MTB Gear I Won't Ride Without [Video]

For Jeff, there is a very specific selection of items that he simply won't ride without. From his coveted Japanese sunscreen to his favorite KETL gear and everything in between, tune in to see what he's come up with after countless years of trial and error.

On Bike Tools/Essentials

If you prefer to not get stranded when the unexpected occurs, it's usually a good idea to carry along some bike related essentials when you venture off into the wilderness. Jeff has chosen a select handful of items to ensure his safe passage, which is the result of countless years of weight weenie conditioning and trial and error. 

When it comes to fixing tire punctures, you just can't rely on one method to do the job, so it's good to have backstops in place just in case your old tube is bad, or in case your bacon strips don't do the job. Thankfully, Jeff carries along a Dynaplug for those quick repairs, a set of bacon strips with a Lezyne plug in case those don't do the trick, plus some Park Tool tire boots in case he has to repair his tire enough in order to install one of his two Tubolitos. 

When it comes to the rest of the bike, he carries a DaySaver multi tool that covers just about everything else which includes a tire lever and a chain breaker. Installed on that tool is his spare master link and all of this along with his tire puncture kit is safely tucked into a Trail One stem bag and mounted along with his trusty Lezyne pump inside an Occam x WC BOA frame strap. 

Helmet/Shoes/Gloves/Glasses/Socks

These types of items can take years to really figure it out what works best for you and your body and your riding style. Everyone has a head that's uniquely shaped and helmets and glasses will inevitably make themselves uncomfortable if you don't have the perfect fit. It's for this reason (or at least one of the reasons) why Jeff has been using Ombraz for years - they are armless glasses/sunglasses that use little string like things instead of arms so they can comfortably fit with nearly any helmet. Speaking of helmets, Jeff is a fan of his Kali Cascade helmet, and we were lucky to have the founder on the MTB Podcast to talk about all things helmets where we learned a ton. 

His go-to shoe lately has been his Five Ten Trailcross. I don't know if I know anyone who enjoys multi-sport days and activities as much as Jeff does and this type of shoe fits his lifestyle perfectly. When it comes to his preferred socks to go in those shoes, you can bet he's wearing one of three types of KETL socks - the Warmweather, Fairweather and Coolweather socks are all a blend of merino wool and are extremely comfortable and durable. They just might be the best socks you can get. Speaking of KETL, Jeff adorns his mitts in the newest KETL Vent touch glove that is nicely ventilated and has a nice soft material on the palm so you retain as much dexterity as possible while wearing them. 

Chamois Cream/Sunblock

Things that you don't really think about until you really need it... or wish you had used it. Chamois cream and sunscreen. There are a bunch of options when it comes to these things, but Jeff has developed a preference and sticks to it. He's found that this fancy Shiseido sunscreen does the best job of actually protecting your skin, goes on lightly and stays around for a while despite your body's best perspiration efforts to remove it. When it comes to the chamois cream, he's a fan of Gurney Goo - it has all the usual suspects when it comes to ingredients in these types of things but he likes how it also has tea tree oil and is really nice on the skin.

Bibs/Shorts/Jersey

One of the main reasons why we developed all our own gear here at KETL Mtn is because we wanted to develop things we actually like and want to wear during our outdoor activities, plus look good doing it. Starting from the inside out, Jeff runs either the KETL Canyon bib or bib liner short which gives some support and padding for those long days in the saddle.

When it comes to shorts, he is either running the Skid Mark short or the Virtue short depending on the weather and his mood. The same can be said for tops, where he will either be using the NoFry or the Wayward jersey. The NoFry has quite a bit more ventilation, while the Wayward is a tad bit thicker and works better when it's too cool out for the NoFry.

Hydration Packs

Depending on his activity, Jeff will utilize one of two USWE packs. His Outlander 9 takes care of business when it comes to any ride over two hours or so, and for his wacky adventure races he will utilize the Hajker. This allows him to carry all of his necessary items for those adventure races when he has to be prepared for anything, including the unexpected.

