Women's Mountain Bike Gear Guide
By: Lacy Kemp, Mountain Biking Marketing Aficionado and Writer | Last Updated: July 11, 2024
Hey Ladies! Welcome to the wonderful world of mountain biking. Many companies are putting an emphasis on clothing and gear made for women, with fit, function, and fashion in mind. Some products are gender-neutral, but some items, such as clothing, are tailored to fit women’s bodies. What items are gender-specific and what items are unisex? What are the must-haves and what are some nice-to-haves? Do you need special shoes, all the pads, and what kind of helmet should you wear? Let’s dive in to figure out the best gear for your body, your riding style, and your needs.
Helmets
When it comes to things you must have, the top priority should be a helmet. There are lots of options for helmets, but most can be sorted into two categories: full-face vs half-shell. A full-face helmet has a chin bar and offers much more comprehensive protection, while a half-shell has an open-faced concept, and is typically much lighter and more breathable. When riding fast, rough terrain like mountain bike parks or steeper downhill terrain, a full-face helmet is preferred, whereas a half-shell is the helmet of choice for XC and riders seeking less-aggressive trails. Helmets are gender neutral, so we encourage you to find the one that fits and feels the best. We have a complete guide on how to find the right helmet for you.
Full-face
- Complete, comprehensive protection
- Great for people who want to keep their faces injury-free
- Heavier than a half-shell
- Warmer, less ventilated than a half-shell
Half-shell
- Doesn’t offer as much comprehensive protection as a full-face
- Lots of adjustability
- Lightweight
- Breathable
Popular Full-face & Half-shell
The categorization of 'women's' or 'men's' helmets doesn't really apply. All our top-rated helmets are unisex.
Pedals & Shoes
Other pieces of critical equipment include your pedals and shoes. There are two types of pedals and shoes in cycling: flat pedals/shoes and clipless pedals/shoes. Flat pedals are flat, stamped pedals that have sharp pins that stick to the sole of your shoe, which is designed with thick, grippy rubber to adhere best to the pedal. Clipless pedals feature a locking mechanism that attaches to a mated piece on a special shoe. This “locks” your foot into place. There are merits and deterrents to both systems so it’s worth figuring out which you prefer. We recommend all new riders start on flat pedals and shoes.While you will see shoes that are “women’s” or “men’s” the vast majority of mountain bike-specific shoes are gender neutral. The shoes labeled for women are often available in smaller sizes and in different colorways, but by and large they’re the exact same product.
For more information on how to choose, check out the guides we made for pedals and shoes.
Flat pedals and flat shoes.
Clipless pedals and clipless shoes.
Flat Pedals & Shoes
- Easy to learn on
- Offer a lot of flexibility and ability to move your feet around
- You won’t get any uphill benefit as you’re only able to engage the pedals when pushing down
Clipless Pedals & Shoes
- There is a learning curve
- Can be helpful when climbing both roads and technical sections since your foot is affixed to the pedal
- You get the added benefit of being able to pull up on the pedals when climbing
Body Armor
While not mandatory for riding, it’s worth considering wearing some protective gear when out riding unfamiliar terrain. It’s inevitable that crashes will happen. Adding body armor is a great way to give yourself more confidence and piece of mind when riding tricky terrain or pushing your limits. Companies are now making a wide array of knee and elbow pads and padded base layers for your chest, torso and hips/pelvis. You can find a wide array of armor options here as well as a complete guide to selecting armor here.
Clothing
There are a ton of choices for clothing for mountain biking. There’s no hard and fast rule on what you should and shouldn’t wear. Ultimately the goals should be comfort, functionality, and safety. For instance, some materials breathe better than others. Cotton tends to hold onto sweat whereas technical fabrics will dry out faster. Some riders prefer to wear long sleeves as it helps protect the skin in the event of a crash, keeps the sun off your skin, and keeps those pesky mosquitos at bay.While many companies make clothing for men and women, there is a growing number of brands making clothing tailored to fit women’s bodies. Women-owned Wild Rye, is a great example of a brand whose ethos is based on creating a product that encourages all women and female-identifying riders to get out on the trails. Other women-owned companies making women’s-specific clothing companies are casual outfitter Cosmic Dirt and the technical brand Shredly.
