Norway’s Finest: Norrona MTB Apparel Review

Relying on the place you reside and journey, Norrona’s mountain bike attire might or might not be a standard sight in your trails. The latter is the case for me, though the Norwegian model’s winter outerwear has at all times been on my radar as a backcountry skier. Whereas I’m extra conversant in Norrona’s cold-weather gear, the mountain bike attire that I’ve seen over time has at all times left a reasonably robust impression. The longer inseams, daring colours, and distinctive styling have at all times stood out barely from the gang of similar-looking mtb attire.

Norrona added mountain bike attire to its catalog all the best way again in 2008 and has been producing it ever since. As somebody who has been obsessive about each snowboarding and mountain biking for the previous few many years, I’m at all times intrigued by manufacturers that make merchandise for each of my favourite mountain sports activities. So, when the chance to check out a pair of Norrona shorts and a jersey happened, I jumped proper on it. 

I’ve been testing a few of Norrona’s newest mountain bike attire, the Fjora Flex1 Tech Shorts and the Fjora Equaliser Light-weight T-shirt, for the previous month and a half, and I’ve virtually zero complaints. The shorts are comfy, light-weight, and quick-drying, and the jersey has a terrific match, gentle cloth, and an affordable worth.

One of many causes Norona’s bike shorts have stood out to me up to now was that they had been usually very brightly coloured and had extra-long, below-the-knee inseams. When the Fjora Flex1 Tech Shorts confirmed up, I used to be joyful to see that they had been a impartial colour — black goes with all the pieces — however even happier to see that that they had a extra “regular” inseam size. Not that I don’t like longer shorts, however it’s been a scorching summer time, and further leg protection isn’t essentially the most interesting proper now. 

Along with the “Caviar Black” colour that I’ve obtained, the Flex1 Tech shorts are available in a Trooper (mild blue) and Boa (kinda khaki-ish). They’re created from a comparatively light-weight 125 g/m2 Flex1 cloth, which is a four-way stretch mix of 86% recycled nylon and 14% elastane. It’s been handled with a PFC-free DWR and is Bluesign and GRS licensed. My measurement medium check pair weighed 202 grams on my scale, which is respectably mild, however not class-leading. For comparability, the Velocio Ultralight Shorts weigh 135 grams in the identical measurement. Inside Norrona’s personal shorts lineup, the Flex1 Tech are the “mild” mannequin, and the Flex1 “Gentle” are the “light-weight” choice.  

Match and Consolation

I’m 6’0” tall, 170 kilos, and I’ve obtained a 32-inch waist. I went with a measurement medium, and it was an ideal match. In keeping with Norrona’s measurement chart, I supposedly may’ve match right into a small, however I’d’ve been maxing out the waist, and that’s not superb in my expertise. That mentioned, I’m supposedly on the small aspect of the Medium’s waist measurement vary, and I’m simply barely cinching the waist adjustment to suit me. A 35-inch waist looks as if it might be fairly tight. Based mostly on this, I’d recommend making an attempt these on if doable, or take into account sizing up from the scale chart in the event you’re on the upper finish of a measurement’s match vary.

They’ve obtained twin snaps on the waist and a zipper fly to facilitate fast and simple nature breaks. Vast exterior velcro tabs on each side of the waist are usually not solely simple to entry and alter, however I discovered them to be very safe with out including any bulk. Like all good mountain bike shorts, they’ve a broad waistband that rises barely within the again and is closely articulated for the seated using place. The waistband has a gentle backing for consolation, together with a thick strip of silicone on the within that helps preserve them from shifting up or down.

Norrona nonetheless makes the Fjora Flex1 shorts with an extended lower, however the lighter “Tech” model I’ve been testing has a shorter inseam. The inseam size isn’t specified, however I measured my medium check pair at 11.5”. With my 35-inch inseam, they fall virtually precisely on the high of my kneecaps when standing off the bike and rise a pair inches above the knee when seated and pedaling. 

The Flex1 Tech shorts have what I’d name an athletic match. They’re form-fitting by my hips and butt, however not restrictive within the slightest. The match by the legs is relaxed and free sufficient, however removed from being overly dishevelled. The hem on the knee is a tad larger within the again to stop any undesirable calf rub, and there’s loads of room to suit over low-profile knee pads just like the Fox Enduro Professional, too. 

The Flex1 materials has a reasonably powerful, sturdy hand really feel, but it manages to really feel comfy towards the pores and skin whereas pedaling. I put on bib liners, so it actually solely contacts the pores and skin proper above my knee, however the welded seam is clean and chafe-free. With a gussetted crotch and stretch materials, there’s ample freedom of motion. Norrona states that Flex1 cloth is windproof, however it’s comparatively light-weight and fairly breathable, and there are some small laser-cut perforations slightly below the waistband on the again. These shorts don’t really feel scorching by any means, however they aren’t the airiest shorts I’ve ever worn, both. Nonetheless, I’m prepared to put on them on scorching days, and so they dry in a short time if/once they do get soaked with sweat.

