For me, Fox clothing carries so much prestige and heritage, you only have to look back to 96’ when Shaun Palmer first bust out his 360’ kit at a World Cup, everything changed… Skin suits where binned in favour of moto kit, and mountain biking got a little cooler. But can you ride trail bikes in moto kit? The answer is yes, with very little comfort. Fox has been making trail bike specific kit for some time now because it’s lighter and more suited to a trail rider’s needs. I’ve had the pleasure of testing some of Fox’s premium trail kit and here’s what I thought…

Words: Sandy Plenty | Photos: Ian Gunstone

Fox Tech Aircool Jersey

I took a size small and the fit was perfect for my mantis-like physique, nicely fitted without being too tight. The first thing I noticed was how comfortable the jersey was, no rough seams to irritate your skin.

The jersey is made up of a 100% polyester, 8-panel design, making it flexible and not clingy in any way. As the name denotes, this jersey is extremely cool, acting in the same way as a base layer, wicking away the sweat.

On the back-left of the jersey there is a zip-up pocket around 10cm square, perfect for an energy bar or gel depending on your tipple. I can honestly say the jersey is the business and worth every penny of its £40 price tag.

Fox Attack Q4 Shorts

Let’s start with the liner; it’s a great fit offering lots of comfort from its Evo detachable chamois. The thing I find with some chamois’ is when you get a really comfy one it often feels like your wearing a nappy, however the Evo chamois has different thickness panels within the overall chamois. So around your sit bones it’s thicker and denser, moving to a lighter, thinner area around the crotch. The elasticated waist band has a good depth meaning it won’t dig in or leave marks on your skin.

Another feature that stood out for me was the weight of the garment; it’s incredibly light for a trail short. Good quality branded zips take care of the two side pockets, with a two popper, zip flier upfront. Like the jersey these shorts are well ventilated with a mesh panel each side, mid way up your thigh, positioned towards the back. Whilst testing these shorts I also rode in the Fox Launch Pro knee pads, the short sat nicely over the top part of the pad and didn’t ruck up like some other lighter shorts tend to.

The last feature I want to mention is simple but genius: they have hidden adjustable waistbands. These velcro adjusters allow you to nip up the short’s waist, getting that perfect fit. Fox have nicely concealed them on the inside of the shorts, so they won’t get caught on the bike or a hydration pack. There are cheaper shorts on the market for sure, but you get what you pay for with these and at £75, they’re extremely well priced amongst the competition. Once again, I am very impressed with the shorts’ fit, making for a perfect summer kit choice.

Conclusion

If you’re serious about your riding then this kit is for you. Why spend £2K plus on a bike, then wear budget clothing? As the rider, you are the engine so it seems fitting to dress yourself in kit that will allow you to ride harder, faster and longer on your steed. This kit will also last you at least a couple of seasons before it gets demoted to the ‘wet weather only’ kit draw. Both pieces come in a couple of colour options to suit all tastes and for more information, hit the logo below. Happy trails, Sandy.

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