I’m a Female Mountain Biker. Here’s the Protective Gear and Clothing I Actually Use.

This guide was first published in Spring 2022 and updated in September 2025.

You know how sometimes you read online gear reviews or round-ups and it kind of seems like the author based most of it on Amazon reviews?

Well, that’s not the case here. I’m an actual female mountain biker, and I actually use the gear below. I used to ride three or four times a week; now, I’m up to five or six. I ride in all types of conditions, including plenty of early-season exploratory rides when I’m slogging through snow in an attempt to see how much of a trail has melted out. I’ve raced on enduro bikes in Squamish, BC, on cross-country bikes around Lake Tahoe, and won the famous Downieville Classic on a converted single-speed bike. I split my time between Lake Tahoe and British Columbia, and base my schedule most days on when and where I want to bike.

But before you go thinking “this guide must only be for gnarly riders,” rest assured, it’s not. I’m an enthusiastic athlete, but I don’t think I’m nearly as good as most people who ride this much would be. And for all rides (even short, easy ones), I wear some variation of the items below.

Note that most mountain biking products work for all genders, like bike racks, hand pumps, and chain repair kits. If that’s what you’re after, scroll to the bottom of this beginner mountain bike buying guide for some good recommendations.

However, when it comes to clothing, there are some items that I think most women will prefer in a women’s-specific option. Of course, if you like a “men’s” version better, you do you. As with many outdoor sports, some items are needlessly gendered purely for marketing purposes. Some mountain bike gear recs below, like helmets and pedals, aren’t women’s-specific. They’re just awesome pieces of gear I recommend to my female mountain biking friends. Everything below is designed for mountain biking or e-biking, and some of it can double for road biking (though road bikers usually have slightly different shorts and helmets, among other items).

Here’s all the women’s mountain bike gear I wear and recommend other people wear, from chilly winter rides to sweating-buckets race days in the middle of summer.

We hope you love the mountain bike protective gear we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to make a purchase. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.

• The best women’s mountain bike clothing
• The best women’s mountain bike protective gear
• The best other gear for ladies who shred

The best women’s mountain bike clothing for women

Long-sleeve jersey: DHarCO Gravity Jersey ($43+)

• Pros: Comfortable fit, temperature regulating in both cold and heat, quick drying, back stash pocket
• Cons: Some DHarCO shirts can run small (but not this one)

I bought a jersey from DHarCO on a whim in Whistler one day because the guy working at the bike store said my dog was cute. Now, I have the Gravity Jersey in least four in different colors. The long-sleeve bike shirt manages heat and moisture extremely well, and I’ve comfortably worn it on rainy 50-degree Fahrenheit rides and 85-degree, muggy summer rides. It’s a loose fit ideal for wearing a chest protector underneath, though I wear mine on top without any bunching. There’s a small pocket on the back left for your bike park pass, and the somewhat fitted (but not tight) wrist cuff keeps the sleeves from riding up on fast downhills.

In my experience, most DHarCO women’s clothing runs small, though the sizing specifically on the Gravity Jersey seems true to size.

Buy Now: Gravity Jersey ($43+)

Short-sleeve jersey: Troy Lee Womens Lilium Short Sleeve Jersey ($30+)

• Pros: Affordable, loose fit, breathable, low back hem
• Cons: Maybe not the most stylish?

When it comes to mountain bike shirts, you really don’t need to get very specialized. I always recommend a moisture-wicking shirt, and it’s usually good to have higher necklines and some kind of sleeve to protect your skin from scrapes and falls. But beyond that, any general hiking or sporty shirt will work. That said, I love my bike-specific Short Sleeve Jersey from Troy Lee Designs. It’s one of the brand’s more basic designs, but it has a great fit, dries incredibly fast, and has excellent airflow — something I value as I ride in peak summer heat throughout California. I also really like the drop hem in the back, covering your low back when you’re in an aggressive, close-to-the-handlebars downhill position.

Buy Now: Lilum SS Jersey ($30+)

Chamois (liner): Fox Techbase Liner Short ($89)

• Pros: High rise, thick elastic that doesn’t ride up
• Cons: Can feel very tight at first

I’ve tried quite a few chamois (pronounced “shammies”) — the snug, padded shorts you wear under your bike shorts. I’ve even worn men’s styles, since women’s styles usually suffer from one of three problems: the rise is too low, they have padding in the wrong places, or the elastic on the legs is too thin and rides up while pedaling. But after testing basically every major brand you can think of, I keep returning to the same one, from one of the first big mountain bike companies out there: the Fox Techbase Liner Short.

