What kit do I need to start mountain biking- clothing and protection

Well, 2020 has been weird but if anything good is to come out of it there are more people getting out and finding the love of cycling. When you start out on the trails. There can be a lot of taking in. One of the most asked questions I get is what kit do I need. So I thought today I would talk about my favourite items of kit. These are the ones I use and wear day in and day out. I will try to find a photo of my kit but if not they will be stock photos. This will be mountain bike focused. I love seeing so many new faces on the trails but I would love to see everyone with the right safety gear. As fun as mountain biking is it can be a dangerous sport and when you are learning and well let's face it when you progress you will fall off and being safe on a bike is so important. We don't want you injured. So this will feature gear you should have before hitting the trails. 

If you want full reviews of any of these items do let me know in the comments or find me on Instagram. I can also do my downhill kit if you would like too but today we are talking normal trail days. 

Protection

A good helmet. 

for my everyday Trail helmet, I wear MET Roam Helmet - Dirty White Gray Pink / Matt. This is a MIPS helmet meaning it has the best protection for your head! I have a very small head some might call me a pea head. I have this in the smallest size. I really like this helmet. It fits really well and is crammed packed with all the safety features you need whilst out on the trails. I had to buy this not that long ago after I fully tested my last helmet with a big crash. Please if you are out on the trail you need a good helmet you only have one head and it is worth protecting. So before jumping on your bike pop that helmet on!

Knee pads 

I have bought my favourite pair of Raceface Roam Knee pads over and over again. They have saved my knee's on countless times. They might be a bit on the bulky side but they are comfy to wear and when you are pedalling you don't even know you are wearing them. I love that theses wrap round. Meaning you do not have to take your shoes off to put them on. This makes changing so much quicker. 

Glasses. 

This one might seem strange but clear lens glasses are a must where I live. Unless you want to be picking bits of mud and grit out of your eyes. I have a pair of Oakley glasses these are very spendy. I have also bought cheap safety glasses from eBay they work a charm too. I always have these in my van as spare in case someone needs a pair. Honesty you will thank me once you go through you first big muddy puddle and get no dirt in you eye. I have had a couple crashes when I was a beginner due to mud in the eye as it just stops you dead. 

Underwear. 

I wear a good sports bra my favourite at the moment is the fashion Nova  Hype Sports Bra In Infinity Seamless - Black, This is a dupe of a Lulu Lemon bra. It is comfy to wear but keep you in check if you know what I mean. I have a big chest so I need support on the trails. No jiggle thank you. 

Next up padded short. 

There are a few options for you here. I am in the 3/4 length camp. These save me from bruises on my legs. My favourites are Madison Keirin women's 3/4 shorts, I also like funkier and DHB. But if I was to choose I would choose madison, They are comfy when on and off the bike to wear. If you are doing any long rides you will need padding. To be honest I wear padding on every ride it is a must for me. 

Socks. 

This one is personal preference. I like longer socks. The longer the sock the less room for brusing. I Like Fox racing and I have quite a few cheap pair from Planet x. For waterproof socks which are a must in winter Dexshell and Sealskinz. Top tip if like me you suffer from cold feet and toes in waterproof socks. Buy some really warm running socks that come to your ankle and put these on under your waterproof socks. This has been a revelation for me. 

Shorts and Jerseys

Biking shorts are design for wearing on your bike. I have so many pairs it would be a bit insane to list my favourites. but If you are on a budget I would recommend Scott from start fitness. I have quite a few of these short they are really good quality and very affordable from Start fitness. 

Jerseys again there are so many to choose from But I try Scott. The some of brands I like are Endura,  Fox racing, Scott and Gore. There really are so many available. I would recommend a jersey designed for biking as they have all the features you will be looking for. 

A good jacket or two 

If like me you are in Britain you will need a good waterproof. I have had the same Endura jacket for a few years I love it is has been such a fantastic waterproof jacket. I have the older version of Endura Women's SingleTrack Jacket. I swear by this jacket. If it can handle a Scottish hoolie it can handle everything. I also have a Dirtlej Dirtsuit but that is a more pricey waterproof option. 

I would also recommend a windproof jacket. One of my favourites is one from Scott I got for £20 off start fitness. It can get cold on the trails so a good windproof packable jacket is worth the cost. 

