Buy Less, Buy Better. That is the moto at Ibex and I absolutely love it! All their wool comes from farms in Australia and New Zealand. The farms are regularly checked to ensure the sheep are treated with respect, and best practices are adopted for the protection of the land. Fun fact: They specialize in […]
Tag Archives | apparel
Ibex Merino Wool essentials for Any Season
The folks at Ibex approached us with their ‘mud season’ line of apparel just in time for the spring thaw. I got to test the Indie hoodie and the Indie quick link neck gaiter. Ibex is the original gangster of Merino Wool in my book. There are dozens of Merino brands out there now, and […]
Showers Pass Cloudburst Hooded Jacket – by Greg Gentle
Showers Pass Cloudburst Hooded Jacket-$239 Showers Pass continues to innovate and produce outstanding outdoor and cycling gear from its Portland, Oregon headquarters. Recently dropped, the Cloudburst Hooded Jacket takes all the amazing features of their 2021 hoodless release but raises the bar a notch by adding a hooded feature. I reviewed the first rendition of […]
Titan ShootOut: 45NRTH vs Endura- by Greg Gentle
Okay, so this isn’t an actual shootout. There will be no gunplay or violence. However, after landing the newest kits from Endura and 45NRTH, two of the biggest names in the biz, I thought it makes sense to line them up side by side for you. Last Spring Endura sent us a set of the […]
GORE C5 GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ THERMO JACKET Review
I’ve been wearing Gore Wear kit for nearly 20 years now so you could say I’m a keen user. What I’ve like about Gore is it ‘works’. So if they say its windproof, it will be. If they say its breathable, it will be. You get the idea. So a few months back a care […]
Showers Pass-Leading the Shift to Sustainability – by Greg Gentle
The Green Movement is making headways in the apparel industry pushing manufacturers to consider their carbon footprint. The environmental cost of looking good is catching up. A 2021 report by the Environmental Protection Agency reports that the clothing industry contributes a staggering 17 million tons of textile waste every year. That same report identified textile […]
Gorewear Trail Collection
Gorewear announced their Trail Collection last Spring and a couple of our crew have been wearing some of the components during recess*. Jeff Price recently reviewed the TrailKPR Gloves. Back in May, we published a report about how much I’ve been enjoying the Lupra Jacket. Today, we’re back with a review of what I’d call […]
Brand Alert! Maloja Clothing Company
The upper middle west is commonly known as a “fly-over” region for residents of the east and west coasts. While I take umbrage to this term, I do know we are often overlooked by companies and movie stars as a destination. For that reason, I was happy when Maloja Clothing Company reached out to see […]
Cycorld Pro Softshell Pants & MTB Shorts
A month or two ago, Cycorld Pro asked if they could send us some winter softshell pants and a pair of stretchy MTB shorts. I looked at their website and it looked like the sort of kit that I wear all of the time. I noticed that the prices were lower than most of the […]
Gorewear Trail Collection Lupra Jacket
March in Wisconsin is not for the meek. Is seems as though thirty-eight degrees and snaining with fifteen mile an hour winds (gusting to forty) is on the menu most of the time. Spring usually teases us with a few sunny days where the mercury may get above sixty but it snows just about every […]
Brands We Love-Kora Outdoor By Greg Gentle & Gomez
Few brands tell a better story than Kora Outdoor. Kora is the Tibetan word for a pilgrim’s circumambulation of a sacred mountain. The company’s owner started his journey to build Kora after spending time with Tibetan nomadic yak herders. He was struck by the incredible warmth and softness of the wool. In 2013, following years […]
New Merino Offerings from Showers Pass for 2022 – by Greg Gentle
I’m a lucky guy. No…really. I get to try out all kinds of amazing gear. On or off the bike–I get to sample some amazing products, put them through the test, and write about them here. Last month the fine people at Showers Pass released two impressive new pieces to add to their merino base […]
Brands We Love – Donkey Label
Brands We Love Episode 1: Donkey Label The team at Fat-bike.com has the pleasure of working with some amazing people making amazing products to help us keep the rubber side down. I thought it was time we give a shout-out to brands that are making an impact not only through their products, but through their […]
icebreaker Women’s Cool-Lite™ Merino Sphere Short Sleeve Low Crewe T-Shirt – by Thumbelena
icebreaker was founded in 1995 by Jeremy Moon with the philosophy that nature has the solution. He wanted to provide natural performance apparel to create a more sustainable future for our species and the planet. From developing new materials like their Merinoloft(duck down alternative) to using vegetable-based ink to releasing a transparency report that publicly […]
Hot Picks for Cool Summer Kits – by Greg Gentle
Summer Ride Season’s Hot Apparel Hits
Ride Tested Jerseys from Mons Royale
A few years ago, the tech-wool-blend Mtb jersey came on the scene with a seductive feel next to the skin and all-conditions comfort. I’ve worn a Mons Royale mid-weight Merino wool base layer for the past few seasons and I liked it enough to purchase two summer-weight Mons Royale Jerseys that I’ll be sharing some […]
Machines for Freedom Key Short – by Thumbelena
