Eurobike 2012: Polaris

Polaris has been around the UK mountain bike world since all this was trees, all our clothes were Bula and purple was very, very in…

It has continued making mountain bike clothing, among other things, since those early days and has actually dug back into its archives to re-visit a style of jacket that had fallen out of favour, but is still very much relevant to our bonkers weather.

The new AM Range features the Polaris Vapour jacket, based on its old Retroactive jacket from backintheday. It’s got a light, DWR water-repellent (but not waterproof) nylon outer layer and a very thin fleecy lining. The idea is that the jacket will keep you warm and safe from the wind, but will breathe a lot better than a full waterproof. It will also shrug off showers, thanks to the  DWR coating on the nylon shell. If the deluge persists, then you’ll get damp (but Polaris reckons, only as damp as you would from sweat if you were wearing a full waterproof jacket), but you should still stay warm. And when the rain stops, the outer will dry pretty much right away. The Vapour will cost £90.

For when things are colder (and they will be soon), Polaris will offer the AM Enduro soft-shell jacket. Similar to a winter training top, it’s still DWR coated to resist showers, but is very windproof and should keep you warm on those nippy rides. It too will be £90/

Polaris is also doing an uncharacteristically ‘rad’ pair of Defy downhill jerseys. Big and bold and in keeping with the colours of the AM range, with blues and greens and black.

Finally the AM shorts are simple beasts tested extensively in the grit of the Peaks. These baggies are designed to side just below the knee so they won’t ride up when pedalling and so you won’t get that gritty stripe just above your knee pads where your shorts keep dragging. Again, there’s DWR coating to shrug off the water and light, stretch panels to keep them moving with you.