Dakine Mountain Bike Apparel and Protection

Price: $49.99 CAD
Colors: Carbon / Haze / Peat Camo
Sizes: S / M / L / XL
Fit: Relaxed
Materials: 130g 100% Quick Dry Polyester
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The long sleeved, silky smooth Dropout Jersey is perfect for keeping the sun off your arms, even in hot temperatures. The quick dry polyester is like a tighter knit, lightweight football or basketball jersey that feels good and helps to regulate body temperature. The baseball style Raglan sleeves are well cut which makes for a comfortable garment, a little tight on my biceps initially as the torso has more stretch than the sleeves, but I got used to it. The heather grey “carbon” looks great with a Dakine logo above the left breast. The rear right shoulder has the same Dakine logo that can have you looking for the tag to see which is the front and which is the back.

A microfibre cloth is stitched inside the torso on the left hand side; this is friendlier on your sunglass lens than the polyester, but it is stitched in a little high, making it hard to access, especially with a tight fitting jersey. 

-Baseball Cut
-Crew Neck
-Raglan Sleeves
-Interior Sunglass Wipe
-Polygiene Odour Control Technology
-Quick Dry

Price: $54.99 CAN
Colors: Carbon / Haze
Sizes: S / M / L / XL
Fit: Tailored
Materials: 130g 100% Quick Dry Polyester (Body & Sleeves) / 120g 100% Quick Dry Recycled Polyester Mesh (Side Panels)

The short-sleeved Range jersey is constructed from the same quick dry polyester as the Dropout with a few added features. Aside from the obvious short sleeves, the crew neck has a slightly larger collar than the Dropout’s and has a half zip to assist with venting. Further venting comes in the form of mesh located on the back and underarms. The underarm mesh tapers all the way to the waist but the back mesh is only located behind the collar and back of your neck, not your entire back. This is difficult to see on Dakine.com as they do not offer a 360 degree view (or even a picture of the back) on their website. 

The extended back hem allows extra material to drape below the waist to help protect from dirt and water that may kick up off your rear tire. Also features a goggle wipe stitched inside the torso. A tailored fit means a tight fit will articulate to your movements. Dakine logos are located on the back shoulder and in front, vertically next to the zipper. 

-Short Sleeve
-Mesh Back & Underarms
-Crew Neck with Half Zip
-Extended Back Hem
-Interior Sunglass Wipe
-Polygiene Odour Control Technology
-Quick Dry

Price: $44.99 CAN
Colours: Black
Sizes: XXS / XS / S / M / L / XL
Fit: First Layer
Materials: 90% 4-Way Stretch Polyester / 10% Spandex

The Liner Shorts are padded underwear for biking. They are compression style with a snug fit, silicone anti-slip grip around each leg and a comfortable waistband. The high-density 8mm foam protects the crotch and seat. Two tabs on either side can assist you in pulling them on. I have a pair for long motorcycle rides and swear by them. The Polygiene odour control will allow you to do multi-day—maybe even week, trips without even thinking of laundry. 

-Compression Style Shorts
-Flat Seam Construction
-High Density 8mm Foam Padding
-Polygiene Odour Control Technology

Price: $104.99 CAN
Colours: Black / Sulphur
Sizes: 30 / 32 / 34 / 36 / 38 / 40
Fit: Tailored (14.25” Inseam)
Materials: 600 Denier Polyester Shell / 120g 100& Vented Polyester Mesh Lining

Dakine’s 2016 Descent shorts are built with a 600 Denier polyester shell and durable water repellent coating that will keep you protected from the elements. Whether you are peddling threw a downpour or sliding over dirt during a wipeout these shorts will protect better than most without ripping. The four way stretch, rib knit crotch gusset assures freedom of movement and optimal leg articulation for pre and post bike yoga sessions. The interior is 120g-vented polyester mesh that is nearly comfortable enough to go commando but unfortunately no Polygiene odour control technology. Placement of fabrics is ideal for impact protection, abrasion resistance and thermoregulation. 

There are two, low profile pockets for these shorts located midway down the leg on either side. They are zippered but only big enough for a wallet or cell phone. The pockets aim toward the back so items inside are barely noticeable. The ratcheting waist adjustment eliminates the need for a belt, but the anti-slip waistband can be hard on the skin. They are cut long to hang at the knee and allow room for kneepads. They are a bit stiff and make a lot of noise when breaking them in, but protect well when downhill mountain biking.

