Outdoor Research Freewheel Outerwear

Seattle-based Outdoor Research landed on my radar around 2010 when powder skiing owned my dopamine receptors. Mount Baker-based big mountain skier Zack Giffin was the era-correct poster boy for OR, submarining his body through powder gifted by La Nina towing a tiny house (that he built) behind a truck to stellar dendrite-caked Avalon. A frother like Zack needed to be pragmatic with outerwear - minimalism reigns supreme inhabiting a 112 sq. ft house for a full winter. There's no space for multiple wardrobes of gear to vogue on each mountain. A dependable one-and-done outfit, worn for an interminable amount of time is more sensible than rotating multiples of lesser-quality pieces.

Backcountry skiing provenance aside, Outdoor Research released its first bike-specific clothing line earlier this year, picking up heavy-hitting MTB athletes Georgia Astle, Bas and Tom Van Steenbergen, and Damon Iwanaga to showcase the wares. I hadn't worn anything by OR until their Freewheel softshell hoodie, pants, and jersey arrived in October. Does the kit uphold the same qualities of OR ski gear, able to endure the grimy abuse of riding day after day during scuzzy fall months? Keep reading.

Freewheel Half-Zip Softshell Hoodie

I have worn this piece as an outer layer for cool and dank days. It could also be a great mid-layer for wintry rides. It's not a rain jacket (nor claims to be) or treated with a DWR. I love the anorak aesthetic, the classy cenote colourway (blue) isn't overly loud, nor is it an all-black Darth Vader Shore uniform. There's one zippered chest pocket for carrying low-pro items, a hood, and...that's it. Simple. The stretchy exterior midweight fabric has a soft hand feel, with a light fleece grid pattern bonded to the interior surface for insulation. The cut is roomy without being baggy, with a slight drop hem at the back.

The Freewheel hoodie has quickly become one of my favourite cool-weather outer layers. For rides between 4-12°C/39-54ºF, I've layered it over a long-sleeved poly jersey, adding a merino tee shirt as a base when the mercury dropped further south.

Temperature control is akin to having a personal thermostat - the slight pile of the interior grid fleece elevates the face fabric above the mid-layer, rapidly wicking moisture outward to burn off. High-output punches hitting the redline of comfortable temps are alleviated by cracking open the giant half-length zipper.

It's been a very wet fall here on the Sunshine Coast. The dense forest canopy shields against all but the soggiest deluge - as does the textile of the Freewheel hoodie. It easily fends off rain and trail spray, keeping me abundantly cozy.

Freewheel Ride Pants

Outdoor Research has done its homework in designing a ridiculously comfortable pair of riding duds. Keeping in line with the minimal nature of their Freewheel Hoodie, the pants have an athletic cut and two thigh pockets, a waistband adjustment, and some ankle zippers.

The waistband is adjusted by cinching a nylon webbing laced through a cam on each hip, staying comfortably snug, and moving with your body. The waist button is slotted, instead of a regular snap, not coming undone until you tell it to.

The vertically zippered left thigh pocket is roomy enough to fit my Pixel 7 phone without bopping around. On the right thigh, a horizontally zippered pocket holds a multi-tool, tire plugs, keys, and energy bar.

The stretchy fabric allows unhindered movement in any direction. Hell, I'd do yoga in these pants! Full-thickness knee pads easily fit underneath, and are easily donned or removed without pulling your pants down, thanks to the outseam zippers running from ankle to mid-calf. Realistically I didn't think I'd use the zippers much, but now I don't feel the need to explain myself to the general public that "I'm just taking my kneepads off, jeeze!" But seriously, please put them on every pair of riding pants from here on out?

I'm keen on riding in pants most of the year, and the Freewheels would be a strong contender for any ride up to 20°C. They're ridiculously breathable. Outdoor Research uses a textile slightly thicker than NF's Lightweight pant, but it feels more breathable and stretchy. Abrasion resistance feels high, but I haven't had any crashes to verify this. There's no sign of pulls from branches, or the seat zone rubbed thin from longer pedals.

Last bits

Outdoor Research has nailed its first MTB fall outerwear line. The Freewheel hoodie and pants are exceptionally comfortable and lightweight. The understated appearance wouldn't be out of place if worn outside the forest realm. Both pieces easily handle fall PNW dank rides outside of rainstorms, keeping fairly dry thanks to supreme breathability. I'll be reaching for this kit as my first choice until nasty rain and snow arrives - which is the perfect time to give the trails a break, or chuck some dirt on them!

Outdoor Research Freewheel Half-Zip Softshell Hoodie // 200 CAD/ 180 USD

Outdoor Research Freewheel Ride Pants // 160 CAD/130 USD