Gloves

You will not find me on my bike without gloves on. These are necessary for gripping the handlebars and also keeping your hands warm. I have so many different types of gloves but today we will focus on the ones I wear the most. fox racing women's defend gloves. The  TPU plating on the top of the glove has saved me a couple times when I have punched a few trees. This was of course by mistake on purpose ha. They have a bit of a shock-absorbing quality to them. I have used these for years and will continue to buy them as I think they are fantastic. 

Shoes. 

What shoes you buy will depend on what type of pedals you use. I am a Hope flat pedal woman. I wear FiveTens I find these really grippy and I like a sold sole on my MTB shoes I find this gives me the best support on my bike. I have in the past used Shimano Flat pedal shoes and liked them. There really is a big difference when you wear proper biking shoes on your bike. They are not only designed to keep you on the bike longer but to prevent any injuries. 

Buff/ Neck tubes

This is not only to keep warm but its 2020/2021 so these double as facemasks.I have a couple of the original Buff ones and Hope Technology x Endura  ones. So following on from the peahead revelation. Children's buffs fit me better. Just something to keep in mind. Not only can neck tubes be used as neck warmers but they have what seems like an endless amounts of uses from head bands to hats you can use it your way.  

So this is my list of must-have biking kit for the beginner. I hope you have enjoyed my little post and I hope to see you here again soon.

Christmas gift guide for mountain bikers

 It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. I know a cheesy start but it is. Christmas is always the time of festive cheer,  but if you are like me you spend half your time trying to find people the perfect gift. The mountain biker can be tough to buy for, especially if you are a non-mtber. But even for us mountain biker, it can be difficult to find gifts that your recipient don't already have or that is from a smaller brand. This is the year to support independent brands. So there will be some in this guide. Anyways let's get to the gift guide I hope this helps you find some lovely gifts for your loved ones or yourself. Some of these items I haven't tried myself but have been recommended to me and are one my list. So let's get to the gift ideas. 

Bigger items 

Clothing 

This is the dirtlej pro dirtsuit I actually got this for Christmas last year.  You can check out my full review . But in short, I love this suit. When the weather has turned to winter and you want to be out on the bike,  this is your best friend. I have ridden in everything from a storm to snow in this and stayed dry. I love this suit.

I have heard good things about the Pinned Attire Mono Trail Pants. I love the black colour and they are a small British brand. But wait I forgot the best part the profits from sales goes to the air ambulance. Yes, you read that right. You are buying an awesome bit of kit and helping an awesome charity. It's a win-win this Christmas. They stock a range of items so head on over and do some guilt-free Christmas shopping. 

What pinned Attire says
"This is the new long-awaited Pinned trail pant. This flexible lightweight super comfy trail pant is a must-have as a do it all pant! Quick-drying, 2 pockets and a rad chrome finish.Fitted lower leg with a stretch panel to eliminate getting tangled up in the drive-train. Waist ratchet system and zipper to give a perfectly secure fit."

Bike wash 

This is the Mobi V-15 Portable Bike Pressure Washer. I have an older version of this and it is amazing for the van conversion. We use it to clean bikes and as a shower. I will be writing a full post on this soon. but defo one for the Christmas list. 

What the brand says

"With its variable pressure output - from 45.5psi to 130.5psi - this portable pressure washer will clean everything from your dog to your bike and anything in-between. Extremely portable and versatile, it's ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. Plus, its 15-litre capacity ensures you'll be able to tackle the job at hand.
Light and Quiet Operation. Irrespective of water pressure, the Mobi V-15 model remains quiet when in operation. At only 5 kilograms for a 15-litre capacity, it's lighter than its rivals in the UK market.
Portable and Mains Powered. Suitable for use at home or on the go, it can be plugged into a 12V vehicle power outlet for convenient use"

Hope Technology 

I would be doing an injustice if I didn't mention Hope Technology. Full discloser I am a Hope ambassador. But I have also been a Hope lover for many years. I actually got my first set of Hope Tech E4 brakes for a birthday a few years ago. I credit them to changing my riding for the better I am not exaggerating. Hope product just hit differently. I fully recommend if you are going to buy one big item from Hope to start your love affair with you need their brakes. They are ride changing. I will write a full post on these brakes. Hope also has a collaboration with endura if you need kit it is insane. 

Smaller items 

Mudguard

A mudhugger these are fantastic mudguards for your bike. Mudhugger does a huge range of options in mudguards and accessories. I have had these on the previous bikes. I like that these are customisable too.  You can buy decals for your mudhugger. They have won numerous awards and they really are awesome for this time of year. Another awesome British brand. 

