Lolë Brands continues its portfolio-building efforts entering the cycling apparel business by acquiring Louis Garneau Sports and its three brands—Garneau The move is intended to expand and strengthen Lolë Brands position in the global sportswear market “This is an exciting opportunity to partner with a beloved brand that brings its unique perspective to our team The acquisition will allow us to diversify our product offering and strengthen our commitment to innovation providing our customers with an even broader range of sports clothing and equipment,” said Todd Steele Louis Garneau Sports was founded in 1983 by Louis Garneau and his wife Monique Arsenault in his parent’s garage Lolë said in a media release that the Quebec-based company is “widely recognized for its expertise in designing cycling clothing and sports equipment.” The company said Lolë will benefit from Louis Garneau Sports’ develop and production knowledge in developing new collections “We are proud to join a dynamic and well-respected brand like Lolë,” said Jean-Marc Jahoo we will continue to innovate and offer high-quality products to athletes and sports enthusiasts around the world.” The terms of the acquisition were not released by the companies Read More SGB Executive Stories ©2025 SGB Media. All rights reserved. Use of this Site constitutes acceptance of our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.The material on this site may not be reproduced except with the prior written permission of SGB Media You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser or activate Google Chrome Frame to improve your experience For the sake of disclosure, Sombrio didn’t send us this shirt in hopes of a gushing review, bolstering sales, or gaining some ‘net cred. I was simply biding my time in a bike shop when I spotted the Vagabond from across the floor. Immediately after slipping it on, the words of Wayne Campbell in reference to his object of desire (a 1964 Stratocaster) On the surface, the Vagabond Riding Shirt from the Vancouver, B.C.-based mountain bike clothier, Sombrio long sleeve plaid… but don’t let its simplicity deceive you Bottom Line: Sombrio’s Vagabond Riding Shirt doesn’t just blur the line between function and fashion – it fits squarely in both categories with a modern fit usable features for riders on or off the trail The Sombrio Vagabond fits true-to-size with a slightly slimmer profile While the Vagabond has several tricks up its sleeve what stands out the most is how effing comfortable this shirt feels Sombrio’s Dura Tek–a blend of cotton and spandex–is a sprightly fabric stretching as you do but also snapping right back in place when at rest The performance material is also very light but with a certain reassurance it won’t snag on the first brush-up with a branch Sombrio uses metal snaps from top to bottom The two front chest pockets of the Vagabond are fully stitched to one side creating a semi-closed pouch and a third pocket You know you’re rocking this swag at the pub afterwards and Sombrio has wisely added some pit vents to manage the odor And just in case you are bar-biking or squeezing in your last hot lap at dusk the Vagabond’s posterior bike light loop has your back… literally A portion of my time in the Sombrio Vagabond was spent in Moab towards the end of March when a cold front moved in dropping morning trailhead temperatures into the low 40s the lightweight Dura Tek material did not inspire much confidence there the jacket stayed–tightly rolled up in the bottom of my pack Not only was additional layering unnecessary in the uncomfortably cool spring air but the Vagabond also managed higher temperatures very well as I forgot it was even on when the afternoon desert highs peaked in the low 70s The Vagabond’s sleeves are a bit long for my stocky build and the wide cuff made it easy to roll up and stay put when needed I would recommend a second cuff snap to further fine tune the fit I’m more of a pack man myself to allow for unencumbered range of motion but I did make some use of the handy chest and stealth pockets While the chest pockets are not a good place for anything you don’t want left on the trail semi-closed design was great for stashing goodies to which I needed quick access aboard the bike without fumbling with buttons While the aesthetics and comfort alone make the Vagabond appealing enough the amount of features this shirt packs makes it more than worthy of its steep-ish price tag you’re not just buying a riding shirt with the Vagabond but a do-it-all shirt–whether it’s riding trail Enter your email for the top stories in mountain biking plus product picks and deals delivered to your inbox each week Sign In Subscribe Now many Vancouver Island hikers may be considering a hike on the famous Juan de Fuca Trail The popular trail spans part of Vancouver Island’s southwest coast and is designed for challenging day or multi-day hikes the trail will remain closed throughout summer as crews work to repair extensive damage caused by fall and winter storms the Ministry of Environment and Parks stated in a press release “Several key sections of the 47-kilometre trail have been washed away or blocked by fallen trees making the trail impassable and unsafe for hikers shelters and campsites," the Ministry said Five backcountry campgrounds along the trail are also closed, including Bear Beach trail lovers can still utilize day-use areas throughout the summer Backcountry camping will still be available at Mystic Beach and East Sombrio Beach and the day-use area at China and Botanical Beaches will remain open A planned phased reopening of the trail and backcountry campsites is in place Dialogue and debate are integral to a free society and we welcome and encourage you to share your views on the issues of the day. We ask that you be respectful of others and their points of view, refrain from personal attacks and stay on topic. To learn about our commenting policies and how our community-based moderation works, please read our Community Guidelines Parts of the Juan de Fuca Provincial Park are closed due to recent heavy rain Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy announced Friday "Active closures include the Juan de Fuca trail and backcountry campsites as well as the Sombrio Beach suspension bridge and Parkinson Trailhead," the ministry said in a news release "Some areas of the park can still be safely accessed including China Beach and Second Beach for day use To minimize damage to park infrastructure and ensure people's safety affected areas will remain closed until further inspections are conducted which will determine the extent of the damage and timelines for repairs and reopening The ministry is advising those interested in visiting the park to check the B.C. Parks website for updates: bcparks.ca/active-advisories/ Dialogue and debate are integral to a free society and we welcome and encourage you to share your views on the issues of the day. We ask that you be respectful of others and their points of view, refrain from personal attacks and stay on topic. To learn about our commenting policies and how our community-based moderation works, please read our Community Guidelines. More military artifacts unearthed at Vancouver's PNEVideo1:46 Condolence books set up in Vancouver and Victoria for Lapu-Lapu Day victimsVideo1:25 Surrey immigration consultant raises concerns over fraudulent documentsVideo6:18 SubscribeCurrent TimeIgnore this field. If any data is entered for this field, you will not be subscribed to this newsletter....The next issue of CBC Vancouver Inbox will soon be in your inbox.Discover all CBC newsletters in the Subscription Centre. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Google Terms of Service apply nowFeatured Video - 10 videosVideo5:43 Canadians retrace their fathers’ footsteps in the NetherlandsThe National |9 hours agoVideo1:59 Trump repeats 51st state taunt as Carney prepares for White House visitThe National |1 hour agoVideo10:02 How GM job cuts could impact OshawaCBC News |May 4Video2:23 Air Canada flight credit stolen, used for stranger’s luxury trip | Go PublicThe National |1 hour agoVideo2:31 Crowds line streets to thank Canadian veterans in NetherlandsCBC News |May 3Video2:05 Gaza faces starvation crisis as Israel blockade enters third monthThe National |9 hours agoVideo2:01 Adidas launches new shoe tailored for people with Down syndromeThe National |9 hours agoVideo11:28 It is a priority for CBC to create products that are accessible to all in Canada including people with visual Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Determining a winner in Thursday's Tri-County Spelling Bee proved to be difficult A trio of spellers went back and forth for four rounds — 13 rounds in all — before Ethan Currier prevailed. The winning word for the eighth grader at Lexington Junior High School was "scythe." Currier rocked back and forth slightly as he spelled the word, ending a night of drama at the Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center "I was very nervous," he said afterward while spellers were posing for pictures a sixth grader at Eastern Elementary School at Lexington an eighth grader at Mansfield Middle School Crawford and Morrow counties competed after qualifying in previous bees Parents and loved ones waved to the spellers as they took their seats on the opposite side of the room an alternate pronunciation or to hear the word again The first- and second-place finishers at the previous Richland County and Crawford/Morrow County bees were out of the competition by the end of the third round The third round