2019 Apparel Gift Guide – Five Ten, GORE Wear, Pearl iZUMi, Showers Pass, and Julbo

by Brian Mullin on December 19, 2019

510_kestral_pro

Five Ten Kestrel Pro Boa

Five Ten has wholly revised their discontinued Kestrel Boa model with the new 2019 Kestrel Pro Boa to help improve and optimize the fit. They moved the Boa lacing system upwards, and it no longer as far towards the toes, and a Velcro strap at the bottom has now replaced the last Boa or third loop of its predecessor. For this Spring, it now comes in a sweet new Orange/Black combination to go along with the existing Black/Gray colorway.

Otherwise, it shares the same uppers and outsole as the functional Freerider Pro and Kestrel Lace. The heel cup is now more recessed, and the back inside of the heel area is now lined with an anti-slip material that is sort of like a cat’s tongue, which should help prevent lift and provide a more secure hold.

  • Regular fit
  • Boa® Closure System for micro-adjustment, and secure and consistent hold
  • Synthetic weather-resistant micro-perforated upper; Perforated EVA tongue with mesh overlay
  • Textile lining; Stealth® C4™ rubber outsole for unbeatable grip
  • Durable, lightweight EVA midsole; Enjoy the comfort and performance of OrthoLite® sockliner
  • Clipless style; Non-slip heel cup; Stiff carbon-infused nylon shank
  • $200
  • adidasoutdoor.com/fiveten

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GORE Wear C5 GORE-TEX INFINIUM Hybrid Hooded Jacket

New to the GORE Wear collection for 2019, the GORE C5 GORE-TEX INFINIUM Hybrid Hooded Jacket is a cleverly designed outer layer that offers all-weather protection with the comfort of softshell.

Predominantly made of GORE WINDSTOPPER Stretch Material, the jacket’s critical areas, like the shoulders, upper body, and arms, are constructed from a waterproof GORE-TEX Active material, targeting the parts of your body that need the most weather protection. Additionally, just like any fully hardshell jacket, the jacket features puddle splash and mud spray protection.

This trail jacket is made for mixed conditions riding when you don’t need the bulk of a full rain jacket. Lighter and more breathable than a hard shell, this jacket will move with you when you ride, making it more comfortable and quieter to wear.

  • GORE-TEX Active material on shoulders and upper arms
  • Adjustable hem at the waist with cordstopper
  • Adjustable under-helmet hood provides added protection from the elements
  • External hanger hook
  • Front zippered pockets
  • Hybrid construction creates a warm, comfy and protective jacket without the bulk of a hardshell
  • Partially elastic cuff with velcro adjustment
  • Reflective details on all sides
  • Taped seams on shoulders and back for added weather protection
  • Windproof, water-resistant, and extremely breathable
  • GORE-TEX INFINIUM garments with GORE® WINDSTOPPER product technology
  • $279.99

For more information, refer to gorewear.com.

gore_c7_longdist_multi

GORE Wear C7 Long Distance Bib Shorts+ 

The form-fitting C7 Long Distance Bib Shorts+ utilize an airy lightweight, stretchy, wickable, and breathable fabric that’s soft and comfortable. Their innovative three-point chamois anchoring system allows the pad to float for decreased chafing and improved comfort while pedaling. The breathable front panel, combined with the Windstopper Cup in the crotch, offers excellent ventilation and comfort in a wide range of temperatures. Highlights to the thicker and broader profile pad of the Long Distance version, making for more comfortable rides and long day adventures. The comfortable wide shoulder straps and functional yokes offer a stretchy yet cradled and snug no droop fit.

The quality materials, functional design, Central Torso construction, 4-way stretch fabric, chaff reducing flatlock seams, floating chamois pad with Windstopper Cup, excellent ventilation, wide supportive shoulder straps, and yoke combine for superb bib shorts, albeit a bit pricey at $199.99.

I liked the C7 Long Distance Bib Shorts+ due to the broad and thick chamois pad, the low resistance stretchy fabric, and high ventilating capabilities, all of which provided a comfortable, plush, and cool set of bib shorts.

For further information, refer to gorewear.com, and a full review at GORE Wear C7 Long Distance Bib Shorts+ and C7 Race Bib Shorts+ Review.

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Showers Pass Water-Resistant Shorts

Showers Pass Continues Innovating to Protect Against ALL Element

Showers Pass has launched it’s first water-resistant at the Sea Otter show. The DWR Cross Country Short is the latest addition to its popular mountain biking short line and the first to be built with a DWR (durable water repellent) coated fabric. The Showers Pass DWR Cross Country Short comes in Black, and 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, and 40″ men’s sizes and retails for $95.

