FLYLOW RIDING KIT REVIEW

SIMPLE AND EFFECTIVE TRAIL RIDING GEAR

Words & Photos by Emma Wooldridge & Cole Gregg

Flylow was founded back in 2005 with a focus on creating no-nonsense ski gear meant to stand up in the backcountry. Fast forward 11 years and in 2016 they debuted an entire line of spring gear for mountain biking and many other outdoor activities. Designing their products from the ground up gives Flylow ultimate control over styles, sizing, and the materials used in their gear. Sustainability is a large focus of the Flylow ethos, using post-consumer recycled materials and water repellents free of PFC’s (Perfluorochemicals). The fabrics used across the brand are bluesign® and Oeko-Tex certified. Now with a full line of mountain bike-specific gear for all climates, we wanted to see how well they stacked up against the industry’s powerhouse apparel brands.

THE LAB

Since we were provided with a full riding kit I want to make sure I cover each piece individually, each part of the kit will be given its own dedicated section.

MEN’S GARRETT SHIRT:

This short-sleeved tech tee ticks all the boxes with features all riders can benefit from. There are 4 color choices all of which come in at a $70 price tag (on sale for $35 at the time of writing). Flylow has kept all riders’ body shapes in mind offering sizes from XS to XXL. The Garrett Shirt is made from Flylow’s “Solar IQ” fabric. Solar IQ is made up of 92% polyester and 8% spandex; is lightweight, breathable, and offers plenty of stretch; and features the Ionic+ antimicrobial treatment which integrates silver into the fabric to fight stench and bacteria. It also offers UPF 30+ sun protection for those who need it. The back of the shirt is a bit longer than the front at 30.5” for additional coverage while riding. Also featured is an integrated lens wipe under the hem, this is something you do not miss until you have had a jersey with it, a big and simple feature I love.

MEN’S LASER SHORTS:

Offered in 3 colors at $120 (On sale at $60 at time of writing), the Laser Short is focused on being a do-it-all piece of kit. A combination of 94.5% nylon and 5.5% spandex makes up the “MTB Stretch IQ” material, which gives the short a lightweight and moisture-wicking ability but packs a healthy amount of durability and resilience to abuse. The Stretch IQ material is given a bio-based treatment DWR finish that is PFC-free, and the material offers 40+ UPF protection. Flylow offers this short in two inseam lengths (10” & 13”) to fit different styles. There are 3 pockets on this short: two standard no-zip front pockets; and one zippered thigh pocket large enough for modern smartphones. They use a classic snap close waste with a zippered fly, which is paired with an adjustable waistband. The adjustable waistband uses webbed channels and sliplock similar to what you find on goggle straps.

DIRT GLOVE:

The Dirt Gloves hit the trail at a price of $35 with your choice of 4 color options and sizing ranging from XS – XXL. This is a unisex glove so that XS size is welcomed for smaller stature riders. Dubbed an all-purpose mounting biking glove, it has a few key features we typically look for in gloves. The softer fabric featured on the back of the thumb is great for wiping your nose or corner of the eye in a time of need. Over the knuckles, there is a leather strip that helps to add some extra protection for your knuckles. The Velcro wrist strap has plenty of adjustability depending on your mood, and both the index finger and thumb tips are touch-screen compatible.

SUMMER FOOT SHORT SOCK:

Coming in at $18 this 6” crew sock falls into the average price range of many activewear socks. Made from 60% Nylon, 39% recycled polyester, and 1% lycra, they provide a great moisture-wicking home for your toes with stretch to keep your feet moving freely. A cool bonus is that these socks are produced in the US. Offered in sizes Small through Extra Large there is an option for nearly everyone.

THE DIRT

I really enjoyed the two-tone Slate-Black color option Flylow shipped out, it works with every color riding short on the planet and is a tried-and-true color option. Some may call it boring but it’s perfect for my lack of exploratory styling. I noticed the collar was wider than most and offered a nice amount of airflow. Overall, their size guide was spot on. The shirt did give a regular to relaxed style fit that felt sort of large off the bike, but when riding it melted away. With my wide shoulders and narrow torso/waist, it is hard for me to find a slim-fit jersey that is still loose enough on my shoulders. I am just a hair over 6’ and 170lbs soaking wet for reference. I would not stray away from sizing down on this jersey if you want a more body-hugging fit.

