This Fox vest has both front and rear protection with a shaped chest guard and longer back plate extending almost from neck to coccyx. Heavy duty, it’s one of the…
Mick Kirkman
Contributor/tester
YT Capra Core 3 MX review
Say hello to the third iteration of the YT Capra. Since the Mark 2 Capra was hardly a slouch on the downhills, the new Mark 3 YT Capra Core 3…
Vitus Sommet 297 AMP review
The Vitus Sommet has been around for long enough to be refined multiple times already. It also happens to be one of the best enduro mountain bikes you can buy.…
Silt Carbon XC wheels review
In this age of ever more durable, enduro-ready gear, it’s totally out of fashion to shout about lightweight components and how much difference they make to ride quality. Indeed, it’s…
Kenda Karma II Pro SCT tyre review
The Karma II is a complete update of an older Kenda design intended for mixed conditions trail and XC riding – now trendily marketed as down-country. With an all-new tread…
Specialized Eliminator Grid T7 tyre review
Until about eight years ago, Specialized was the absolute value kings of the best MTB tyre world. It sold classic treads like the original Butcher and Purgatory that were actually…
E*thirteen Grappler Enduro MoPo tyre review
Brand new for 2022, E*thirteen’s latest gravity tyre is this ground-grabbing Grappler – and it’s shot straight to the top of the best MTB trail tyres chart. It’s available in…
Kask Koo Supernova glasses review
Italian brand Kask is best known for high-end road bike helmets, but also has an eyewear arm called Koo, making quality glasses suitable for mountain biking as well as road.…
Dexshell Ultrathin waterproof socks review
Every winter, in the quest to keep pinkies warmer and drier in the slop, my waterproof socks come out of retirement. Over the years, I’ve tried a few different brands…
Dainese Linea 01 full-face helmet review
After over a decade out of the helmet game, Italian protection legend Dainese is back with the world’s lightest ever DH-certified full face cycling helmet. The new Dainese Linea 01…
Julbo Fury Reactiv glasses review
French brand Julbo might not be as well-known as some premium rivals, but it’s been making quality eyewear competing with the best mountain bike glasses for over 100 years. This…
iXS Flow Protection Vest
Designed for trail and enduro riding, this iXS Flow vest is arguably the most comfortable and invisible piece of protection that we’ve tested that comes with the higher protection rating.…
Vee Flow R-CP tyre review
This semi-slick forms part of a subset of MTB tyres targeting fast rolling in drier conditions. Rear-specific, other options include Schwalbe’s Rock Razor and Maxxis’s Minion SS, which, like Vee’s…
Schwalbe Big Betty Super Trail Addix Soft tyre review
German brand Schwalbe’s Big Betty is marketed as a rear tyre to match its classic Magic Mary and take on the best trail tyres on the market, such as the…
100% Tarka Protection Vest
The 100% Tarka Protection Vest has thick flexible protection panels on both front and rear sides and is available in three different versions, including more expensive short and long-sleeve versions…
Leatt 3DF AirFit Body Vest
Leatt made its name in MTB protection, and specifically neck braces. This Leatt 3DF AirFit Body Vest might not be explicitly DH-targeted but it’s still seriously solid and protective and…
Ion Scrub Amp Protection Vest
The Ion Scrub Amp Protection Vest is an impressively lightweight piece of body armour that offers performance and comfort good enough for us to rate it among the best body…
Six Six One Evo Compression Jacket – Short Sleeve
Six Six One has been in the protection game long enough to have a well-refined range, including this Evo jacket that differs from the slightly looser and thinner fabrics on…
Evoc Protector Vest review
The best mountain bike body armour offers the right blend of high protection, breathability and comfort while riding, and EVOC’s protector vest offers a great blend of those attributes. Among…
Evil Insurgent MX 29 GX first ride review
Hit the bike park or get ready for some enduro racing with the Evil Insurgent MX 29 with, you guessed it, a mullet wheel setup. Combining a carbon chassis with…