-Ratcheting Waist Adjustment
-Designed to fir over pads
-Low profile zippered side pockets
-Durable Water Repellent (DWR) Coating
-4-way Stretch Crotch and Rear panel

Price: $49.99 CAN
Colors: Black / Red Rock / Sulphur
Sizes: XS / S / M / L / XL (XXL Available in Black only)
Materials: 4-Way Stretch Air Mesh / Neoprene Knuckles / Clarino Synthetic Suede Palm
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I am not sure I have ever seen a glove with more features than the Sentinel Glove by Dakine. The back of the hand features flexible shock absorption, moisture wicking, 4 way stretch, air mesh with neoprene knuckle deflectors and a Velcro closure at the wrist. The palm is seamless, synthetic suede with flexible shock absorption, touch screen compatible fingers with silicone gripper on the index and middle finger.

The flexible shock absorption technology by D3O has also been developed with motorcycle padding, military helmets, ball cap liners to prevent concussions and protective cases for cell phone. This top-of-the-line technology is a great advantage to downhill mountain biking gloves. They fit well and allow lots of dexterity so you won’t constantly be in and out of them.

The air mesh between the fingers and back of the hand keep you cool and a micro fleece panel on the back of the thumb is soft enough for wiping your nose or goggles.

-Back Of Hand: Flexible Shock Absorption, Moisture Wicking, 4-way Stretch & Knuckle Deflectors
-Suede Palm with Flexible Shock Absorption
-Adjustable Wrist Hook & Loop Closure
-Touch Screen Compatible
-Micro Fleece Thumb Panels
-Silicone Grip on Fingertips
-One Piece Seamless Palm Construction

Price: $54.99 CAN
Colours: Black 
Sizes: S / M / L 
Materials: 4-Way Stretch 0.5mm AriaprenePro, Mesh back, Aramid Fibres
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Padding is essential for most downhill sports. The Slayer Elbow Pad is breathable, lightweight, durable and ergonomically designed. They are comfortable and work well. The silicone elastic cuff grips your arm so it won’t slip or slide down your arm, ever! I recommend folding the cuff when putting it on or taking it off for ease of transition.  The perforated AriaprenePro and DK Impact pad is CE-certified and provides ample elbow protection. The Aramid fibres on the elbow are heat-resistant and strong synthetic fibres used in both aerospace and military applications for ballistic rated body armour. Openings in the four way stretch mesh back allow for venting and breathability, so you’ll hardly notice them while peddling cross country or on the up track. They are built for both men and women.

-Lightweight & Low Profile
-CE Certified
-Bonded Hem Seam
-Open Back
-Ergonomic Design
-Silicon Elastic Grip
-Dakine Impact Pad
-Polygiene Odour Control Technology
-Abrasion Resistan

Cost: $79.99 (CAD)
Colours: Black / Sulphur
Sizes: S / M / L 
Materials: 4-Way Stretch 2mm AriaprenePro, Mesh back, Aramid Fibres
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The Hellion Knee Pad offers the same protection and comfort as the Slayer Elbow Pad. Additional side padding added to the lateral and medial aspect of the knee ensures added protection when impacting from the side and there is also interior patella support. The same silicone grip is featured above the knee but this time with an adjustable thigh strap to keep it tight. Similar to the Slayer, openings in the four way stretch mesh back allow for venting and breathability and a curved ergonomic design enhances the fit and adds comfort. 

-3D Moulded
-CE Certified
-Lateral & Medial Side Padding
-Interior Patella Support
-Cross X Elastic Compression on back of calf
-Bonded Hem Seam
-Open Back
-Ergonomic Design
-Adjustable Thigh Strap
-Silicon Elastic Grip
-Polygiene Odour Control Technology
-Abrasion Resistant

Dakine is no stranger to the downhill mountain biking scene, and they have continued to develop products for all participants. Both function and fashion have been considered in the 2016 line. New odour control technologies have made our lives, and those around us better as Polygiene has enabled users to go weeks without doing laundry without long-term regrets. Elbow and Knee padding are constructed with the highest rated fibres strong enough for military application. They are lightweight and comfortable, so you will not ditch them for fewer tan lines. The Sentinel gloves have been carefully constructed for dexterity, abrasion and impact while keeping hands cool, comfortable and most importantly functional.
Apparel sizing can be found under the frequently asked question section of Dakine’s website, however I have found issues using the search option to locate some products and some women’s bike apparel is only found under the men’s category.

Dakine offers a limited lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects within the scope of normal and appropriate utilization, excluding normal wear. All gloves & outerwear products have a two year limited warranty against manufacturing defects. I would recommend all of these products if you are in the market for some durable, quality built biking apparel and safety products.