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 […]
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 […]
The 2022 Life Time Sea Otter Classic presented by Continental was last week. Racers, fans, and our favorite brands gathered at the Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey California! I walked the aisles of the expo to bring you the latest and greatest products coming to the US market from all of the best companies. It […]
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 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 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 […]
Summer Ride Season’s Hot Apparel Hits
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
A couple of our crew wear Gore bibs and jerseys and this year, Greg Gentle and I are working together on a review of the new Winter line. We published a first look at the lineup here and I interviewed Amy Evans from GORE® WEAR here. I have to say that the new generation of fabrics […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 – 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 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. […]
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, […]
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 […]
Kora Yak Wool Azog Jersey and Holocene Vest Review
FBc Apparel Editor Greg Gentle reviews the 45NRTH Naughtvind Jacket, Pants and Bibs!
It’s a good old-fashioned ride flannel shootout!
Our amigos from Bontrager (Sam & Alex) are grizzled veterans in the winter cyclist’s war with wind and weather. It has to have been three or four years ago Bontrager launched their Old Man Winter (OMW) line of cold weather cycling gear. This winter, I’ll be putting both the OMW Pants and Jacket through a […]
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, […]
The 2019 Fat-Bike Holiday Gift Guide
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
This winter I have been testing the Mission Workshop Advanced Projects: Seamless Base Layers. The product specifications for this one of a kind base layer can be found in here on fat-bike.com. I am 6′ 3″ and very slim. I ordered a size large for both the shirt and bottoms for the Seamless Base Layers. […]
The Chamonix Collection is based out of St. Paul, Minnesota. It is described as, “A collection of affordable performance apparel and gear inspired by the vibrancy and personality of Chamonix, France.” They specialize in snowboards, snowboard apparel, and winter cycling apparel. I recently received two pieces of Chamonix Collection winter cycling-specific apparel. The first […]
Over the past couple of months, before the snow arrived, I had the opportunity to test the new 45nrth Ragnarok Boots and Torvald Jacket. These items are part of 45nrth’s transition season gear. I tested both pieces in various conditions from colder days around 25 degrees Fahrenheit to the rare warm fall day that […]
Mission Workshop Advanced Project: Seamless Base Layers (MWAP/SBL) [em-wap’-say-bul] are truly one of a kind, with their technological and futuristic appearance, paired with high-performance specifications. I had never heard of this San Francisco based bag and apparel manufacturer previous to when I was asked to test the MWAP/SBL. Mission Workshop is a company that strives to […]
The seasons are changing, and 45nrth, recently released their new transition season gear. Included in this new transition gear are the Rangarok Reflective boots and Torvald Jacket. The Ragnarok Reflective Boots: The Ragnarok Reflective Boots are designed to endure the cool and wet weather, that comes with the seasons shifting into fall. These water-resistant, moisture […]
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 […]
Just in time for the holidays Minneapolis company Twin-Six is having a sale TODAY, Wednesday 11/23 on all of their gear with the idea that if you shop today you can ride your bike on Friday and escape the madness (and lines, and grandmas fist-fighting in the big-box stores)…doesn’t that sound nice? I would highly suggest […]
Greetings fellow Fat-Bikers, I hope you have been enjoying the summer heat. In Minneapolis it’s been a fun combination of suffocating heat and glorious light shows brought to us by some pretty crazy summer thunderstorms. What better time to test out a rain jacket, right? Seeing as it’s summer and whatnot, having a jacket that doesn’t […]
We’re back with another thrilling episode of Gnome-Proof Gear. I’m your host, Gomez Alejandro Santana de Lago, and on this episode of GPG, thee Spinner Ryerson shares a hydration system for our amigos, of the four legged variety, His Honor, the Mayor of GnomeFest 13, Steve Meurett, nominates the Ibex Shaq for GPG status and […]
We launched our Gnome-Proof Gear series last month and this particular edition is a compilation from our Bike Black Ribbon Test Pilots of the female persuasion. The Gnome-Proof Seal of Approval is awarded to gear that our product testers, have found to be the ‘Best of the Best’ in field tested, fat-bike accessories. Triple Aught Designs […]
This is the fourth in our Gnome-Proof Gear series of articles, that share our Bike Black Ribbon Test Pilot’s choices for the ‘best of the best’ in field tested fat-bike accessories. Check it out! Geigerrig 3L Hydration Engine ($97, as pictured) by Ian Nycloud About 2 years ago, while spec’-ing out my first bikepacking rig, […]
Hi Fat-bike.com readers! I’m bringing to you a sneak pre-view at Shebeest’s spring line up of women’s cycling wear. Shebeest is unique in that they only make women’s cycling gear and are dedicated to creating quality, proper fitting gear for the female athlete. Fellow women riders you know the frustration of finding women specific […]
This is the first installment of Gnome-Proof Gear (GPG). GPG will feature gear that any/all of our testing staff have used and abused and came out shining. The products that we’ll feature will earn the GPG – seal of approval, which means that they’ve gone through a full season of rides, campouts, bonfires, and adventures. Some of […]
Howdy good Fat Bike friends, hope you’re all staying dry and getting rad. It’s been pretty wet and muggy here in Minneapolis so what better time than to get testing some new outerwear? I had the extreme pleasure of reaching out to the folks at Search and State recently and they sent me one […]
Fat-bike.com readers and riders…I’m on a mission from Bontrager this month. Gomez has handed me the motherlode of winter gear for testing, and I have been putting it through the ringer to find the cream of the Fat-bike crop for you. First up we have the all important base layers. The Bontrager B2 Short […]