was brutal as nine spellers Sombrio and Camak squared off in the 10th round Camak correctly spelled "gordian," while the Lexington students missed their words that allowed Currier and Sombrio back in the competition Currier correctly spelled "interminable," while Sombrio and Camak missed their words Currier had to spell the championship word but Sombrio missed on "Machiavellian" and Camak missed "allotropic." Currier then spelled "scythe" and the trophy was his Sombrio edged Camak in a spell-off for second place who placed in the top 10 in the Richland County bee who provided encouragement to other spellers throughout the night said he was "very proud" of his runner-up finish adding English and language arts are his favorite subjects Sombrio sported a hooded sweatshirt with the words "The Gaming Panda," in reference to his YouTube channel Also finishing in the top 10 were Megan Escue a Colonel Crawford sixth grader; Annabelle Harris a sixth grader at Colonel Crawford; and Landon Bayes British Columbia’s Sombrio is a well-established clothing brand in the MTB world Now they’ve jumped into the bike game with four new hardtail mountain bikes Sombrio also has their own branded components for the bikes with ‘2’ being the highest-end build and ‘5’ serving as the entry model The four bikes are all within an entry-level price range selling for $730-$1300 CAD (please note the bikes are currently only shown on the Canadian website) There are some similarities and some differences between the frames on the various Shovels all models of the Shovel are made from 6061 T6 Aluminum Wheel spacing gets a bit interesting; The entry model Shovel 5 offers 10×135 rear spacing The Shovel 4 and 3 both have 10x141mm rear spacing (Boost QR) but the Shovel 4 has a 9x100mm fork while the 3 gets a Boost-spaced 15x110mm fork The top model Shovel 2 offers Boost 148mm rear spacing Not all head tubes are equal either; The Shovel 5 frame comes with a straight 1-1/8” head tube The specs reveal the Shovel 4 comes with a straight 1-1/8th fork (but it’s nice the frame allows for upgrades) Other fitments include 73mm bottom brackets Brake and derailleur cables are both externally routed but Sombrio has included internal cable routing for dropper posts and two water bottle mounts on the down tube The Shovel frames all share the same geometry All the figures are pretty up-to-date but not extreme The top-of-the-line Shovel 2 offers a 140mm travel Uding UD34 Air-Boost fork It rolls on Torngat alloy rims and Caribou T15 and T12 hubs It’s 10-speed drivetrain is supplied by Microshift and you get a KS E-20i dropper post on this model (125mm on smalls The Shovel 2 also comes with hydraulic Riderever disc brakes on 180/160mm rotors Sombrio finishes things off with their own Loam saddle Up front on the Shovel 3 is a 140mm Uding UD D5 Coil-Boost fork The 9-speed drivetrain is all Microshift components and braking is handled by Riderever Attack hydraulic discs with 180/160mm rotors stem and seat post all appear on the Shovel 3 The 4 runs an 8-speed Microshift drivetrain but it offers a fairly wide range with an 11-46t cassette Riderever’s hydraulic Attack disc brakes reel you in and Sombrio’s components round out the build The entry-point Shovel 5 comes with a 130mm RST Blaze Coil fork This model offers a 1×9 drivetrain with a 30t narrow-wide chainring up front The brakes are Jak ZJ-5 mechanical discs on 180/160mm rotors Sombrio’s Shovel hardtails will not be sold online and are currently only available through their Canadian dealers Check out their website’s dealer locator to find one near you sombriocartel.com Steve Fisher is a staff contributor for Bikerumor enduro and downhill mountain biking (plus a few commuter bikes) for seven years Steve wrote for Whistler Traveller Magazine and Mountain Life Magazine an area that offers plenty of challenging world-class singletrack and makes for great photos Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value" This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed We spotted Cofidis racing an all-new prototype wireless 13-speed Campagnolo Super Record 13 WRL SC road groupset Canyon Bicycles is now selling select models directly through Amazon.com Want wireless shifting but don’t want to have to buy a whole new drivetrain Be protected from the sun with the new UV Hooded Trail Shirt… OrNot The new Van Nicholas Astraeus is a beautiful titanium road bike that’s limited to just 50 frames Etna in Sicily will host the first Everesting World Championships in Fall 2025 where individuals & teams attempt to summit by bike Yakima’s new gear has a little something for everyone whether that means transporting your gear or keeping you comfortable at camp The next step in making custom 3D-printed saddles more accessible Czech custom saddle maker Posedla reshapes their personalized Joyseat line-up with three new options Try finding what you're looking for in our search box ...or hit the homepage for the latest news updates Tell us which broken link brought you here if you really think the page you were looking for should be here © 2025 SurferToday.com | All Rights Reserved On their website the Sombrio Cartel describes themselves as “west coast creators of progressive and purpose built athletics and lifestyle apparel.” To be honest The gear and clothing on their site wasn’t like anything I’ve ever worn on a bike trail I really needed a new pair of baggies and some cool weather shirts The first two pieces of Sombrio Gear I checked out are the Pedigree 3/4 sleeve jersey (2011 collection, though they have some similar new styles), the Drift Freeride Shorts It is stretchy but not tight; it stays put and doesn’t ride up under my backpack the shirt is a “slim fit” so I ordered a large The shaped hem with extra added length in the back is great for biking because I don’t have to worry about the shirt sliding up above my pack or shorts My other baggy shorts were exactly that: baggy They constantly got caught on my bike seat These fit well and have a great mesh liner in them In the summer it gets hot here in Junction but I’m not into biking in just my spandex–having vents on my baggies will keep me cool in more ways than one When I’m riding these shorts just move with me They don’t hinder my ability to get behind the seat or stand up Sombrio describes the shorts as having four-way stretch fabric with DWR finish and ultra soft inner face these are the most comfortable bike shorts I’ve ever worn and they have a waistband retention system with Sombrio rubber velcro pull tabs They have pull tabs at the waist so you can tighten them if you need to They have a few pockets that have sturdy zip closures and a seamless crotch panel And I got a chance to check out a third piece of gear recently, the Marimba Stow Jacket. It was 39 degrees outside and breezy on test day As I was getting ready at the car I thought I wish I had my skull cap to wear under my helmet Then I remembered that this Sombrio jacket has a hood that fits over my bike helmet The hoods that are supposed to fit over my ski helmet often slide down I eventually was able to pull off the hood right before I asked some nice strangers to snap this photo What I really like is that even if I get a little warm with this on there was no condensation on the inside of the jacket which is awesome for breathability and odor control and it has a one-handed shock cord waistband retention system I noticed with the hood that I could unzip the jacket and pull the hood down with one hand and I can cinch the waist with just one hand too I am so happy to have some new, sturdy, comfortable bike gear.  I think we’ll be hearing a lot more from Sombrio.  Their gear is functional, fashionable, and comfortable–it’s hard to beat that.  The jacket retails for around $100 and the shorts $135.  The shirt is currently on clearance for a mere $15. Thanks to Sombrio for letting me review these awesome products and stay tuned for my review of a long-sleeved Sombrio jersey Happy spring riding from Grand Junction & Fruita (and thanks to the dude in the parking lot who snapped this shot.) The Sombrio Women’s Sender shoes are designed with every day riding in mind these shoes are designed to offer support and protection with their rubber sole that’s lined with micro crampons to keep those flats from sliding around when the trails get bumpy The reinforced toe and heel area offer protection and will inspire confidence when you need to put a foot down on a tight corner There are perforations on the side of the shoes and at the toe area for breathability things can still get hot inside the shoe on any sunny day For those who prefer heftiness over breathability I can see these being the perfect shoes out in the bike park and short enduro-style rides.  I will say that these shoes felt very comfortable right off the bat they should be great for people with wider feet reinforced toe and heel areas offer plenty of protection for all day riding without adding too much extra material The extra reinforcement not only protects your feet but also protects the shoe from getting worn down on those areas that are prone to getting hit/scraped/etc by anything on the trails The soles are stiff and rigid to help with pedaling power and increased pedal feel while still being fairly flexible for hike-a-bike moments The lace closure button keeps the flat laces in place and out of the way helping you focus more on your ride and worrying less about the laces coming undone and getting stuck in your drivetrain.  