As a relatively new company Machines for Freedom has been designing cycling apparel since 2014. Owner Jennifer Kriske launched the company from her living room using this statement as her guide: built on confidence, on freedom, and on a game-changing product that (*shocker*) actually worked the way riders’ need it to. Initially, their focus was […]
Shoulder Covers for Shoulder Season by Greg Gentle
Shoulder Covers for Shoulder Season There is nothing worse than being under dressed for a long day in the saddle. It is often the defining factor whether you’re going to enjoy the day or not. Last month I presented you with a few options to keep your lower half high and dry during the shoulder […]
Ride PANTS! by Greg Gentle
What Are You Wearing? Print Edition: Riding Pants It’s that time of year in the north country. The snow is melting, the trails are (most likely) unrideable, and most roads are a messy soup of slush, salt, and grit. While much of the snow is gone it’s March and that means we should expect one […]
Kora Yak Wool Holocene Vest Review by Greg Gentle
My New Favorite Thing: The Kora Holocene Vest: I have claimed a number of favorite things over the years. When I was seven years old my favorite thing was my Steve Austin Six Million Dollar Man action doll. By ten I moved on to my California Free-Former skateboard. At thirteen it was my Mongoose […]
SURLY/45NRTH/Fat-Bike Teamwear Store is OPEN NOW!
The Wool Jersey There’s been a development in the printing of wool jerseys that allows the natural fabric that we all love to wear to be fully sublimated like jerseys made out of synthetics. We’ve teamed up with Hyperthreads and Chris Daisy Art & Design to create a line of Winter Cycling apparel. We’re hoping […]
New GORE® Fall and Winter Apparel keeps you riding all year long
Winter ride gear should never get in the way of performance. The new GORE® C5 line that we’re about to share with y’all is more streamlined than ever before, to offer warmth and weather-protection without a bunch of bulk. From fall into winter, we have a few things in for review including base layers, shoe covers, […]
Bontrager Avert Adventure Shoe by Greg Gentle
Bontrager Avert Adventure Shoe Bontrager has followed up on last season’s popular GRX Gravel Shoe with the Avert Adventure Shoe, an all new addition to their casual, all-rounder footwear line. Available in Trek Black and Sandstone, the $174.99 Avert features: Durable, weather resistant, and breathable CORDURA® and suede upper construction for all-day, everyday useHigh-traction reverse […]
Showers Pass – Elements Jacket
Our Apparel Editor, Mr. Greg Gentle, sent over some details about the new Showers Pass Waterproof Elements Jacket that he’ll be testing in the coming autumn season. Buckle up buttercup… The fat-bike.com apparel category is about to shift into overdrive! SHOWERS PASS INTRODUCES THE WATERPROOF “ELEMENTS” JACKET Portland, OR – Showers Pass today introduces the […]
Chrome/Gore/Mountain Hardwear – Ride Shorts Roundup
Shorts, Schwartz, and more Shorts – In Wisconsin, we tend to wear shorts as long as it’s above freezing, and certain ‘lumberjack types’ stop shaving on Labor Day. I’ve been testing a slew of new apparel for the last few months, all while living the bike life. My waistline has been trending downwards, so I […]
Specialized RBX ADV Apparel Review by Kristy Henderson
Specialized RBX ADV – Where Distance is more than just Mileage In early March, the opportunity crossed my path to test and review the Specialized RBX Adventure (RBX ADV) apparel. The timing was perfect as I was deep into planning a western MN gravel adventure with distances ranging from 60-130 miles of gravel roads, small-town […]
Showers Pass Refuge Collection Review by Greg Gentle
Showers Pass Refuge Collection The COVID-19 lockdown continues in Wisconsin, but fortunately, our Governor sees the wisdom in getting outside, so with a lot of time and no-where-to-go I’ve been able to stack up some miles. Yet day to day operations without a firm schedule brings some challenges, and I’m challenged daily by many things. […]
Bontrager Adventure Wear Preview by Greg Gentle
Many of us are feeling trapped amidst growing restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether you’re under a complete Stay-At-Home Directive, or a simply observing sensible social distance guidelines, this whole experience is pushing our capacity to stay positive. Under normal circumstances this time of year I seek inspiration from the Spring classics like Strada-Bianche, […]
Spring Glove Shootout
I’m a fan of full-fingered gloves all year round and when it comes to the gloves that I wear during early spring, I’ve traditionally gone to a softshell glove rated for around 40 degrees F. This would be the same glove that I wear inside of pogies for all but the coldest rides throughout the […]
Icebreaker Merino Wool Base Layer Long-Term Review
This was meant to be a long term review of a pair of Icebreakers 200 weight long sleeve crewnecks and has somehow come out as somewhat of an ode to the merino wool base layer. What we gauchos and gnome hunters call the sheep. Merino wool base layers are the unsung hero of every cool […]
Specialized Therminal Alpha Jacket and Deflect H20 Mountain Jacket Review – by Greg
Race day is always wrought with varying degrees of anxiety. How many calories do I carry? Did I set up the right tires? Do I carry an extra tube? Have I put the miles in to meet my goals? So much time and preparation leading to a single day event can really tax the mind. […]
Kora Yak Wool Azog Jersey and Holocene Vest Review
Kora Yak Wool Azog Jersey and Holocene Vest Review
45 NRTH Naughtvind Clothing System – by Greg Gentle
FBc Apparel Editor Greg Gentle reviews the 45NRTH Naughtvind Jacket, Pants and Bibs!