It doesn’t ride up on the legs, doesn’t slouch down at the waist, and has enough padding to prevent awkward bruising — but not so much padding that you feel like you’re wearing a diaper. It’s also pretty good at moisture management and seems to rarely get smelly, even after I wear it for two rides in a row (don’t judge). Sizing is pretty standard, but remember that a chamois should fit snugly.

Buy Now: $89 (or try this link for additional sizes)

Summer bike shorts: Patagonia Tyrolean Bike Short ($45+)

• Pros: Thick elastic waist, large zippered side pockets, durable and light
• Cons: The waistband isn’t adjustable

I first pulled on a pair of the Tyrolean Bike Shorts three or four years ago, and haven’t taken them off (figuratively, that is). I have them in three different colors and will probably buy a fourth when they’re on sale. The material feels like men’s swim trunks: ultra-light, durable, and super flexible and thin. Add in an elastic waistband that has barely stretched out, dual zipper pockets on each side big enough to carry a phone or bike gloves, and the fact that they dry super quickly, and it’s no wonder so many people love them. They’re simple, durable, and an ideal short for warm-weather days when you want your clothing to feel as light as possible.

It’s possible they’ve been discontinued, so grab a pair ASAP if you find them online and think you might want them. I’ve had good luck buying them off pre-owned clothing sites like Poshmark. Sizing is standard.

Spring/Fall bike shorts: Norrøna fjørå flex1 Tech Shorts ($111+)

• Pros: Durable fabric, adjustable waist, plenty of large pockets, mesh for ventilation
• Cons: Slightly long inseam

I’m pretty picky about bike shorts, but as soon as I pulled on the fjørå flex1 Tech Shorts, I knew they’d become part of my bike wardrobe. The adjustable waist means I can wear them loose while climbing, then tighten them up so my pants don’t slide down on the downhills. Equally essential are the two very large side pockets (one with a soft lining, intended for a phone) and the smaller stash pocket, designed for a bike multitool. They’re also semi-water-resistant, which is all I need on rainy days when I’m mostly sheltered by forest canopy. While they’re not as lightweight as the Patagonia Tyrolean Shorts, they’re still pretty light, and I don’t feel like my range of motion is at all restricted.

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Shoes: Ride Concepts Flume ($126+)

• Pros: Very durable, good grip, strap to keep laces in place, reinforced toe, comes in clips and flats
• Cons: A little heavy, may be too firm for casual riders

I bike with a lot of women, and of the ones who wear mountain-bike specific shoes, I see two brands all the time: Five Tens and Ride Concepts. I’ve worn Five Tens and they make some good affordable options, though they run a little big. But my favorite mountain bike shoes are from Ride Concepts: the Flume. It comes in a version for riders who clip in and those who ride flats.

The bottom (outsole) is extremely grippy, which helps you keep your connection with the pedals and gives you extra grip when you have to walk on those gnarly hike-a-bike sections. They’re durable and protective without being overly stiff and felt good on my first ride with zero breaking-in. The Flume Clip is ideal for wearing with the pedals recommended below, and both versions have a useful velcro strap to keep the laces close to your shoe. If you’ve ever gotten your shoelaces caught in your bike chain (cough:me:cough), you’ll appreciate it.

There’s also a BOA version, if you’d rather not mess with laces at all.

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Mountain bike gloves: Hestra Ergo Grip Race Cut ($90)

• Pros: Flexible, touchscreen compatible, pull-on cuff, built-in lens wipe
• Cons: May be too thin for aggressive riders, sizing is very specific

I wear a lot of different gloves, depending on the weather, the trail, and more. But my general go-to glove for most of the year has been the Ergo Grip Race Cut from Hestra, a brand first known for its high-end, long-lasting leather ski gloves. The lightweight bike gloves are just as comfortable and have a stretchy pull-on cuff, rather than a Velcro strap that can collect fuzz or lose its grip. They’re touchscreen compatible (even after washing) and have a soft fabric lens wipe on the thumb. It uses numerical sizing, and I wear a 7. My other pair of gloves is the Fox Ranger, (a cheaper, if not quite as durable, option) in which I wear a men’s medium. So consider a size 7 or 8 in Hestra to be roughly the same as a unisex medium.

