Everyone Knows, You Never Go Full Camo!
Dakine MTB offer a snazzy two tone design with their Vectra 3/4 sleeve jersey and Pace shorts so you don’t need to worry about going full camo ever again.
Dakine MTB have been producing some stellar mountain bike clothing over the years and they never fail to impress us with what we think is a refreshing range, every season.
We had a big delivery of Dakine products to review recently, the Traverse gloves, Womens Xena jersey and now the mens Pace and Vectra kit. Dakine seem to have their finger on the pulse when it comes to creating aesthetically pleasing and highly functional clothing and this is evident with their men’s Pace shorts and a 3/4 sleeve Vectra jersey.
First Impressions
The Vectra jersey and the Pace shorts are both incredibly lightweight which make them ideal for most of the Australian riding conditions. The fabric has a slight 4-way stretch and the overall sizing has a relaxed/loose fit, aimed at the enduro – all mountain rider.
The two tone camo/grey marl colour palette has a striking effect and the red Dakine branding finishes it off nicely. They’ve certainly thought about the design being worn as a kit.
The Pace shorts are incredibly lightweight with a simple and no fuss approach. Photo:©Richard McGibbon
Features & Fit – Vectra Jersey
The Vectra Jersey features a classic, casual style with a 3/4 length sleeve and a stylish two tone design and is very simple in terms of any additional features. The jersey doesn’t feature any external pockets (side or rear). It does however feature a small soft wipe cloth on the inside for wiping your googles/glasses.
The material combines a quick dry Pique Polyester with Polygiene® Odor Control fabrics, to keep you feeling fresh and stink free for longer. Overall, the fit is loose and flowy, so if a more baggy fit is your thing then you’ll like the fit of this jersey.
Features & Fit – Pace Shorts
The Pace shorts, very much like the Vectra jersey also feature a casual, loose style with minimum fuss. With an an everyday look and feel to them you could certainly wear the Pace shorts on or off the bike, down the local club, surfing or just general summer wear.
The materials are a lightweight blend of 4-way stretch Polyester and Spandex with a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coating, so they can handle a bit of water spillage and if they do get a good soaking, they will dry off incredibly quickly.
The Pace shorts feature two good sized hand pockets, belt loops and waist adjustment straps. The shorts have a 14″ inseam and combined with the super lightweight stretch material, work seamlessly with any knee pad.
Dakine have struck a good balance of style and function. Photo:©Richard McGibbon
Out On The Trails
Getting our on the trails is where the Dakine kit comes alive. Feeling the air rush over you as you fly down your favourite trails is when you can appreciate the lightness of this kit. It’s insanely refreshing! We did the review on a couple of hot days in the mountains and I was a little concerned about the heat but I had no idea that it was going to be such a breeze. See what I did there?
During hike-a-bike sections (of which there were many) the 4-way stretch fabric of the shorts, gave me a lot of freedom with no restriction of movement for my legs or with my knee pads.
Sweaty jersey? Ha, no problem. The Vectra jersey just drinks it up. Sucking it off your body and pulling it through to dry off on the exterior, in super quick time. The air flow for both the jersey and the shorts felt fantastic all day. The shorts don’t have an inner liner, so this certainly helps to keep things light and fresh.
Maybe less is more when it comes to keeping cooler?
On or off the bike, the Dakine kit copes admirably on hot days. Photo:©Richard McGibbon
The Dakine kit is so airy I had trouble keeping it down. Photo:©Richard McGibbon
What’s also worth noting about Dakine is that they produce products that are BlueSign® approved. This means they are actually give a damn about sustainable textile production supply chains and reducing harmful effects on people and the environment.
Where to Buy / Price
You can pick up the Dakine range from most local or online bike shops.
- Vectra Jersey: $39.95 approx
- Vectra Shorts: $99.99 approx
Conclusion
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