MTB Apparel: What To Wear On The Trails

What To Wear Mountain Biking

Mountain Bike Clothing & Protection For XC, Trail & Enduro

Sure, you can wear any old t-shirt, tennis shoes, and gas station sunglasses on mountain bike rides. But this non-MTB-specific gear has its limits. The right mountain bike clothing and protection will ensure a comfortable—and safe—ride. In this article, we’ll cover what to wear when mountain biking, why it’s crucial to your kit, and our favorite pieces to outfit your ride:

Jerseys
Shorts
Pants
Rain Jackets
Windbreakers
Gloves
Shoes
Socks
Helmets
Goggles & Sunglasses
Other MTB Protection
Hydration Packs

A jersey made specifically for mountain biking is an essential piece of the MTB apparel equation. Whether it’s a long ride or a lunch lap, it’s important to keep your body temperature regulated. Plus, jerseys offer extra protection for variable conditions. Here are some attributes to look for in a mountain bike jersey:

Jerseys are usually made from breathable, moisture-wicking materials such as polyester, nylon, or a blend.
Some jerseys are designed to manage odor.
MTB jerseys generally have a relaxed and comfortable fit for a full range of movement, but they’re not so loose as to hang up on reaching branches.
Choose a short-sleeved or sleeveless jersey for hot summer rides. These lightweight, breathable shirts will keep you cool and comfortable.
Long-sleeve jerseys provide more coverage, protecting you from the sun, wind, and cold. If you’re going to be rolling through tight terrain with hanging branches, long-sleeved jerseys could be preferable because they will protect you from scratches and scrapes.
Choose a brightly colored or reflective jersey to improve your visibility on the trail or if your ride starts and ends with a little road riding where cars could be present.
Button down jerseys like our Women’s Short Sleeve and Men’s Long Sleeve options offer rugged trail protection in an I'm-also-here-for-happy-hour package.

Shop Women’s Mountain Bike Jerseys

Shop Men’s Mountain Bike Jerseys

Gearhead® Approved Jerseys

MTB-specific shorts cover a wide assortment of styles, ranging from skin-tight Spandex to baggy fits that extend beyond the knee. Choosing the right shorts comes down to personal preference: do you value a minimalist short to enhance efficiency or want more coverage for on-trail protection? Some baggy shorts include a liner with a padded chamois, while most Spandex options have an integrated chamois.

Baggies are loose-fitting and long, providing a great deal of coverage and protection from the sun, wind, and branches. These shorts have a casual look and pockets for carrying essentials such as phones, energy bars, or tools. The longer length also ensures that there’s no gap between the bottom of the shorts and the top of the rider’s knee pads. Check out our Men’s Empire Shorts & Women’s Empire Shorts for your next pair of baggies.
Above-the-knee mountain bike shorts feature a shorter inseam and typically prioritize efficiency rather than coverage. They might have fewer pockets, but they are perfect for high-mileage rides where freedom of movement is key. Check out our Slickrock shorts for a customizable fit. (Shop Men’s 9 inch or 11 inch shorts)(Shop Women’s 7 inch or 9 inch shorts)
Lycra shorts are form-fitting for riders who want to minimize wind resistance and improve their speed while riding. Commonly referred to as bib shorts, this style is popular for cross-country racing.
If you anticipate mud, slime, and water rooster-tailing off your back wheel, grab a pair of waterproof shorts to keep your behind dry.

Shop Women’s MTB Shorts

Shop Men’s MTB Shorts

The chamois itself is the padding that provides cushioning between you and your seat. Chamois reduce friction between you and your saddle to prevent soreness, absorb shock to limit discomfort, and wick away moisture to prevent chafing. The chamois pad can be found in many different forms of garments, listed below.

Liner shorts are very common for trail riding. They are essentially compression shorts that wick sweat and include an integrated chamois for padding between your butt and the seat.
Bib shorts are popular because they help keep the padded chamois in place over long rides thanks to integrated bib straps. Bib shorts often feature drop-in rear pockets, which are handy for storing windbreakers and nutrition.

Women’s Liners, Tights & Bibs

Men’s Liners, Knickers & Bibs

If you desire more protection than shorts can provide, invest in a pair of mountain biking pants. Most MTB-specific pants will have well-placed pockets for riding and pair well with liner shorts and bib shorts if you still want a padded chamois.