Bike protection

Rimpact is also known as the things that save your wheels. I have tyre inserts in all my bikes they are worth there money ten times over. Especially with the type of riding I do. I would not be without tyre inserts. 

What the brand says

"There is more to a good tyre insert than meets the eye. We learned this the hard way, buying some off the shelf foam, shaping it and proceeding to wreck our wheels. We've tested prototypes, learned, redesigned and tested again. And again. And again. The result is two high-performance products that are unique in providing an improvement in performance without any of the drawbacks tyre inserts from other brands cause"

Clothes and googles.

Wheel and Rock have lots of awesome gift options from these Womans contour MTB jersey in berry. Click the link for my full review of this jersey that they sent me. I can't believe I forgot to sort the peak of my helmet in these photos. Full discloser I store my glasses in my helmet when I'm climbing. A fantastic British brand with a huge range of options for the MTBer in you life. 

What the brand says
"Sustaninable + Ethical apparel + prints inspired by life's greatest adventures. Wheel + Rock brings you an exciting new range of products inspired by the best adventures - mountain biking, trail running, hiking, road cycling and much more!"

Waterproof socks. These make the best gift. I do not know a mountain biker that doesn't have waterproof socks. You need them These are by Dexshell. They are fun and practical. Plus they do these cool designs they also do more plain ones so there is something for everyone, 

What the brand says
"It’s official! We’re now market leaders, with our technically advanced, reliable and proven Element Repellent range of socks, hats and gloves. Recently tested against leading rivals, our products came out 30% more efficient on overall performance. They can effectively defy the cold, the wet, the dry as well as the heat. They protect as reliably as they perform, they are proven to be the best in the market and we intend to keep them there!"

Every biker needs some goggle and these are Melon. I haven't tried these ones myself but one of my best friends loves them. He swears by them and that recommendation is good enough for me. This is another small brand. I love that with melon you are in full control of your goggles. Everything is customisable. From the frame to the strap and lens you are in charge of your perfect goggles. meaning you can match them to any helmet. 

What the brand says

"Melon is an independent brand made up of hard-working, shred loving, outside of the box kind of people.

We truly love the products we make and the brand we build. We can’t get enough of the sports we craft our products to perform in, and we cheer a beer to anyone who makes the choice to rock our eyewear for their adventures. Based wherever we feel is right for our soul, we collaborate remotely and use our many friends across the world to help us in testing and approving our performance products before they reach your face. Join us in seeing things differently, and take creative control of your eyewear."

Phone and GoPro accessories

Using a GoPro is becoming commonplace. So with this, you need to mount it somehow to yourself of your bike. Enter Snap mounts for your GoPro. These are gaining popularity in the MTB community. They look super clever and an interesting way to mount your GoPro instead of the normal harness. 

What the brand says 

"The versatile, two part magnetic GoPro action camera mount that allows you to mount your GoPro and DJI Osmo Action to any material less than 1/4″ as well as most metallic surfaces. Compatible with GoPro Hero 9 also the GoPro Hero 3/4/5/6/7/8 and Session 4/5. Two part, magnetic compression design allows for quick and easy attachment to shirts, jackets, backpacks, windows or any ferrous metal surface."

Next up a recommendation from my other half. Quad lock phone cases. My husband has had this for ages and swears by it. It uses it on his bike and in the car for mounting his phone. He uses it more on his road bike and Zwift than on his MTB but this does look really good. The case it really protective too. 

What the brand says

"Quad Lock® is the strongest and most secure mounting system in the UK that integrates your smartphone into an active lifestyle. The unique approach of integrating the mounting interface into a slim and durable everyday case allows the Quad Lock® mounts to be much smaller than any other mount on the market."

Fitness

Something that has changed my riding for the better was joining Zwift. I have been on Zwift for quite some time. I credit this to my bike fitness. If you dont know what Zwift is about click the link above. It is basically an online road biking app. But it is so much more than that. It is where my fitness and my weight loss has come from. Zwift its self is not expensive £14.99 a month but you do need quite a bit of equipment so I have put it in this section. 

What the brand says

"Zwift blends the fun of video games with the intensity of serious training,

helping you get faster. Level up in the virtual worlds of Zwift with a community

that motivates you every minute. Choose from training plans, group rides,

races, and more. You’ll get fitter and stronger. Discover the world of Zwift today."

