Race Face cool weather riding gear - Review
Riding protection and a few wintery items from RaceFace to keep you comfy and stylish on the bike in the so-called 'off season'.
Race Face has always been a company devoted to creating purpose-driven gear that doesn't suck, so when I received a box of stuff this past spring I was anxious to see what they've been working on lately and how it can enhance my riding experience. Race Face started their apparel and protection line a long, long time ago and built it around the rigors of riding the infamous North Shore and it's variable riding conditions. This translates to clothing designed specifically for mountain biking, built of performance fabrics, with top-notch construction, and all this really shows through in the long run.
Full details inside,I've been holding this gear too long. Fact is I've been trying to find something negative to say about it but after riding in this stuff for several months now, I've come up with nothing. I guess the only thing I can complain about is if I was to imagine that I wasn't the tall, lanky guy that these clothes seem to be designed around I might not like the fit so much. But, most bikers are taller than wide, so the fit seems, well, fitting.
![photo]()
First up is the Dig Knee Pad. I've been wearing similar pads by another company for years but they weren't nearly as tough as the 600D nylon that the Dig's are made of so after a single hard crash they were left tattered and nearly useless. The urbanized, heavy rubber screen printing on the Digs won't suit everyone's taste, but it adds a lot of durability to the outer fabric. I took a couple home-run slides this year and even at Whistler the Digs came back asking for more. On top of bomber fabric and triple density foam padding for side impact, the Digs also have a high density pliable shell that offers the protective benefits of a hard shell combined with the flexibility of not having a shell at all.
The Digs feature perforated neoprene for venting and wicking terry material inside which offers excellent breatheability.
![photo]()
You may be wondering why wear a knee-only pad with no shin protection? Well, I have long legs and have yet to find a knee/shin combo pad that stays in place while riding. The Digs are dreamy in this department as they almost never move. A hidden stabilization pad centers the knee and minimizes slip, while Velcro adjustable elastic straps further assist in keeping the Digs in place. There can be a price to pay for such comfort, like splitting open the shins after a pedal slip, but the goal is to protect your joints, not your skin. After a decade of slipping pedals, your shins will be totally numb so you won't have to worry about it anymore. Skin grows back, but ligaments usually don't.
![photo]()
Next up is the DH 3/4 short. This is a heavy-weight Taslan nylon abrasion resistant short with DWR (durable water resistance) coating to protect against the elements. A built-in poly-mesh liner and stretch mesh side vent offer optimal breatheability, and when that isn't enough, zippered thigh vents open up for ventilation.
![photo]()
![photo]()
Although the legs of the DH 3/4 short feel a bit narrow at first, they integrate well with the Dig knee pads and the 3/4 length prevents them from interfering with pads. So long as you're not out in mid-summer's heat, the DH 3/4 short's paneled construction makes it really comfortable for pedaling to the top as well.
![photo]()
Seen below is the 3over4 pant and Diabolus jersey. The 3over4 is a lightweight 3/4 length pant for those brisk days on the trail. Constructed of a stretch nylon fabric with double reinforced seams throughout, the cut is engineered for comfort while maintaining a more casual look. The Diabolus jersey features Race Face's Quick Wick fabric with a casual freeride fit and articulated sleeves.
![photo]()
As always, Race Face shines through in the attention to detail department.
![photo]()
On a more casual note, the Canuck hoody is a full-zip hoody of 70% cotton, 30% polyester and features a cool native-inspired print on the shoulder.
![photo]()
![photo]()
The Evolve glove features lightweight spandex and mesh back for superior breatheability. 2mm open cell foam on the palm adds comfort as well as a layer of protection in a crash. Rubberized Velcro wrist closure, silicone trigger fingers, and terry cloth thumb all add up to riding comfort.
![photo]()
![photo]()
Whether you're looking for protection on the trail or stylish post-ride comfort, Race Face has you covered. This is just a small sampling of the ride-inspired Race Face product line, so go try on something new at your local Race Face dealer!