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Mountain bike pants: Shredly Limitless Pant: $138

• Pros: Zippers for knee pads, big pockets, stretchy waistband,
• Cons: Fabric is too thick for year-round wear

For a long time, I resisted wearing mountain bike pants. I couldn’t find a pair that fit well, and I figured wearing long shorts and tall socks was more or less the same thing. But about two years ago, I found a pair that fits perfectly: the Limitless Pant from Shredly, a mountain bike brand specifically for women. It checks all the boxes for comfort, with a thick elastic waistband that doesn’t roll down, even when I’m breathing hard and hunched over. The side pockets are big enough for my iPhone 16 with no problems, and the dual zippers running from knee to ankle make it easy to pull up my knee pads before starting a downhill.

I bought my usual size and thought they were a little too tight in the butt. But I have a mountain biker butt, and once I wore them a few times, they loosened up into what I consider now a perfect fit.

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The best mountain bike protective gear

Everyday helmet: Giro Women’s Montara MIPS ($89+)

• Pros: Low-key style, good ventilation, MIPS, long-lasting pads, adjustable visor, lightweight
• Cons: Adjustment dial can be a bit hard to find with gloves on, no Koroyd

If you need a helmet that offers the maximum level of protection but won’t break the bank, check out the Montara from Giro. You can usually find it online for under $100 and it has MIPS technology to stop motion from transferring to your noggin during an impact. There’s a quick-adjust wheel so you can tighten it up before you start your downhill, and the visor flips up in case you’re one of those mountain bikers who likes to stash their shades on their helmet.

It doesn’t have adjustable vents and it isn’t as lightweight as some of the Smith helmets, but it makes up for that by being affordable and comfortable on long rides. It basically says “I’m serious about biking, but I don’t have a trust fund.” Aside from Smith, Giro is probably the brand I see most often on the trails.

By the way: the Montara is the women’s and Montaro is the men’s, but the only real difference is the color.

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Downhill combo: Smith Mainline Helmet ($210+) + Smith Squad Goggles ($51+)

• Pros: Full face protection, lots of ventilation, multiple inner pads to customize the fit, fog-free ventilation combo
• Cons: Expensive to buy both

When I’m pedaling, I get too sweaty for a full-face helmet. But when I’m racing, at the lift-serviced bike park, or doing shuttle laps, I opt for bike goggles and a full-face helmet. That’s when I wear the Smith Mainline full-face helmet, and the Smith Squad Goggles, designed to go with it. It’s a combo I see on roughly half the riders at the Whistler bike park. A full-face helmet adds extra protection around your jaw and ears, and is something I highly recommend for beginners and experts alike. A fall is a fall, and more protection is always better.

But there’s a reason the Mainline is a tried-and-true with full-facers. It’s surprisingly breathable and airy (at least compared to most other full-face helmets). But the most important reason are the safety features, includes MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection) technology, which allows the helmet to shift a little on impact, reducing how much motion is passed to your head and brain. The second is Koroyd®, which is basically a lightweight crumple system. (It kind of looks like a honeycomb.)

Goggles generally pair better with helmets than sunglasses, as the snug fit of a helmet can make it hard for sunglass arms to lay comfortably over your ears. The Smith Squad is designed to be worn with Smith helmets and has a huge field of vision with excellent ventilation, funneling heat away from your face and head (thus reducing fog). It also has a flexible frame to fit snugly against most face shapes, eliminating the small gaps through which air flow can enter and cause your eyes to water.

Smith also has arguably the best safety-focused policy in the industry: you’ll get 30 percent off your replacement helmet after a crash as long as it’s less than two years old.

