Troy Lee Designs Trail Gear Guide
By Stan Portus – 22 March 2021
Looking to switch up your trail riding wardrobe? Well, look no further. Our guide to Troy Lee Designs mountain bike trail gear takes you through everything you need to know, from which jersey to wear in cooler conditions to which shorts will help you ride all day.
Mountain bike trail gear covers a lot of bases. From cross country to Enduro, there are many different ways to take to the trails and Troy Lee Designs offers a broad range of kit suited to different types of riding. Read our guide to TLD’s different trail offerings and find what is best for you.
Skyline
Troy Lee Designs’ Skyline line-up is its most popular collection. It has a casual, relaxed fit whilst being packed full of technical features, making it perfect for shredding trails but for that post-ride coffee stop too.
The Skyline collection has a wide variety of jerseys for all conditions but all of them share some key similarities such as being cut long in the body and providing plenty of room, so you can feel light and unrestricted on the bike.
The Skyline Short Sleeve Jersey and Skyline Long Sleeve Jersey are made from the same polyester and Spandex® blend. Troy Lee Designs chose the fabric for its high wicking properties and stretch to help you stay dry and comfortable in warm weather and ultimately as comfortable as possible. An optical wipe inside will help keep goggles and glasses clear.
For hotter weather, there is the Skyline Air Long Sleeve Jersey or its short sleeve equivalent. The open mesh fabric provides ample air flow for those scorching days.
The Skyline Chill Jersey is for the other end of the temperature spectrum. It offers the same fit as the other Skyline jerseys but is made from a fabric that is 70gsm heavier and has a brushed lining, keeping you warm on cool days and feeling pretty luxurious too.
Matching up with the jerseys is the Skyline Shorts and Skyline Air Shorts. Striking the perfect balance between a casual cut and a performance design the shorts are ideal for XC riding.
Ruckus
If Enduro mountain biking is your thing, then Ruckus is for you. Marrying thicker fabrics and durable designs for some rough and tumble and cuts that accommodate padding and protection, Ruckus is ideal for those more technical trails and downhill sections.
The Troy Lee Designs Ruckus Jersey has a three-quarter length sleeve to cover elbow pads, whilst the update neckline and knit fabric introduces a bit more comfort than earlier models. Integrated ventilation with perforated rear panels and vented mesh side panels keeps things cool and an optical wipe on the inside keeps your goggles clear.
The Ruckus Shorts come with a liner or without a liner, so you can choose between the Troy Lee Designs liner or use the one of your choice. The Ruckus Shorts are relatively long which is perfect for when you’re wearing kneepads. But with bare knees they are short enough to not be a hindrance.
A new low-profile button closure eliminates any distracting rubbing when in the ridding position and a rear two-way stretch panel allows great articulation whilst on the bike.
Flowline
Flowline is the latest addition to Troy Lee Designs mountain bike line-up, incorporating its best technical features in a comfortable and affordable kit that’s suitable for everything from all-mountain to bike park.
Designed to match Troy Lee Designs’ ride fit category, Flowline is a looser style that’s not too casual but not too race-y either. The relaxed fit is ideal for wearing all day and for unimpeded movement whether that’s in your pedal stroke or moving your weight around on those more technical down hill sections.
The Flowline Long Sleeve Jersey and Flowline Short Sleeve Jersey use dura knit fabric with a wicking and quick drying finish for great comfort out on the trails. The loose fit sleeves easily accommodate elbow pads.
The Flowline Shorts are ideal for anyone who likes to get out on two wheels. Made from a Coolmax fabric these shorts will keep things dry and you feeling fresh, whilst the 21.5" out seam provides a good amount of coverage. Easy access pockets provide storage for essentials. The shorts close with a single snap closure and zip fly. Rubber waist adjusters ensure the perfect fit.
In the same muted tones as the jerseys, the Flowline Gloves keep hands protected and dry with a single layer perforated palm and a micro-mesh back.
Lilium
In 2020, Troy Lee Designs completely revamped its women’s clothing collection. Designed by women for women, Saddleback spoke to TLD’s designer Carolyn Campos about the new apparel when it came out.
Designed for the trails, Campos explained how Lilium is “very sleek and innovative from fabric to fit.”
The Lilium Shorts are the embodiment of this. They are made from an environmentally friendly 4-way stretch fabric that offers comfort and is UPF 30+ for sun protection. Laser perforations aid ventilation for those hot days and tough ascents. 3 zippered pockets provide ample storage, and a phone specific pocket holds your phone securely, stopping it moving around over rough terrain.
The Lilium Short Sleeve and Long Sleeve Jerseys use a four-way stretch knit and flatlock stitching for superb comfort, whilst a wicking finish, quick dry areas and engineered mesh will help things cool no matter how hard you ride or how hot it gets.
Trail Protection
Trail riding doesn’t demand the levels of protection downhill does, but light elbow and knee protection is never a bad idea, and of course not forgetting always wearing a helmet too.
The Stage Knee Guard and the Stage Elbow Guard are perfect for trail riding. The D30® impact pad used in the guards is soft and flexible while riding but hardens on impact helping to disperse energy. Lightweight and breathable chasses with ventilated panels make the Stage Guards great for riding all day.
In March 2021, Troy Lee Designs released the A3 MIPS helmet, delivering superb comfort and leading protection in a premium lid. It builds on the success of the A1 and A2 trail helmets, which remain in the TLD line-up.
The Stage MIPS Helmet is a light, cool, and more protective full-face helmet than anything TLD has created before. This is the ideal choice for any Enduro racing, where a bit more coverage is always a plus.
Section