Pinkbike Product Picks
Giro Chamber shoes
Giro's Chamber shoe has been designed as a gravity specific, SPD compatible model with more of an obvious skate inspired look than some other options out there. With many of the same features of a top level SPD shoe, minus the moon boot look, the Chamber combines a solid, stiff lower with a comfortable, snug fitting upper, all finished off with a dual density Vibram sole for traction. A foot retention system - Giro describes it as being an ''internal booty'' - helps to keep the shoes snug on your feet, while a Velcro strap over top of its laces allows for easy fit adjustments. The roomy toe box is lightly reinforced for protection, and an EVA insole adds a nice level of cushion. Available in black or white. Weight: 536 grams (size 42). MSRP: $140.00 USD www.giro.com
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Pinkbike's Take:
Gravity Anomaly Longhaul short
Colorado-based Gravity Anomaly is a rider-driven company the pulls design inspiration from old school American clothing and work-wear brands. Offering U.S. sewn shorts, jerseys and other apparel, Gravity Anomaly also tries to source fabrics domestically whenever possible. Designed around All-Mountain and Enduro riding, the Longhaul short features a 24.5″ outseam that sits just below the knees and fits easily fit over knee pads, and is constructed using military grade nylon outer with heavier nylon on the knees and seat for added durability. Internally, a polyester mesh liner is used for added breathability and comfort, while a shortened and gusseted crotch allows for easy maneuverability on the saddle. Low profile cargo side pockets and Velcro closed back pockets offer easily accessible storage, and a front closure with double snaps provides a secure fit. The waist is easily adjustable utilizing exterior Velcro waist adjustment system. All Gravity Anomaly clothing comes with a lifetime guarantee that covers construction and hardware. You can find Gravity Anomaly products on their website. The Longhaul short is available in olive and grey, and sizes small - extra large. MSRP: $85 USD. www.gravityanomaly.com
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Pinkbike's Take:
Kali Hasta gloves
Offering an array of protective gear that has you covered for everything from mountain biking to motocross to snow, Kali has created quite a buzz around many of their recent products.Their Hasta glove features a lightweight microfiber palm to provide a nice minimalist feel between the rider's hands and grips, and silicon fingertip prints give a bit of enhanced grip on brake levers. As found on most gloves out there, an absorbent thumb wipe makes wiping sweat or snot from your face quick and effective, while the breathable upper material wicks moisture from sweaty hands. Flex zones at knuckles allow for articulation despite the durable finger fabric. Available in black or grey/white, and sizes small - large. MSRP: $25 USD www.kaliprotectives.com
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Pinkbike's Take:
Giro's Chamber shoe has been designed as a gravity specific, SPD compatible model with more of an obvious skate inspired look than some other options out there. With many of the same features of a top level SPD shoe, minus the moon boot look, the Chamber combines a solid, stiff lower with a comfortable, snug fitting upper, all finished off with a dual density Vibram sole for traction. A foot retention system - Giro describes it as being an ''internal booty'' - helps to keep the shoes snug on your feet, while a Velcro strap over top of its laces allows for easy fit adjustments. The roomy toe box is lightly reinforced for protection, and an EVA insole adds a nice level of cushion. Available in black or white. Weight: 536 grams (size 42). MSRP: $140.00 USD www.giro.com
Our white coloured test shoes didn't stay white for long, but they still looked good. The dual-density Vibram rubber offers specific rubber where its needed most for pedal and terrain traction.