Buy Now: Smith Mainline ($210+)
Buy Now: Smith Squad ($51+)

Knee pads: Leatt Knee Guard Airflex Pro ($44+)

• Pros: Good for thicker legs, flexible, easy to pedal in, elastic bands stay put, affordable
• Cons: Not as much protection as other pads, not adjustable

Most knee pads are designed for men, who tend to have leaner, longer legs. I think I’m relatively in shape, but I’ve worn some men’s knee pads that dug into my thigh and felt like they were coming up too high on my upper leg. But then I found the Airflex Pro from Leatt, a pair so comfortable I sometimes don’t even realize I’m wearing them while pedaling. They’re flexible and soft, but provide a decent level of protection in case of impact. The elastic doesn’t dig into my legs, though they do hit mid-thigh. They seem to hit the sweet spot between stretchy enough to be comfortable, but not so loose they slip during long, techy downhills.

This is my go-to mountain bike knee pad recommendation for anyone who dislikes hard, chunkier pads, or wants a pair they can comfortably leave on while pedaling. You’re not going to find a better knee pad for $50.

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Sunglasses: Smith Wildcats

• Pros: Comes with two lenses, rubber grips prevent slippage, minimal fog, adjustable nose bridge, ChromaPop technology
• Cons: Can be pricey

Sunglasses were one of the last bike-specific items I bought, primarily because they didn’t feel as essential. Most sunglasses that fit well and have a large lens will work for casual riding. However, switching to a bike-specific pair did make a big difference for me. The Smith Wildcats virtually eliminated my eye-watering issues caused by wind hitting my eyeballs, and have arms that don’t rip my hair or uncomfortably squeeze my head. They come with a clear lens and a tinted lens (I have my lens-swapping time down to about 20 seconds) and have an adjustable nose pad to change how close they sit to your face. Smith created ChromaPop technology, which gives all its lenses super-sharp clarity and color, and the rubbery pads mean they’ve never once slipped down my face while riding (and I’ve been wearing them for at least three years).

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Chest protector: FOX Raceframe Roost ($119)

• Pros: Protects your ribs, easy sizing, fits women’s bodies well
• Cons: Can get sweaty on hot days

While the community of women who mountain bike is growing, the sport is still primarily male. And when it comes to advanced and more expert-level riding, that’s sadly still true. As a result, most brands design their specialized and more advanced gear, like chest protectors, for men. While the Raceframe Roost protector is listed on the Fox website as being for men, it’s totally unisex, and the vast majority of women I see at my local bike park in Whistler, BC, are wearing this exact chest guard.

It comes in only two sizes so picking the right one is easy, and the adjustable side straps mean you can keep it loose (for airflow) when you’re climbing, then tighten it before the downhill. This adjustability also means it can accommodate chests of all sizes, and the S/M size has a shorter torso length that doesn’t interfere with my hip pack strap while pedaling. You can also buy versions with shoulder attachments, if you want even more protection.

Buy Now: Raceframe Roost ($119)

Other useful mountain bike gear for women

If you’re in the market for items like bike racks, pumps, or repair kits, scroll to the bottom of our beginner mountain bike guide for top recs.

Bike pedals: Hustle REMtech Avery Pedal ($225)

• Pros: Benefits of clipping but easier exits, extra pull on uphills, less leg muscle fatigue (for me)
• Cons: Very large, heavy

In my experience as someone who rides frequently with both men and women, women are a little less likely to use clip-in pedals. I asked a few friends why, and most said they didn’t like the idea of being attached to their pedals if they crash.

Fortunately, there’s an amazing answer to that: magnet pedals. They give you all the benefits of clipping in, so they make climbing and pedaling easier and ensure your foot stays in place on bumpy rock gardens. My legs are far less fatigued after big climbs, now that pedaling uses both pushing and pulling muscles, not just pushing. Oh, and you can expect a little extra boost on jumps, since you’ll get more lift when you spring up. (Can you tell I love them?)

However, because they’re magnet, rather than a clip, you don’t get the downside of being clipped in — i.e., being attached to your bike during a crash. If you clip in, you’ll need to make a specific twisting motion to release your foot from the pedal, but with the REMtech pedals, all it takes is a little pull and your foot is unattached. I was actually surprised at how easy it was to pull my foot off, and worried that meant there wouldn’t be any uphill pedaling benefits. But nope — they really do make climbing easier and faster. They also come in multiple color/peg combos. They work with any clipless/clip-in shoe, but not flat-bottom bike shoes.

Note that these pedals are rather large, so you may knock them on rocks a bit more during your adjustment period. But don’t worry — they’re durable. If you order directly from Hustle Bike Labs, you can choose your color/peg combo. Obviously, I recommend blue and pink.

