You'll want to invest in a few pairs of cycling chamois - we are talking about padded shorts here, not to be confused with the goat-antelope native to the mountains in Europe! Jump in your chamois without your underwear or you'll risk the chafing! Some swear by the chamois better, but we only recommend it for long days on the road bike. Throw a pair of "baggies" on top. These shorts are enforced fabric that won't get snagged up like spandex if you do take a spill and could save some skin. For those cold days, we either add high "ski" socks or a layer of thermal pants.

Choose a jersey that is comfortable and will wick away sweat. Living in the Maritimes, we will often start a ride with a long sleeve jersey, and end up stuffing that in our trail pack to opt for the short sleeve jersey we had on underneath. Colourful jerseys will help keep you visible on the trails. On cold days, we will add a thin down or "puff" jacket, or a softshell jacket.

For colder days - keep the neck warm as this is where you lose most of your heat. For hot days - keep the sun off your neck.

Ideally, pick up a pair of full-fingered gloves. Should you need to touch rock or dirt due to a fall, you'll be happy you protected that skin!

To help keep your ankles safe and happy, pick up some socks that go up over your ankle and roll them up high. The funkier the better! Tip: spray your socks with insect repellent.

Choose your footwear based on the type of pedals you're using. For clipless pedals, you'll need a pair of cleats. For flat pedals, you'll need a pair of "flats". You can definitely use your sneakers on flat pedals if you're not ready to invest in a pair of MTB-specific shoes. Just keep in mind that your sneakers might not grip onto the pedal spikes as well as a pair of "flats".

When we ride enduro trails at Keppoch or Sugarloaf Bike Park, we opt for the full knee and elbow pads. They can also be useful in technical terrains like Rockwood, White Rock, or MVP. Having armour might just help your mental game.

Get a helmet that fits you. They are not one size fits all. We recommend picking one up with Multi-directional Impact Protection System (MIPS) for their innovative approach to protecting your precious melon - look for the yellow dot. We would recommend a full-face helmet for riding at Sugarloaf Bike Park or Keppoch Mountain.

Whether for the dirt, wind, or sunlight, your eyes need protection too. Choose a pair that won't fall off your face when you move your head around, or you'll end up giving them away on the trails!