Clothing and Accessories
Choosing the right clothes and accessories is vital for mountain biking and these items serve a few purposes. The clothing you choose should be more than just something to cover your skin- it is an important measure of safety as well. Wearing the wrong clothing on a bike could make the experience miserable, and it might even force you out of action for a few days if it rubs you in the wrong way! Every piece of clothing you wear or bring along should be thought out before you take it out on a trip.
Shoes: The best shoes for mountain biking are ones with a very stiff sole. Stiff soles mean no recession at the bottom of the shoe, so don’t try walking very far in them! If you have a clip pedal system for your bike, you will have to choose a shoe that fits your system. Otherwise, the type of shoe you choose will depend on the type of biking you are planning on doing. Leather shoes are great for durability and flexibility. Remember to break in your shoes after you buy them and take them on some shorter trips before going out for the day or longer.
Socks: Socks for mountain biking are thinner than regular socks, to allow for maximum comfort. If you are planning on using socks that are specifically designed for mountain biking, you should make sure to wear them when you are trying on and breaking in your shoes. This type of sock is designed to wick away any sweat that is on your feet. Socks will protect your ankles as you ride, so they are a pretty essential piece of clothing.
Shorts: Padding is the key to shorts for mountain biking. Padding will offer you some protection in the case of a fall as well as making a long ride that much more comfortable. You can get tight or loose biking shorts, although tighter is preferable for most people. If you are uncomfortable with this, you can always try putting a pair of loose shorts on over the tighter ones to layer. Remember that biking shorts should be made of a tougher type of material, and Lycra is one of the most popular fabrics for mountain biking shorts.
Coat: You will probably want to ride in all types of weather, so choose a coat that is light and durable, and that is water resistant. A windbreaker is great for rainy days, and easily packed along.
Eye Protection: Remember that there will be lots of chances for something to fly into your eyes as you bike, and this means you run the risk of having some eye damage or an accident in the seconds that you are blinking. To prevent this, wear some form of eye protection. Sun glasses will help, and also reduce the glare of the sun. Your best bet is some form of goggle, a set that is tinted and with strap pads that wrap fully around the head are ideal.
Sunscreen: Don’t leave home without it! Those harmful UV rays are always beating down, and nothing can put a damper on the season like bad sunburn. You not only run the risk of skin cancer, but sunburn will cause sufficient pain to make you want to stay inside for a few days. This will cut into your mountain biking time!
All of your mountain biking clothing should be breathable and comfortable. Make sure there are no hidden seams or inside zippers making comfort a problem.
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