Components

When it comes to Jeff's bikes, you'll find a usual assortment of components that keeps some continuity when switching bikes. Cockpit wise, he runs the Trail One Crockett Carbon handlebars, the Rockville stem, and the Hell's Gate grips, all with the matching top cap to top it all off. You know he's got the matching Trail One Tubeless Valves to keep things matchy matchy.

Crankbrothers takes care of his pedal needs, and he's been using the Mallet Enduro on his bikes as long as we can remember... or as long as they have been around. These aren't just any old Mallet E's though... you'll find he's got the fancy titanium spindle upgrade which you will probably never see on any other bike ever. But it certainly looks cool and adds that custom touch that we all love on our bikes.

Saddle wise, Jeff runs the WTB Silverado and loves the way it conforms to his bum. Like the Mallet E's, it can be found on basically all of Jeff's full suspension bikes as far back as we can remember. It's of course the one with the carbon rails because why not? If you are building a custom bike, can it even be custom without a boujee carbon railed saddle?

If you are one strange human that would like to read a transcript of the video above, continue reading below!

In this video, I'm going to break down all of the gear I will not ride without. That includes everything on my bike as far as components that are on every bike I build, my on-bike multi-tool and essential setup, the packs I use, the shoes, and the stuff that's always on my body—helmet, gloves, sunglasses, socks, chamois cream—all of it. This is stuff that has taken me well over two decades to refine, figure out, and dial in. Let's go!

This is an AAM Apex strap. It connects via a small string and a BOA and holds all of your stuff in one compact setup. It's really easy to remove when you wash your bike or switch it from one bike to another, which is why I love it. It's a super nice, lightweight setup.

What’s in here? Thanks for asking. I sometimes take some stuff out to make it lighter if I’m feeling more like a weight weenie, but this is my maximum setup. It’s actually the same setup I used for the six-day adventure I did just a handful of months ago.

I have the Lezyne Pocket Drive mini pump, a super lightweight pump that just works. One important feature you should always consider when buying a pump is a flexible tube. If a pump doesn’t have one, it’s easy to break the valve stem or jiggle it enough that sealant starts leaking out.

Next, I have a Dynaplug kit with two small-size darts and a bigger one, all in a compact case. This allows me to quickly grab, pull out, and plug a hole in my tire if I get a puncture.

For my multi-tool, I use a Daysaver tool, which comes in a waterproof shielded case. It’s not the most user-friendly, but no multi-tool is. However, it is ultra-lightweight, compact, and packed with tools. It has magnetic bits, a 4mm and T25, a 6mm and 5mm, an 8mm, a chain breaker, a tire lever, and a spot for a master link. Speaking of master links, make sure yours matches your chain’s speed—if you have a 12-speed chain, carry a 12-speed master link.

I also carry a small bag that originally came with Trail One stems, which I repurpose to keep extra essentials protected from the elements. Inside, I have a Lezyne bacon strip tool, which is redundant to the Dynaplug, but the Dynaplug is quicker to access, and the Lezyne tool is handy if a bigger slash occurs. I also carry extra bacon strips for plugging multiple holes if needed.

I include Park Tool tire boots in case a tire slash is too large for a plug. These allow you to patch the tire before inserting a tube. Speaking of tubes, I carry Tubolitos—ultra-thin emergency tubes that are incredibly lightweight and compact.

That concludes everything I carry in my spares kit. This small setup is what I switch from bike to bike for every ride.

Next up is something that’s not on my bike or body but rather in my body: AG1, the sponsor of this video. I’ve been drinking AG1 daily for over six years. It’s a supplement that made sense to me before it became super popular. I met the founder years ago at a conference, and the product’s concept, quality, and ingredients all made a ton of sense to me. It’s packed with vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients from whole food sources. It’s comprehensive and simple, fits my nutrition needs, and ensures I’m not missing out on anything important. If my diet isn’t perfect on a given day, AG1 helps fill in the gaps.