These shoes are made out of the synthetic PU leather A quick note is Sombrio’s shoe sizing doesn’t include half sizes Their Euro sizing goes from 36-41 (US Women’s size 6-10) so the EU size 39 (US 8) fits me well with a bit of wiggle room in the toe area.  These shoes are a great choice if you’re looking for a solid year-round pair to take to your local trail and a post-ride stroll to your nearest Sushirrito While I would consider these on the hot side of the shoe spectrum I would still pick these for their protection ⭐️ Find the Sender Shoes at Sombrio.com or Moosejaw Thank you Sombrio for providing these shoes for testing The Feel Good, Ride Good series is an effort to help women find mountain bike gear and clothing that just feels right We recognize women have different body shapes and needs so we hope to help them discover women’s products that fit those unique requirements so we can just focus on the ride and matches the energy and personality we bring to the bike We’ll be back on #FeelGoodFriday with more women’s MTB products T-800: Even without a rogue AI taking over, I calculate a 74 percent chance that human civilization will collapse into barbarism. And in that eventuality, these weapons will be vital to protect my family. Also, this is Texas. Your Ads Privacy ChoicesIMDb Some affordable bikes are sold with upgrades in mind while others are intended to remain the bike they were born The new Shovel from Sombrio looks to fit the latter intention with a 10 x 141mm axle that riders won’t easily find an upgraded wheel for This looks to be a sweet entry-level bike for new riders or a second steed for folks who want to party on a hardtail occasionally The Shovel is an aluminum hardtail with a 140mm fork and a 9- or 10-speed drivetrain depending on which build you choose The top build includes a dropper post for a total price of $1,299.99 and the least expensive build retails for $729.99 with a rigid post Reach numbers across the three frame sizes are 430 paired with short 430mm chain stays and a deep 50mm BB drop across the board The headtube angle is a nice 66° to keep riders on the right side of the handlebars and the slacker 74° seat tube angle extends the bike’s effective top tube which should make the bike feel roomier for taller riders some riders would be able to size up if they want to try a longer frame The bike is only available for purchase through local dealers, which appear to be somewhat limited given that Sombrio has heretofore been known for their line of mountain bike clothing. Head over to the Sombrio site for additional details Freeride and gravity-inspired apparel brand Sombrio returned to Interbike this year refreshed with a new owner and a new collection for spring/summer 2015 which was started by freeride pioneer Dave Watson in 1998 seems to have emerged quite well from the other side of its transition after being acquired by Canadian triathlon and cycling apparel brand Sugoi earlier this year It re-signed freeride legend Darren Berrecloth and brought on Katie Holden as sponsored athletes moved its operations into Sugoi's Burnaby offices and rehired two former employees to head up product and marketing the Sombrio crew is back and excited to get down to business "It didn't go off the market (during the transition) it just kind of went dark," said Bill Rudell Sombrio's doesn't seem to have lost sight of its core North Shore customer during the changes sales staff and backend operational logistics whose expertise is in triathlon and road cycling is hands-off when it comes to product development and management the men's and women's lines have both been pared to focus solely on technical riding apparel "Last year we had been pushing lifestyle but there were challenges bringing it into bike shops We dialed back that side of the collection so there was more time and energy working on technical apparel," Turk said Plenty of people at the Interbike tradeshow seemed stoked to see Sombrio back Much of the line is made up of pieces from the previous Sombrio collection the Pedigree three-quarter-sleeve jersey returns with a new color-way and a new silhouette based on the classic baseball jersey design The V'al short is new for this year as an all-purpose freeride short the V'al is loaded with a mid-weight stretch fabric with a moisture-wicking finish seamless crotch panel design and waistband retention system The signature Drift gravity shorts are also back as well as the Cascadia full-sleeve jersey There are three pieces in the Epik all-mountain collection including a purpose-built riding tank top One of the best-looking pieces in the men's collection is the Vagabond riding shirt a long-sleeve plaid with underarm ventilation and a chest pocket that just so happens to perfectly fit a 12-ounce can which has been in the line for Sombrio's entire existence remains the bombproof freeride short it's always been with 4-way stretch fabric and a moisture-wicking finish Sombrio gloves and shoes will also stay in the line. Expect more good things to come from Sombrio in the future as the brand continues rebuilding. To see the full line, go to bike.sombriocartel.com The Pinner shorts have been in Sombrio's line-up for years primarily as a tough freeride short This latest version retains the burly roots and branches out into (dare I say it?) the enduro category BC's infamous North Shore and was born to outfit the freeride pioneers who explored the iconic terrain that spawned an entire new way of riding Taking cues from their groundbreaking past Sombrio's designs are still steeped in deep BC style and the performance required to ride such aggressive landscapes meaning it's snug through the hips and butt Sombrio shorts have found their way into my riding gear and the trim pelvis region fit has been consistent especially on the Pinner as they're constructed from four-way stretch fabric called Quattro Flex Dura That material is a bit heavier than what composes the standard XC or trail-oriented baggy short, such as Pactimo's Apex or the insanely light Conation baggies That sturdiness is a remnant of the Pinner's freeride past and its intentions to charge hard now it's reassuring when pointing the bike at some nasty chunky terrain with knee and elbow pads and a long-sleeve jersey the fabric also has a durable water resistance (DWR) finish to repel water The waist closure has two snaps and Velcro surrounding the snaps for an added measure of security The Velcro waist adjusters are pretty slick as the Medium's waist sizing fitted me perfectly The 14.5in inseam hits just below my knees while standing and slightly above when pedaling both of which makes me happy with or without knee pads This is where the aforementioned enduro comes in Most mountain bike baggies fall into one of two camps; the overbuilt The Pinners about split the difference leaning towards the downhill crew With the proper length and the four-way stretch Once elevation is gained (or the transfer stage complete) skimming rocks and sliding around corners all came naturally and without hesitation The Pinners felt like they could take a hit or snag a branch and come out the other end in one piece which is about perfect for rowdy enduro-type riding I found them easy to open and close while riding and their placement might be my favorite spot for ventilation since it actually works The zipped thigh pockets seemed a bit odd when off the bike as they sit squarely on the upper thighs and zip down and away The side placement stored gear nicely while pedaling up and shredding down The pocket carried my smartphone so stealthily that I forgot I had it; zero bouncing and it's worth mentioning this might not be the best spot as a lot of falls can smack on or near the hip The left pocket also has a lift pass attachment the heavier material will be noticeably hotter The thigh vents and seamless crotch panel show that the Pinners are meant for pedaling however About the only other downside is that they're not stealthy at the bar or burrito joint. Other shorts, like Elevenpine's Crankitups, or 7mesh's Recons look completely pedestrian if that's your jam Sombrio is unabashed in its focus on mountain biking and the Pinner shorts deliver on that message loud and clear £89.99 / US$120 and Australian pricing not available it’s not necessarily the most intriguing images that earn them their paychecks For the last two years Margus Riga has been shooting photos for Sombrio clothing and recently they teamed up to create the Sombrio x Margus Riga Forest Collection Sombrio noticed there were a lot of great images left out of this year’s catalogue so they created a pop-up gallery to show off some of Riga’s more artistic material Several pieces of the Sombrio x Margus Riga Forest Collection were on display, including the men’s Renegade jersey , LTD Photo Print Tee and Spun gloves, plus the women’s Vista jersey. The full collection also includes a grom-sized Renegade jersey All pieces in the line feature one of Riga’s images of the iconic British Columbian forest Proceeds from the auctioned photos (and the $2 craft beers from B.C’s Postmark Brewing Co) were donated to Whistler’s MTB governing body WORCA (Whistler Off Road Cycling Association) to help them maintain the municipality’s public trail network Riga was stoked to have Sombrio approach him about showcasing some of his photos that look great but get passed over for ads or catalogues in favor of images that display the products better “These shots are a little bit more on the artistic side with some motion blurs and different kind of lighting that normally wouldn’t get shown in print They said they want to show these… So I kinda just jumped at the chance” said Riga Sticking