For the lower half, you have a lot of options to choose between pants and shorts. Apparel companies have been improving the quality and selection of women’s specific clothing over the past few years, and there are a ton of options. One of the biggest things to consider is whether or not you want to wear a chamois (pronounced shammy). A chamois is a pad that is sewn into the liner of many shorts and bibs and can help alleviate soreness when riding. Chamois aren’t for everyone though. Some people can’t imagine riding with them, while some can’t imagine riding without them.
Don’t confuse a chamois with a Shamwow, though both are highly functional things!
Shorts or pants? Which is better? If you live in a cold, damp climate pants can be incredibly beneficial. Keeping yourself warm and dry on a muddy day will help you be able to rider longer. Due to their stretchy material most pants can fit kneepads underneath them too. If you live in a warmer, dryer climate, shorts may be an easy option for you.
When choosing a pair of pants or shorts consider how high you want the waist to rise. Some brands offer a higher waist in the back to ensure full coverage when riding in an aggressive position. Don’t forget to think about pockets too! Will you need to carry your phone? Not all pants and shorts fit phones comfortably, so it’s best to ensure the pockets are big enough if that’s a priority for you.
We have a complete guide on how to choose what to wear on your rides. Be sure to check it out for an in-depth look at all things clothing.
When choosing a pair of pants or shorts consider how high you want the waist to rise. Some brands offer a higher waist in the back to ensure full coverage when riding in an aggressive position. Don’t forget to think about pockets too! Will you need to carry your phone? Not all pants and shorts fit phones comfortably, so it’s best to ensure the pockets are big enough if that’s a priority for you.
We have a complete guide on how to choose what to wear on your rides. Be sure to check it out for an in-depth look at all things clothing.
Gloves off (or on)!
Gloves. Do you need them? Are there gloves specifically made for women? Riding in gloves is a matter of preference. If you like the raw feel of the grips against your skin and you don’t have any issues holding on, going gloveless may be an option for you. Many people prefer the feel and protection that gloves provide. On hot days they keep your sweat from making the grips feel too slippery. On cold days they keep your fingers warmer, and on all days they add a layer of protection from crashes or the sun.Gloves come with various amounts of padding. Padding can help dampen the vibration of riding but can dim the feel of the bike a little bit. Gloves are also designed to withstand certain elements. Some are waterproof, some are windproof, and some merely act as a second, thicker skin. Women’s gloves are usually the same product as unisex gloves but often come in smaller sizes and in different colorways.
You can find many different types of gloves here.
Grips
One thing often overlooked on bikes is the grips. Many companies spec grips that fit larger hands so those people with smaller hands often get grip fatigue. If you’re someone with smaller hands, be sure to test out thinner diameter grips (30mm or less).
Packs, Snacks and Storage
Without a doubt, the most critical part of any bike ride is the snacks. There’s something inherently magical about stopping and pulling a delicious morsel of food out of your pack and chowing down. Whether you choose to ride with a small hip pack or a larger backpack, don’t forget the calories and most importantly don’t forget to stay hydrated. Check out all the bag and pack options here.Hip Pack
- Small and lightweight. Great for carrying essentials. Some even have water bottle holders or hydration systems.
- Cooler on the body
- Can’t quite fit as much as a backpack
Back Pack
- Room for snacks, tools, spare layers, first aid kits, and more.
- Many come with hydration bladders
- Can be heavy and hot against the body
Frame Storage
Some bikes are equipped with frame storage. This is essentially empty space in the downtube of the frame where you can stash things like a spare tube, tools, or more snacks. Bikes with frame storage make it easier to run a smaller pack or even no pack at all.
Built-in frame storage is handy for stashing small things like tools and tubes.
You’ve got your helmet, shoes, clothing, and snack packs sorted. What are you waiting for? Get out and go ride!
Lets Ride!
LACY KEMP
Mountain Biking Marketing Aficionado and Writer
Lacy Kemp has over 20 years of experience in the mountain bike industry, including working for Kona and Nukeproof bikes and contributing to NSMB.com, Bike Mag, Vital MTB, and Pinkbike, among others. As an award-wining writer, producer, and director, she has made significant contributions to women's mountain biking. Lacy is also a yoga instructor, dog mama, wannabe surfer, extrovert, traveler, and dad joke connoisseur.