Pockets

Many of the Norrona shorts I keep in mind seeing have at all times had pocket zippers that stood out from the remainder of the shorts, giving them a considerably “technical” aesthetic, maybe overly so. Fashion has modified a bit of, and the zippers on the black shorts I’m testing are colour matched and mix in properly. There are a complete of three mesh-lined zippered pockets to hold gadgets whilst you journey, with one on the fitting and two on the left. The correct pocket is positioned up on the hip and is sufficiently big to suit your hand off the bike or maintain a cellphone whilst you’re using. On the left aspect, the higher pocket is pretty small, however a terrific measurement for carrying money, a card, ID, or a gel or two. The decrease pocket is far bigger, and it features a cellphone sleeve. 

Among the many three pockets, there’s loads of room to stash issues whilst you journey, and the pocket placement on the surface of the hips/thigh retains issues from bouncing round on high of the leg whereas pedaling or descending. In recent times, I’ve grown fairly keen on and accustomed to pockets with vertically-oriented zippers and back-loading designs, and the top-loading entry to those pockets made them barely harder to entry on the bike. They work superb, after all, it simply is dependent upon what you’re used to.

Total, the Fjora Flex1 Tech Shorts are a terrific all-arounder that works very effectively for the kind of using that I usually do — spirited, fast-paced path rides, generally extra aggressive however different instances bordering on full-blown XC. The fabric has a strong really feel, but is mild sufficient and comfy. They match me effectively, keep in place, and don’t give me a lot to consider on the path. They’ve shortly earned a spot in my common rotation and are staying at or close to the highest of my stack of shorts.

Mountain bike jerseys are a dime a dozen, however many seem to be they’re far dearer than they need to be. And whereas the Flex1 Tech Shorts could also be pretty costly, the $59 retail worth of the Fjora Equaliser Light-weight T-shirt appears fairly cheap to me. Norrona says it’s “our lightest, most quick-drying mountain biking T-shirt.” I can’t disagree with that, plus the fabric is gentle and comfy, and it has an athletic match and bike-oriented lower that works nice for me. 

Norrona’s Equalizer cloth is a light-weight 117 g/m2 knitted 100% recycled polyester. This materials is surprisingly gentle and feels nice towards the pores and skin. To me, it feels as comfy as cotton, although I can inform that it’s an artificial materials in my hand. I’ve discovered it feels mild, ethereal, and breathable on the physique and has been a terrific weight for decent summer time rides. It doesn’t really feel plastic-y within the slightest, even when moist with sweat, and it dries comparatively shortly in my low-humidity surroundings. 

It’s additionally been handled with an anti-odor end known as HeiQ Recent in an try and preserve the stink at bay. I’m a sweaty and considerably smelly particular person, and my shirt positively hasn’t been smelling nice after rides. Possibly it’s serving to a bit of, however frankly, I don’t assume I’ve discovered another anti-odor remedy that may deal with my stink. Not like my merino mix jerseys, I’ll simply keep away from carrying this shirt greater than as soon as between washes.

The Fjora Equaliser shirt is available in 4 sizes, S-XL. I went with a medium, and the match is spot-on for me at 6’0” and 170 kilos. The lower is relaxed however slim by the torso with an uneven hem that’s dropped fairly considerably within the again. The quick sleeves are a superb size, and the articulation within the shoulders is comfy within the using place. The neck opening can also be a superb measurement that’s not excessively free or overly tight, one thing I’m weirdly specific about on my using shirts.

My principal criticism about this shirt is the pretty massive Norrona brand throughout the chest. Its colour matches the sleeves on the inexperienced shirt that I’ve, so it isn’t too obnoxious, however I’m simply not the most important fan of loud-ish branding. Don’t get me incorrect; it’s completely tolerable and nowhere close to as unhealthy as a number of the previous moto-style gear many people used to put on a decade in the past. I dig the Viking head brand, although.

In any other case, it’s a shirt. There isn’t an excessive amount of to say. It’s comfortable, matches me effectively, and works effectively for its supposed use.

Norrona MTB Attire: My Takeaway

That is my first time carrying any Norrona mountain bike attire, and I’m into it. Whereas it is going to be very laborious for any shorts to unseat the Velocio Ultralight Shorts as my present favourite, the Fjora Flex1 Tech shorts have labored their means into the highest of my stack, the place I’m principally simply rotating by the three pairs on high. They match me effectively and are comfy, well-made, and look like fairly sturdy, too. 

The identical goes for the Fjora Equaliser Light-weight T-shirt. The recycled materials is gentle, comfy, and light-weight, and the match is dialed for the supposed objective of using a motorcycle. And at $59, I feel it’s priced competitively for any shirt made particularly for mountain biking. The $149 price ticket for the Fjora Flex1 Tech Shorts does appear a bit of steep, maybe, however the worth of most different shorts has been going up recently, with some effectively above that. 

All that to say that Norrona makes good things and is certainly worthy of consideration while you’re searching for new mountain bike attire. Along with the shorts and jersey I examined, the model makes a number of different pairs of shorts, pants, jerseys, and outerwear for women and men. Head to the Norrona web site to be taught extra.

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