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Urban Mountain-Biking Gear
Stylin' on the Singletrack
On the Body: Apparel for Her

By Nathan Borchelt with Karen Penrod

Intro/On the Bike | On the Body: Apparel for Him | On the Body: Apparel for Her | On the Body: Accessories


	Sugoi's Skort and Ace T

Tops:
The aim for upper-body wear is sport-chic; the fabric needs to be technical, but that doesn't mean it should look like you were sprayed with liquid spandex and set out to dry. Sugoi's TechniFino Ace T ($40; www.sugoi.com) takes the middle road, and the results are remarkable—a casual short-sleeved shirt that's lightweight and wicking, quick-drying, and armed with a four-inch invisible zippered side pocket for discrete storage.



	Cloudveil's Serendipity

It hugs the waist—but only slightly—and has an attractive color contrast at the hem, sleeves, and v-neck. When the temps dip, Sugoi's Arcade Terra T ($45) ups the ante with a wider zip back pocket for extra-layer and gear storage, TechniFino side panels for wicking and breathability, and a two-tone semi-stretch fabric with amazing moisture transfer. Variable city and trail conditions during the late fall also necessitate an additional layer. The versatile, aptly name Serendipity ($220; www.cloudveil.com), Cloudveil's champion entry into the soft-shell scene, can handle sudden temp drops, harsh winds, and a sudden autumn deluge with equal aplomb. The stretch-woven fabric is highly breathable and sheds water like a duck; Velcro cuffs assure custom fit; and the svelte design keeps the jacket tight and comfortable, not bulky and cumbersome.

Bottoms:
This may or may not be a Mars versus Venus thing, but while guys can usually sport a baggy pair of shorts without looking too foolish, women are commonly stuck between the ridiculously bulky and the way-too-tight. Specialized has aligned these concerns with their ATB Woman's Short ($70; www.specialized.com), which marries a seamlessly padded compression liner with a lightweight, water-repellent nylon shell—at home both on the bike and in the corner grocery store. One caveat—they size small in the thighs, yet large in the waist; if you're purchasing online, opt for one size larger. But if all this über-gear obsession seems to trend too male, then Sugoi's Pilot Wrap Skort ($60; www.sugoi.com) offers you full-pad support hidden behind true feminine sensibility. This medium-weight nylon wrap skirt hangs at a respectable above-the-knee height and cinches at the waist with a single buckle, hiding an inner liner equipped with elastic and padding in all the places you need it. Couple it with a pair of spandex tights like Sugoi's Zen Capris ($50) in the winter, and you've got year-round, styling digs for all urban cycle outings.



	Specialized's Rockhoppers

Shoes:
Carrie Bradshaw would likely never get on a bike of any sort—even if Manolo Blahnik rolled out a pair of cycling shoes. You needn't divorce yourself from all Sex and the City impulses, however. Specialized's Rockhoppers ($85; www.specialized.com) may not make it onto a Fashion Week runway, but they're spot-on incredible for the avenue-canyon riding that most urban cyclists execute. The tapered heel cup is catered to a woman's foot, the lace locks keep them from shredding in the spokes, the sole has enough stiffness for solid cycling performance and enough flex for comfortable urban strolling, and the hard rubber soles keep the cleats from clicking on the pavement. But perhaps best of all, their chill aesthetics will let you blend in with the trainer-wearing post-work set with nary a fashion-obsessed flinch.

Next Page: The helmets, hydration packs, shades, and gloves that’ll keep you in touch with the in-crowd

Intro/On the Bike | On the Body: Apparel for Him | On the Body: Apparel for Her | On the Body: Accessories