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MTB Clothing for Women?

43 posts & 26 voices | Started 4 months ago by Ladders | Latest reply from rp16v

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Ladders - Member

I managed to get my other half out riding at the end of last year. After convincing her that he 'perfectly good' shopping bike with a basket was a waste of time riding, I got here a proper MTB for her birthday last year.

I'm now trying to convince here that she will be a lot more comfortable wearing proper cycling clothes instead of wearing her normal tops, leggings and trainers! Thing is she's totally against wearing anything that looks like it's proper cycle clothing, or that cost much money.

I think the first step is to get her a proper jacket. Any recomendations for a jacket that doesn't look to 'cycling', and that she can use for most conditions i.e. spring through to winter etc?

Also any shoes that would fit the bill as well?

Cheers!

Posted 4 months ago #
leggyblonde - Member

*Proud brother alert!*

My sister's company, Ana Nichoola, has nice female designed and tested clothing that doesn't look too cycling

Her winter range is in the shops and online now and her growing spring summer range brochure can be seen here

Admittedly the jacket isn't cheap but it is very good quality

Posted 4 months ago #
konagirl - Member

Without knowing how good or how fit your better half is, I'll give my experience. When I started riding a few years ago (about 7 years ago) I did the same, wore clothes I already owned, kept costs down until I knew if I enjoyed it. For me, the biggest thing was getting padded shorts, as that made longer rides SO much more comfortable / bearable. If she doesn't want to get into lycra, you can get some padded liners to go under her normal shorts / leggings. I still just wear 'normal' trainers rather than MTB shoes, they're comfy (and battered so I don't care when they get muddy), why change them? I also just use a standard walking waterproof I already owned rather than cycling jacket, although I /might/ invest in a cycling one for the longer arms and back once this one dies. I personally don't like many cycling-specific tops and bottoms because they're tight and the tops are short - I like them to cover my bum! Each to their own...

Rather than spending lots on clothes, could she get more out of a training day or something instead? If you want to get clothes, I would go for padding her bum and layering on top to mix and match to the weather. Depending on the type of weather you are likely to go out in, get a good waterproof shell (if you're likely to be out in the rain, but accepting they can get a bit sweaty) or a good windproof shell both of which can fit in a backpack, rather than trying to get somethnig all-singing-all-dancing. Sorry no specific recommendations!

Posted 4 months ago #
TandemJeremy - Member

aldi for cheap and OK kit.

Posted 4 months ago #
jon1973 - Member

aldi for cheap and OK kit.

+1, start off cheap and buy the expensive/better quality stuff when you know what it is that you really want.

Posted 4 months ago #
wwaswas - Member

minxgirl is always worth a look for stuff that looks good but works on a bike.

Posted 4 months ago #
Ladders - Member

Leggyblonde, yes I showed her Anna's stuff, she likes it but it's a bit 'racy' for her!

Konagirl, cheers! When I say trainers I should actually have said a white pair of pumps! Not quite up to walking through mud and her feet get cold and wet! I had thought of getting padded short liners as they would fit under her leggings.

She's not what you'd say 'fit', but we've been doing about 15miles off-road etc on bike paths, roads and woods.

I'll have a look on Aldi and see what they've got!

Posted 4 months ago #
cinnamon_girl - Member

Worth bearing in mind that us girlies tend to run 'cold' so as long as we are warm and dry then there's no such thing as bad weather.

I would have a good rummage in the sale section of online retailers. IME you can't go wrong with Gore Bike Wear although it is expensive but good quality and lasts.

Windstopper fabric is brilliant and can be fairly water-repellant but seams don't tend to be taped.

Re padded shorts, very personal this but I find most are actually too padded thus causing chafing.

Posted 4 months ago #
ebygomm - Member

The quickest way to put her off cycling may be to suggest that all this new stuff is needed. If she's happy with what she's wearing then what's the problem?

(i don't own any cycle specific clothing)

Posted 4 months ago #
Rusty Mac - Member

I got my girlfriend some endura padded shorts that she wears under legins or jogging bottoms.

I kind of duped he into the bike shop saying i needed some new shorts and got her to try on a few pairs while she waied for me. She found ones she liked the fit of that just so happened to be purple so I got her them.

So far they have been a big sucess and she wares them evry time she is out on the bike now. Apart from them and gloves these are the only cycle specific bits of clothing she owns.

Posted 4 months ago #
Ladders - Member

Yeah, perhaps leave her be then. I'm just worried she'll freeze to death when we're out! She's just using a really cheap waterproof that makes her hotter and she keeps having to take it off as it doesn't breath or have any vents.