with all black and white photography for the auction was also Sombrio’s idea They liked the artsy character of Riga’s black and white images so much they selected one as the opening shot in their current catalogue Riga was pretty happy with the location and timing of the gallery too: and to have a show the second day of the bike park opening is just amazing then came back from my ride and came to my show I asked Riga which of the 22 prints was his favorite and he led me to this image of Darren Berrecloth and gave me the back story The guys were shooting on a typical dark and rainy B.C when Berrecloth asked Riga ‘What do you want to see?” and Riga suggested a big ol’ seat grab Berrecloth sent the jump and stretched this huge indian air on the first try just moments before the rain started hammering down sombriocartel.com Sombrio's Mutant waterproof combines a casual look with some bike-friendly features It's not one for cross-country racing whippets but it could be a godsend for larger riders fashion-conscious freeriders and short-distance commuters It's made of PU-coated Nylon with a fetching herringbone pattern Mesh-lined pit-zips allow heat out and fresh air in They have a snakeskin-esque pattern and are sensibly positioned so they aren't obscured by the straps if you're wearing a rucksack freeride-friendly cut means it fits well over armour but is a bit of a 'sail' in the wind especially on slimmer riders – it's certainly not one for the Lycra brigade Velcro closures mean they can be tightened but unless you're wearing armour that extends right down to your wrists Where this roomy cut does come into its own is on the hood There's plenty of headroom for even the lankiest of riders even when wearing a rucksack – a pleasant surprise because this is one area where many hooded jackets fall short There are lined hand pockets on each side – great in the dry but not so good in the wet when water slides down the waterproof sleeves straight into the pockets – and an iPod/key pocket on the left sleeve There's even a hole for your headphone cable on the inside of the sleeve pocket and a tab by the collar so you can route it to your ears Shock cords allow you to tighten the waistband and peaked hood and also a helmet-style 'cradle' inside the hood to ensure it isn't blown off on windy days With the hood up you feel cocooned from the elements but it's a shame there's nowhere to store it when conditions improve With the hood down and the jacket fully zipped up your head movement is restricted and your chin rubs against the collar Easing the zip down a few inches improves the situation stylish look means this is a jacket you could wear on the ride to work and around town at lunchtime – as long as your commute isn't too long – over body armour on the downhills We wouldn't recommend it for cross-country – try it and you'll soon understand why dragsters have parachutes for brakes The Sombrio Mutant is available in five sizes (XS-XL) Sombrio has been around since the 1980s and established themselves as pioneers of modern and functional mountain biking apparel. Today, it’s almost impossible to imagine mountain biking clothing being limited to skin-tight Lycra and or wearing plain, regular jeans out on the trails that were typical in the 80s Sombrio created a new range of gear that continues to check all the boxes for mountain bike riders through the decades with functional and stylish pieces to enhance the riding experience I recently got to test out their Fall-ready kit: Silhouette Riding Shirt The Silhouette Riding Shirt is a classic plaid button-up that’s meant to be worn on and off the trail It’s specifically tailored for mountain biking by the company that decided that there was more to mountain biking apparel than lycra back in 1980 This button-up is excellent for fall weather or for those chilly early morning ride starts that we sometimes dread Pair this shirt with the Sobrio Summit Tank for an all day riding kit.  The shirt is made of lightweight cotton and polyester blend for comfort I never felt it got in the way of my riding The easy snap-on buttons at the front and at the cuffs make it easy to take on or off You’ll notice the two flap chest pockets that add style and room for nutrition gels or ID cards.  this shirt helps keep the rider warm while helping to dissipate heat and sweat when the climbs get demanding The small underarm holes are greatly welcomed to vent heat If you forget to check the weather before your ride and things get too hot unbutton the shirt and roll up the sleeves for maximum ventilation You can also fit elbow pads by rolling up those sleeves The polyester and cotton blend gives this shirt a high quality feel and I’m certain it will survive many washes The shirt should be able to handle some falls but I would like to see reinforced materials at the forearm and elbow area.  The Silhouette Riding Shirt is one of the most lightweight and comfortable button-up trail shirts I have tried It’’s specifically tailored for women who spend their days on the saddle The shirt is true to size with a “loose/baggy” feel to it I think many women will appreciate the roomy chest area A tailored low cut at the front will keep the shirt out of the way and a long hem at the back will keep your lower back covered and I enjoyed the wiggle room that it offers Sombrio’s sizing chart for tops was pretty accurate I suggest checking it out and measuring to ensure the perfect fit.  I can’t forget to mention the hidden and easy-to-access zipper pocket on the side seam on the lower right I would like to see a lens cleaning cloth on their next iteration like many other companies are doing along with velcro or buttons for the two chest pockets The price tag at $100 may deter some mountain bikers but this shirt will last you many seasons of riding Don’t forget you can also use it for hiking and many many other activities the Silhouette Riding Shirt is a versatile piece to add to your wardrobe Buffalo PlaidMaterial: Dura Tek – 56% polyester ⭐️ Find the Silhouette Riding Shirt at Sombrio, Backcountry, Amazon.com and other online retailers. The Summit Tank is not your typical tank top It comes with a modern twist meant for hot days at the trail The Cool Wik material offers plenty of breathability while being silky smooth to the touch It pairs well with the Silhouette Riding Shirt This combo kept me warm at dawn and cool as the day progressed I was pleasantly surprised to find a small zippered stow pocket in the lower back of the tank where you can fit small credit card sized items which worked out great for me as I prefer a looser comfort fit you may consider sizing down from your usual cut This tank is a simplistic approach to summer riding ⭐️ Find the Summit Tank at Sombrio, Backcountry, and Amazon.com The Summit Shorts are your all mountain trail shorts meant to keep you riding in style season after season. They offer 4-way stretch durable and breathable fabric to make riding even more enjoyable. Having tried the Sombrio V’AL 2 Shorts in the past and these shorts really live up to their description With a secured front zipper and hidden snap button with velcro they don’t slide down the waist when riding If the shorts feel a bit loose at the waist the velcro straps at the waistline offer adjustability for a more personalized fit.  With lightweight fabric combined with the 4-way stretch comfort these shorts will inspire you to take the longer route The clothing you choose to wear can make a big difference depending on the weather Having ventilation holes in the upper back area and near the inner thigh helps keep things cool You know they are good shorts when you forget you’re even wearing them which is something I don’t always experience with trail shorts I didn’t feel the shorts catch on the saddle which was a plus The pockets are my favorite feature of these shorts There are two large zippered front pockets that allow me to carry my iPhone XR and ID cards and two back pockets for when I need to stash more trail goodies For those of you who ride at the bike park often there’s a lift-ticket clip inside the left front pocket.  The only thing that was odd for me was the sizing I followed the sizing guide and went for a medium only to find they were very snug around the waist restricting my overall movement I decided to size up to a large but found they were a bit baggier than expected I wish there was a size between their medium and large It’s important to note that the Velcro tabs came very handy on a size large when fully cinched and they stay in place those Velcro tabs do look a bit bunched up in the back waistband but with a loose top you won’t really notice it The leg seam on a medium rests above my knee while the large is below.  