Mountain biking is a physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding sport, but its physical aspect is the most significant. Riding, leaping, and diving into the trails, ramps, and dips of the mountains and back roads can take a toll on your body. Whether you’re competing in cross country, trail riding, enduro, downhill, or freeride, you need an extra layer (or two) of protection against the elements and those inevitable tumbles and crashes. If you want to ride safely, here’s the gear you need to go mountain biking.
Helmets
If you had to choose only one essential item to have for any form of mountain biking, it’d be your helmet. There are many different styles of bike helmets for mountain biking, offering partial to full-face coverage. Racers use partial helmets more often, while freeride stunt cyclists favor the full-face models because they’re the safest. Studies have proven that full-face helmets provide more protection during a crash, preventing damage to the skull, brain, face, and teeth during impact. On a lesser but still important note, they also offer greater coverage against sunlight, precipitation, mud, and insects.
Armor and Padding
The more extreme the ride, the greater the need for armor and padding to protect you against everything from simple falls to full-on collisions. Riding cross-country? You’ll need some, but not a lot of, protection. Knee and elbow pads will do the trick. Enduro riders require longer and thicker padding at the knees and elbows, and some even wear light chest armor to protect them from hitting the handlebars or other things during a crash. Free riders wear all the above as well as heavy-duty chest armor.
Precision Sunglasses or Goggles
Sunglasses and goggles perform multiple protective functions. When you ride, your wheels, other riders, and the wind can kick up dirt and other debris, so you need a barrier between the ground and your eyes. Glasses and goggles also cut down on glare from the sun or reflective surfaces like snow and ice. Lenses can be dark or clear according to the climate and what the conditions demand. In general, goggles provide a snugger fit, and you can also secure them to full-face helmets for added convenience and security.
Padded Bottoms and Breathable Jerseys
When you ride, you’re subjecting your body to repetitive motions that you might not feel at first, but that can come back and afflict you after the ride is over. There are plenty of biking shorts and trousers that provide padding in the thighs and at the bottom of your spine. Pick up a pair and spare yourself the inevitable rubbing and chafing generated by every ride. Additionally, when buying the gear you need to go mountain biking, don’t forget to stay dry—and not just from the rain or mud on the trails. A bike jersey wicks away sweat as you ride, keeping you dry and cool on hot days. It also keeps sweat from drying on your skin on cold days, helping you stay warm!