Showers Pass has always made highly functional gear with a specialty in inclement weather conditions. They utilize excellent materials, designs, and craftwork, and adding a DWR fabric to their remarkable Cross Country Short family will provide a useful pair of shorts when riding in less than ideal weather. I wore these shorts in nasty rainstorms all spring and summer, and they almost always kept me dry. One day, I got caught in a torrential downpour, and though I got a bit wet, I still stayed warm. They’re an excellent pair of comfortable, rugged and water-resistant shorts.

For further information, visit showerspass.com.

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PEARL iZUMi PRO Merino Thermal Jersey and Merino Wool Hat

PRO Merino Thermal Jersey

The jersey utilizes a 60/40 blend of responsibly sourced Merino wool and Nylon fabric. The wool offers comfort, odor control, and natural body-temperature management, while the nylon keeps it from getting stretched out of shape and provides durability. The main body is made from 57% merino wool and 43% nylon, while the pockets are 100% polyester, and other sections are 46% nylon, 38% polyester, and 16% LYCRA elastane.

It has hand-stitched design lines on the chest panel for added visual interest, while the full-length Vislon zipper offers ventilation adjustment and ease of use. It features BioViz reflective elements for low-light visibility, and three back pockets and a single zippered back pocket for securing valuables. With a forgiving standard fit, it provides more comfort and layering attributes. It comes in the Teal and Phantom colors, S-XXL sizes, and retails for $195.

The PEARL iZUMi Pro Merino Thermal Jersey, with its 60/40 blend Merino wool and nylon blend, offers excellent thermal temperature regulation, odor control, comfort, and durability, making it ideal for chillier days of the year.

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Merino Wool Hat

The Transfer Merino fabric combines fine 18.5-micron Merino wool for superior comfort and recycled Repreve XS Polyester technical fibers made from recycled plastic water bottles for sustainable technical performance. Their unique plated fabric construction places polyester next to skin and merino on the exterior for superior moisture transfer and thermal regulation. It features a close-fitting design that easily fits under helmets with BioViz reflective elements for low-light visibility. It comes in the Phantom color, one size, and retails for $30.

The PEARL iZUMi Merino Wool Hat is a highly functional skull cap, and it’s wool/polyester blend offers comfort against the skin and excellent thermal regulation when dealing with cooler temperatures.

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Pearl Izumi Summit AmFIB Pants

These are Pearl Izumi’s warmest mountain bike pants, and they’re ready to help winter riders push through the harshest conditions. They feature the AmFib softshell throughout for warmth, and wind and water resistance. They have thermal panels on the back of knees to add breathability and enhance pedaling performance, and PI Dry technology adds water shedding functionality for inclement weather. Wear the Summit AmFIB Pants over your favorite liner shorts or, for added warmth, over full-length tights. It comes in Black, S, M, L, Xl, and XXL sizes and retails for $185.

  • ELITE AmFIB Softshell fabric offers wind and water protection
  • Thermal Fleece fabric with water-shedding PI Dry technology on the back of knees
  • Snap front waist closure with zip fly
  • External waist adjustment
  • Two zippered security hand pockets and a zipped pocket on thigh
  • Ankle zippers allow for easy on and off
  • Tailored mountain bike specific fit
  • BioViz reflective elements for low-light visibility
  • Materials
    • Main: 41% nylon 41% polyester 13% lycra 5% polyurethane DWR finish
    • Back of Knee: 56% nylon 30% polyester 14% LYCRA PI DRY

julbo_aerolite_segment

Julbo Aerolite Segment

The Segment series combines our lightweight and ergonomic Aerolite frames with the new 0-3 REACTIV Performance lens boasting an extensive photochromic range. Perfect vision both in very low light or looking into the sun, as well as excellent grip, comfort, and visible colors. The SEGMENT series frames include all the performance solutions developed by Julbo for runners, cyclists, and skiers.
I like the Aerolite Segment that has the 0-3 REACTIV coverage. I took them on a late afternoon early evening ride last week, and it was dark at the end (used my night lights), and they worked perfectly. Having Photochromic lenses with a cat. 0 to 3, or a visible light transmission rate of 12% – 87% is highly functional for late afternoon and evening rides, and heavily wooded area.

  • 3D Nose Fit: Special nose-pads are adjustable in every direction so that glasses fit every type of nose shape and ensure unbeatable hold in all conditions.
  • Air Link Temple system: This elastomer shock absorber insert fitted at the end of the temple makes the glasses lighter and more comfortable
  • Front Venting: Natural front venting of air created by the lens shape.
  • Full Venting: Highly vented sunglasses structure allowing full circulation of air to prevent fogging.
  • Grip Tech: Exclusive soft-comfort material on the temples that doesn’t stick to hair, giving perfect grip and comfort
  • Panoramic view: Wide lens surface for maximum field of vision.

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