Heathered CharcoalMaterial: Mobil Mesh (84% polyester ⭐️ Find the Summit Shorts at Sombrio, Backcountry, and Competitive Cyclist. The Cadence Liner is a very breathable and stretchy chamois for long days out on the trail The comfort level is high with plenty of padding and a hugging wide waistband The Mobil Mesh all around does an excellent job at wicking away sweat and moisture Chamois fitting is all about personal preference as we all come in different shapes and sizes so take my impressions with a grain of salt The Cadence Liner offers a snug no-gap fit allowing the stretchy fabric to mold to my body shape The seat padding has four panel segments that cover my sit bones and provide plenty of cushion comfort This chamois doesn’t not cut into my legs or groin or roll up during the ride You can feel free to ride all day long with these I followed the sizing guide and the medium did not fit so I exchanged the chamois for a large size I would definitely recommend taking your measurements as it seems the tops and bottoms sizing can be inconsistent The $80 price tag on these may push you away but investing in a high-quality chamois may be the difference in enjoyment and performance when riding Always invest where your body makes contact with your bike I would like to see some silicone grip at the leg openings to prevent them from possibly riding up If you have been on the hunt for a comfortable chamois because your current ones aren’t quite meeting your expectation I suggest you consider the Sombrio Cadence Liner MSRP: $80 (available from Sombrio)Materials: Mobil Mesh (84% polyester and lifetime warranty don’t often come in one package which is to dive deep into their mountain bike roots to create amazing gear for riders Check out our mountain bike shorts buyers guide and our picks for the best mountain bike shorts North Vancouver’s Sombrio Cartel is mostly known for its more casual approach to clothing with flannel mixing in with the high-tech fabrics the twenty-year-old Canadian brand adds a more performance-focused line of apparel pants and men’s and women’s jerseys The line mixes toughness with a lighter weight that’s ready to pedal with the same North Shore toughness the rest of the brands apparel is known for but the Vanquish pants and jersey do so well The Vanquish pants (and shorts) use a stretchy but they also don’t soak up any precipitation or puddles you splash through That makes the Vanquish pants comfortable enough to pedal in without feeling like they’ll fall apart the first time you brush against a tree especially considering their weight and how light they feel They’re not a full-on lightweight pant that I’d wear on hot days but they’re comfortable in a good range of temperatures A seamles crotch panel makes the Vanquish pants comfortable to sit and pedal in the Vanquish pants don’t follow the current near-skin tight trend will probably be welcomed by a lot of riders Not everyone wants their pants to feel glued to their calves and thighs The size large pants I tested are supposed to correspond to a 34-36 waist Two velcro tabs on either side help size the pants well while a grip band inside the waist kept them from moving around or sliding down while riding they comfortably fit even large knee pads without tugging while pedalling or restricting movement are large enough to comfortably hold a phone without letting it bounce or jiggle around while riding Sombrio offers the Vanquish pants in two colours black and “milky coffee” in six sizes from XS to XXL they are on the more expensive end of the spectrum If you want a quality pair of tough-but-light pants with a more relaxed fit from a Canadian brand But they are not cheap and there is no dedicated women’s model The Vanquish jersey follows a similar design as the pants: light and tough even the long sleeve jersey is light and breathable enough for hot summer rides A microfibre wipe inside the jersey will help keep eyewear clean the mesh does a good job of breathing and wicking moisture away from the skin without getting soaking wet or heavy and dries quickly with the arms being cut just close enough that they don’t move around without being constricting or feeling tight well made jersey that will work in a good range of conditions Get the digital edition of Canadian Cycling Magazine Kona Clump rider Dave Watson is the main man behind the fantastic Sombrio clothing - arguably the finest looking riding kit around at the moment Dave makes sure the clothing is made in Vancouver so it's exactly the quality he's happy with The Badass shorts have an 'Urban Freeride' design which means casual looks but super cool features the shorts are tough enough to ward off a few slams and there's a camo mesh liner to wick away sweat and keep you comfortable (and it's a sign of the high quality) The waistband is lined with Coolmax fabric - again showing the attention to detail - and there are four zipped pockets two at the sides and a smaller pocket lower down on the right leg they have high quality lining and there are reversed zips to keep the elements out There are also some really nice finishing touches - embossed leather tabs a secret stash pocket and tidy metal rivets but is off to a rocky start and destroys a lot of columns in the building] Loki: I think you missed a column. Things you buy through our links may earn Vox Media a commission It’s hard to pick which scene in “Old Man Logan” is the wildest The epic tale was first published by Marvel Comics in the pages of X-Men spinoff series Wolverine at the turn of this decade and is a huge influence on this weekend’s superhero tentpole picture Logan It remains as shocking today as it was when it came out The story is built on the premise that the venerable Marvel universe has gone all dystopian and cockeyed which leads familiar archetypes to be warped to the very edge of recognition you might select the part where the Hulk eats Wolverine only for the latter to burst out of the former’s stomach rex possessed by an extraterrestrial symbiote runs after the heroes Or the incident that powers the whole narrative in which a hypnotized Wolvie bloodily murders all of his X-Men pals and leaves their stunned corpses in a gruesome pile at the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters “Old Man Logan” is something of a turducken of terror for the Marvel mythos the story arc — written by Scottish provocateur Mark Millar and penciled by action-scene master Steve McNiven — filled with a remarkable degree of passion and reverence for the company’s eight-decade-old legendarium providing a vision of Wolverine built on the creators’ admiration for one of their employer’s greatest characters Thanks to frustrating copyright disputes and the wishes of Logan auteur James Mangold the filmic offspring of “Old Man Logan” isn’t quite as nutso as the source material but its influence is raw and apparent to anyone who’s read the story Hugh Jackman’s swan song would be very different it’s time to acknowledge “Old Man Logan” for what it is: the most influential single X-Men story in a generation There have been other X-tales in that stretch that have introduced famous characters or ideas but only “Old Man Logan” has given birth to two subsequent comic-book spinoffs In a world where the American superhero comic has become one of the most lucrative items in global entertainment it’s worth picking apart how and why “Old Man Logan” became such a key part in the evil-fighter industry Spoilers for “Old Man Logan” — but not Logan — below An old Logan” — Logan being Wolverine’s traditional civilian name “Maybe he hasn’t popped his claws and he hasn’t picked up a gun in 30 years.” What’s the one thing that would make Logan not pop his claws And it would be hurting the people he loves So then I had to think of a scene where he hurt the people he loves Though the reader doesn’t find out exactly what happened until midway through the epic it’s made clear throughout most of the narrative that the X-Men went the way of the dodo during the central incident of the world of “Old Man Logan”: a day when the superheroes fell all the various baddies of the Marvel Universe finally got their act together and joined up to take on the good guys on one fateful night and the capos of the bad-guy uprising divided America up among themselves What we eventually learn is that Logan got the rawest deal of all When a squadron of nemeses came to the X-Men’s headquarters Wolvie rushed to lethally take them all down in a horrific decapitation-filled fight that stretched on and on until it seemed he had finally won Only then was it revealed to him that Spider-Man foe and master of illusions Mysterio had made Logan think he was killing villains all the villains he saw were X-Men and their child wards Logan wandered to nearby rail tracks and tried to kill himself by letting a train run over his neck His healing factor and adamantium skeleton kept him from losing his skull but it gave him the masochistic pain he desired Wolverine then moved out to California and set up a quiet homestead He resolutely avoided conflict and suffered the abuse of a local mafia run by the Hulk and one day Hawkeye — now functionally blind — comes to Logan and asks him to act as a driver on a road trip to the East Coast to help out some rebels there Millar brought the pitch to editor Axel Alonso — no stranger to gruesomeness having edited at DC Comics’ outré Vertigo imprint — and Alonso was overjoyed What’s not to like?” he remembers thinking “The high concept provided Mark maximum flexibility to go big and gory and deconstruct the entire Marvel Universe.” He gave the Scotsman a green light to go nuts with whom he’d collaborated on 2006’s Civil War mini-series “It read like a fever dream,” McNiven recalls so the artists had a remarkably long leash we get spectacles like Wolverine decapitating the Red Skull with long-dead Captain America’s shield; flashback-Wolverine stabbing what he thinks is villain Bullseye causing a gush of what looks like gallons of blood; and perhaps the most famous shot the aforementioned emergence of Logan from the Hulk’s gut (Alonso’s favorite scene) Some may see the violence as excessive and cynically titillating but one can’t deny that it was uniquely visionary — to paraphrase Wolverine’s old motto McNiven’s the best there is at what he does The second thing that makes “Old Man Logan” shine is its combination of inventiveness and reverence and though some of his work is as good as comics