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 typical 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 through the years has at all times left a reasonably sturdy impression. The longer inseams, daring colours, and distinctive styling have at all times stood out barely from the group 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 a long time, 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 nearly zero complaints. The shorts are comfy, light-weight, and quick-drying, and the jersey has a fantastic match, delicate material, and an affordable value.

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 completely satisfied to see that they had been a impartial colour — black goes with every little thing — 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 sizzling summer season, and further leg protection isn’t essentially the most interesting proper now. 

Along with the “Caviar Black” colour that I’ve acquired, the Flex1 Tech shorts are available a Trooper (gentle blue) and Boa (kinda khaki-ish). They’re constructed from a comparatively light-weight 125 g/m2 Flex1 material, 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 dimension medium take a look at pair weighed 202 grams on my scale, which is respectably gentle, however not class-leading. For comparability, the Velocio Ultralight Shorts weigh 135 grams in the identical dimension. Inside Norrona’s personal shorts lineup, the Flex1 Tech are the “gentle” mannequin, and the Flex1 “Mild” are the “light-weight” possibility.  

Match and Consolation

I’m 6’0” tall, 170 kilos, and I’ve acquired a 32-inch waist. I went with a dimension medium, and it was an ideal match. In response to Norrona’s dimension chart, I supposedly may’ve match right into a small, however I might’ve been maxing out the waist, and that’s not splendid in my expertise. That mentioned, I’m supposedly on the small facet of the Medium’s waist dimension vary, and I’m simply barely cinching the waist adjustment to suit me. A 35-inch waist looks like it could be fairly tight. Primarily based on this, I’d counsel attempting these on if potential, or take into account sizing up from the dimensions chart when you’re on the upper finish of a dimension’s match vary.

They’ve acquired twin snaps on the waist and a zipper fly to facilitate fast and straightforward nature breaks. Extensive exterior velcro tabs on each side of the waist will not be solely straightforward to entry and modify, however I discovered them to be very safe with out including any bulk. Like several 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 delicate backing for consolation, together with a thick strip of silicone on the within that helps hold them from shifting up or down.

Norrona nonetheless makes the Fjora Flex1 shorts with an extended reduce, however the lighter “Tech” model I’ve been testing has a shorter inseam. The inseam size isn’t specified, however I measured my medium take a look at pair at 11.5”. With my 35-inch inseam, they fall nearly precisely on the prime 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 might name an athletic match. They’re form-fitting by means of my hips and butt, however not restrictive within the slightest. The match by means of the legs is relaxed and free sufficient, however removed from being overly saggy. The hem on the knee is a tad increased within the again to forestall 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 easy and chafe-free. With a gussetted crotch and stretch materials, there’s ample freedom of motion. Norrona states that Flex1 material is windproof, however it’s comparatively light-weight and fairly breathable, and there are some small laser-cut perforations just under the waistband on the again. These shorts don’t really feel sizzling by any means, however they aren’t the airiest shorts I’ve ever worn, both. Nonetheless, I’m keen to put on them on sizzling days, they usually dry in a short time if/after they do get soaked with sweat.

Pockets

A lot of the Norrona shorts I bear 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 somewhat, 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 objects when you journey, with one on the suitable and two on the left. The correct pocket is situated up on the hip and is sufficiently big to suit your hand off the bike or maintain a telephone when you’re using. On the left facet, the higher pocket is pretty small, however a fantastic dimension for carrying money, a card, ID, or a gel or two. The decrease pocket is way bigger, and it features a telephone sleeve. 

Among the many three pockets, there’s loads of room to stash issues when you journey, and the pocket placement on the skin of the hips/thigh retains issues from bouncing round on prime 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 tougher to entry on the bike. They work positive, in fact, it simply is dependent upon what you’re used to.

General, the Fjora Flex1 Tech Shorts are a fantastic 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 occasions bordering on full-blown XC. The fabric has a strong really feel, but is gentle 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 appear 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 value of the Fjora Equaliser Light-weight T-shirt appears fairly affordable 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 delicate and comfy, and it has an athletic match and bike-oriented reduce that works nice for me. 

Norrona’s Equalizer material is a light-weight 117 g/m2 knitted 100% recycled polyester. This materials is surprisingly delicate and feels nice towards the pores and skin. To me, it feels as comfy as cotton, though I can inform that it’s an artificial materials in my hand. I’ve discovered it feels gentle, ethereal, and breathable on the physique and has been a fantastic weight for warm summer season 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 Contemporary in an try and hold the stink at bay. I’m a sweaty and considerably smelly particular person, and my shirt undoubtedly hasn’t been smelling nice after rides. Possibly it’s serving to somewhat, however frankly, I don’t suppose I’ve discovered another anti-odor therapy that may deal with my stink. Not like my merino mix jerseys, I’ll simply keep away from sporting 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 reduce is relaxed however slim by means of the torso with an uneven hem that’s dropped fairly considerably within the again. The brief sleeves are a great size, and the articulation within the shoulders is comfy within the using place. The neck opening can also be a great dimension that’s not excessively free or overly tight, one thing I’m weirdly explicit about on my using shirts.

My fundamental criticism about this shirt is the pretty giant Norrona emblem 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 largest fan of loud-ish branding. Don’t get me flawed; it’s completely tolerable and nowhere close to as unhealthy as a few of the previous moto-style gear many people used to put on a decade in the past. I dig the Viking head emblem, 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 meant use.

Norrona MTB Attire: My Takeaway

That is my first time sporting any Norrona mountain bike attire, and I’m into it. Whereas will probably be very arduous for any shorts to unseat the Velocio Ultralight Shorts as my present favourite, the Fjora Flex1 Tech shorts have labored their method into the highest of my stack, the place I’m mainly simply rotating by means of the three pairs on prime. 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 delicate, comfy, and light-weight, and the match is dialed for the meant goal 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 somewhat steep, maybe, however the value of most different shorts has been going up these days, with some effectively above that. 

All that to say that Norrona makes good things and is unquestionably worthy of consideration whenever you’re in search of 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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