Here are my personal favourite bits of clothing that I wear on nearly every ride.

  1. Fox Ranger pants – I wear these on nearly ride, even if it is warm and I really like the fit of these. They aren’t super long so tall skinny people may find them slightly short. You can fit a slim pad underneath them and both pockets are zipped so your stuff won’t fall out. They also dry out reasonably quick and are machine washable. I own two pairs and they are my go to for all but the warmest of days. If you shop around you’ll find them for £70 or less which is pretty good for a full length mtb pant.
  2. Specialized 2FO Roost flat pedal shoes – While fiveten may still be the most popular brand out there for flat shoes I’ve been super impressed with the canvas model of this shoe. They are comfy, have lasted a good while, don’t take forever to dry out, have good removable soles and if you shop around can be had for as little as £50.
  3. Fist Gloves – I usually ride without gloves but when I do wear them these are my favourites. Their medium is a good fit, not too bulky and they come in some really funky colours and designs.
  4. Troy Lee chamois – These came with a pair of Troy Lee Air shorts I bought many years ago and is the most comfy chamois I own and have tried. I’m not sure if you can buy these specific ones after market, though other Troy Lee chamois are available to buy on their own. Despite the fact I’ve heard you can ride chamois-less with the right saddle I’ve never found the right combo so these will stay as my go to’s as long as they can.
  5. Merino Wool socks – I have no idea what brand these are or if they are a light weight or winter weight sock but I have two pairs of the same socks and they are comfy, not too tight or long and get used as soon as they have been cleaned. I wear them all year round and only on really cold & wet days do I feel the need for something warmer.
  6. Alpkit Merino Wool short sleeve base layer – If and when a base layer is needed I use this. It’s comfy, wearable for a few days before it gets too stinky and is machine washable too. If you are going to wash it I would recommend a laundry wash bag to put it in as it’s easy to catch on zips or other things in the washing machine and it can snag and get holes in it.
  7. Madison Enigma Glasses – Available as a single lens option or as a 3 lens option (clear, amber & smoke). These are a great, simple and cheap pair of riding glasses.