FLYLOW WOMEN’S APPAREL

THEIR SS24 LINEUP AFTER A SUMMER OF ABUSE

Words by Emma Wooldridge  |  Photos by Cole Gregg

Flylow is a brand that has their name in a variety of mountain sports. Their collections tend to focus on sustainability, technical fabrics, and quality, without sacrificing affordability. Designed with purpose, many of their product ideas are direct results of experiences on the trails and slopes. They launched their Spring/Summer ‘24 Collection earlier this year and I tested a few products out at bike parks and the local mountain. A big theme for this collection was “In it for the long haul” showing the consumer what Flylow prioritizes. Check out my thoughts on Flylow’s Spring and Summer 2024 collection after a summer of regular use below!

WE DIG

WE DON’T

ABOUT FLYLOW’S SS24 LINEUP ON TEST

FLYLOW W ANDERSON SHIRT | The traditional collared Anderson Shirt was a big hit with the men, so Flylow gave it a little touch-up to make it available to women this year as the W Anderson Shirt. The material – Flylow’s Intuitive Stretch IQ – is ideal for days in the hot sun, especially with its quick-drying capability. It features 50+ UPF, a left-side chest pocket, 26-inch center back length, and sleek black buttons. The W Anderson Shirt is offered in four colorways for $80 in sizes XS-XL (0-16).

FLYLOW HONEY JERSEY | The Honey Jersey is a long-sleeve jersey that was designed to fight the solar rays with a UPF of 30+ and the stinky bacteria using an antimicrobial treatment. The polyester and spandex material is Flylow’s proprietary Intuitive Solar IQ fabric that protects riders from the sun while also preventing overheating.  And hidden conveniently on the lower inside of the jersey is a built-in wipe for sunglasses or goggles. The Honey Jersey has a subtle v-neck and comes in three outdoor-inspired colorways in sizes XS-XL for a price of $80.

FLYLOW LOLA SHORTS | The Lola Shorts are slightly heavier than the classic Tia shorts, and made from 100% polyester using Flylow’s Intuitive IQ MTB stretch fabric. Riders get an option to choose between the knee-showcasing 7” inseam, or the traditional bermuda-style 11” inseam. The shorts combine an elastic waistband with belt loops to help riders secure their own specific fit. They feature two zippered hand pockets, as well as one zippered leg pocket.

Additionally, silicone grippers in the form of branding along the internal waistband provide a little extra security to prevent the shorts from wiggling down. A zipper-snap combo that was designed to prevent bulkiness is used for the fly closure. The shorts provide an ultraviolet defense of 50+ UPF. The Lola Shorts are available in three colorways with women-specific sizes 0-12, at a price of $95.

FLYLOW MISSION GLOVES | Flylow’s Mission Gloves are designed to be a mountain biking-specific glove with touchscreen-friendly thumbs and forefingers, a Neoprene cuff, suede palm, and stretchy nylon mash on the back. The Mission Glove is crafted out of an ultra-lightweight material that is still durable and is equipped with a softer fabric on the back of the thumb to wipe off snot and dirt. These gloves are intended to be barely noticeable as you enjoy your day outdoors. Offered in two colorways and in unisex sizing (XS-XXL), you can purchase a pair of Mission Gloves for $45.

FLYLOW SUMMER FOOT SHORT 4 SOCK | The Summer Foot Short 4 sock (4 inch height) is made with a polyester-nylon blend, specifically constructed from post-consumer recycled goods. These socks are made to be stretchy and breathable while wicking away moisture. Durability was at the forefront of Flylow’s design and these socks are intended to keep your stinky feet comfortable and protected for more than just one season of intense riding. Flylow offers the Summer Foot Short 4 socks in unisex sizing (S-XL) and in two neutral colors for $18.

THE DIRT

W ANDERSON SHIRT | The shirt is soft, light, and ultra-stretchy. The size Medium fit me wonderfully – it was roomy yet provided some shape. The shirt doesn’t show sweat and wicks it away quickly. Flylow’s branding on this was minimal like always, with a tiny black label on the chest pocket, but it’s funny – I can spot a Flylow piece a mile away anyways. Flylow’s collections always have the most soft and pretty colors. Nothing is too trendy or modern, and they definitely cater to a more traditional outdoor style – no moto-inspired gear over here. This probably stems from the brand being created by a pair of skiers that, like many of us, picked up other outdoor, adrenaline-inducing hobbies that included mountain biking. This shirt could easily double as part of your normal outfits to work or out after a ride. It is quite long, making it a little difficult to tuck in, but provides great coverage on the front and back.