Trail dog

I would be doing an injustice if I didn't mention The trail dogs right? Here we have a fantastic Scottish brand.  Bark and Ride they Based not too far away from me in Aviemore. I am that person who always buys my dogs Christmas presents. I judge you if you dont if I am honest. If you are looking to treat that faithful trail companion why not take a look at Bark and rides products. They have everything from this warm and cosy jacket to leads and harness to gifts for the humans too. They stock candles to T-shirts. I am pretty sure you will find a gift there and support a little British brand. Win. 

What the brand says. 

"BARK + RIDE “adventures are for sharing”

BARK + RIDE IS AN OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE BRAND FOR ACTIVE PEOPLE AND THEIR DOGS. WE PROVIDE INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS TO INSPIRE FELLOW OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS TO GET OUT THERE AND SHARE THEIR ADVENTURES WITH THEIR K9 COMPANIONS."

Multitool

This is our favourite multitool Topeak Mini 20 Pro Bike Multitool - Gold. This has everything you need on it for hitting the trails. A must for every rider. 

What the brand says 

"Professional quality, one piece, light weight folding tool offering hardened steel tools with 20 functions. A forged aluminium body resists torque. 

Tools Include : 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10mm Allen keys, T25 Torx wrench 

Tools include : Hard-anodised alloy tyre lever, Spoke wrenches (15g/14g/Mavic M7/Shimano compatible), Phillips & flathead screwdrivers and Steel bottle opener with spoke holder 

Chain tool - compatible with all chains except Campagnolo 11 speed hollow pin chains. Includes Chain Hook. 

Includes self-tightening tool and a neoprene bag. The perfect tool for endurance racing, training and touring"

Stocking fillers.

Ducks

Well, isn't this the cutest little thing! This is a bike duck. I have to say I had never heard of these but apparently, they have a bit of cult following. I would like to thank the admins of a woman's MTB group I am part of for this entry. To be honestly they helped a lot with this guide. So thank you, lovely ladies. But how friking adorable is this little fellow. No more lonely solo spins when you have your Bike duck. They come in a range of styles and they are lights and bell and under £4. I mean how can you not order one? 

Books 

Bikepacking: Mountain Bike Camping Adventures on the Wild Trails of Britain (Mountain Bike Adventures) This book is for the adventurer who wants to hit the trails bike packing. This has come highly recommended to me. You just need to talk a look at the reviews on amazon to know this is a winner. 

Tough Women Adventure Stories: Stories of Grit, Courage and Determination

I have this book sat beside me to read and it looks incredible. Making it the perfect gift. 

What the author says
It’s time we celebrated women in adventure

"What does "toughness" mean to you? Perhaps it’s being physically fit and mentally resilient. Perhaps it’s doing something no one else has done before. Perhaps it’s breaking down boundaries and proving what you can do, in spite of the naysayers. Perhaps it’s travelling alone, immersing yourself in new cultures and meeting new people. Perhaps it’s running ultramarathons in the blistering heat and beating the competition. Perhaps it’s conquering your fears.

The badass adventurers in this collection are all fearless, intelligent, compassionate and curious about the world – and they all happen to be female. From endurance obstacle races to arctic expeditions, from mountain climbing to wingsuit flying, from horse trekking to swimming the English Channel, they have set the bar high for what women are capable of. Let yourself be inspired by their stories of grit, courage, determination, triumph and heartbreak – you never know, it might lead to something incredible!"

The little helpful bits you don't think about.

These are hands down the best tyre Levers they are the Pedros Pink Tyre Levers (Pair). You can get other colours If pink is not your style. What I will say is the pink ones are the cheapest. These clip together you don't lose them and you can fit them in your pocket or bag. 

What the brand says
"Ergonomic shape is easier to remove tyres rather than standard levers. Made from strong, durable plastic, that won't bend and break. Ideal for difficult tight-fitting tyres"

Next up we have Spokey Pro . This is the best spoke wrench we have ever owned. I have managed to find these in a UK store for you as we have actually ordered them from the USA. 

What the brand says

"Professional standard spoke wrench in a classic design.
Comfortable to use with its large round shape.
Brightly coloured and easy to find in your tool box.
Two alloy inserts grip the maximum surface area on all four sides of the nipples surface.
Perfect for use with alloy and coloured nipples.
Fits US and Euro spoke sizes (3.25mm)."

Trail snacks

One of my include sweets is Candy Kittens I love them they do a wide range of flavours and gift options. Some of there products are Vegan too. So if you are vegan they are for you. These are super tasty sweet treats to push you around the trails. 

