Trail 42 are a company based near the Forest of Dean. Owned by Ruth and Richard Hallett, they started Trail 42 as a way of providing mountain bikers with high quality, ethically sourced clothing. After not being able to find kit they liked, the pair decided to design their own, and Trail 42 was born.
I received my T-shirt not long after they started, and was really impressed with the quality and the feel. When I got the T-shirt in the post, it was packaged thoughtfully, and in recyclable packaging.
T-shirt Packaged
Trail 42 Logo
The T-shirt has a lot of qualities, it is soft, and the material is breathable. I love the colour too, it’s not overly feminine and the shape and fit is great.
Ladies Classic Tech-t
The T-shirt has been great in all weathers, even in the wet, as it’s quick drying. I’ve been wearing it mostly on my jump bike for visits to pump tracks, as I warm up pretty quickly there, and it’s kept me cool and dry. I love the fabric, it feels really nice on, and isn’t like any other top I wear whilst riding my bike, it’s a great addition to my kit!
Riding in Maindy
The attention to detail is obvious, and it’s well made. Trail 42 made the decision to go with subtle branding which isn’t necessarily a bad thing in my eyes, as some products can be heavily branded. They do have alternative products which offer a brand logo, which is great as it gives you more choice. I opted for a medium which fits UK 10/12, there is a size guide available on their website if you are unsure of what size you need.
The pricing reflects the quality of the T-shirt, as nothing has been spared to provide a high quality product. The Women’s T-shirt’s are available at £35.00 via the website (and UK stockists) . They are made from natural fibres, 70% bamboo and 30% organic cotton and are very breathable. After owning the product for the past few months I would fully recommend it for many purposes, riding, training, or even relaxing. It’s hard wearing, and hasn’t faded at all, even after a few washes.
It’s fantastic to see more choice on the market, and great to see an independent start-up flourish in a difficult economy. Trail 42 have gone from small beginnings and are cementing themselves within the MTB industry as someone who offer great products and well thought out designs. They also offer a range of other products, from post ride clothing and hand-crafted accessories such as mugs and cake plates (essential after any ride).