I've ridden mountain bikes since before I could walk, and have always had some sort of off road bike whilst growing up. As I got older my family had the chance to ride in the Alpes a few times, where I learnt about big mountain rides, and getting to take a chair lift up to the top! In more recent years I've spent more time racing on the road, and so have done a little bit of XC racing when possible. I've always kept a trail bike, and have been able to ride in all sorts of places, like Bikepark Wales, Cwmcarn, and Windhill among others.

The Northwave Tailwhip Eco Evo shoes are a sustainable option from Northwave, using Michelin soles that give impressive amounts of grip. The shoes are really comfy and come at a decent price, too. As far as the best mountain bike shoes go, these are a great option if you’re someone that likes riding with flat pedals.

Giant has released a couple of new higher-end mountain bike helmets, with the Rail being its top-end offering. It comes with the newest Mips standard - the Air Node Liner - which is both thinner and less intrusive than older versions of Mips. The helmet has a great fit, is super comfy and comes with a magnetic buckle, but unfortunately doesn’t offer anywhere sunglasses storage.

Giant has added to its helmet lineup with a refresh to the Roost helmet. It’s aimed at all riders who want a well-priced, protective, and good-looking helmet. With this one, Giant has had to cut some corners when compared to the Rail helmet to get the price down, but the essentials haven’t been skipped thankfully, resulting in a very good value lid.

The Lizard Skins Northshore grips are a chunky set that is designed to give your hands support through the burliest of downhills. The larger diameter and the relatively soft feel of the grips lead to a feeling of supreme control while being comfortable even without wearing gloves. Unquestionably a genuine contender for the best MTB grips crown.

The Lizard Skins Charger Lock-on Grips are a dual lock-on option from Lizard Skins. They’re on the skinnier side but the double lock-on helps keep them in place. The ability to use bar-end storage adds to their appeal and popularity as one of the best MTB grips.

This on-bike storage solution from Peaty’s is well-built featuring a zip pocket for storage and a very strong self-fastening strap so it doesn't damage your bike's paintwork. The pocket size isn’t huge but it can carry all the essentials, including an inner tube between the frame and the bag.