have gotten in the past 20 years (The Authority But what never changes is the ambition of Millar’s elevator pitches He’ll take a familiar concept or character and ask What if it were tweaked just enough to make it radically fresh and we get the truly rad sight of Wolverine flying in the late Iron Man’s armor It’s all done with the giddy delight of a kid playing with action figures in configurations only limited by imagination “Old Man Logan” is a story about the Marvel Universe that could really only work with Wolverine. “Like Batman in The Dark Knight Returns it’s not hard to imagine that he will survive whatever apocalyptic nightmare befalls the Marvel universe,” says fellow Marvel star writer Brian Michael Bendis “It’s not hard to imagine him like Clint Eastwood in Unforgiven: the last cowboy left alone with his memories and sins.” Millar gets the character on a level that’s uncommonly deep That leads us to what is perhaps the most important factor: the big heart of “Old Man Logan.” Much of Millar’s work is infamously cynical but then decides it’s his responsibility to take care of the Green One’s infant son Hawkeye has secrets and contours that show a reverence for the way the character was portrayed before his big-screen reinvention (and before Millar inspired that reinvention in Ultimates); Doctor Doom’s wordless cameo is granted an awesome nobility by McNiven’s illustration of his eyes and posture; and above all Millar’s writing shows a sincere love for Wolverine in a way that’s rare in comics Hawkeye keeps getting irritated with Logan for not popping his claws prompting the weeping hero to recount his tragic tale over a campfire “Now you just try tellin’ me Wolverine didn’t deserve to die,” he says after it’s done And nor would comics creators and filmmakers who have read the comics story and been inspired by it The notion of an aged Logan whose familiar self mostly died long ago and who is reluctantly coming out of retirement has become a core part of the Marvel brand First came a 2015 mini-series titled Old Man Logan which returned to the dystopian world of the original story Millar left mainstream superhero comics not long after the original “Old Man Logan” hit stands so Bendis took over and layout genius Andrea Sorrentino replaced McNiven the older Logan was shunted back in time and has lived in the contemporary Marvel universe ever since written by the fascinating Jeff Lemire and still drawn by Sorrentino the usual version of Wolverine was killed off in 2014 so Old Man Logan is now the only version of Logan available in comics the story is also the biggest single comics influence on the Logan film and says he based much of the movie’s aesthetic on it in no small part because Fox owns the rights to X-Men but not to the rest of the Marvel Universe meaning you could never get the parts about Hawkeye and the central notion of a road trip all very much make their way into the film “Old Man Logan” has lived on in a way that rivals all the great X-Men stories of the past Film adaptations are the most obvious measure of impact and all the other big X-movies (with the exception of Deadpool which is only barely tied to the X-Men film universe) are based on stories published between 1963 and the mid-1980s The last revolutionary development in X-Men comics history was probably the visual redesign and cartoon-friendly tonal shift of the 1991 franchise retooling even the best X-Men stories have either been derivative of past classics or subsequently ignored by filmmakers and comics writers (Grant Morrison’s fantastic run on New X-Men in the early aughts being the best example of the latter.) But “Old Man Logan” lives on a boldly refreshing vision that’s unlike anything published before it It was the first new story to alter the course of this venerable franchise’s development in a very long time no small achievement in a genre as creatively conservative as superhero fiction and moviegoers that that pacifist Logan finally popped the claws again Password must be at least 8 characters and contain: you’ll receive occasional updates and offers from New York water-resistant jacket that usefully packs away into its own chest pocket leaving you with a bundle about the size of a water bottle to stuff into your pack Our size small sample came up more like a medium/large so unless you’ve got a good few layers underneath there’s quite a bit of excess material left flapping about We’d recommend dropping down a size if considering this the collar comes up high enough to keep the elements out and the hood’s good when you’re off the bike or waiting for the uplift We’d prefer the hood’s drawstrings to be anchored in some way The DWR water resistant coating will stave off the odd shower easily enough but look elsewhere if you want something watertight Pared back gloves for maximum handlebar feel and grip Appealing to the rider wanting a stripped back the Sombrio Prodigy is the Canadian company’s staple all round glove Aimed as much to all-day trail riders as enduro racers and dirt jumpers it has several features to increase comfort and durability >>> Best mountain bike gloves The cuffless design means that the Prodigy is a tight squeeze to get on Luckily Sombrio have got the sizing pretty well spot on and the knitted construction wraps comfortably around the hand without any undue tight spots The knitted back has a tight weave that goes someway to protect from undergrowth hits whilst still remaining fairly airy The Prodigy uses Kevlar thread throughout to really beef up the durability Cuffless gloves take a bit more abuse through all the pulling on and off and stitching can be killed quite quickly I’ve been able to kill this type of glove within weeks with a bit of careless neglect but the Prodigy is surviving with no signs of undue wear The thin palm is constructed of Ax Suede, and it certainly is very supple and hard wearing. Bar feel is great but the shaping allows for a little too much bunching at the base of the fingers. Ultimately this can lead to discomfort on longer rides The AX Suede palm has held up well to abuse The glove does have double reinforcing around the thumb and forefinger and also incorporates a minuscule nose wipe You have to be accurate with your wiping to avoid scratching your face or glasses with the harder surrounding materials Silicon grippers work with the thin palm material to give great dexterity, almost like not wearing gloves at all. Bar feel and control was certainly not compromised. For the Instagrammers and riders who can’t be without their phones the lack of touchscreen compatibility can be a bit frustrating when you just want to take a quick pic on the trail A durable and reliable trail glove let down slightly by the palm construction Luzi: [narrating] Some things may not be spoken of things from the past--from long ago. But this does not mean you can ever forget them. There are things that can never be forgotten. Sombrio has roamed the woods of Vancouver’s North Shore for over 20 years on mountain bikes but the Canadian brand has never made a bike of its own a no-nonsense hardtail made to survive and thrive on anything the Shore could throw at it The Shovel reflects Sombrio’s approach to its more well-known apparel line The apparel brand started in 1998 with a free-spirited and relaxed in design paired with functional elements made to survive the hard environment of mountain biking’s most notorious trails It’s also an aluminum hardtail that starts at just $730.00 to the waves of high-end carbon wonderbikes with price tags that regularly push five figures Here’s what Sombrio says about the inspiration behind these new Shovel bikes: “The Shovel; commonly known as a hand tool – many of us would have first picked up a shovel as our first foray into trail building Now the Shovel represents a tool for progression a foundational element of many great things The Shovel is purpose-built to be square one A starting point for entry into the world of mountain biking Taking heavy influence from The North Shore and the rigors of modern mountain biking – the Shovel is the cumulative result of what you need to get rolling from your first ride.” How about 27.5″ tires with clearance for 2.6″ rubber giving you traction in the wettest weather progressive trail bike geometry that sits in a comfortable middle ground instead of pushing the extremes of bike design there’s a smart build kit on all Shovel models designed to make it trail-ready right out of the box a classic-looking big ol’ head tube badge Pricing starts from $729.00 for the Shovel 5 and goes up to $1,300.00 for the Shovel 2. All four models are available in Canada only through Sombrio dealers. Hit the brand’s website full details on the Sombrio Shovel If someone told me that Sombrio made some of the best bib shorts around I likely would have laughed then asked if they were confused. It's not that Sombrio makes lousy stuff its clothing is top notch for style and function but rather it's renowned for its gravity-focused gear Sombrio's Smuggle bib liners change all that though One of the big stumbling blocks I have with most bibs are the straps They either dig into my shoulders or chafe my nipples I wear a baselayer to ward off these annoyances but that is another layer and I'm not one to believe that adding clothing helps keep me cooler the fit was a pleasant surprise when the straps lined up wide on my chest and outside of my nipples they were wide enough on the top of my shoulders to not feel like I was about to be sawed into thirds lengthwise the straps are full mesh so they feel light and airy and the