What To Wear Mountain Biking (Without Overthinking It!)
When I first started mountain biking, I definitely didn’t look the part. I showed up in soccer shorts, ankle socks, and old running shoes. But did that stop me from having a blast? Not one bit. If that’s where you’re at, awesome. Ride on.
That said, once I started taking on rowdier trails (or what felt rowdy to me at the time), I realized it was time to level up my mountain biker look for comfort, protection, and let’s be honest, a little trail cred.
Since then, I’ve slowly dialed in my mountain biking wardrobe. It’s still evolving as I try new gear, discover better fits, and figure out what actually works for the kind of riding I do most.
In this post, I walk you through what to wear mountain biking from helmets to shoes and everything in between so you can ride more comfortably, more confidently, and yeah… maybe even look the part too.
🪖 A Helmet (Non-Negotiable)
A good helmet is the one thing you never want to ride without. Promise me you won’t hit the trails without a helmet, okay? Thanks.
Here’s what to look for in a mountain bike helmet:
👉 My pick: Giro Manifest
It’s not the cheapest mountain bike helmet on the market, but I’ve been wearing the Giro Manifest for many seasons. It’s comfortable, lightweight, and has great ventilation. Backcountry usually has pretty good end-of-the-year sales on their Giro Manifests.
When to replace your helmet: I replace mine every few years or after a solid crash (even if it looks fine). The foam can degrade over time, and I’d rather not take any chances when it comes to head injuries.
👚 Mountain Bike Jersey
When I first started riding, I wore whatever athletic top I had lying around, usually a synthetic athletic t-shirt. It worked fine for casual rides, but once I started riding more regularly (and sweating more…), I realized how much of a difference a good jersey makes.
Here’s what I look for in a mountain bike jersey:
👉 My pick: Kaden Apparel
I love, love, love Kaden Apparel’s tops. They’re so soft and comfortable, dry fast, and comes in several different sleeve lengths (I like the Gryla 3/4 sleeve). I have four and wear them almost every ride. Not your style? Here are a few more of my mtb jersey favorites.
🩳 Mountain Bike Shorts or Pants
I used to ride in old running shorts that had zero padding, minimal protection, and left my legs pretty exposed. They worked for a while, but once I started riding more often (and crashing a little more…), I realized proper mountain bike bottoms make a big difference.
Here’s how I think about what to wear for shorts and pants:
Chamois
A chamois is a padded liner short worn under your riding shorts or pants (no underwear needed). It helps reduce saddle discomfort and chafing, especially on longer rides or when you’re still getting used to time in the saddle.
Personally, I wear a chamois on every ride, but some for people don’t wear them at all. It’s really about what feels good to you, there’s no rule saying you have to wear one or not.
Here are a few things to consider when shopping for a chamois:
Shorts
For 90% of my riding, I wear MTB-specific shorts. They’re made to handle trail conditions like trailside brush, crashes, mud, whatever. And good shorts actually stay in place when I ride (unlike running shorts that constantly ride up).
Here’s what I look for in mountain bike shorts:
👉 My pick: POC Women’s Essentials MTB Shorts
I prefer longer-length mountain bike shorts, so the POC Women’s Essential MTB Shorts have been my go-to for many years. They’re designed with a great fit, made with stretchy and durable fabric, and don’t cause a knee pad/short gap. Read my full review here or check out more of my mtb shorts favorites.
Mountain Bike Pants
I don’t wear riding pants all the time, but when I do, I’m always glad I have them, especially in cold weather, muddy conditions, bike parks, or on overgrown trails.
Here’s what makes a good pair for mountain biking:
👉 My pick: Revel Rider Flow Pants
The Revel Rider Flow pants are on the heavier, more durable side, so I wear them mostly at the bike park or on cold days. But I love their fit and look and Revel Rider is a small women-owned business out of Bend, Oregon! See more of my favorite women’s mountain bike pants.
🧤 Gloves
Gloves might seem like a minor detail, but for me, they’re one of those “never ride without them” pieces of gear. Gloves wick away sweat to help prevent my hands from slipping on the grips, they protect from the sun and scrapes, and they double as a tissue during allergy or cold-weather season…
Here’s what I look for in mountain bike gloves:
👉 My pick: HANDUP Most Day Gloves
I only wear HANDUP gloves for my rides— mountain biking, gravel, and bikepacking. I love the quirky quips across the palms, the bright colors, and the fun patterns. It’s just a brand that feels good and their gear is well made. I highly recommend the Most Day Gloves as your go-to mtb gloves.
👟 Shoes: Clipless or Flats
When I first started mountain biking, I rode in old tennis shoes. They technically worked, but my feet would slip off the pedals constantly, and I felt way less in control and safe. Upgrading to proper mountain bike shoes was a huge step forward—literally!
There are two main types of MTB shoes, depending on what kind of pedals you use:
Flat Pedal Shoes
These are what I ride with most of the time. Flat pedal shoes look kind of like skate shoes, but with some key differences that make them mtb-worthy.
Here’s what I look for:
👉 My pick: Ride Concepts Hellion
A lot of mountain bikers choose Five Ten’s for their footwear, but I prefer Ride Concepts. I find that their shoes are better made, last longer, and have just as good grip on the pedals. The model I’ve been wearing for years are the Hellions. They have just the right about of stiffness while still being comfortable.
