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THE BEST MOUNTAIN BIKING KIT

Odlo Molina Gore-Tex Bike Jacket Price: £200 odlo.com/uk

Extremely lightweight Gore-Tex waterproof jacket comes with a dropped tail, which is an invaluable investment for any cyclist. I’ve used mine for a variety of other activities and it has performed superbly. It is well cut to minimise additional drag due to wind resistance while you are cycling and packs down to a small size, taking up minimal space in your rucksack.

Mechanix M-Pact Gloves Price: £20.97 tredz.co.uk

Designed for military use, these offer protection around the wrist and down the fingers, so you can smash through branches and undergrowth without the fear of your hands being harmed. They can feel a bit warm in very hot conditions but will protect your hands if you fall off the bike even in some of the worst conditions. For great defence against cold and rain, Jack Wolfskin’s water-resistant and highly breathable Activate Gloves (£28; jack-wolfskin.co.uk) are a good pick and come with anti-slip pads.

Osprey Escapist 32 Rucksack

padding cushion your back when riding over bumpy terrain. It comes with rain cover, a hydration system, a light attachment point and storage for your bike tools. Hard-wearing yet lightweight, it is large enough to carry extra layers and waterproof gear, food and fluids, as well as phones, maps and other essentials. It also has adjustable compression straps to allow it to fit more comfortably when carrying smaller loads.

Nike Max Transition Outdoor Sunglasses Price: £195 nikevision.com

Great for nearly any outdoor activity, these are designed to immediately adapt to varying lighting conditions. I’ve used them for mountain biking as well as running, and they allowed me to switch between bright roads to shadowed woods with ease. They were effective in allowing me to gauge the terrain ahead and adjust my speed and route accordingly. The speed with which they could adapt to different light settings was impressive, and essential when cycling in cloudy conditions.

Stand up Kamikaze FullZip Top Price: £70 odlo.com/uk

This full-zip top provides great wind resistance and its bodyhugging quality prevents loose materials from flapping in the wind when cycling downhill at high speeds. It’s also very breathable and comfortable to use on its own in warmer temperatures when cycling uphill. It pairs well with Odlo’s Evolution Trend base layer (£40), which has great wicking properties and is made with a fibre designed to eliminate the smell of sweat even after repeated use.

Pragel Bile Bike Shorts Price: £75 odlo.com/uk

I found these shorts soft, stretchy and extremely comfortable for extended periods, but you will need to wear a pair of Lycra-padded pants beneath them. They also took some pretty hard tumbles while cycling and were not damaged in any way – unlike my legs. Strong, hard-wearing and quick-drying, they are a good investment. Paul Hart, who served with the Royal Marines and the Paratroopers, brings more than 30 years of adventure experience to bear on everything from boots and backpacks to tents and technology. For more of Paul’s gear and kit reviews, see telegraph.co.uk/travel/ kit-and-accessories.