Posted 4 months ago #
emanuel - Member

chamois cream,gloves,nice socks.some cheap vans/duffs/whatever shoes.a helmet if she wants.
keep it casual+keep it simple=keep it fun.
jaquie phelan is a good read.

loeka make some nice stuff.I've bought some pearl izumi stuff on sale for some gf,well received,but I wonder if it was more the act of the gift rather than the actual gift.
got an ex some cycle clothing,she refused it all,but then again,she ended up refusing me as well..

Posted 4 months ago #
Lady Gresley - Member

If you want cheap, try places like Mountain Warehouse and Dare2B. I started off wearing padded undershorts under ordinary shorts or trousers, but I've always had a good breathable waterproof jacket.
As for the above mention of chamois cream - never used it, and I often cycle over 100 miles a week. Maybe I'm, errrm, "hardened off" down there

Edit: would she fancy a cycling skirt? I wear em all the time - I'm not showing off my arse in lycra!

Posted 4 months ago #
footflaps - Member

Gore women specific clothing is really good (or so my other half tells me)...

Exhibit A:

Heading toward Garburn Pass by brf, on Flickr

Posted 4 months ago #
porter_jamie - Member

according to my girlfriend the single most important piece of her riding kit (including her brand new full sus bike!) is her selle italia wsd saddle. second most important is warmth - jacket and gloves.
she likes altura stuff because it seems to fit ok.

Posted 4 months ago #
Munqe-chick - Member

I would suggest you ask what she finds uncomfortable and she thinks could be improved. Ie does she fancy "test riding" a few saddles. I have a Selle Italia WSD saddle and it's awesome but it's £75 which for a novice is a heck of a lot of money. Sometimes it may be worth convincing her that cheap doesn't necessarily mean best.

I would look at Dare 2 be, at the minute they have a huge sale on and this week free postage I think. I recently bought one of these:
http://www.dare2b.com/buy/pull-down-core-stretch-204100

It is lovely, thinish but with a lovely fleecy lining.

As mentioned about I would look at padded undershorts, and a merino wool base layer. One-on have some super cheap merino I have a men's small and it's perfect (I'm a 8-10 on top). Useful in other sports/activities too.

Jacket wise a very difficult one to advise on really I think she needs to decide what weather she will be going out with and have a look trying a few one. I have a Race FAce Aquanot .

Oh and definately some nice gloves!

Posted 4 months ago #
Munqe-chick - Member

Just checked email and Dare2b free postage available until 17th January, put D2BJAN12 into code for free P&P.

Posted 4 months ago #
timc - Member

ladies, any shoe recommendations? for flats, girl friend needs something to replace old trainers but can't find anything she likes? any suggestions?

Posted 4 months ago #
cinnamon_girl - Member

I wear mens 5:10's but you can get a girlie version, iirc purple piping and quite tasteful.

Posted 4 months ago #
PJM1974 - Member

As a chap who's introduced his lovelier half to the pleasures of off road riding, you first need to sweeten the deal somehow. I'd start off with a weekend away where the words "mountain" and "bike" aren't mentioned.

Not intending to sound sexist - indeed far from it, my missus is lovely, has three degrees and is a very keen rock climber - far better than I ever hope to be, but I do need to sweeten the deal of asking her to sit on an uncomfortable saddle in the cold and mud for a few hours. I remember the first time I tried a proper MTB saddle (a Spesh BG). despite the assurances of everyone, it killed me for the first few rides.

@timc

Keen do some really nice approach shoes that work well on flat pedals with pins. Mrs PJM1974 uses these or her trail running shoes.

Posted 4 months ago #
timc - Member

whats having 3 degrees got to do with it?

Posted 4 months ago #
rootes1 - Member

good places to look:

http://www.minx-girl.com/

http://www.groundeffect.co.nz/products.php?activity=Women

Posted 4 months ago #
PJM1974 - Member

Well, she's never fallen for my "let's go for a quiet ride in the country" BS.

Posted 4 months ago #
Sue_W - Member

Shoes for flats - any goretex lined approach / trail shoes. I use my salomon trail shoes, and the goretex liner means that I always have warm dry feet.

Other kit for women - when I was starting out, the thought of "padded undershorts" was really off-putting - felt akin to wearing a Lycra nappy. So suggest handling that one with care, and don't mention chamois cream to her at this point - it'll probably put her off for good

As mentioned, being warm and dry can make a big difference. If she's ambivalent about looking too 'sporty' or 'bike-y", then there are a lot of functional jackets and trainers that will be breathable and waterproof, but look more 'normal'. Might be an idea to take her to a good high street outdoor sportswear store, and let her browse to see what she prefers.

