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Outbound Reviewed: DaKine Women's Mountain Bike Apparel

Made for more than mountain biking.

By: Sara Sheehy + Save to a List

Ten years ago I took my first "real" mountain bike ride on a single track trail in Sun Valley, Idaho. Decked out in sneakers, hiking shorts, and a running shirt, I huffed and puffed my way up the trail to an overlook of the town of Ketchum. Though I still usually wear sneakers when I mountain bike (I'm old-fashioned that way), the rest of my gear has evolved.


The first thing that struck me about Dakine's line of women's mountain bike apparel is that most of the pieces are multi-purpose. While the delightfully colorful (and decidedly comfortable) Comp Liner Bike Shorts clearly are for biking, the rest of the line can be used to bike, hike, chill, and even climb. The Melody Bike Short quickly became my go-to set of shorts for the entire summer, and I wore them non-stop (even to work!). They are the kind of shorts you buy in every color, just in case they don't come back next season.


The Faye Short Sleeve Bike Jersey (with its subtle triangle cut on the back) and the Xena 3/4 Sleeve Bike Jersey (with arms wide enough to accommodate downhill pads) provided the right mix of style and comfort during a ride. Both have a microfiber cloth sewn in the inside seam, a little hidden treasure that helped me wipe the dirt and sweat off my sunglasses before, during, and after a ride.


The last piece of Dakine gear I checked out was the Drafter 10L hydration pack, a mountain biking backpack that features a 3L hydration bladder, a suspension back panel that allows for maximum air circulation, and plenty of pockets inside for a bike pump, spare tubes, maps, snacks, and a multi-tool. The pack fit well on my small frame, and I barely noticed it as I rode (which, to me, is the mark of a great pack!). 

On my wishlist for the Draft 10L is a pocket for my phone that doesn't require me to take the pack off to access it. I snap a lot of pictures while riding—and use digital maps—and having an exterior phone pocket would make life easier.


The verdict? Dakine's line of women's mountain bike apparel is comfortable, stylish, and useful on and off single track.

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