Mountain bikers don’t know how to dress: here's why you need to learn
Mountain biking is a young sport that has seen rapid changes, especially in apparel. Gone are the days of borrowing oversized motocross (MX) gear or trying to shred in a heavy cotton skate hoodie. Today's MTB clothing offers specialised performance options that are lighter, tougher and far more breathable.
Your old hoodie won't cut it anymore. Knowing how to pick the correct jacket is the difference between a great ride and one where you’re shivering or sweating uncontrollably. Here is the modern breakdown of which jacket to wear, discipline by discipline.
E-Bike: Managing speed, wind chill and lower body heat
Enduro: The heat management challenge
Downhill race: The ultimate test
Universal essential jacket features
E-Bike: Managing speed, wind chill and lower body heat
E-Bikes present a unique challenge: higher average speeds with less heat generation from the rider. The assistance means you’re not working as hard on the climbs, which, mixed with the wind chill from greater momentum, sets you up for an unpleasantly cold ride if you're not dressed right. Warmth and wind protection are paramount.
| Condition | Recommended jacket type | TLD pick |
|---|---|---|
| Dry but chilly | Insulated vest | The Ruckus Ride Vest: super stylish, tough and packable. Features cosy 40gm2 PrimaLoft® insulation, a water-resistant coating and a wicking lining for core warmth without bulk. |
| Cool & misty/drizzle | Insulated jacket | TLD Crestline Jacket: filled with PrimaLoft Gold® insulation that maintains warmth even if damp. Has a water-resistant finish to keep spray at bay. |
| Pre or post-sun | Hybrid jacket | The Mathis Jacket: expertly balances warmth with breathability. Combines synthetic down with wicking knit side panels and 2-way stretch lined sleeves, for excellent warmth and movement. |
| Just-in-case wind | Windbreaker | The Drift Windbreaker: light and packable layer with a Teflon EcoElite™ H2O repellent finish. Features a high neck, helmet-compatible hood and a cinch-adjustable drop tail. |
Enduro: The heat management challenge
Enduro is a highly athletic discipline involving intense, timed descent stages broken up by strenuous, untimed climbs. Riders will run hotter here, meaning the primary focus of any jacket is high breathability to prevent saturation from sweat. You also need protection that can be quickly deployed or stowed.
Key need: highly breathable, packable rain/wind protection.
The TLD Drift Windbreaker is the ideal "just in case" option, adding features to the blueprint of TLD’s popular, wind resistant Shuttle Jacket. It is light and packable, wind and water-resistant (it has a Teflon EcoElite™ H2O repellent finish) and features a cinch-adjustable drop tail and helmet-compatible hood.
Downhill race: The ultimate test
Downhill (DH) racers are at the mercy of the worst conditions. Even if it’s raining, you’re still racing. A jacket must offer uncompromising waterproofing, durability and a fit that allows for maximum mobility, often over body armour.
Key need: unflinching waterproof durability with mobility
The TLD Resist Jacket excels here. Its 3-layer fabric construction (95% nylon, 5% Spandex, 136gm2 fabric) ensures it is the most durable jacket in the TLD range, ready to protect you from the worst conditions, whether on the World Cup circuit or your local trails. Its features, including a high neck, adjustable hood with structured visor brim and multiple zippered pockets, are built for the harshest race environments.
Universal essential jacket features
Whether you are hitting the trails on an E-Bike or racing DH, these are the high-tech details you should demand from your jacket.
- A packable and protective outer: must be able to fit easily into a pack or pocket.
- High-performance insulation: look for PrimaLoft Gold® fill 40gm2, which is a great all-rounder, for warmth that works even when wet.
- Eco-friendly water resistance: plant-based finishes like Teflon EcoElite® give you spray protection without harsh chemicals.
- Mobility focus: wicking knit side panels and 2-way stretch lined sleeves are essential if you’re looking to balance warmth with ease of movement.
- MTB-specific details: helmet-compatible hoods (often tightened by reflective pull tabs) and a cinch-adjustable drop tail are crucial for on-bike use.
Dressing in a smart way for modern mountain biking is about matching your gear to the unique demands of your discipline. Stop suffering; it's time to upgrade your shield.