CATEGORIES
CATEGORIESKitsbow is the first to acknowledge it: they’re addicted. Not simply to the hum of knobby tires, but to the craftsmanship of premium mountain bike apparel. They are, by their own admission, obsessive.
For starters, they maintain their supply chain as meticulously as they do the chain spinning through their derailleurs. Wool from New Zealand and Australia (sustainably sourced), fabrics from Switzerland, manufacturing in British Colombia; each Kitsbow product charts a defined path across the globe.
Normally, we reserve our mountain biking gear solely for the trail. Kitsbow pieces, however, call to us well beyond the singletrack. Maybe we’ve become a bit obsessive, too.
These shorts are as steep in price as our favorite downhill trails. Commodity shorts, while cheaper, lack the tailored style, comfort and features made possible by the OCDers (obsessive compulsive designers) at Kitsbow. The A/M profile is tailored and far from baggy. Even with a light liner, the comfortable pair looks as sharp as a tube-popping cactus needle.
Ventilation Excellence: A perforated back yoke and additional paneling along inner and outer thighs contributes to the style and ventilation of this high-intensity performer. Steamy days in Fruita and throughout Colorado’s Front Range had testers giving the nod to Kitsbow for temperature and humidity management.
Features and Style: Subtle features go beyond the smart cut of the Ventilated Short; a low-profile front fly, alloy slip hooks on the waistband and diagonal pockets (which could be a bit bigger) add to off-bike panache and on-bike performance.
Bottom Line: You could find these features and fabrics in three different mountain bike shorts, but Kitsbow has expertly hewn them into a single saddle-bound masterpiece.
Best For: Riders with dough on the prowl for a fitted, fashionable and functional style
Take a simple, handsome crew neck. Add a touch of asymmetric orange detailing to play against the Pacific blue fabric for increased visibility and a flash of wild style. Should you dip off the singletrack for a stint on the highway shoulder, riding parallel to high-speed traffic, be confident they’ll catch a glimpse of your bright collar in the Ride Tee.
Testers Blown Away: “It’s comfortable on the trail,” said an impressed tester. “But the thing that really rocked my world is how many compliments I get off the trail. It’s got to be the orange shoulders.”
Low-Key Features: This 88 % Merino, 12% polyester declaration of style sports a low-key button-sealed back pocket, a handy chest pocket and classic Kitsbow embellishments.
Bottom line: Comfortable and stylish on and off the trail, the Ride Tee will rapidly become a frontrunner into your wardrobe rotation.
Best For: Gents who appreciate bikes, beers and the finer things in life.
Check out the Ride Tee-Tritone to earn cash back from Active Junky.