Pinkbike's Take:
 | After spending a significant amount of time on XC style shoes, mainly for performance and comfort reasons, we were excited to give the Chambers a go. We bolted on a set of Shimano cleats, and spent the large majority of the test period using the shoes with both traditional SPD pedals and the larger Trail models, with both combinations not giving us any issues. Despite its casual, skate style looks, the Chambers have a snug but comfortable fit that didn't allow our feet to shift inside of them, something that can't be said of true skate shoes. This is obviously going to vary depending on the width of your feet, but the Chambers seem to strike a good middle ground on this point. They felt a touch heavy for all-day epics, but we can't dock them points for that as they are intended to be used as a gravity shoe, and the sticky Vibram sole was appreciated any time we had to hike-a-bike up some sketchy line. Their shank isn't as stiff as a true XC shoe - it wasn't designed to be - so those portages were a bit more comfortable and heel-lift was less of an issue as the Chambers can bend slightly with your foot. After much time with them in the field we'd have to say that although Giro markets the Chamber as being a DH shoe, they perform equally as well under riders who are looking for something casual but still efficient and functional. - Jordan Carr |
Gravity Anomaly Longhaul short
Colorado-based Gravity Anomaly is a rider-driven company the pulls design inspiration from old school American clothing and work-wear brands. Offering U.S. sewn shorts, jerseys and other apparel, Gravity Anomaly also tries to source fabrics domestically whenever possible. Designed around All-Mountain and Enduro riding, the Longhaul short features a 24.5″ outseam that sits just below the knees and fits easily fit over knee pads, and is constructed using military grade nylon outer with heavier nylon on the knees and seat for added durability. Internally, a polyester mesh liner is used for added breathability and comfort, while a shortened and gusseted crotch allows for easy maneuverability on the saddle. Low profile cargo side pockets and Velcro closed back pockets offer easily accessible storage, and a front closure with double snaps provides a secure fit. The waist is easily adjustable utilizing exterior Velcro waist adjustment system. All Gravity Anomaly clothing comes with a lifetime guarantee that covers construction and hardware. You can find Gravity Anomaly products on their website. The Longhaul short is available in olive and grey, and sizes small - extra large. MSRP: $85 USD. www.gravityanomaly.com
(clockwise) Velcro waist straps allow for easy micro fit adjustments. Low profile, single snap cargo pockets provide an easily accessed stash location. A heavier duty nylon provides added durability on knees and seat. The 24.5" outseam Longhaul sits low on the knee, but the rest of the short is tailored nicely and was never an issue.
Pinkbike's Take:
| With so many brands manufacturing their clothing overseas, we appreciate one that is manufacturing reasonably priced products on-shore, and it's easily apparent that Gravity Anomaly is focused on quality. The long fitting Longhaul short sits very low on the knee while providing a surprisingly comfortable fit, and although we are not usually fans of overly long, baggy shorts, we found them to be nicely tailored and functional. A simple, utilitarian aesthetic gives the shorts a nice touch in a market filled with neon and large logos. We did find the shorts to be a bit heavy in really warm weather, though, but they were comfortable on most 70 degree days. Well placed pockets at first seemed to be a bit overkill, but we found ourselves using most pockets quite regularly. Riders looking for a bomber pair of longer shorts with a nicely tailored fit will really appreciate the these, but those who are making the transition from lycra to baggies may find them to be a bit excessive. - Jordan Carr |
Kali Hasta gloves
Offering an array of protective gear that has you covered for everything from mountain biking to motocross to snow, Kali has created quite a buzz around many of their recent products.Their Hasta glove features a lightweight microfiber palm to provide a nice minimalist feel between the rider's hands and grips, and silicon fingertip prints give a bit of enhanced grip on brake levers. As found on most gloves out there, an absorbent thumb wipe makes wiping sweat or snot from your face quick and effective, while the breathable upper material wicks moisture from sweaty hands. Flex zones at knuckles allow for articulation despite the durable finger fabric. Available in black or grey/white, and sizes small - large. MSRP: $25 USD www.kaliprotectives.com
With a minimalist palm, low profile cut, and durable materials, the Hasta glove fits well and offers great protection on the trail.
Pinkbike's Take:
| After spending some time in the Hasta glove we really appreciated Kali's attention to detail. The glove offers a great fit and more true to fit sizing than most gloves, meaning average hands fit a medium. We enjoyed the gloves minimalist fit and found them a bit more durable than other minimalist options on the market. On the bike, the knuckle protection added a nice touch when blasting through overgrown trails, although we could have used a bit more at times - these aren't the gloves if you're looking for a lot of protection. Velcro wrist closure was comfortable without being overly snug, and they stayed closed through any situation or climate. The silicon finger tips worked well with smartphones, something the Strava and Instagram addicts will appreciate. At $25 USD, the Kali Hasta glove is a nice minimalist option for riders looking for all day comfort paired with just enough protection for most trail days. - Jordan Carr |
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Member since Aug 7, 2013
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