Check Out: comfortable pants, new clipless shoes, helmets, etc.

The Ridgway is the newest addition to the Yeti line, and they are currently at the top of my list when it comes to overall fit and comfort. Now, the “Spice” color probably wouldn’t have been my first choice, but it’s starting to grow on me, and thankfully there’s an all-black option as well. The fit is relaxed without being too loose, which means there’s plenty of room for knee pads and a good amount of taper around the ankles to prevent fabric from being sucked into your warp. The lower cuffs have an elastic band as well as a zipper to make them even easier to put on and take off, a feature that is sometimes overlooked (I’m looking at you, Specialized Trail Pants). The zippered pocket on either side can easily hold a phone, and the zipperless hip pockets give your hands a place to go when you’re on your feet after a ride.

There are no vents in the fabric, but it’s light enough that I’m comfortable on rides in the low 60s F (16 C). The fabric also held up well to all the mud I subjected it to, a particularly impressive feat considering my mediocre laundry skills. The $170 asking price is higher – that’s $20 more than Rapha’s new Trail pant and $50 more than TLD’s Skyline pant, two options that offer an equally lightweight and comfortable fit. Aside from the price, these pants come very highly recommended.

The difference between the original and the new version isn’t that dramatic; this is more of a tweak to improve durability and system integration rather than a complete overhaul. The shape of the helmet remains the same and it has the same features as the original including an adjustable visor, rubber grippers at the back to hold the goggle straps in place and a ratchet dial to adjust the fit .

Despite the goggle clips, the Montaro has what I would call a cross-country shell profile—it doesn’t extend as far aft of the back of the head. My head measures 58cm in diameter, which puts me squarely in the middle on the Giro size chart, but I’d be curious to see if a large was a better fit. Personally, I prefer the deeper cut and extra coverage of the Giro Source helmet. The Source is also 30 grams lighter and $30 cheaper than the Montaro Mips II. Of course, what works for my oval head shape won’t be the same for everyone, so it’s always worth trying before you buy.

However, Gore deserves credit for creating a super comfortable, quick-drying layer that fits my lanky figure perfectly. The sleeves are slightly longer than usual, which means there’s no constriction whatever shape you’re doing on the bike (the stretch of the fabric also helps). The jersey is light enough to wear on warmer summer rides or as a base layer on cooler spring and fall rides.

I was a fan of the previous model, and that feeling is true with the new version. Beta’s Ryan Palmer wasn’t so in love with the velcro waistband, but it works great for me, and it lays flat and out of the way. The speed lacing system feels a bit longer than it should be; luckily there is a velcro part which is used to stick the laces to the tongue of the shoe and then the cover hides all the mess.

The AM9 hit the sweet spot for me when it came to stiffness. Shimano gives them a 5 (out of 10) on their scale, and I agree – they’re not stiff XC disco slippers, but they’re also not so soft that they cause discomfort on long runs. journeys. There’s plenty of room for cleat positioning and, as you’d expect, they work great with Shimano’s own pedals.