Dirt Rag Gift Guide 2017: Four Gifts for the Recreational Mountain Bike Parent
Originally posted on December 6, 2017 at 13:00 pmBy Trina Haynes
Four great gifts for the outdoorsy parent.
Marin Hawk Hill – $1,500
The full-suspension Hawk Hill does a great job of keeping the price down while not sacrificing all the positive things needed for a real mountain bike. The Hawk Hill comes equipped with competent componentry; the Shimano Deore drivetrain and hydraulic disc brakes get you going and stopping while a RockShox Recon Silver RL fork takes the hits out front. While the Hawk Hill does not come with a dropper post, the frame has internal cable routing that’s ready for the upgrade. As the token mom on staff, I work in a ride with friends or with my partner maybe once a week. Investing in a higher-priced mountain bike just doesn’t make sense to me, but that does not mean I want to sacrifice the fun factor by buying a low-end bike. Look for the full review in Dirt Rag back issue #197.
Ketl Mountain Apparel ¾ Sleeve Jersey – $100
Ketl Mountain Apparel has taken some cues from outdoor-specific apparel and infused them into bike clothes. The fabric on the ¾ sleeve jersey is Polartec Power Dry, which is temperature regulating, moisture wicking and quick drying. The top is fitted but not too tight and has a henley style four-button front, a chest pocket with an eyewear loop and an earbud loop in the collar. The ¾ sleeve jersey is stylish enough to be multi-useful and would work for any kind of riding. I even found myself wearing the jersey as a day-to-day top to the office.
Ketl Mountain Apparel Overshort – $160
The Ketl Overshort is a knee-lenght short that is comfortable and durable. Like the Ketl ¾ jersey, the shorts are fitted but not tight and are great for layering. The shorts are a double weave, breathable, four-way stretch Schoeller fabric with a gusseted crotch and reinforced rear panel.The waist is adjustable; the legs are wide enough for kneepads, and the rear facing hip pockets are perfect for a phone. These shorts are super comfortable, breathable and have become personal favorite.
Bedrock Sandals – Cairn – $98
These sandals are great for pre- and post-ride use, as well as day-to-day sandal needs. Bedrock Sandals assemble all their footwear in a small factory in Richmond, California. The brand is eco-friendly, giving a donation of at least 1 percent of sales every year to an environmental nonprofit. They also have a resole program to keep sandals out of landfills. The Cairn Adventure Sandals have a flexible sole and are lightweight making them great for travel and packability. They fit easily into a pannier or backpack, and the tread offers enough traction for light hikes. The adjustable top strap ensures the sandals is secured to your foot, and I found the strap system to be better than other sandals I’ve tried. The toe strap is a softer material making them comfortable to wear all day. I use these sandals consistently over the last six months for hiking, walking the dog, water play and casual riding to the park with the kiddos. They are comfortable, lightweight, durable and stylish. The Cairn Adventure Sandal is available six different colors and can be purchased directly from their website, or use their online store locator.