Riders often choose pants for riding in cooler conditions.
Pants are also popular for bike park, enduro, and gravity riding because they offer enhanced coverage.
Expecting puddles, stream crossings, or mud? Waterproof MTB pants could be the best option for you. These pants are excellent for spring or fall riding. Check out our Men’s Slickrock Bike Pants & Women’s Slickrock Bike Pants.

Shop Women’s MTB Pants

Shop Men’s MTB Pants

Gearhead® Approved Bottoms

Everyone gets caught in the rain at some point, and a good rain jacket makes a huge difference when that time comes. While we don’t condone riding on muddy trails, some environments are conducive to riding in active precipitation. MTB-specific rain jackets host a slew of features that make them ideal for those of us who are bike-minded.

Most mountain biking rain jackets have a helmet-compatible hood big enough to fit over your helmet without inhibiting peripheral vision.
MTB rain jackets are made from waterproof and breathable materials to keep you dry even with high-output riding.
Mountain biking rain jackets typically have secure fitting cuffs that utilize elastic or hook and loop straps to keep your sleeves from interfering with your handlebars.
Some jackets have a long tail to keep your butt dry from tire spray.
Most jackets are made from durable fabric to resist branches or abrasion caused by the occasional tumble.
The best MTB-specific rain jackets pack into their own pocket so that they can easily be stored inside a hip pack or backpack or even strapped to a frame. Check out our Runoff 2.5L Rain Jacket.

Shop Women’s Rain Jackets

Shop Men’s Rain Jackets

Our Gearheads all agree that windbreakers are an indispensable piece of gear, and we take them on 99% of rides. MTB-specific windbreakers will improve your riding experience in a few notable ways.

Wind-resistant fabric protects you from chilly air. This can be particularly helpful when you’ve got an evening descent after a big climb. Your sweat and the evening air can be a cold combo.
Because windbreakers breathe while also blocking wind, they help regulate body temperature, so you stay comfortable throughout the ride.
Most windbreakers are super light and packable, so they can disappear into your saddle bag, bib shorts pocket, or even into frame storage on certain bikes. This is another reason to never leave them at home. The best windbreakers zip into their own pocket for storage. Check out the Men's MTN Air Jacket & Women's MTN Air Jacket for the perfect self-stowing windbreaker.

Shop Women’s Windbreakers

Shop Men’s Windbreakers

Gloves give you a better grip on the handlebars and protect your hands. To choose your ideal pair of gloves, keep these features in mind.

Mountain biking gloves are padded to absorb shock and reduce vibrations, preventing blisters and hand fatigue.
Enduro gloves are often highly armored on the back of the hand for added protection.
MTB gloves use a grippy material that facilitates good purchase on the handlebars even in wet conditions.
Some riders prefer the protection and warmth of full-finger gloves, while others prefer the breathability of half-finger gloves.

Shop MTB Gloves

Mountain bike shoes protect your feet, stay connected to the pedal, and aid in power transfer. To choose the right pair for your bike and riding style, keep these things in mind.

Mountain biking shoes for flat pedals will have a sticky rubber sole to grip the pins that stick out of flat pedals. The soles will be stiff enough to offer good power transfer but soft enough to conform to the shape of the pedals.
Mountain biking shoes for clipless pedals also have a stiff sole for power transfer but are not necessarily flat-bottomed or grippy. This style is preferred by cross country riders who spend a lot of time pedaling. If you’re mainly downhill biking or frequently stopping, shoes for clipless pedals will become cumbersome and even hazardous.
Burlier MTB shoes have reinforced toe caps and ankle padding for protection.
Shoe closure is an important detail. Standard laces can cut down on cost, but they can also get caught in your drivetrain. If you choose shoes with standard laces, pick a pair with lace covers or loops. BOA and Speedlace closure systems allow you to adjust the fit of your shoe quickly as you ride with no threat of negative drivetrain interactions.

Shop MTB Shoes

Need Some Info About Pedals, Too?

Watch Our Flats Vs. Clips MTB Pedals Video

So far, we’ve never met someone who rides sans socks. While your six pack from a big box store would suffice, MTB socks offer added sport-specific benefits.

Taller socks protect your shins from whipping willows, pedal impacts, and the sun.
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with short socks—they’ll help you stay cool.
Most MTB socks are made from moisture-wicking materials such as polyester, nylon, merino wool, or some sort of blend. Socks with a higher merino content won't get that funky smell as quickly as synthetic socks.
Compression socks help maintain consistent blood flow as your heart rate rises and drops and your legs spin away.