I took this on a trip as my only jersey and put three days at 3K feet of climbing on it with no washes. Personally, this is longer than I like to go without washing, but much to my amazement it remained stench-free, unlike my knee pads… On these hot days I never really found sweat build-up to be an issue, the looser fit helped circulate air which was very welcomed on the exposed section of the climbs. Overall, it’s a solid product with limited frills but nothing to make me complain.

With so many great shorts in the market today, the Laser Short is another one to add to your list. One of the stand-out features of this short is the ability to choose your inseam length. This was something I was stoked to see. With my smaller waist and long legs, finding shorts at the length I enjoy is hit and miss. I opted for a 32” waist with a 13” inseam. Even with these being a good true 32” fit I was able to snug the waistband up with no uncomfortable bunching. I for sure could fit into a 30”, but I always like to play it safe with a larger size as I do wear hip pads from time to time and do not want to be limited.

The single zippered pocket was enough for me. I use a pack and also have in-frame storage, so I really only need one zippered pocket for a small multi-Tool. If you value multiple zipped pockets, Flylow’s Goodson Short would be a better pick. The seams on this pair of shorts are awesome, I am a huge fan of how clean they look. Personally, I believe this style is the best option out there! There was enough stretch not to limit your movement on the bike, but I would not say they were super stretchy. The trade-off is a durable material, and it’s one I think is well worth it. The laser-cut vents down the inside of the leg worked great. Just like with the Garrett Shirt, I wore these on some of the hottest rides of the year with no overheating complaints. The overall profile of the shorts is slim and does not have a baggy look, which suits my style. The material feels durable and abrasion resistant in your hand. Thankfully I did not test this with any spills, but I can tell just by feel that these will hold up to some serious abuse.

For me, the Dirt Glove had all the features I look for in a glove, but sadly lacked the dexterity I value. Generally, when I do wear gloves, I gravitate towards the ultra-thin minimal options that still give me a connected feel to the grips, but these use a thick material which reduces bar feel and runs a little hotter. I would have full confidence in these lasting through many off-bike excursions, but thankfully I haven’t had to find out for sure yet. Due to that durability, these are going to live in my trail maintenance pack and the weather starts to get a bit colder.

Having the phone-compatible thumb and index finger was great for taking quick photos or checking the map trailside.  My favorite aspect of these gloves is the soft material on the back of the thumb, this made wiping my nose a pleasure. This is something I feel can be underrated or overlooked easily. All in all, the Dirt Glove will suit riders looking for a heavier duty option that’s well built.

Simple and effective is what comes to mind for the Summer Foot Short Sock. I used these on some of the hottest days here in Spokane and even in my very poorly vented shoes sweat build-up was minimal. I have a problem with socks only lasting a few rides before blowing out the heels, I have probably spent more money on riding socks in the past few seasons than I have on other gear, it is a big issue for me. So far at 16 rides, these socks show no signs of wear, which is a big deal in my world. I found that even though they have stretch, it is quite minimal, though it didn’t feel to limit movement when wearing them. It was only noticed when putting them on or taking them off post-ride – for me it was not something I could easily do standing, I had to sit down and use two hands. This is not uncommon for my size 12 foot. For reference, I am using the XL option. I hope Flylow debuts some more color options as at the end of the day they stood up to my abuse and would get my dollars when it comes to ordering new socks!

The Wolf’s Last Word

If you are like me and are new to the Flylow brand, don’t sleep on them! Flylow has checked all the boxes for MTB apparel focused on enthusiasts without sacrificing their brand ethos of sustainability. This gear is built to last and will melt away on the trail. Their earth-tone colors add some flavor to your style without being obnoxiously loud. Overall, I’ve been quite impressed by most of their offerings, and look forward to continuing to rock them on the trails for the last of summer into fall.

Price:
Garrett Shirt – $70
Laser Short – $120
Dirt Glove – $35
Summer Foot Sock – $18

Website: Flylowgear.com