Best Kit of 2025
Our off-road ride leaders’ picks
As another amazing year of riding comes to an end, we asked some of our off-road ride leaders what kit kept them cosy, smiling and shredding in 2025.
Katie
Last year I was lucky enough to be supported by Hérvelo and SportsScotland to complete my MTB Leader Level 2 award alongside fellow Hérvelitas Lauren and Anna.
This required an investment in a new backpack to carry all the tools, supplies and first aid kit needed to safely lead a mountain bike ride.
The Deuter Compact 12+3 SL MTB Backpack has been brilliant – it has a women’s specific fit making it super comfortable, high quality and full of useful features and pockets (the wee whistle on the chest strap being my personal favourite).
To top it all off its PFAS-free and Green Button, ClimePartner and bluesign® certified for sustainability.
The Deuter Compact 12+3 SL Women's MTB Backpack (in the ashrose-desert colourway) in action schlepping up a frozen Leithenwater – full of extra layers and snacks!
When I die, forget the coffin, bury me in 7Mesh waffle fabric.
Preferably in a Chilco Vest which I have barely taken off this year, both on the trails and over scrubs at work (via the washing machine).
It’s cosy but breathable, durable and frame-stashable with their genius rear pocket hidden straps design. Sit tight for the sale prices!
7Mesh Chilco Vest from 7mesh.com (this is not a photo of me)
How excited can you really get about a presta tubeless valve? Well it turns out, very!
To quote Reserve: “Winner of Design & Innovation and MTBR Editor’s Choice awards, the Reserve Fillmore Valve is a patented leap forward in tubeless tech. Its high-flow, coreless design triples air flow, making tubeless setup fast and effortless — and it won’t clog like traditional valves”.
Reserve Filmore Valves from reservewheels.com (this is also not a photo of me)
Honourable mention goes to the MaxxDry Heavy Duty Shoe and Glove Dryer.
Kinda looks like a weird drone but does exactly what it says on the tin.
Lizelle became another disciple of The Church of 7Mesh this year – notably raving about their 7Mesh shorts, longs and their Copilot Jacket .
“Long rides are more joyful now and having the jacket on the bike adds that added layer of confidence if caught in wet weather”
7Mesh Copilot jacket in action from 7mesh.com (this is also not a photo of Lizelle)
Her feet were also kept warm and cozy in her Spatz GRAVLR overshoes
(“…..a bit of S&M on the bike has turned heads and kept my feet comfy” [oh lala!]).
We’re not sure if you can get this exact design from Spatz currently but there is an in-depth review here and more info on spatzwear.com
Jodie
Hope RX24 Gravel wheels and dropper lever from hopetech.com.
Unbeatable quality, committed to supporting grassroots women’s cycling and production sustainability. Almost makes me proud to be British.
Hope RX24 Gravel wheels - I’m not the type of person to get excited about wheels, as long as they go round I’m pretty happy.
However I was kindly gifted these wheels by Hope and they have bought pure joy to my rides this year.
They bought me PR’s on my regular routes (even on recovery rides) and have been faultless so far.
Hope dropper lever - I replaced my old Brand-X dropper lever on my bike this year with a Hope one, let’s be honest mostly because I like a bit of subtle bling here and there.
But it’s bought more than a bit of shine to my bike. My thumbs are no longer getting a workout as the motion is so smooth with a tiny touch of the lever.
The adjustability of the lever also means you can get it set up in the perfect position no matter the length of your thumbs.
For some setups adapters are needed and this was a bit fiddly to set up but it only took me 2 attempts and 1 set of tears (lol).
So it’s a win all round in my book!
Singletrack subscription - If there’s one bike thing I’d recommend to everyone who rides off road it’s a Singletrack magazine subscription.
A printed beautiful magazine pops through my letter box 6 times a year full of the widest range of articles.
New tech but also the wildest adventures, and thoughtful written pieces about the world (of cycling) from a diverse range of writers.
More cozy feet kit with Emma recommending Defeet Woolie Boolie Socks as her go-to for winter riding.
Defeet Woolie Boolie 4" Socks
And another 7Mesh fan – “anything with wind proof and/or waffle from 7mesh – love my Chilco neck warmer ”
Emma also gave a shout out to her handy garden storage box which she keeps next to the hose with her bike cleaning kit inside - really useful and less faff when finishing a ride.
Genius! Hers is from Wickes
Finally, I think we can all agree with her that Zwift is great for fitting in a cheeky training session, especially over the holidays with family visiting and other life commitments (or in recent grim wintery conditions!).