And +1 for minxgirl

Posted 4 months ago #
armchairbiker - Member

Now why haven't heard of Ana Nichoola before? Some interesting stuff there - though clearly not for me - but some ideas for the current Mrs.

And the stuff sells at Condor too. I wonder if that's why some of the website style ideas are similar to Rapha....

Not knocking it. I'm impressed. Looks good. Shame she's stuck riding in crappy London town

Posted 4 months ago #
rootes1 - Member

crappy London town

Lots of nice rides though, rivers, parks, canals etc - Lee Valley Path is good and with lots of pub stops opportunities...

Posted 4 months ago #
Munqe-chick - Member

Leggyblonde liking some of her stuff btu the website is awful to use. Too arty farty in my opinion and not easy enough to mavigate around. WHen can we buy summer stuff? want that star jersey or cafe dress!!!

Kit can be so expensive though! I like Mink girl but look at the prices!

Posted 4 months ago #
cinnamon_girl - Member

Have one of these in black for sale, think it's a size 12. Very understated and doesn't shout 'mountain biker'.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=33632

E-mail in profile.

Posted 4 months ago #
leggyblonde - Member

Thanks for your feedback guys, I'll tell Anna to check here and respond when she's finished exhibiting at the London Bike Show this weekend.

OP: good luck!

Posted 4 months ago #
lapierrelady - Member

Have you thought about sealskinz socks to keep the feet dry and warm regardless of shoes?GoOutdoors is good for cheap trailshoes if you have one near you.

Posted 4 months ago #
elaine anne - Member

i wear five tens in winter they are expensive, but for summer i like to wear a lighter shoe..something like womens Merrels shoes...good grips..i got a pair in the sale 45 quid...normally 75-80 quid.
my hubby is getting his first bike soon...and he doesnt like the idea of all the cycling gear either lol....he will be alright for baselayers he has loads so just needs a jacket of some description, maybe he can wear an older pair of his merrels shoes begin with...he grumbling about helmet too (lol)....i will see to it he gets his noggin sorted...just need some padded shorts too...
until you get into cycling you dont think you need much ...but you soon begin learn wot you need when you're braving the elements

Posted 4 months ago #
Bunnyhop - Member

When I first started out mtbing there wasn't much clothing for women anyway, so I made do with walking boots (which I still ride in now on really cold, snowy rides), wicking tops and padded shorts.

Now you can get some fairly inexpensive gear from decathlon.
Merino tops are great as you can layer up and use them for normal wear.

I would spend decent money though on a waterproof, warm jacket for winter, 'Gore' is my favourite.

Posted 4 months ago #
tyredbiker - Member

You might as well go for something fairly dual purpose and just get a nice looking waterproof, that isn't too short on the back from an outdoor shop like Cotswolds. Just make sure its breathable and has underarm zips.
Can get long lycra from any cheaper sports retailer that will keep her warm enough and a helly hansen base layer is always useful! That's how I started and as I got into it I've seen the error of my ways and have bought more specific gear, as I kid myself that it is necessary and will somehow improve my riding!

PS DON'T FORGET THE GLOVES! (and waterproof socks will keep her feet warmer too!)

Leggyblonde liking some of her stuff btu the website is awful to use. Too arty farty in my opinion
+1 the stuff looks great, but for that expensive jacket, there isn't one photo that shows the whole thing!

Posted 4 months ago #
AnaNichoola - Member

Yo! thanks for the comments, just back from a wicked time at the london bike show. the reason that there was no product shots is cos we didnt shoot any until about 4 months into the season, it's just me running it at the mo, the winter stuff is my first proper range, so I hadn't thought of everything! Check out the jacket here http://www.evanscycles.com/products/ana-nichoola/womens-snow-cat-jacket-ec032014

Summer stuff has much clearer product shots. Defo want to keep it arty farty, designing and perfecting clothes is fun right, but trying to visually show whats so cool about being a woman and having a bike riding lifestyle is the MOST fun. Its the sort of thing that wakes me up in the middle of the night and stops me from getting back to sleep I'm so excited about it. I don't really want a brand that just ticks boxes, like yeah, it's good stuff....I want a brand that people like looking at and being part of because it's passionate.

blah blah blah, i'm going to bed before i totally stop making sense xxxzzzzzzzzzz

Posted 4 months ago #
Munqe-chick - Member

But when can I buy one of those start jerseys and how much are they? I do like the arty fartyand I can so understand the desire to be creative etc, however I just found it quite hard to naviagate and couldn't find prices etc. Not a criticism at all as everyone is different but I do like it and want a starry full zip jersey!!!

Posted 4 months ago #