Winter Bib Tight – Three Way Test Jam
Three Pairs or Winter Bib Tights Enter the Fat-Bike Thunderdome!
The Ride Flannel Shootout!
It’s a good old-fashioned ride flannel shootout!
SWRVE Kills with the Winter Shirt Jacket – by Greg Gentle
Sometimes something unexpected comes into your life that helps you rethink something. For example, Nestle Quick replaced Bosco in my childhood home transforming chocolate milk forever. And now, I have this shirt jacket from SWRVE that is helping me believe a company from Los Angeles can make something for winter that makes sense. I know, […]
Stio Apparel Review – by Greg Gentle
The kind folks at Stio shared a few products for us to preview for our “What to Wear” series here at Fat-Bike.com. To be clear, there is no series called, “What to Wear”, but I might have to fix that. The Stio brand is better known west of the Rockies for their mountain forward style […]
Showers Pass Crosspoint Waterproof Knit Gloves
Just a couple of weeks ago, at the Grand Funduro, I was talking with Tony Berger at the hangover coffee clutch. Tony is a regular on the Full Spectrum Cycling Podcast. He was singing the praises of a pair of Showers Pass Crosspoint Waterproof Knit gloves and said that he probably had sold a hundred […]
Shouldering the Shoulder Season: Bontrager Velocis Apparel Line by Greg Gentle
During the final days of October, a box of joy landed on my doorstep full of cold weather riding gear from the kind and generous folks at Trek/Bontrager. Earlier in the month I received a message from Gomez with a contact name in the Apparel Division at Bontrager. Nick Anger from their marketing team […]
My new favorite shorts – Gore C7 Two in One Bibs
The past six months, Jeff Price and I had the opportunity to spend some quality time riding Gore’s new C7 shorts. Summitoppler Jeff’s review of the C7’s is here. I’ve been wearing a couple of pairs of a different version of the Gore C7 line of shorts. The Two in One C7 Bib combines the […]
Fall Apparel Preview – Kitsbow – Gore – Showers Pass by Greg Gentle
Summer’s door has officially slammed shut and autumn is upon us. This is my absolute favorite time of year to ride. There’s nothing like coasting through the woods or smashing some backcountry gravel miles with that crisp air and spectacular tree colors surrounding you. What better time to offer up a few fall clothing options […]
Kitsbow Wind Vest: First Look – by Greg Gentle
Next month I’m racing my bike across Michigan’s U.P. from Copper Harbor to Marquette on “enhanced” gravel roads. It’s a 230-mile death march across the Keweenaw Peninsula and will require some special gear. In fact, there’s a required gear list that includes a jacket or vest. My NBFs at Kitsbow recently sent me a Wind […]
Product Review: Chamonix Collection Cycling Gear
The Chamonix Collection Cyling Gear is well-constructed and top notch. With snow-filled winters, that range from sub-zero temps to days where the sun shines, at a mild 30 degrees, here in Teton Valley, I tested the Seeley 3L Jacket and Esker Bibs in a variety of winter conditions. The product specifications for both these products can […]
Qloom Winter Apparel Review by K8
Winter riding just got a little sweeter while dressed in Qloom’s Cayley Pant and Jacket. It’s as if someone who really knew their shiznitz from cycling, sailing and skiing and put it all together in one product line… oh wait they did ! Success ! Its sealed nice and sweet so the elements stay […]