Buy Now: REMtech pedals ($225)

Pack: Dakine Hot Laps Hip Pack ($66+)

• Pros: Comfortable on hips, no sweaty back, optional water reservoir, multiple sizes, fun colors/patterns
• Cons: Less carrying space than a backpack

Whether you make hot laps or reasonable-speed laps, you may want to consider a hip pack over a backpack. The sternum strap on mountain biking backpacks sometimes digs uncomfortably into my chest, and if I’m just biking for an hour or two, I really don’t need a large and mostly empty backpack that will probably flap around on the downhills. That’s why I’ve switched to almost exclusively wearing the Hot Laps Hip Packs from Dakine. I have the larger 5L with a water reservoir for longer rides, and the smaller 2L with external water bottle straps for shorter rides. The padded hip straps are very wide and comfortable, and I don’t end up with a sweaty back like I often do with backpacks.

It has less carrying capacity than a backpack, but I can still carry a multi-tool, snacks, a thin extra layer, my phone, and similar smaller items. I also sometimes clip my helmet to the external straps on long uphills when I’m sweating buckets. They usually retail for around $60-$80, but older colorways are often on sale.

Buy Now: Hot Laps 2L ($66)
Buy Now: Hot Laps 5L ($120)

Mountain bike hydration: Skratch Labs Electrolytes ($35 for 20)

• Pros: Mild taste, not sugary, reduces muscle fatigue, faster recoveries
• Cons: Taste may not suit everyone

I was never big on hydration supplements, until I did a big bike race this summer I was nervous about and figured I could use all the help I could get. I researched electrolyte options and found that most serious runners, bikers, and hikers recommended one product: Skratch Labs Hydration Mix. I bought a few and dumped them in my water on race day, and managed to climb nearly 4,000 feet over 8 miles without so much as the faint suggestion of a calf cramp. I refilled a few times during the race, and woke up the next day with barely any muscle fatigue. I’ve tried other brands that shall remain nameless, and found them all to be sickeningly sweet and hard to chug. But Skratch Labs electrolytes taste more like watered down fruit juice, rather than a sweet cough syrup.

Results will vary, of course, and on some days, all the hydration packets in the world can’t help you avoid fatigue and muscle cramps. But if you’re planning a long ride you know may be at the upper limits of your fitness level, I’d strongly advise giving one of these a try. You can buy them in bulk on Amazon, or usually pick one up at your local bike shop for around $3.

Buy Now: Skratch Labs Variety Pack ($35)

Mountain bike snacks: Honey Stinger Nut and Seed Bars ($30 for 12)

• Pros: Tasty, small, lightweight, protein-packed
• Cons: A bit dry/crumbly

I’m not sure if snacks count as bike gear, but as far as I’m concerned, an essential part of a complete women’s mountain biking setup is a solid mountain biking snack. I’ve been a Honey Stinger fan since I first tried their energy waffles, but the current favorite are their Nut + Seed Bars. They’re super filling and loaded with protein, which aids in energy and muscle repair. If I drink a lot of water while I’m eating one, I’ll be full for hours. I recommend eating them after your climb (before your downhill) or in the parking lot immediately after you finish a ride.

Maybe more importantly, they’re so tasty — I definitely don’t think they taste like an energy snack. If you try one and like it, I’d recommend just buying a box to keep in your cabinet so you can have them handy for hiking and other outdoor adventures, too.

Buy Now: Nut + Seed Bar box ($30)

Gear strap: Backcountry Research Race Strap ($18)

• Pros: Durable, secure, affordable
• Cons: Your tube (or whatever you carry) will get dirty

I can definitely carry a tube in my hip pack, but I’d rather have that space for other gear. That’s why I carry my spare bike tube and tire iron under my seat with the Backcountry Research Race Strap. It’s a simple design that fits under any seat and holds a spare tube and cartridge/tire iron. I’ve had it for years and years and my tube has never come loose or shifted, even on pretty gnarly trails. The downside is that whatever you carry there will get dirty — but also, who cares? Even with my seat pretty low, the loaded Race Strap has never made contact with my 29-inch back tire.

By the way, my pattern is “pines.”

Buy Now: Race Strap ($18)