Clipless Shoes
If you’re riding clipless (which, confusingly, means clipped in), you’ll want shoes made specifically for that platform system. I typically only switch to clipless when I’m doing gravel rides or a gravel-heavy bikepacking trip where efficiency matters.
What to look for:
Flats or clipless?
- Flats (platform pedals) are great for beginners, technical riding, or anyone who wants the freedom to bail quickly. They teach good technique and boost confidence, especially on technical terrain.
- Clipless (confusing name, I know) means your shoes clip into your pedals for better efficiency and control, especially on climbs or longer cross-country rides. They have a learning curve but are worth considering once you’re more comfortable on the bike.
I pretty much exclusively ride flats because I like the freedom and control and I can’t be bothered to switch to clipless for long-distance or cross-country-style rides.
🕶️ Eyewear
Cycling-specific eyewear is one of those things I didn’t think much about when I started riding, until I caught a piece of dirt to the eye mid-descent and had to finish the ride with one eye watering and blurry. I was wearing cheap, everyday sunglasses. Lesson learned.
Sunglasses
Sunglasses are my go-to for most rides. They’re lightweight, breathable, and I usually forget I’m even wearing them.
Here’s what I look for:
👉 My pick: Smith Shift Split MAG Photochromic Sunglasses
I was pretty skeptical about photochromic lenses, but now I can’t imagine riding without them. The Smith Shift Split MAG sunglasses transition from clear in forested settings to shaded in bright light. Magic! They’re expensive, but in my opinion, worth it.
Goggles
Goggles might seem like overkill at first, but they’re amazing in certain conditions like:
- Dusty conditions
- Cold or wet weather
- Lift-access riding or shuttles where you’re not sweating up big climbs
Goggles offer more coverage and tend to seal out more dust and wind. I wear them most often at the bike park or on really rowdy terrain where I’m also wearing a full-face helmet
Just make sure your goggles work with your helmet. Some helmets have better goggle compatibility than others.
🛡️ Protective gear
Protective gear isn’t just for downhill racers or park rats. In fact, I wear knee pads on most of my rides. But the amount of protective you wear is going to depend on your comfort level and what risks you’re taking.
Some common options include:
- Knee pads
- Elbow pads
- Chest/back protection (most often used for bike park riding)
- Full-face helmet
I’ve put together a more in-depth guide to mountain bike protective gear that breaks down all the options and when you might want to use them.
Dressing for the weather
One of the best ways to stay comfortable on rides is learning how to dress for changing conditions. I’ve been caught in surprise storms, roasted in too many layers, and shivered my way through early-morning rides, all of which taught me that layering is key.
Here’s how I think about it by season:
☀️ Hot Weather
- Lightweight, breathable jersey: I go with short sleeves or even sleeveless if it’s really toasty.
- Vented shorts: Some MTB shorts have mesh panels or lighter fabrics that help with airflow.
- Sun protection: Long sleeves or sun sleeves + sunscreen = less sunburn and less trail fatigue.
- Hydration: Not clothing, but critical. I carry extra water or electrolytes when it’s blazing out.
🍂 Cool Mornings / Shoulder Seasons
- Layer up: I usually start with a lightweight base layer or jersey, add a thin long sleeve or light jacket (the Patagonia Houdini works great), and shed layers as I warm up.
- Arm and leg warmers: Easy to stash in a pack and a great way to regulate temp without bulky layers.
- Gloves and a headband: Chilly fingers and ears are no fun when descending.
❄️ Cold Weather
- Merino or thermal base layer: Keeps me warm without overheating.
- Softshell or wind-blocking jacket: Breathable enough to climb in, protective enough to descend in.
- Insulated gloves + thicker socks: Cold hands and feet can end a ride fast.
- Pants: I’ll usually opt for riding pants when temps dip, especially if the wind is biting or trails are damp.
🌧 Rain & Wet Conditions
- Water-resistant or waterproof shell: A good jacket goes a long way. Just make sure it’s breathable.
- Keep your chamois dry: Trust me. If nothing else stays dry, at least keep your chamois dry.
- Gloves with grip: Wet grips are slippery; gloves help with control and comfort.
- Eye protection: Glasses or goggles help keep mud and water out of your eyes.
Looking for more gear recommendations?
Head over to my gear closet! I’m always testing out new pieces of bike gear and if I really like them, they earn a place on this page.
At the end of the day, what you wear mountain biking should work for you. Whether you’re rocking soccer shorts and sneakers (been there!) or fully kitted out in dialed trail gear, the goal is to feel comfortable, confident, and ready for whatever the ride throws your way.
As your riding progresses, your wardrobe will probably evolve too and that’s part of the fun. Try different things, see what works, and don’t be afraid to mix and match brands or styles.
Now go get dressed and go ride 🚴♀️💨
Got a favorite piece of gear? Or a ride you learned a clothing lesson the hard way? I’d love to hear about it, drop a comment below or shoot me a message.
Dear I.W. (Iron Woman) otherwise known as Becky,
Lots of helpful ideas from one who knows and rides! (a lot).
Good luck/safe travel in Washington-beautiful country, fine people, and great
Alaskan seafood.
Thanks!
Bill DeForest The Woodlands Texas
Haha, thank you Bill – I appreciate the support and I\’ll definitely be enjoying some PNW seafood 🙂