well. I don’t know that this was intended to be a “sun” shirt, it’s just a lightweight, long sleeve top. I also love that it’s made of 100 percent recycled content. I appreciate Pearl Izumi leading on that front as well. Fit is great too, not too snug, not too baggy. Recommended.

Gorewear Trail KPR Daily Long Sleeve Shirt

Gorewear is on a bit of a tear lately. Their current line feels very considered and very consistent. Maybe it’s the use of army green and gold, or those plus marks . Anyway, more important to me is that they’ve dialed in the fit and now a medium fits like a medium. Just like the Pearl top above, the KPR Daily is made of 100% recycled content and the material weight hits the sweet spot for spring and summer. The paneling seems considered and fits my body well. The neck seems a bit snug going on, but once you’re in, it’s comfy cozy and sits well in the bike position.

Gorewear Fernflow Shorts

As I said previously, Gorewear is working hard to make mountain bike clothing that fits really well and works on the bike. The Fernflow Shorts are hands down my favorite mountain bike shorts this season. I think most notable is perhaps the use of four-way stretch Cordura. The velcro closures at the waist are extremely well done and cinch up as tight as you’d like but don’t pucker and sit clean when fastened. They seem like a bit of a marvel of engineering and paneling to fit so well. The highest compliment is I wore them around town all day and even went to the gym in them, which is not something I usually do in mountain bike shorts. They’re that good. Also nice is the laser cut perforation holes on the inside of the legs for ventilation. I noticed Pearl doing that on their Summit PRO shorts as well.

Gorewear Lupra Jacket

With pieces like the Lupra Jacket Gorewear is breaking down the barriers between categories like mountain and commuting. Certainly you can wear the Lupra for both. I wouldn’t trust it for downpours, but for a midweight, stretchy, comfortable windbreaker, the Lupra is smart. If you’ve heard of GORETEX Infinium, you know that its goal is to be both windblocking and breathable at the same time. When I see Infinium on a jacket, I know that it’s tryign to be breathable, so the idea is that on cooler days you could wear this on the climb as well. The goal is a comfortable jacket that moves with you, and one that you don’t have to remove for the climbs. That’s always debatable if you work hard on the climbs, but I love that in theory. I’ll keep testing the Lupra, but for now I can tell you that I’ll be taking it mountain biking, riding around town looking smart, and when light rain hits, I’ll confidently pull the hood right over my helmet and go about my business.

Ibex Merino Tencel Shirt

Ibex is back! Don’t call it a comeback. I’ve always been an Ibex fan, so I’m happy to see them back making quality merino clothing. Merino on its own is super comfy and stretchy, but this shirt is a nice combination of Merino and tencel (which is a fiber sustainably grown from eucalyptus) wrapped around a nylon core. I’ve tried many of the fiber combinations over the years and I feel like a merino/polyester blend is the most durable. Ibex says this shirt works well in warm weather and I don’t disagree. My only quibble is that when I sweat hard, it doesn’t wick as well as I’d like. I tend to soak it out, so I now only wear it for around town, or low output activities. Still, it’s a shirt I reach for over and over since it’s so comfortable, and I like the color quite alot. I can’t wait to try more of Ibex’s offerings. So far, the quality is quite good and it’s holding up very well after many washings. Glad you’re back, Ibex! Get yours here

Arc’Teryx Proton FL Hoody

The Proton FL was one of those jackets that I put on and didn’t want to take off. The genius of this jacket is the strategic placement of Polartec Alpha insulation. Polartec Alpha was developed for the military to be warm and lightweight. The great thing about it, as opposed to down, is that it still does its job of keeping you warm when it gets wet with perspiration or precipitation. The second aspect of Polartec Alpha is breathability. Sure, you can overheat in this jacket but it breathes so well. I love minimalist midlayers like the Proton FL. It’s cut really well and never feels oversized. The wrist cuffs are snug without feeling tight in any way, nor are they restrictive when putting on. It’s kept me warm on blustery photoshoots in wet weather in the 40s. It’s been my best friend in camp while doing trail work for the Oregon Timber Trail. I haven’t taken it bikepacking yet, but it’s a candidate, since it packs up reasonably small, and packs plenty of heat. It’s a workhourse and I’m excited to keep putting it through its paces. Final note, those zip pulls are ergonomic and hard to miss. Well done Arc’Teryx, the Proton FL is a winner!

Arc’Teryx Gamma SL Hoody

I’m new to the stretchy outerwear game. Sure, I understand hardshells and windbreakers, but the Gamma SL is somewhere in between. The fit is generous enough to fit over the Proton FL Hoody, but slim enought to be good looking without warm layers underneath. While I haven’t spent much time in hard rain, I’m confident that the Gamma SL will resist wind and water. I’d definitly take it hiking, and will commute on blustery days with this piece. As usual, with Arc’Teryx the fit is perfect and the hood is plenty roomy, though I don’t think it will fit a cycling helmet beneath. This promises to be a protective, breathable shell that will excel in multiple situations. If you’re looking for a stretchy, versatile hoody, the Gamma SL will deliver.

Santini Unico Bib Shorts

I’m super excited about Santini clothing right now, and the Unico is one of the reasons. I understand the benefits of a highly compressive bib shorts, but the Unico seem to be an very comfortable endurance short that feels like a second skin. I feel like shorts like this are where cycling apparel is headed. There is no need for extra paneling or leg grippers. As Santini says, “Made of a high performance, soft feel, Italian microfiber. Incredibly stretchy, it provides a light compression without being restrictive. So weightless and comfortable you won't feel you are wearing it. Raw cut finish for superior fit, the bib shorts stay in place while pedaling without the need of a leg gripper.” I absolutely love the brilliantly colored fade that’s only visible on the interior. It feels both considered and special at the same time. The final bonus is the laser cut perforations that help that back panel breathe and just look technical. Right now, I’ve been trying a sample in XL and they work fine, but I’m excited about trying my normal Large size- in most other brands, I’m a Medium, so if you’re trying to decide your size, I’d say go up one size. If you’re looking for a new comfortable bib short for long days in the saddle it would be difficult to find anything better than the Santini Unico. Thank you for pushing bib short technology Santini!

