Issue 150: Chipps’ Summer Ridewear
Column Singletrack Magazine

Issue 150: Chipps’ Summer Ridewear

August 12, 2023

Chipps gives his top kit tips for those summer weeks (or foreign trips) where the temperatures hit ‘scorchio’ and beyond.

I’ve had a long-running debate with American (mostly Californian and Coloradan) bike, clothing and shoe designers about designing mountain bike gear that only works in hot, dry lands, as they clearly have no idea about living in a country where it often rains. However, I’ve now had the reverse experience, having moved to a place with 300 days of sunshine a year, where the summer temperatures hit mid-30s°C for three months solid. I’ve had to reassess my riding gear and what, and how, I pack for rides. In addition, I’ve discovered that sunny days leads to triffid-like undergrowth that needs regular trimming, so I’ve featured a few of my trail maintenance tools too.

The key to staying comfortable in hotter climes is to keep things loose and floaty. Longer sleeves can actually shade you from the sun, protect you from foliage and can always be rolled up (or down) as the conditions change. Don’t underestimate the differing temperatures when heading up into the mountains too. You can expect to lose around 0.7°C/ per 100m climbed, so if your ride takes you up 1,400m – either by pedal power or lift-assisted – you can expect it to be ten degrees cooler than the valley floor when you get to the top. Just because it’s sunny doesn’t mean that you can forget about spare layers. And if you’re riding mid-afternoon, as I tend to do, keep an eye out for summer thunderstorms.

Jerseys: 7Mesh, Pearl Izumi, Madison, Specialized

Long-sleeved floaty jerseys are great protection for whippy narrow trails and for sun protection too. Or, if you’re in it for the climbs too and like to travel fast and light, then there’s nothing to beat an old school roadie jersey with rear pockets and a long zip. However, sometimes a good old cotton T-shirt or Hawaiian/check shirt is often best for a scorching day. Especially if there’s no danger (at all) of rain. Don’t skip the sunscreen though. 

Shorts: 7Mesh Slab, Nukeproof, Giro

There are a number of manufacturers making ultra-lightweight baggy shorts. I am a big fan of the older 7Mesh Slab shorts, but the newer ones appear to have lost an inch or so from the inseam, making them not play with kneepads that well. If you’re after more of a light/fast/gravel look, the new Slabs are ideal, but if you want something longer for brush and sun protection, then I like the (again, older) Nukeproof or Giro Havoc shorts.

Five Ten Trailcross shoes

Yorkshire-me would have scoffed at these shoes a year ago for their lack of weatherproofing. They’re mostly made of mesh and resemble trendy trainers with some cleat slots. However, their minimal construction and super lightweight mesh upper means that they stay super cool on hot days. The breeze positively whips through them and the laces let you cinch them tight for climbs and looser for just cruising to Bar Robinson for an after-ride beverage.

Sweet Protection Slip-on knee guards

It’s a fact of most mountain landscapes that any vegetation that is goat-height or below is made entirely from ‘spikey’. Great for the plants, not so good if you’re whipping through the foliage on the ride of a lifetime. Slip-on kneepads won’t save you from a massive bail, but they’re mighty effective at cutting down on trail thrashage. Trail pants do a similar job too, though I like that these pads will slide down easily for those long climbs. Don’t forget suncream on your knees.

Litre of Factor 30

I’m old enough to remember when a deep tan was a sign of health and vitality. However, it seems that many of the older people (usually men and usually British) in my village have some aspect of sun-related skin damage going on – from deep, lined skin to full-on skin cancer. I now wear Factor 30 (and more) every day the sun is out, and keep a tube in my bag for those times the sun appears unexpected

CamelBak Skyline LR10 pack

What is it with me and discontinued gear? The recently discontinued Skyline LR10 is a great pack that I chose primarily for those big mountain days due to its 3L water bladder and its low-down hip-pack feel that keeps my back relatively free and cool. It’ll take all the tools and snacks for the day with room for a jacket and first aid kit.

My Favoured Trail Tools

Not really something for those foreign holidays, but something to bear in mind on your local trails during those drier months. I’m no jump builder or trail sculptor, but I’ve become really invested in making sure the trails I ride weekly remain in good condition. Sunny conditions can make riders complacent about winter water damage, but there’s no better time to make sure that water bars are clear and those eternal bogs have somewhere to drain. Don’t leave it until the dark, cold and apathy of winter months are here. Get out the afternoon after a summer rain and you’ll see where the water has run down the trail, taking the pine needles with it and starting to carve a groove. Now is the time to cut in some drainage and trim some branches, so your buff singletrack doesn’t become a jungled, crank-deep ravine. As a plus, I’ve never had a fellow trail user complain that I was clipping the undergrowth back for the benefit of everyone.

BTR Tough Rake

How can you spend eighty quid for a rake? If it’s the only rake you ever need, that doubles as a tamper and smoother, it makes sense to me. This rake has been fantastic at clearing leaves and duff from existing trails, but can also move trimmed branches and brambles off the trail as the shallow teeth don’t tend to catch on roots and the trail surface. It’s a little awkward to carry, so I walk into the woods with it and then use the handy security hole to lock it to a tree for when I ride in next.

Fiskars XA3 WoodXpert

This handy tool clears brush and brambles wonderfully and trims eye-height side branches swiftly too. The blunted, curved tip allows you to drag chopped brambles out of the way with reduced chances of losing a toe. I still always wear winter boots when using it.

Secateurs and a folding saw

There’s an argument for having cheaper secateurs and folding saws as you’re more likely to lose/forget them in the woods. I say go quality, but get ones with bright handles – a Silky Gomboy is next on my shopping list. My wife has also made me a custom tool roll so that everything stays together and it’s obvious if I’ve left a tool behind.

Chipps Chippendale

Singletrackworld's Editor At Large

With 23 years as Editor of Singletrack World Magazine, Chipps is the longest-running mountain bike magazine editor in the world. He started in the bike trade in 1990 and became a full time mountain bike journalist at the start of 1994. Over the last 30 years as a bike writer and photographer, he has seen mountain bike culture flourish, strengthen and diversify and bike technology go from rigid steel frames to fully suspended carbon fibre (and sometimes back to rigid steel as well.)

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