More on the healthy side why not get some really good quality trail snacks. Like these Stoats Hazelnut & White Chocolate Porridge Oat Bars. Stoats are a nice little British brand who offer fantastic oat bars in a range of flavours. Come on food puts a smile on most riders faces so Why not buy them their favourite snack as a thoughtful gift. 

I hope you have enjoyed this little gift guide. I hope you have found some interesting gifts for the mountain biker in your life. I tried to ver away from the big brands and showcase some amazing smaller ones. This year is the year to support the smaller brand in the industry. I am not saying to forgo your favourite brands but what not include a couple of gift from smaller brands. 

Happy Christmas 

How to work with a fitness blogger

The term fitness blogger gets branded about a lot and It can be used to describe me I guess. It is one of those terms I feel a bit weird about. I am not the average fitness blogger. My fitness journey is unlike most peoples. To put it simply I am a bit different. When I was in my later teens and early twenties I was a UK size 22-24. It took quite a reality check to realised I needed to do something to change my unhealthy habits. I was young I drank too much I ate too much and I didn't move much. I will always be honest with you all and I hope that is the type of relationship you expect from me. I will not sugar coat my life to fit in and I do not want too. 

I remember the day it all changed for me. I was an actress at the time and I was being fitted for my costume which was a size 22. I could not fit in it. That was the day I decided to change my life. I managed to lose 7 and a half stone. From then to now my size has fluctuated from a size 12 to a size 8 which I am now. When I met my husband we discovered a love for mountain bike and this is what I credit with my fitness revolution. 

I found a real love of hitting the trails and the freedom a bike gives me. I soon realised as my skill grew so much my fitness as I wanted to progress further. All my fitness goal has mountain biking at the heart of it. So when I am described as a fitness blogger I still dont really think of myself as one. But yes I workout I keep fit and I am in the best shape of my life. Being able to take you all along with has been fun and to be honest, I have a lot of you to thank for my journey. Without you all, I would not be where I am right now writing this. You are my backbone and you are what has gotten me this far. So thank you. Without you I would not have been able to turn this in to my job. Let alone make a living out of it. 

I get asked a lot how can a brand work with me a blogger or a fitness blogger if you like.  I want to share with you how brands can do this and also I want to share with you my top 5 fitness influencers. The people I love to follow and who motivate me every day.  

How I make money from blogging. 

Sponsored posts 

This is where you (the brand) contacts me and you want me to work with me. This can vary from you want me to review an item to a post that includes your brand.   But this post would be all about you and your brand or the item. I always agree that I will write an honest review so the good and bad about it. I am very open with you the brand that I will be honest with my followers. So the good the bad and the ugly. 

Another way of finding sponsored posts is through market places set up for bloggers to find work and for brands to find bloggers. Today's post is with one such market place Get Blogged. I have worked with them on my main site quite a few times. This is an easy way for UK fitness bloggers to find easy sponsored post opportunities and you the brands find bloggers to fill there needs quickly and with no hassle. As a brand, you just need to contact Get Blogged and they will do all the hard work of finding us the best bloggers for you to work with. 

I love working with Get Blogged as their assessments are always really straight forward to do. All the requirements are set out in an easy to understand way and you make money whilst writing about things you actually care about. 

Gifted collaboration 

This is where you contact me about a gifted collaboration where I will fully review your items. This works in items in exchange for content. When deciding to work this way I always weigh up if it is worth it. Unfortunately, some Influencer has badly abused this and given us bloggers a bad rep. When you first get into blogging you get very excited for the "free stuff" These items are not for free. 

I have to spend my time photographing them and writing about them and that is before you actually promote the post you have written. I do not want to sound at all ungrateful because that is not what I am saying at all But you have to match the time to the item. Is it worth spending 10-15 hours on an item that is worth £1.99? That old saying time is money works here. Do not get me wrong I have still to this day accepted low-value items I love in exchange for a post. But what I am saying is your time is valuable and so are you. You are not doing the brand a favour they want to work with you or they would not have contacted you. 

Guest posts 

These are posts that you the brand will write for my you. I do not have to write this. So this cost the brands less money. I always ask for editorial control of these and final say. I want to remain me and I do not want a brand saying something on your site you do not agree with. 

My top fitness influencers

Now you know how I personally work. I want to share my top 5 fitness bloggers UK with you. These people may not even accept brand deals but they are my favourite people to watch that inspires me. 