I have always known that I cannot for the life of me pull off a button-up or plaid without looking like I’m going to start chewing on grass or chopping down a tree. I can confirm that the W Anderson Shirt plaid button-up doesn’t do any favors for me, even if it is Sunkissed. Honestly, I buttoned it all the way up just for sh*ts and giggles and walked out to show my partner, Cole, and we both burst out laughing. It was a bummer as I love the shirt’s tech material.

For the sake of the review, I’ve noticed many women happily wearing this style of shirt, and giving rave reviews specifically for the W Anderson. So, while I will not be frolicking around in the W Anderson Shirt much myself, I can still appreciate the great tech tee Flylow has developed.

LOLA SHORTS | The Lola Shorts were a pleasant surprise for me. I wasn’t a big fan of the Tia shorts last year due to them sitting a little lower on my waist, lacking some stretchiness, and the open hand pockets. The Lolas seem to hit the mark on all the aspects that the Tias didn’t for me. With a 28” waist, I ordered a Size 4 that fit well – not too snug and not too loose. These come up slightly higher on my waist, and the velcro waistbands on each side allowed me to secure the fit. I also like that they combine this with belt loops in case you prefer or need a belt.

The three zippered pockets can fit an iPhone 12 and the zippers are easy to pull up and down. The phone sits in a comfortable spot in the hand pockets. The shorts don’t provide maximum stretch though, but I have found it to be enough to be comfortable while still providing structure and protection. The stitching in the back gives a flattering look and the fly closure truly was low-profile. The Blue Steel color is a bit different than I would normally go for on the bottom, but they stood out nicely and paired well with my neutral tees. Overall, these are a solid pick for trail days.

HONEY JERSEY |  I tested out the Honey Jersey last year as well, and have found that I’m a Medium on top in the Flylow brand. I normally wouldn’t have sized up – especially after seeing that it lands as “Regular” on their fit sliding scalem, and that the Flylow size chart indicated a Medium might be a touch too large for my measurements. Because I am privileged to be what is often used as a standard model size in the mountain biking world, I ultimately ordered the Medium based off of the model’s measurements and sizing. For others, navigating the sizing might be difficult if they aren’t seeing bodies similar to theirs to compare. With that said, the Medium still fits perfectly, allowing room for movement and has a flattering shape.

The Honey Jersey has continued to be my top choice for bike park and the shoulder season. It’s been an easy choice for bike park trips with variable weather, as I knew that the Honey Jersey is breathable, protective from the sun and occasional spill, and would be warm enough on the lifts. The Honey Jersey performed well for these needs.

The branding is minimal in all of Flylow’s gear and the jersey was no exception, featuring only the brand name on the top of the jersey in soft lettering. The Ionic+ antimicrobial treatment might not be enough, as both Honey Jerseys that I own have a slight stink (I swear it’s not entirely me – I do own some shirts that don’t stink after riding!).  Still, the protection it provides with the durable material; the pretty Tempest/Night color from the previous season, and the comfortable fit are reasons why I choose to wear it constantly. Both Flylow jerseys are in my Top 3 for bike park tops.

MISSION GLOVES | Flylow’s Mission Gloves were slightly big in the fingers for me to wear consistently on rides. I ordered a size Small, and the unisex sizing may have played a part in the fit. The palms fit well but I just had some extra material in the fingers that I didn’t like. Because of the fit, the touchscreen function wasn’t consistent. These gloves weren’t heavy in any sense, but they weren’t close to being my lightest pair either. They found use on some dig days and as backups for some of the bigger days on the bike.

SUMMER FOOT SHORT 4 SOCKS | The Summer Foot Shorts 6 from last season have been some of my go-to socks, and I’ve been loving the shorter “4” version this summer in a size Medium. The past season socks have held up wonderfully and haven’t fallen apart even after a pedal strike punched a hole in one. These socks are on the thinner side, making them lightweight and breathable for summer adventures. And my favorite part about them is that Flylow has miraculously created a pair of socks that doesn’t retain stinkiness. What more can you ask for in a pair of socks?

The Wolf’s Last Word

Flylow’s Spring/Summer ‘24 Collection uses fresh colors, tough materials, and places an importance on developing sustainable and technical in-house fabric blends. Many women riders will find that the apparel is functional and relatively affordable given its durability. And if that’s not reason enough to browse their collection, Flylow started the Good Lab to partner with non-profits like SheJumps and local avalanche centers. Very mindful of them. Very demure.

Website: Flylowgear.com