For more info:
RaceFace.com
Race Face has always been a company devoted to creating purpose-driven gear that doesn't suck, so when I received a box of stuff this past spring I was anxious to see what they've been working on lately and how it can enhance my riding experience. Race Face started their apparel and protection line a long, long time ago and built it around the rigors of riding the infamous North Shore and it's variable riding conditions. This translates to clothing designed specifically for mountain biking, built of performance fabrics, with top-notch construction, and all this really shows through in the long run.
Full details inside,I've been holding this gear too long. Fact is I've been trying to find something negative to say about it but after riding in this stuff for several months now, I've come up with nothing. I guess the only thing I can complain about is if I was to imagine that I wasn't the tall, lanky guy that these clothes seem to be designed around I might not like the fit so much. But, most bikers are taller than wide, so the fit seems, well, fitting.
First up is the Dig Knee Pad. I've been wearing similar pads by another company for years but they weren't nearly as tough as the 600D nylon that the Dig's are made of so after a single hard crash they were left tattered and nearly useless. The urbanized, heavy rubber screen printing on the Digs won't suit everyone's taste, but it adds a lot of durability to the outer fabric. I took a couple home-run slides this year and even at Whistler the Digs came back asking for more. On top of bomber fabric and triple density foam padding for side impact, the Digs also have a high density pliable shell that offers the protective benefits of a hard shell combined with the flexibility of not having a shell at all.
The Digs feature perforated neoprene for venting and wicking terry material inside which offers excellent breatheability.
You may be wondering why wear a knee-only pad with no shin protection? Well, I have long legs and have yet to find a knee/shin combo pad that stays in place while riding. The Digs are dreamy in this department as they almost never move. A hidden stabilization pad centers the knee and minimizes slip, while Velcro adjustable elastic straps further assist in keeping the Digs in place. There can be a price to pay for such comfort, like splitting open the shins after a pedal slip, but the goal is to protect your joints, not your skin. After a decade of slipping pedals, your shins will be totally numb so you won't have to worry about it anymore. Skin grows back, but ligaments usually don't.
Next up is the DH 3/4 short. This is a heavy-weight Taslan nylon abrasion resistant short with DWR (durable water resistance) coating to protect against the elements. A built-in poly-mesh liner and stretch mesh side vent offer optimal breatheability, and when that isn't enough, zippered thigh vents open up for ventilation.
Although the legs of the DH 3/4 short feel a bit narrow at first, they integrate well with the Dig knee pads and the 3/4 length prevents them from interfering with pads. So long as you're not out in mid-summer's heat, the DH 3/4 short's paneled construction makes it really comfortable for pedaling to the top as well.
Seen below is the 3over4 pant and Diabolus jersey. The 3over4 is a lightweight 3/4 length pant for those brisk days on the trail. Constructed of a stretch nylon fabric with double reinforced seams throughout, the cut is engineered for comfort while maintaining a more casual look. The Diabolus jersey features Race Face's Quick Wick fabric with a casual freeride fit and articulated sleeves.
As always, Race Face shines through in the attention to detail department.
On a more casual note, the Canuck hoody is a full-zip hoody of 70% cotton, 30% polyester and features a cool native-inspired print on the shoulder.
The Evolve glove features lightweight spandex and mesh back for superior breatheability. 2mm open cell foam on the palm adds comfort as well as a layer of protection in a crash. Rubberized Velcro wrist closure, silicone trigger fingers, and terry cloth thumb all add up to riding comfort.
Whether you're looking for protection on the trail or stylish post-ride comfort, Race Face has you covered. This is just a small sampling of the ride-inspired Race Face product line, so go try on something new at your local Race Face dealer!
For more info:
RaceFace.com
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what a dumb ass comment.
Wait until you get some nerve damage bro, and can't straighten your foot out. You can also crack bones, get metal shards stuck in your shins etc. Wait until you start getting dozens of staples. Then will you say it will be worth it not to wear shins.