New Zealand-based Mons Royale has been specializing in merino apparel for biking, skiing, and outdoor recreation for years. For mountain biking specifically, Mons makes a wide range of tops and bottoms for male and female riders, all of which are made from merino wool-blend fabrics. The Diversion Merino Trail Pants are the brand’s latest mountain bike trousers, and the Diversion Merino Wind Jacket is a lightweight, packable hybrid jacket.
I’ve been a big fan of Mons Royale’s apparel for a few years, even calling it out in my Best of 2023 list. I appreciate that the brand uses natural fibers and brings something different to a market saturated with synthetics. It doesn’t hurt that Mons’ apparel fits great, performs well, and is aesthetically pleasing, in my opinion, anyway.
While my Mons kit from 2023 is still kickin’, I jumped at the chance to check out the new Diversion Merino Trail Pants and Wind jacket. I’ve been testing both since fall arrived and brought seasonally cool temperatures along with it. Turns out, I’m still a big fan of merino wool.
- MSRP: $219.95
- Material: 150 gsm merino wool/nylon stretch blend
- Weight: 327 g (size M)
- Inseam: 30.7" (size M)
- Pockets: 2 hand pockets, 2 zippered thigh pockets
- Colors: Black, Caramel, Dark Olive
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
Pros
- Exceptionally comfortable
- Great fit
- Breathable
- Lightweight
- Good pocket layout
- Killer style
Cons
- Expensive
- You won't want to wear anything else
The Diversion Merino Trail Pants are the latest and currently the only mountain bike pants in the Mons Royale lineup. At first glance, they look a lot like many other mountain bike pants, but they set themselves apart with their unique fabric. Unlike the vast majority of MTB pants, these are made with a material that includes some natural fibers. The 150 gsm fabric blend is composed of 48% Nylon, 28% Recycled Nylon, 18% Merino Wool, and 6% Elastane.
If you’re thinking 18% merino doesn’t sound like very much, remember that we’re talking about mountain bike pants, and durability is a major concern. Even with merino as just a small percentage of the blend, this fabric still stands out for its softness and exceptional comfort while remaining tough enough for the job. Compared to fully synthetic fabrics, it really does feel much more natural against the skin.
At 150 gsm, it’s also pretty lightweight and gives the Diversion Pants a wide temperature bandwidth. I’ve been comfortable wearing them in temperatures ranging from the mid-40s to the high-70s F. The material wicks sweat and breathes very well, which helps regulate temperature by keeping moisture off my skin. I also appreciate that the merino in the blend provides a little natural odor resistance, because all of my bike gear tends to get pretty stinky.
The Diversion Pants have a bike-specific cut with a tailored but relaxed fit. They have an articulated waistband that’s raised in the rear, articulated knees with space for low-profile knee pads, and an elasticised ankle cuff. There’s a zipper fly with a locking snap and elastic sliders on both sides to adjust tension on the waist. With my 32” waist, I’m technically a small on Mons’ size chart, but I sized up to a medium for a little extra length. I’ve got the waist adjusters cranked, but otherwise they’re an excellent fit.
The open, jeans-style pockets are great for use off the bike when running errands on my way to or from the trailhead. The zippered, back-loading thigh pockets are well-designed and positioned perfectly for use on the bike. Both can fit modern smartphones and hold their contents off to the side where they don’t conflict with the pedal stroke.
I also happen to think the Diversion Pants look great with a flattering cut, solid earth-tone colors, and relatively low-key branding. More than anything, though, it’s the comfort and performance of the material that does it for me. At $220, they certainly aren’t cheap, but based on the condition of my 3-year-old Mons pants, they’re built to last.
- MRSP: $229.95
- Materials: 140 gsm Merino recycled Shift blend w/ 100% recycled Pertex panels
- Weight: 310 g (size M)
- Pockets: Zippered chest pocket
- Colors: Black, Cinder/Blue Granite, Coffee/Black, Fern/Back, Grunge/Black
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
Pros
- Super comfortable
- Great cut and fit
- Stylish
- Breathable and temperature regulating
- Odor resistant
- Blocks wind on chest, shoulders, and arms
Cons
- Moderately expensive
- Slightly heavier/less packable than pure wind shells
The Diversion Merino Wind Jacket is a bit of a jersey/jacket hybrid. It has a full zip and a hood, but a unique construction that combines a merino blend body material with windproof Pertex panels on the chest, shoulders, arms, and hood. So, it’s essentially a cross between a long-sleeve jersey and a wind jacket, combining the best parts of each into a single garment.
The body of the Wind Jacket is made from Mons’ Merino Recycled Shift fabric that’s a blend of 52% Merino Wool, 35% Recycled Polyester, 13% Nylon. This fabric is lightweight, super soft, and highly breathable. The lower torso and back are not covered by the Pertex material, which allows lots of moisture to escape.
The chest, shoulders/arms, and hood are all covered with the 100% recycled Pertex Quantum ripstop material. This thin windproof layer blocks the wind from hitting all of the parts of your body facing the direction of travel, taking the bite out of cool air while you ride. The Pertex material doesn’t breathe quite as effectively, but the underlying Shift fabric still pulls moisture away from the body.
The Diversion Wind Jacket has a relatively tailored cut with a drop-tail hem. I’m 6’0” and 170 lbs, and the size medium fits great. The body and sleeves are the perfect length, and the torso has a slim, performance-oriented fit. There’s room for a shirt or base layer underneath, or it’s easy to layer it under another jacket if needed.
There’s a single zippered pocket on the left chest that’s great for keeping small items easily accessible. The hood is low-profile and designed to fit under a helmet — the top of the hood is not lined with Shift merino fabric; it’s just a thin layer of Pertex. In my experience, the hood doesn’t act as a wind scoop and choke you out when you’re going fast, which is nice.
The Diversion Jacket is also designed to fold into a neat little package in its own hood. It folds down fairly small, and mine weighs 310 grams in size medium. It fits easily into most of my hydration vests, but it’s a little bit bulkier and slightly heavier than dedicated wind shells. That said, I’ve found that it breathes well enough that I can typically leave it on for the duration of my rides, with the occasional unzip to dump heat on the climbs.
Like the Diversion Pants, I think the Wind jacket also looks great. It fits well, has a flattering cut, and an understated style that transitions easily from mountain biking to any other outdoor activity or even kicking it around town. At $230, it’s not exactly inexpensive, but it’s a stellar jacket that’s super comfortable, looks great, and performs well in the variable temperatures and conditions of the shoulder seasons.
Check out the Diversion Merino Trail Pants and Wind Jacket on the Mons Royale website: monsroyale.com
