TASCO DAWN PATROL LINE REVIEW

A KIT FOR COLD WEATHER RIDING

Words by Alex Sardella | Photos by Vinnie Zacha-Herthel

Hailing from Southern California, TASCO MTB is widely known throughout the west coast for its range of trail gear and lifestyle apparel. If you have ever bumped into TASCO at MTB event, you would find a laid-back vibe, most likely listening to some Cali-reggae while serving up some tasty cold brew to help ease you into the morning. Recently, the rider owned brand has launched their Dawn Patrol line of mountain bike gear, designed to keep you surfing singletrack in comfort on those Winter mornings. TASCO was kind enough to lend us the full Dawn Patrol range, so we got to testing on some chilly rides watching the sunrise or chasing the sunset.

THE LAB
The Dawn Patrol line from TASCO highlights products to help keep you comfortable as your morning gets going out on the trails. The Scout Pants combine comfort, ventilation, and adjustability all in one stylish black pant. The pants are made with Repreve, a traceable and recycled material that is made from 90% plastic from recycled bottles – we are always stoked to see that. The finished material is a poly/spandex blend which has a relaxing 4 way stretch. The Scout pants feature 4 pockets with SBS zippers – 2 designed as storage and 2 which double as both storage and vents. On the pants you will find an interior adjustable waist band, belt loops, and an elastic leg cuff around the ankle which all help round out a well-rounded trail fit. The Scout MTB Pant comes in sizes 30-40 in even increments and are adequately priced at $135.

To round out the Dawn Patrol line, Tasco includes a fleece lined glove and Merino wool socks to keep your hands and feet at bay while braving cooler temps. The Dawn Patrol gloves are packed with features you would find in a high-quality glove. The single layer synthetic leather palm keeps your hands gripped to the bars while the outer shell is lined with fleece against your skin, and a wind/water resistant fabric on the outside to keep out the elements. The Gloves are touch screen compatible on the index finger and thumb, have silicone grippers on the braking finer, and feature a clean elastic cuff for a smooth finish. The gloves are available in wide range of sizes XS – 3XL and come in at an acceptable $40.

Do you hate cold toes as much as I do? Probably. TASCO’s Merino wool socks are a mix of Merino Wool, Nylon, and Lycra which all blend to make a comfortably warm fit. TASCO tailored the thickness of the sock to provide warmth where it’s needed without being overly bulky, so the footbed and toe see extra thickness whilst the top of the foot receives a thin and ventilated construction. A ribbed cuff and added sole support help to keep them firmly in place, and the high wear zones are reinforced to keep them lasting long. Like the rest of the dawn patrol line, these socks go best in 35-50-degree temps. The Socks will run $24.99 and are available in two sizes, S/M and L/XL to suit feet from size 5-12.

THE DIRT
Minimal trail traffic and crisp conditions often proves to be an ideal recipe to start the day. As the seasons change, my fingers and toes definitely take some time to get going, so the dawn patrol gloves and socks are a perfect solution to keeping cozy. The fit on the gloves is dialed and the socks are snug on the feet. All of TASCO’s gloves have a form fitting feel, and the cold weather gloves won’t disappoint. The fleece lining is noticeable warmer than the comparable 100% Brisker Glove. The socks take the sting off the colder temperatures without being overly bulky, letting you keep on shredding in your favorite shoes.

The Scout Pants have joined me on a few colder rides the last few weeks and prove to be a comfortable and stylish solution for both riding and post ride hangs. I did manage to put these through a good crash and there has been no material damage so far. The side zippered pockets that double as ventilation is a nice touch and helps shedding some heat on the uphill. Knee Pads fit seamlessly under the pants, which have room to fit in Enduro style knee pad without a problem, but bulkier options may be a slight squeeze.

The fit of pants is where some may find a problem, they do run a bit big. I am a 32” waist and 6’3 and there is some bagginess between the ankle and knees, only when standing. With that, they do fit nicely once on the bike, but these pants will definitely fit the taller crowd a bit better. I know us tall guys have trouble finding pants that fit, so I’d recommend taking a look at TASCO’s Scout Pants if you are over 6 feet tall.  Another thing to keep in mind is the Scout Pants don’t offer much in the way of waterproofing, so the pants main job is warmth and style. We’d love to see a DWR coating added, or waterproof panels in key areas to further bolster their weatherproofing.

The Wolf’s Last Word

Believe it or not, Winter in California can provide some colder temperatures. I have been a fan of both the socks and gloves, and wish I had a few more pairs of socks to throw into the weekly rotation now that temps are chilly around the Tahoe region. The Scout Pants are a nice addition to my riding kit and prove to be a classy option for both on the trails and off. Overall, TASCO’s Dawn Patrol line is functional, stylish, and is up for the task in keeping you warm, whether riding at dawn or dusk. At the end of the day, the line is here to extend your season, and we are all for more days in the saddle.

Price:
Cold Weather Dawn Patrol MTB Gloves – $40.00
Cold Weather Dawn Patrol Wool Socks – $24.00
Scout Pants – $135.00

Website: Tasco-mtb.com