7mesh MK3 Cargo Bib Shorts

Yet another very comfortable pair of bib shorts. Before the 7mesh cargo shorts, their MK3 Bib short was my favorite long-distance bib short. As minimal as the Santini Unico is, the MK3 is very fitted, multi paneled, but it just works. If you want to wear these with a simple top without pockets, which is actually preferred, in my opinion, then you can make use of the integrated pockets on these shorts that sit nicely on the low back. In the past I had sized down to Small for 7mesh bib shorts, but this time around I tried a medium, and they fit just fine…perhaps a bit less compressive than the smalls. The sage green seems to be the trendy color right now. From a purely functional sun-beating perspective, I like a green color as opposed to black. I’m more likely to grab these over a pair of black shorts on a hot, sunny day. A friend said she recently wore these on her 200 mile Unbound Gravel effort and she didn’t even notice her phone in the leg pocket, which to me is perhaps the highest compliment. I can without hesistation recommend all of 7mesh’s bib shorts. The chamois is top notch, and they shorts fit exactly as they should - snug, never too tight, and never restrictive. 7mesh really did their homework on all their road shorts. Highly recommended.

7mesh Desperado Long Sleeve Henley

Once again, 7mesh doing what it does best, and that’s restrained and classy looking gear that you can wear out on the town as well as on the bike. I’ve always loved my short sleeve Desperado henleys. They’re the perfect weight - not too thick, not too thin. Always comfortable, and perfect fit, and the sleeves are just long enough. Well, now 7mesh give us a longs sleeve version of that same shirt. The only difference is that the metal snaps are replaced by traditional buttons, so perhaps an even more traditional henley look. As I said in the Ibex review, we love the merino poly blends and the Desperado is no exception - it’s 53% merino and 47% polyester, so it stays fresh. This sample is a Large, and I’m a medium, so it’s a bit baggier than I’d normally wear, but I know some of you like this look. Another crossover piece that I can wear around town and on the mountain bike. More wearable classics from 7mesh. As usual, the overall effect is quite simple, but if you pay attention to the paneling and fit, it’s impeccable.

Velocio Concept Merino Jersey

If I haven’t said so before, I’m a fan of Velocio. Much like 7mesh, they have a very sophisticated approach to design, they care about using recycled materials. Their look is bold and simple and their pieces are expertly made in Italy. So far, my favorite Velocio pieces have been their trail shorts and their long sleeve Signature jersey. And as you can see from the Ibex and the 7mesh desperado, we’re fans of merino blends. We love the simple, classic look and the ability to wick and stay fresh. Truth be told for this piece, it’s a bit more a spring item rather than summer. I’ve sweated it out on not very hot days, so I’ll be saving it mostly for shoulder season days. But OH! it’s comfortable. The sleeves are the perfect length, the orange color is gorgeous and the perfect pairing with the green Luxe shorts (reviewed below) There is a nice zippered key pocket on the right side. There is plenty of stretch, so the look is very forgiving, slightly more rugged looking than a sleek road jersey. Is this a gravel piece? Maybe. Velocio says this will quickly become a cool weather favorite and I have to agree. Got my eye on you, Velocio, keep innovating and making unique pieces like the Concept Merino.

Velocio Luxe Bib Shorts

Sometimes it takes me a round or two to really “get” a brand. While I quickly embraced their Long Sleeve Signature jersey, I struggled with Velocio’s bib shorts. Recently, I realized that compression is one their hallmarks. Their bib shorts are supposed to feel snug. They say that compression supports the muscles and keeps you feeling fresher on long rides. Another challenge with many brands is finding which size suits you. In the case of the Luxe shorts, I sized up to a Large from my normal medium, and while they still feel snug, they now seem right. So now that I have the fit sorted, I now love the Velocio Luxe Bib Shorts. I love the minimalist look. There are only 3 well shaped panels and the overall look is quite sleek. I love the lack of a leg band - no more sausage leg! Did I mention the proprietary chamois developed with Cytech? I’m not sure exactly what’s going on there, all I know is that it’s extremely comfortable. The only improvement I could think of would be a bit more space for my male parts. Santini Unicos do a nice little cod piece shape. Maybe that could be an improvement. Nobody wants to feel squished down there, do they? Still, highly recommended great looking bib shorts from Velocio.

Arc’teryx Norvan LD3 Shoes

I was overdue for a fresh pair of trail running shoes and so far the Norvan LD3 shoes quick favorites. I’m primarily a cyclist who wants to bring some variety into my workouts. This year has been particularly rainy in the PNW, so it’s been good to give the trails a bit of a break. I feel like most of the trails in Forest Park can handle the traffic on all but the wettest of days. What do I like about the Norvan LD3? First, they’re confidence inspiring - they feel solid underfoot. Second, the cushioning is substantial and should give you the appropriate amount of squish for both short and long runs alike. They're made for endurance. Next, the Vibram Megagrip sole stayed grippy even in the muddiest conditions. The overall weight is feather light. My only complaint is that while the mesh works perfect for dry conditions, my feet got soaked on some wet days. I guess that just means I need to get their GTX model for those rainy days. Visually, they feel right at home in the Arc’teryx family of tasteful and minimal gear. I love the solid
Labyrinth/Relic colorway, with just the meggrip sole being the natural gumwall color. Highly recommended!