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With the holiday season right around the corner, you’re surely thinking of gift ideas for those closest to you. With all the different gear and equipment used in the sport of mountain biking, it can be a bit confusing to figure out what gifts to give the mountain biker in your life. Thankfully our experts have made their picks for best gifts for mountain bikers, including helmets, MTB shoes and other gear, each of which is sure to please.
Helmets
1. Fox Rampage
Pros
- Comfortable and stylish
- Good crash protection with MIPS
- Relatively affordable for a full face MTB helmet
Cons
- Heavier than some other more expensive full face MTB helmets at 1154 grams
The Fox Rampage is a full face helmet that offers excellent protection and comfort, and has an aggressive style that looks cool.
The Rampage is tested and certified according to CPSC, EN 1078AS/NZS 2063 and ASTM 1952-15 Downhill, meaning it meets all safety standards for downhill mountain bike helmets, and the protection it provides is increased by its MIPS (multi-directional impact protection) liner which allows the liner of the helmet to move slightly in each direction to absorb impacts from a crash, keeping the rider safer
The Rampage would make for a great gift for mountain bikers who ride downhill or bike parks often.
2. Fox Proframe MIPS
Pros
- Very lightweight at only 750 grams
- Extremely breathable for a full face helmet
- Good crash protection with MIPS
Cons
- Pricier than some other models
The Proframe MIPS is another full face helmet from Fox that is tested and certified according to CPSC, EN 1078AS/NZS 2063 and ASTM 1952-15 Downhill. The Proframe MIPS looks stylish on the trails, and the helmet’s performance more than lives up to its looks.
As its name suggests, the Proframe MIPS has multi-directional impact protection. It is also among the lightest and most breathable full face helmets you will find on the market.
Mountain bikers who spend a lot of time at the bike park, hitting jumps, and riding downhill will love this as a gift.
3. Oakley DRT 5
Pros
- Very breathable
- Sleek looks
Cons
- A bit heavy for a half shell at 471 grams
The Oakley DRT 5 is a half shell helmet that offers excellent breathability.
Some of what makes the DRT 5 unique includes its minimalist approach to padding, with padding only on top, and otherwise the rider’s head stays in contact with the hard plastic MIPS liner. There is also a silicon strip in front that sits against the rider’s forehead and helps to keep the sweat out of their eyes.
The padding set up of the DRT 5 makes for great comfort thanks to the unrestricted airflow it provides, which is especially nice for long rides and hot days.
The DRT 5 also comes with storage clips for your sunglasses and other eyewear towards the back of the helmet. Mountain bikers of all stripes will enjoy this helmet.
4. Kask Rex
Pros
- Comfortable fit provided by Octo Fit tech
- Good airflow provided by 20 well placed vents
- Lightweight at 310 grams
Cons
- Lacking MIPS liner for added crash protection
The Kask Rex is a stylish and comfortable half shell helmet designed with aggressive trail riding, enduro, XC racing, and casual off-road riding all in mind.
The standout features of the Kask Rex include its excellent ventilation allowing for superior airflow and comfort for mountain bikers with its 20 well placed vents. It also boasts a superior fit with its Octo Fit technology including internal gel pads to optimize comfort. The Rex fastens with a faux leather chin strap that is more comfortable against the skin than a typical chin strap.
The Kask Rex would make for an awesome gift for mountain bikers in need of a good all-around helmet.
5. Fox Speedframe Pro Blocked
Pros
- Comfortable fit
- Well ventilated for superior airflow
- Can fasten and unfasten helmet with gloves on thanks to Fidlock SNAP buckle
Cons
- While not heavy, not the lightest half shell on the market
Another Fox entry into our list of helmets, the Speedframe Pro Blocked is an aggressive, sleek looking half shell mountain bike helmet with the tech and performance to match.
The Speedframe Pro Blocked has an MIPS liner designed to reduce rotational motion and redirect forces away from your brain should you crash. It also features a 360 degree fit system ensuring a comfortable fit every time, and a Fidlock SNAP helmet buckle which makes fastening your helmet super easy, even with gloves on.
The Speedframe Pro Blocked is another good all around MTB helmet that the mountain biker in your life will love. For a more in-depth look at this helmet, check out our review here.
Shoes
1. Shimano SH-XC502
Pros
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Rigid design allows for more efficient energy transfer
Cons
- Clipless shoes like these may be less well suited to more technical terrain
As the name suggests, the Shimano SH-XC502 mountain bike shoes are designed with cross country mountain biking in mind. The shoes are clipless, meaning they use a cleat system that attaches your shoe to clipless pedals, allowing for more of your pedaling energy to be efficiently transferred to the bike.
The BOA LI2 dials allows mountain bikers to get a snug and secure fit every time they wear these shoes, and the rigid and light carbon sole helps with energy transfer while feeling light on your feet.
Mountain bikers who ride a lot of cross country and are trying to get through runs as fast as possible, including those who like to race, will love these shoes and they would make for a great gift.