middle of the bibs come down relatively low in the front — so #1 bathroom breaks are a bit less annoying than with higher bibs On top of all that the overall fit worked well for my gangly not overly constricting yet nowhere near loose basically everything except 14cm (5.5in) panels running the length of the sides and the 8.3cm (3.25in) thigh grippers All of the seams are flat and the stitching has held up admirably the Formula FX chamois is sized appropriately The chamois has a list of features but the two that matter most are that it's comfortable and looks and performs the same as it did many months ago The leg openings feature 'comfort bands' rather than silicone grippers to keep them in place As a rider who often has hairy legs I appreciated the smooth material over the often hair-pulling nature of rubbery grippers They feature three rear pockets plus a zipped pocket The three open pockets sit high enough on the back that they lay flat mini tool and CO2 in the pockets kept my jersey low profile and prevented me from looking like I had a questionable growth blossoming on my back zipped pocket on the left side is ideal for cash or a credit card and not much else but I'm not very keen on placing something hard and unforgiving right between the top of my hipbone and bottom ribs A couple things are worth noting about the Smuggle bib liners the printed graphics peeled off almost completely I'm not sure if the washing machine got them or my outer shorts rubbed them off but the Sombrio name on the left leg and the camo print on the thigh grippers are practically gone The other note is unless you know for absolute certain you're the only rider in the woods the overall mesh construction is see through if you dare stare hard enough The Smuggles are labeled as bib liners for a reason Bike Europe is a part of VMNmedia. The following rules apply to the use of this site: Terms of Use and Privacy / Cookie Statement | Privacy settings Mountain biking means a lot of things to a lot of people, and Sombrio wants to see what it means to you with their latest contest. In partnership with Big Mountain Bike Adventures, Sombrio will be giving away a 4 day mountain bike trip for two to experience the best of the North Shore plus $1000 in Sombrio gear. All you have to do is show your #LUXURYOFDIRT on Facebook and Instagram Check out Darren Berrecloth’s own interpretation plus more after the jump… To enter, head over to Sombrio’s Facebook page to get started This has been making the rounds, but if you haven’t seen it the video clip shows Sedona’s White Line trail in all of its terrifying, palm sweating glory. Michal Kollbek makes it look easy as Marshal Mullen films but we can assure you there is a serious penalty for error Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes to get ready for spring Classics like Milan-San Remo? Bell Tags along with Team Lotto NL Jumbo as they prepare for the season With Kyle Strait’s move to Commencal Bikes Commencal USA caught up with the legendary ripper at his home in Alpine Zach Overholt is the Editor in Chief of Bikerumor He has been writing about what’s new in the bicycle world for 12+ years Zach spent many years in the back of a bicycle shop building and repairing nearly every type of bike while figuring out how to (occasionally) ride them Zach is now slowly introducing a new generation to cycling and still trying to figure out how to fit the most rides into a busy schedule as a new dad but riding in shorts can be very cold and wet in the UK Sombrio's no-nonsense brushed herringbone shorts made from thick waterproof nylon not only look cool they also keep you warm and dry in all but the foulest of conditions the shorts sit just below the knee and have plenty of room for pads but also have a high crotch and snug fit up top for efficiency two zippered pockets on the arse and a zipped fly and popper on the waistband Two large zip vents on the thighs and a wicking mesh lining throughout keeps them comfy even when it's hot They are fantastic for all but the more serious of XC rides when the oversized fit can hamper movement I've been living in these shorts ever since I got them and now I won't ride in anything else - they are truly amazing shorts with the best appearance and quality compared to anything else I've seen The Wildcards will keep you dry most of the time but you do get damp after a while because the seams aren't sealed BC-based Sombrio has been focused on developing some of the most stylish and functional mountain bike clothing since the 80s Can those two traits coalesce with durability I was initially excited for the Prodigy gloves devoid of any superfluous padding or extra material especially over the first knuckle on my index finger It was immediately noticeable and didn't subside with wear I could also feel the stitching at the fingertips and while it wasn't as bothersome as the knuckle rubbing it's certainly something I don't look for in gloves The protruding stitching could be due to the Kevlar thread used it's the same stuff bulletproof vests are crafted from The nose/brow wipe is comically small for some reason I don't depend on my gloves to wipe my face all that much but I can't imagine the reasoning behind making the terry cloth so small There are silicone prints on the index and middle fingers for enhanced brake lever feel and gripping and the silicone didn't peel off with the mere thought of use like so many other gloves but the lack of touchscreen compatible fingertips is a bit of a let down the silly small nose wipe and the sub-average fingertips the Prodigies were there when I needed them most I learned early on in my riding career that crashes can happen literally at any time or place so some sort of hand protection should always be worn With that sage advice in the back of my head after-dinner ride I found my hands intact after ejecting off the bike and sliding on the dirt The right Prodigy glove committed the ultimate sacrifice by giving part of its palm for my skin I've continued to wear the Prodigies after the crash to see if any of the seams would come apart after the stress of the wreck which is annoyingly common with practically every glove I've ever used I'm pleased to report all is well: no blown out fingers and the hole in the palm hasn't grown larger Maybe Sombrio's use of Kevlar thread is genius Is a bit of compromised fit worth the added durability Can you actually feel the bulky stitching while pinning it flimsy gloves worth replacing more frequently Do you ride aggressively and does your gear pay the price Answer these questions and you can probably decide if Sombrio's Prodigy gloves are for you Sea Otter 2019 felt bigger than previous years with more buzz around the booths and racing there’s still so much more we saw at the show Sombrio is relaunching its much-loved shoe line We also take a closer look inside Industry Nine’s ultra-quick engagement Hydra hubs Then check out some new drivetrain alternatives from Box Components Goodyear rubber and assorted other quick-looks from Laguna Seca speedway North Vancouver’s Sombrio Cartel has been making clothing built off its experience riding B.C.’s North Shore for 0ver 20 years now the Canadian brand is bringing back a full line of shoes It’s not the first time Sombrio has made shoes and they said there’s still requests for footwear years after the last lace was tied Sombrio’s ready to step back into the shoe game The shoes join Sombrio’s apparel line which offers a full women’s line to match the men’s plus a few extra options beyond what’s offered for the men Industry Nine had a cutaway of it’s new ultra-quick engagement Hydra hub on display at Sea Otter company already had a reputation for hubs with a near-instant response I9 reduces the previous 3-degree’s required for the hub to engage down to an impressive 0.5-degrees the Hydra hubs nearly double the number of teeth the pawls can engage There’s more to Hydra than more teeth The hubs use an innovative design that takes advantage of the way the system flexes under power to turn stress into support Only a single pawl is need to engage the system initially Industry 9 has found a way to distribute that stress more effectively Like all of Industry Nine’s aluminum parts the Hydra hubs are made in house at its North Carolina facility While Shimano and SRAM have dominated the mountain bike drivetrain market for years there’s a growing number of drivetrain alternatives starting to appear and gain traction offering versions if its One and Two drivetrain to suit multiple purposes Choices range from a 7-speed DH specific group to an 11-speed wide range offering There’s even a wide-range 9-speed cassette designed specifically for use on e-bikes where the larger jumps aren’t a problem but range is still crucial RELATED: From ghost fishing to green cycling gear: Axiom makes waves with Oceanweave Goodyear has expanded into bicycles tires with a growing range of mountain bike tires and tubeless road tires and commuter tires The three mountain tires come in different compounds and in 27.5″ or 29″ wheel sizes The range covers the XC-oriented Peak to the very gravity focused Newton ST tire Sombrio Cartel has a long history of designing riding clothing on Vancouver’s North Shore The Canadian brand’s apparel has never been more reflective of that heritage than with its most recent Trail collection Prints for Sombrio’s Ridgeline jersey came directly from the woods of North Vancouver Many of the classic wooden features that made “North Shore” riding world renown were constructed out of cedar planks and beams The Forrest Bark pattern is just