Mountain bikers

Photo credit Redbull

Tahnee Seagrave 

One kick-ass woman mountain biker who has won so many races I don't have time to list them. Tahnee has been plagued with a few injuries lately. She comes back stronger and fights harder with every injury she has endured. She always comes across as relatable, and I think 2021 we will see her back on top form. 

Photo credit Nevis range 

Mikayla Parton

A newcomer to the Elite women downhill mountain biking scene. This girl is one to watch and then some. I know I am slightly biased as she is from Fort William but this woman's skills are insane. Not only that but she is an all-round nice girl. I think we all held our breath during that huge crash last year and We all celebrated with her when she smashed an amazing fifth place at the UCI MTB World Championships. 

Fitness

Lucy Mecklenburgh

I have followed Lucy for years. I once did a youtube series following her Results with Lucy workout programs. They have recently rebranded as Results Wellness Lifestyle. I love how real she is about fitness and nutrition and her workout was always fun. I used them to get fit for my wedding. I think I might need to do them again. 

Image credit 

Results with cecilia

Also known as Cecilia Harris one of the founding personal trainers and co-owners from Results with Lucy. She is everything you want in a trainer she is fun, dedicated and not afraid to kick your ass. Did I mention this woman is 49. She looks in her 20's I think she has found the fountain of youth. 

mel.harrison.fitness
If you are looking for motivation and inspiration then Mel is your girl. Not only does she look insane but she works hard and achieves results. She is a personal trainer and in my opinion motivator. She has come a long way just like me and I find this super relatable. 

I hope you have enjoyed this post and you have found some helpful information and maybe a couple new Instagram accounts to go check out. 

Wheel and Rock's New MTB Jersey

Today we have a nice wee review post for you all. As you may have guessed I own a lot of mountain biking gear. I have been biking quite a few years now and I have seen the evolution of women's mountain biking clothing. I think I can say for all of us thank god there is finally a lot more choice in the woman's kit arena. I am super fussy when it come to kit and I hold kit to a very high standard. 

I was very kindly sent a new MTB jersey to put to the test for you all. I have followed Wheel and Rock since nearly the start of this amazing brand. They are a fantastic company which are sustainable, ethical and just all round good brand. They are a brand for bikers by bikers.  Their designs are inspired by big adventures and are based in the lake district. They stock mountain biking jersey for him, her and kids. On the kid size they stock from a size 3-4 for all your mini shredders. Which is awesome. I have a couple friends with little ones and I love to buy them biking kid but small sizes are so hard to find.  Sorry for the side note there they also have framed prints, they have apparel hoodies, T shirts and beanies. They have a great array of stock for a new brand. 

You need to go check them out yourself. Especially if you need Christmas gift for the adventurer in your household. Dame if you need christmas presents for yourself. just pop on over and see for yourself. 

Right without further ado I received the WOMENS Contour MTB Jersey - Berry in size SX currently on sale for £40. This jersey come in four colours The berry which is what I have. Then there are The 2020, ocean, and sunset. 

I am a size 8 but I have a large chest. I am and hourglass shape. I always like to tell you about me before I get into the review. So if you are looking to order this gives you a gage to work with. 

First I am going to have to mention the colours I feel like this was made with me in mind. I am definitely a woman biker who like a bit of pink and purple. I love the vibrance color and the gradient effect pattern on the jersey. The Contour MTB jersey is made with a moisture wicking material and is very breathable. It has a mesh side panel for extra breathability. I would put this is the mid level of material its not to light and not to thick. It is in my opinion just right. You would be fine on a hot day but equally you can add layer no problem and you still feel nice and comfortable. 

As you can see from the photos I have put this jersey to the test. I have actually worn it a few times now. It is such a nice jersey. It is a nice slim fit but you can move around the bike with easy with this on. I also really like the length of this. It hits at the right level. I normally wear my jersey out but you can equally tuck it in and it doesn't bunch up and give you a pouch. If you know you know. I also love the little quote on the side united by adventure. If you are reading this, This quote is made for you and me. 

I could not recommend the Contour MTB Jersey enough but if you need any more convincing it is made from 6 recycled plastic bottle. No new plastic is used in the making of these jerseys. I feel like we all need to start to look closer to home for our cycling kit and to be honestly with kit like this there is no need to look further afield. 

I hope you have enjoyed this review I look forward to doing more for you all.