2. Etnies Camber CL
Pros
- Similar feel to flat pedal shoes for people who want to transition to clipless
- Lightweight and breathable
Cons
- Not the stiffest clipless shoe on the market
The Etnies Camber CL is another clipless mountain bike shoe offering, but with a very different look than the Shimano SH-XC502. If you didn’t know better, you would think these are flat pedal shoes.
The Etnies Camber CL has an Exo-Shield upper that keeps the shoe breathable and lightweight while offering riders some protection on top of the foot. It feels secure thanks to the lace up and Velcro combination to keep the shoes fitting snugly on your feet.
The Camber CL, while stiff, is less stiff than many clipless mountain bike shoes. That reduced stiffness does reduce the efficiency of energy transfer to the pedals, so these may not be the best gift for mountain bikers looking to do cross country racing.
Being slightly less stiff does make these ideal for someone with a background riding flat pedal shoes but looking to try clipless as these will feel closer to what flat pedal shoes would feel like.
3. Etnies Semenuk Pro
Pros
- Very durable
- Excellent feel on the pedals
Cons
- Not as grippy as some flat pedal shoes
The Etnies Semenuk Pro shoes will appeal to mountain bikers in search of a comfortable and versatile pair of flat pedal shoes, which do not attach to the pedals like clipless shoes do.
The Semenuk Pro shoes are quite durable and show minimal wear even after being ridden for an entire mountain bike season.
They also provide for great feel allowing riders to position and adjust their feet on the pedals easily and with confidence. The shoes provide good grip on the pedals but are not as grippy as some models. This allows for easier adjustments to a rider’s foot position on the pedals, but these shoes won’t have you feeling as locked in as some flat pedal shoes, which is a tradeoff some riders prefer depending on their preferences and riding style.
The Etnies Semenuk Pro shoes would make a great gift for mountain bikers who do a lot of technical riding including jumps, downhill and freeride.
4. Five Ten Freerider
Pros
- Stylish yet casual looks
- Excellent grip on pedals
Cons
- The locked-in grippy feeling these give may not be for everyone
The Five Ten Freerider mountain bike shoes are a stylish flat pedal shoe that performs. These shoes look just as good at your local pub as they do out on the trails, and could easily pass as a casual shoe to wear in all situations.
The rubber compound combined with the sole pattern on the Freerider shoes gives them superb grip on the pedals, allowing riders to feel locked in.
The Five Ten Freerider also has a relatively stiff feeling for a flat pedal shoe, allowing for good energy transfer while pedalling.
Many mountain bikers swear by Five Ten flat pedal shoes, and for good reason based on our experience. This is a great all around shoe for any mountain biker in your circle.
5. Shimano SH-AM503
Pros
- Excellent foot and ankle protection
- Very versatile
Cons
- Sole stiffness is less than some may prefer
Shimano’s SH-AM503 shoes are clipless shoes that are very durable and provide great protection.
From first glance these shoes look like a quality build. They come with Pedal Channel to provide for a stable shoe to pedal platform for those times the mountain biker is not clipped in. They also provide a padded ankle collar and sidewall, in addition to a robust toe cap for extra protection.
The SH-AM503 shoes are quite comfortable and well ventilated.
These shoes are versatile and can work well for many types of mountain biking from cross country to downhill and freeride.
6. Scott MTB Elite BOA
Pros
- Comfortable fit
- Easy to put on with BOA fit system
Cons
- Not very warm for cold weather riding
The Scott MTB Elite BOA shoes are another solid clipless shoe option. The MTB Elite BOA shoes are known for their comfortable and relaxed fit, helped in part by their ErgoLogic insoles.
Say goodbye to laces and enjoy a snug fit with the BOA fit system and anatomic fit strap, keeping your feet secure and comfortable in these shoes.
The MTB Elite BOA shoes are relatively stiff and have good grip even when not clipped thanks to the Sticki Rubber soles. The tread on the soles does an okay but not great job at gripping the dirt in case a rider needs to walk their bike for stretches of trail, which can be an issue on steeper trails.
These shoes are a great gift option for mountain bikers who prefer cross country riding or who ride smooth, flowy trails.
Protective Gear
1. Oakley All Mountain Gloves
Pros
- Very comfortable gloves
- Well ventilated
Cons
- Not intended to keep your hands warm for cold-weather riding
Oakley All Mountain MTB gloves are a stylish and functional glove and make for a great gift option for any mountain biker in your circle.
The All Mountain MTB gloves are made with a stretch material on the back, providing for great range of motion and comfort. The laser cut ventilation holes on the palms provides for air flow and helps to keep your hands feeling fresh.
Silicone grip added to the thumb, index finger and middle finger improve mountain bikers’ grip on the bars which leads to more confidence out on the trails.
2. Giro Tazz MTB Vivid Goggles
Pros
- Light weight and comfortable
- Good contrast
- Not prone to fogging up
Cons
- Difficult to change the lenses out
The Giro Tazz MTB Vivid goggles offer both great eye protection and great looks. These stylish goggles make for an excellent complement to any rider’s kit.
The Tazz Vivid goggles are designed with Giro’s Expansion View Technology which provides mountain bikers with a wide field of view, and its Vivid lens with optics by Zeiss intended to enhance contrast and definition.
