SEATTLE (BRAIN) — Outdoor brand Outdoor Reseach plans to enter the mountain bike apparel market next spring with an eight-piece line called the Freewheel MTB Collection.
Ahead of that launch, OR is a "Principle-Level" sponsor of Crankworx Whistler 2023, the mountain bike festival opening Friday.
OR will be promoting the Freewheel Collection at the festival with displays and product giveaways.
"The Freewheel program was developed because our customers and athletes ride mountain bikes alongside their many other outdoor activities, and we knew they were already using our gear for riding," said Kylene Wolfe, OR's senior product manager of sportswear. "Talking to our customers showed us that there is a real need for better-fitting, more technically-led trail-riding apparel. So it was a logical next step to expand directly into the trail-riding category."
The company said the collection brings in technology from OR's outerwear and sportswear collections, including DuraPrint, a 3D-printed overlay that provides extra abrasion resistance in high-wear areas without adding weight or impeding flexibility in the fabric.
The new collection includes a bike-specific half-zip hoodie, a long-sleeve jersey, and short-sleeve riding tee, riding shorts featuring DuraPrint technology, two bike gloves and a hip pack. The line offers sizes up to women's 4X Plus and men's 42.