They are an awesome sponsor of this channel, so if you scan the QR code or check the link in the description, you can give it a try. It actually tastes way better than you’d expect and doesn’t have that typical "green beverage" taste. I’ve recommended it for years, and I recommend it to you.

Now, let's talk about what’s always on my body when I ride.

This is gear that I’ve refined obsessively to the point that we even started our own apparel company. But first, let’s talk about the bigger items.

Helmet: I use the Kali Protectives Cascade helmet. It’s expensive, but I trust its protection. It fits my head incredibly well, is super comfortable, and has a high-quality design with a magnetic buckle. Once you get used to a magnetic buckle, it’s hard to go back. It also has an adjustable visor. We had Brad, the founder of Kali Protectives, on the MTB Podcast, and hearing his passion for helmet safety and concussion prevention was really cool.

Shoes: I use the Five Ten Trailcross Pro clipless shoes with Crankbrothers pedals. They feature a BOA closure system, a built-in gaiter, and a super grippy sole. Five Ten started in rock climbing, so their rubber compound is incredibly sticky. These shoes dry quickly, breathe well, and have just the right amount of flex for hiking without causing blisters.

Gloves: I wear Kettle Vent Touch gloves. They’re ultra-lightweight, breathable, touchscreen-sensitive, and quick-drying. Despite being lightweight, they have a suede palm with a non-stretch design for a stable feel.

Glasses: I always wear prescription sunglasses because I have astigmatism, and contacts don’t work well for me. My go-to pairs are Ombraz Classics with a custom Sport RX lens or 100% Kasia sunglasses with custom prescription lenses.

Socks: I rotate between three different Kettle socks, each designed for different weather conditions—thin for hot days, standard for fair weather, and thicker for cold days. They're made with a Merino wool blend for moisture-wicking and durability.

Chamois Cream: I use Gurney Goo, which I discovered through adventure racing. It’s an anti-chafe cream made with petroleum, tea tree oil, and beeswax. It lasts a long time, smells nice, and works great for both long races and cycling.

Sunblock: After testing a ton of sunscreens, I landed on Shiseido's liquid and stick formulas. They stay on even during intense sweating, feel great on the skin, and don’t leave a greasy residue.

Chamois: I switch between the Kettle Canyon chamois shorts and the Kettle Canyon chamois bibs. The bibs have three pockets that hang over your waistband, making them perfect for rides where you don’t need a full pack.

Shorts: I wear Kettle Skidmark shorts, a durable, stretchy mountain bike short with no exposed seams on the back. For hot weather, I use the Kettle Mountain Virtue shorts, which are super breathable and quick-drying.

Jerseys: I wear the Kettle No Fray long-sleeve or short-sleeve jerseys in hot weather. They’re ultra-thin, breathable, and UPF 50-rated. For a more durable option, I use the Kettle Wayward jersey, which has a zippered pocket and a built-in microfiber wipe.

Packs: Depending on the ride length, I use either the USWE Outlander 9L hydration pack for shorter rides or the USWE Hajker for multi-day adventures. USWE packs are incredibly stable, lightweight, and well-designed.

Lastly, let's talk about components that are always on my bike.

I use a Trail One cockpit setup, including Crosetti carbon handlebars, Hells Gate grips, the Rockville stem, and a matching CNC aluminum top cap. This cockpit was designed to meet all of my personal preferences and has been dialed in to perfection.

Other must-have components include Trail One tubeless valve stems, which are insert-compatible and high-flow, with built-in valve core removers. I also ride Crankbrothers Mallet E pedals, usually with the titanium spindle. For saddles, I stick with the WTB Silverado on full-suspension bikes and the WTB Koda on hardtails.

That’s it! If you have any questions about why I chose any of this gear, drop a comment below. Also, let me know what gear you can’t live without. If you found this helpful, please subscribe and share it with a mountain biker friend. See you next time!