The lack of fat bike specific (or winter mountain biking, really) clothing certainly hasn’t prevented riders from going out to explore the frozen wonderland for years. For most, some combination of winter cycling pieces combined with perhaps a dash of home brew and improvisation has surely had great results across the board. But if you were given the chance to design a complete fat bike clothing system from the ground up, what would it look like?
Probably a lot like the new range from 686 x Specialized. As riders push themselves harder and deeper into sub zero temperatures, technical clothing can take on a whole new level of importance. At one point you’re trying to dump heat as quickly as possible which can immediately be followed by standing still in the snow trying to fix a mechanical and fight off frostbite. That’s when adaptable clothing with some unique winter cycling features really shines…
Created as a complete system, the 686 x Specialized collection includes matching 3L Tech bibs and jacket as well as a Tech Insulator. The insulator shown above is a twist on the standard bubble coat with a Specialized SWAT touch. Filled with 100g Primaloft insulation, the woven fabric has a DWR treatment for water repellency which should be enough to keep you dry in snowy conditions. In addition to a number of other features, the Insulator has a zippered opening on the rear that allows you to access the SWAT storage on the bibs. Maybe the biggest bargain of the group, the Tech Insulator sells for $250 in both men’s and women’s.
Features (from Specialized):
- Woven fabric with DWR treatment repels water, leaving you dry and comfortable without having to sacrifice breathability.
- 100g Primaloft insulation is ultra-lightweight, highly breathable, and quite efficient at trapping air to keep you warm and insulated from the elements.
- Adjustable hood and hem provide added warmth and weather protection for your head, as well as minimizing the possibility of wind entering the Insulator.
- Underarm stretch panels provide flexibility in the construction, allowing a full range of movement when you’re all zipped-up.
- Lycra wrist gaiters interface perfectly with gloves, which prevents any drafts or cold air from seeping in at the sleeve openings.
- Internal mesh storage pocket safely and securely houses your ride essentials or nutrition.
- 3M reflective trims increase your visibility to other trail users or motorists in low-light conditions.
- One chest zip pocket and two front zip pockets house your large and small ride essentials.
- Fold-out spray skirt allows you to block unwanted moisture at the hands of wheel-spray when you need to, and hides it away when you don’t.
- Rear SWAT pocket access permits you to access your jersey or bib pockets easily with gloves on.
- Relaxed Fit is comfortable and loose against the body, allowing for ample layering underneath.
On days when it’s really nasty, the 3L Tech jacket can be worn over the Insulator for protection from the elements that’s better than an igloo. A three layer shell with infiDRY 20, the fully taped jacket is what will really keep you dry from rain, sleet, melting snow, etc. Along with dual SWAT access on the rear, the jacket may just save your life if you happen to need the RECCO Avalanche Rescue technology which is a special reflector that is built into the jacket which will respond to rescuers with a RECCO radar device.
Features (from Specialized):
- Three-layer woven shell fabric with infiDRY 20 (20,000mm water-resistance / 20,000gm2 breathability) is light and airy, keeping you protected from the elements without sacrificing comfort or breathability.
- Fully taped waterproof seams and water-resistant exposed zippers protect common points of water infiltration, keeping you dry and protected as you ride.
- Air-Flo™ upper arm vents are designed for singlehanded use, giving you the ability to dump heat on-the-fly with ease.
- Mesh vented pocket provides ample storage for your ride essentials or nutrition.
- Internal audio pocket safely secures your electronics away from the elements, making it simple and safe to listen to your tunes while you’re out on the trail.
- Adjustable powder skirt with Lycra stretch panel prevents any snow from creeping up or down your back, whether it’s from wheel-spray, hiking through powder, or the inevitable bail.
- Adjustable Lycra sleeve gussets interface perfectly with gloves, so you won’t experience any unwanted drafts at the sleeve openings.
- Equipped with RECCO Advanced Avalanche Rescue Technology.
- 3M reflective cuff tabs and trims increase your visibility to other riders or motorists in low-light conditions.
- Adjustable hood with rain visor keeps water from seeping into the neck opening, as well as keeping your head nice and dry.
- Adjustable hem with fold-out spray skirt prevents moisture buildup from entering the jacket.
- Double-sided SWAT access and vent zipper on the back make accessing jersey or bib pockets a breeze when you have gloves on.
- Relaxed Fit is comfortable and loose against the body, allowing for ample layering underneath.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, are the 3L Tech bibs. Personally, I find clothing for the lower half of the body to have the most room for improvement in the fat bike world. Pretty much the only bottoms made for winter cycling are tights, but in order to be warm enough you start feeling like you’re pedaling in a wet suit. A number of riders resort to using ski pants, but the loose legs tend to get caught in the chain and the fit isn’t exactly cycling oriented.
Enter the 3L Tech bibs. a relaxed fit bib tight with plenty of SWAT storage that when used with the other pieces is easily accessed even with gloves.
Features (from Specialized):
- Three-layer woven shell fabric with infiDRY 20 (20,000mm water-resistance / 20,000gm2 breathability) is light and airy, keeping you protected from the elements without sacrificing comfort or breathability.
- Fully taped waterproof seams and water-resistant exposed zippers protect common points of water infiltration, keeping you dry and protected as you ride.
- Leg gaiter with Lycra® stretch panel and bootlace hook creates a tight seal at the leg opening, which ensures that no snow or water will seep up the leg as you ride.
- Ghetto Slit leg gusset with invisible zipper closure creates a full range of movement for your pedal stroke, while also bolstering the strength of the construction.
- Rear SWAT pocket intuitively and securely houses your ride essentials.
- Elastic suspenders allow you to dial-in the fit of the bibs, and they’re soft against the skin in order to reduce the risk of chafing or abrasion.
- Vented thigh pockets add extra ventilation to prevent heat buildup under hard efforts.
- Relaxed Fit is comfortable and loose against the body, allowing for ample layering underneath.
Combined with the 3L Tech jacket is the kit expensive? Abso-lutely. Do we still want it? Does the Pope ride a fat bike in the woods? Of course he does (we think). Ok, we know that $450 for bibs and $500 for a jacket is crazy talk, but in the context of high end ski or snowboard clothing, the prices are shockingly normal. Realistically, if you’re going out for 1-2 hour rides at your local park you don’t need any of this. But if you’re doing bigger rides in the back country or you’re simply looking for the best, this is probably the place to start.
Since you just dumped all your money on the 686 x Specialized collection, Specialized picked some middle of the road fatties to give the 686 treatment. Found only on the Fatboy Comp and the Hellga Expert, the 686 x Specialized bike collection will only be available through select dealers.