The goggles provide for a sharp view when out on the trails, and do a good job at protecting against wind, dust, tree limbs, and other debris.
3. Troy Lee Designs Raid Elbow Guard
Pros
- Solid protection on falls
- Lightweight and breathable
Cons
- Relatively high price reflects the high quality of these elbow guards
The Troy Lee Designs Raid elbow guards are designed with protection and comfort in mind.
These elbow guards come with silicone grippers to prevent them from slipping, keeping them comfortably in place. The Raid elbow guards are also designed with a breathable mesh panel to keep mountain bikers comfortable all day on the hill.
A technology called D30 T5 EVO X is used in Raid elbow guards for impact protection, which is a material that is soft and flexible for optimal comfort, but hardens on impact to disperse energy and protect your elbows. This added protection gives mountain bikers a feeling of security and will help to increase their confidence on the bike.
These make for a great gift for mountain bikers that like to hit the bike park or otherwise do a lot of jumps, downhill and freeride.
4. Fox Enduro Kneepads
Pros
- Can be worn all day comfortably
- Not restrictive to movement
- Breathable and comfortable
Cons
- If doing large jumps and features at the bike park, riders may prefer bulkier protection
The Fox Enduro kneepads are a good all around kneepad to keep you feeling secure on your bike and more importantly, protected in case of a fall.
Similar to the elbow guards featured above, the Fox Enduro kneepads feature D30 inserts that are flexible until impact, at which time they harden to disperse energy and protect your knees.
These kneepads allow for a full range of motion thanks to their high-stretch rear panel, are easy to slip on, and are lightweight and breathable, perfect for a full day at the bike park or on the trails.
Other MTB gear
1. Park Tool MTC-40 Multi Tool
Pros
- Good mix of tools allows this to be useful for many different bike issues
- Compact and lightweight which makes this multi tool perfect to take on rides
Cons
- Won’t be able to fix every single issue with just this multi tool
The Park Tool MTC-40 Multi Tool makes for a great addition to any mountain biker’s gear kit. There is absolutely nothing worse than getting halfway through your ride and figuring out something has gone wrong with your mountain bike.
The MTC-40 Multi Tool solves that problem to a degree, thanks to the wide array of tools fit in to such a compact package, making it easy to bring along on rides.
It comes with 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8mm hex wrenches, a T25 and T30 Torx compatible driver, a combo cross/straight tip screwdriver, a 5 to 12 speed compatible chain tool, a rotor straightener and a CO2 cartridge inflator adaptor.
Needless to say, this multi tool is able to bail riders out in many situations when something goes wrong with their bike out on the trail. For more major repairs, mountain bikers will still likely need tools beyond this, or to head in to their local bike shop.
2. Garmin Varia UT800 Front Bike Headlight
Pros
- Very bright to give riders confidence on night rides
- Smart features make good use of battery life
Cons
- Not all smart features can be used if you don’t pair it with a Garmin bike computer
The Garmin Varia UT800 is a great front bike headlight for the adventurous mountain bikers in your life who dare to venture out on the trails after dark.
Its extremely bright at its brightest setting at 800 lumens, and also has a medium setting (400 lumens) and a low setting (200 lumens). Fully charged, the battery is sufficient to get in a good night bike ride, as the battery lasts 1.5 hours on high, 3 hours on medium and 6 hours on low.
The Varia UT800 has multiple mounting options, and can be mounted to either a riders handlebars or to their helmet.
The Varia UT800 is billed as a smart bike light, as it can automatically adjust the brightness based on the level of ambient light. When paired with a Garmin bike computer the light gets even smarter, increasing brightness when a rider’s speed picks up and decreasing it when at lower speeds. These smart features are able to make more efficient use of the light’s battery life.
3. Camelback M.U.L.E. EVO 12 Hydration Pack
Pros
- Lots of pockets to carry essentials out on the trail
- Holds 100 oz of water, close to 3 times more than a typical bottle
Cons
- Some riders do not find hydration packs comfortable
The Camelback M.U.L.E. EVO 12 hydration pack is built to last and will make for a great gift for mountain bikers who ride in hot weather or those who like to go for long rides.
While some riders opt for a water bottle holder attached to the frame of their bike, there is no replacement for a good hydration pack that can be worn on a rider’s back. That’s because not only can they carry more water than a bottle, they can also allow riders to carry other essentials while out riding.
The M.U.L.E. EVO 12 comes loaded with features mountain bikers are sure to love including a Command Center Harness allowing for easy and secure access to essentials like phones and keys. There is also a Stretch Overflow Pocket to stow that extra layer of clothing if its getting warm, and other Integrated Carry Pockets that can hold your multi tool, snacks, and anything else you want to bring on the trails or to the park with you.
Conclusion
While there are many great gifts you can give the mountain biker in your life, the best ones are those that will make their mountain bike rides more enjoyable. From accessories that make riding safer and more comfortable to gear that will let them take their riding to the next level, there’s something for every mountain biker on this list. Got other great gift ideas for mountain bikers? Let us know in the comments!