Shop Bike Socks

Mountain biking is obviously super fun, but it can be dangerous and unpredictable, too. That’s why donning your MTB armor before the ride is crucial. A helmet is the most important—and totally mandatory—piece of protective equipment that you should wear while mountain biking.

Your helmet protects your head from collisions or falls.
A helmet should fit well and meet safety standards.
The safest helmets use Mips technology to disperse impact across the circumference of the shell instead of into your skull.
Most riders use half shell helmets, which protect the top, back, and sides of the head from impacts. These helmets are light and well-ventilated.

Shop MTB Helmets

Goggles and sunglasses protect your eyes from more than just the sun. Dust and debris can be kicked up while riding, and you don’t want it inhibiting your vision. Eyewear can also protect your eyes from trailside branches. Our Gearheads love large sunglasses such as the Smith Wildcat (or the Smith Bobcat for smaller faces) because they have excellent coverage and breathe better than goggles, making them appropriate for both climbing and descending. Goggles are usually reserved for bike park and enduro riding because they fit securely and protect your eyes from dust especially well.

Shop Sunglasses & Goggles

While helmets and eyewear are necessary pieces of gear, other items may only be needed for downhill or enduro riding.

Knee and elbow pads protect your joints in case of a fall. With a hard shell on the outside and padding on the inside, they absorb impact to prevent injuries to vulnerable parts of the body.
For more aggressive mountain biking such as enduro and downhill riding, body armor may be needed. Chest protectors, back protectors, and full-body suits are all types of body armor.

Gearhead® Approved Picks
Helmets & Protection

For all-day journeys or bike pack laps where refilling is inconvenient, some riders bring a hydration pack along for the ride.

Hydration packs come in plenty of volumes. 2L options are perfect if you only need to carry a bit of water and your phone, wallet, and keys. 10–15L packs are ideal if you’re also carrying lunch, larger layers, and other extra weight.
Hip packs are popular for mountain biking because they add weight close to your center of mass. This keeps your ride feeling natural, and you don’t have to worry about an overstuffed pack affecting your balance. They also allow plenty of airflow to keep you cool on hot days.
Backpacks can carry more volume than hip packs, but they also trap more heat and can leave you extra sweaty at the end of a hot ride.

Shop Hydration Packs

Informative Links

Check out our selection of Mountain Bikes
Take a look at our MTB Apparel line—Built by Backcountry
Read our Guide For Choosing A Mountain Bike for tips on builds, ride styles, and more to help you find a new bike
Shop the 2024 Mountain Bike Guide, which features more gear & apparel to enhance trail and enduro adventures
Watch our Outervention series on YouTube to get stoked on riding
Head over to the Competitive Cyclist YouTube channel for tech tips & more
Interested in other forms of biking? Check out our Bike Buying Guide

FAQ

Q: What should you wear mountain biking?
A: Here’s the basic uniform for mountain biking:

Q: Why do mountain bikers wear long sleeves?
A: Sleeves offer increased coverage for protection from the elements, including harmful UV rays from the sun. They also offer enhanced protection from trailside vegetation and the occasional tumble.

Q: Do most mountain bikers wear padded shorts?
A: Yes, most mountain bikers wear bib shorts or liner shorts with an integrated chamois pad under their baggy shorts. Some cross-country riders wear bib shorts on their own, without another pair of shorts on top.

Q: Why are mountain biking shorts baggy?
A: Baggy shorts allow excellent mobility and provide space underneath for padded liner shorts with a chamois as well as knee pads. Not all MTB shorts are baggy, but some baggy shorts are also long enough to ensure there’s no gap of exposed skin between the top of the knee pad and the bottom of the shorts.

Q: How should I dress for cold-weather mountain biking?
A: Mountain bike pants are the best way to keep your legs warm because they offer increased coverage and are made with wind- and water-resistant materials. A windbreaker or rain jacket is the best way to keep your upper body warm, in combination with a mountain biking jersey that will wick sweat. Mountain biking gloves are also great for retaining body warmth without compromising breathability.

Q: Do you wear chamois under MTB shorts?
A: In most cases, yes. A chamois is the padded layer that’s built into liner shorts or bib shorts, both of which can be worn under MTB shorts. Cross-country riders often wear bib shorts without additional shorts on top to prioritize efficiency.