one of Sombrio’s print stories for this year and the North Shore’s iconic wooden features The Vancouver brand’s apparel carries a casual style that stands out from the crowd but is also tough enough to survive on the trails it was inspired by The Ridgeline is a short sleeve jersey with a 1/4 zip front so you can get a bit of extra air flow on hot days Sombrio uses a Xylitol coated Chill Mesh fabric which is supposed to create a cooling sensation when you start sweating It also has a zippered rear stow pocket (conveniently sized to fit a canned beverage of your choice) There’s also a drop back hem that will keep your lower back covered while in the riding position Xylitol doesn’t feel like a rush of arctic air hitting your skin but the fabric does have a nice cool feeling This also makes it feel lighter on your body while still being tough enough to not tear on the first branch you brush up against including one occasion where I actually speared myself hard enough on an errant branch to draw blood – which is a rather painful test I hope not to repeat for any other clothing the Ridgeline jersey emerged unscathed in every instance the Ridgeline jersey also looks really good The pattern adds an element of style that makes the jersey stand out from the herd at the trailhead but without resorting to bright colours or loud branding The Ridgeline jersey comes in the cedar-inspired Grey Bark colour or a more subdued Heather Charcoal pattern The shorts are in the middle of Sombrio’s line mixing performance with a more approachable price mid-weight fabric mixing comfort and durability The 15″ inseam is cut longer in the front to insure coverage goes right to the knee without leaving a gap if you’re wearing pads The shorts all-black fabric and subtle branding make them a good post-ride option Other features include Sombrio’s velcro waist adjustment system which works better than most options to provide a solid fit adjustment at the waist As a taller and lankier rider who rarely finds shorts long enough that also fit my waist having more than “micro adjust” velcro is greatly appreciated The shorts also feature two zippered pockets The front thigh pocket has a lift pass holder loop hidden inside this doubled as a key holder for short rides where I was packing light a sturdy front zipper combines velcro with a “hollow pop snap” closure for extra security This kept the shorts from busting loose at inopportune moments The best part of the Badass name is that no one will know if you don’t want them to Or you can tell literally every person you see at the trail head how badass your shorts are Sombrio’s Badass shorts retail for $110 The lightweight glove uses a single layer Ax Suede palm That’s matched with vented mesh upper Terry moss thump panel and tougher fabric between thumb and pointer finger where the glove faces the most wear from contacting the bar All of this is tied together by durable Kevlar thread There’s also mustache-shaped silicone grips on the braking fingers for improved modulation The Spun gloves are light and comfortable enough for all-day riding but still showed minimal sign of wear after regular use with two mustache style options to choose from and come in several patterns to match the brands jerseys so here we are with another roundup of the latest and greatest offerings for commuters and mountain bikers In this article we’re featuring a new fleece jacket from Mission Workshop that was built for the long run and a pair of slim yet waterproof gloves from 100% We’ll also check out Sombrio’s new custom clothing program that allows anyone to create their own MTB jerseys Mission Workshop’s latest release is the Bosun: Fleece jacket This versatile jacket provides a casual look while offering the technical capabilities cyclists want like moisture management and a lot of warmth for its weight This outer or insulating layer is made of soft 100% polyester shearling fleece which provides some stretch and retains body heat if it gets wet   One clever feature of the Bosun: Fleece is the nylon panels on the shoulders which resist wear and tear from backpack or hydration pack straps  The elbows are also reinforced with nylon patches and for storage there are two zippered hand pockets and a touring-style pocket on the back The Bosun: Fleece’s MSRP is $265 USD which is not cheap but as their website states this garment is “Made to endure While every rider owns a decent rain jacket, waterproof gloves aren’t as popular… but wouldn’t it be nice to keep your hands dry? If you’re not afraid to get wet on the trails (but prefer most of that wetness on the outside of your clothing) 100%’s Hydromatic gloves might be ideal for you Despite their waterproofing the Hydromatic gloves remain thin and simplistic making for a lightweight glove with good dexterity The top-of-hand fabric is a laminated mock-mesh with a breathable On the flipside single layer PU palms keep things feeling slim and silicone printed graphics provide extra grip in wet conditions The 100% logos are reflective and the index finger and thumb include conductive threads for using smart-phones If you’ve always wanted to see your name or custom graphics on a jersey, Sombrio is now making that dream possible for any riding crew, not just professional or sponsored athletes. The brand is kicking off their new custom program by offering a selection of MTB jerseys Customers can start from a blank canvas and design every detail themselves or work with Sombrio’s in-house designers to create a graphic you’ll be able to join interactive screen-share sessions and watch Sombrio’s designers put your graphic together You’ll also have the chance to make any necessary changes as you go The Chaos Jersey serves as the blank template for Men’s and Grom’s designs and the Alder is available for women’s custom projects Both the Chaos and Alder offer long or short sleeved options Sombrio will also offer a quick-design service where buyers can choose an existing graphic inspired by Sombrio’s seasonal collection and personalize it All custom jerseys will be made from the same durable Cool Wik fabric Sombrio utilizes across their line women’s and even grom’s jerseys are offered in sizes XS-XXL Customers can request as many or few custom jerseys as desired but the costs get cheaper per unit with larger orders This article was published more than 13 years ago The flags flew at half-mast in Port Renfrew for tragedy had again struck the Oke family Isaiah Oke was born into a famed surfing clan their family name familiar to all who have ever ridden a wave off the west coast of Vancouver Island hard-charging surfer a newspaper once described as a "big wave deity," died late last month residents of the hamlet gathered at the local elementary school for a remembrance ceremony a smaller group of friends and family headed east along lonely Highway 14 for an informal ceremony at Sombrio Beach washing up on the sand and the water-smoothed rocks of the beach on which he had been born It is also the place where the ashes of his father and two brothers have been committed to nature in recent years To be an Oke in Port Renfrew is to know grief whose name is pronounced like that of the sturdy tree a Californian who preferred to battle waves rather than the Vietnamese he eventually settled on the beach with Barbara Oke The couple had three children from other relationships It had no electricity and running water was provided by a hose led from a nearby creek But nature provided a bounty of blackberries and edible kelp and Barbara coaxed a vegetable garden from the forest floor Some were riding waves before knowing how to swim "Life shone in their eyes," she said "and declared their guileless spirit." The beach idyll also attracted misfits and adventurers a frequent visitor back in the day who created a Facebook tribute page for Isaiah "It was like a cross between Woodstock Nation and Deliverance." while Barbara was a Madonna-like figure for the lost souls who washed up like flotsam Paradise was lost when bureaucrats evicted the squatters to make way for a provincial park The family wound up living in a tiny house in Port Renfrew a fishing and logging settlement at the terminus of Highway 14 Their wandering goats annoyed their new neighbours Their bush life was an uncomfortable fit for both them and the town likely after having fallen asleep at the wheel Dawn Oke died when she lost control of her car drowned after his truck slid off the dock of the government wharf in Port Renfrew "You were 220 pounds of solid muscles with a barrel chest with a big heart," remembered Rivermouth Mike Calloway has not spared her friends the raw emotions of grief in her Facebook postings amid the encouraging words of her family and friends a single plaintive cry will be familiar to anyone who has ever grieved for a partner: "I really just want my Isaiah back." There is talk of creating a trust fund for Isaiah's children the surfing one a more down-to-earth figure when it came time to bid adieu to Jesse on the beach at Sombrio it was young Isaiah who paddled on a board out into the cold surf to sprinkle his brother's ashes Report an editorial error Report a technical issue Editorial code of conduct Welcome to The Globe and Mail’s comment community. This is a space where subscribers can engage with each other and Globe staff. Non-subscribers can read and sort comments but will not be able to engage with them in any way. Click here to subscribe If you would like to write a letter to the editor, please forward it to letters@globeandmail.com. 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