Having kids can be both a pain and pleasure (look at that devilish smile)… it really depends on the day. Lately, my kid has been stepping up his mountain biking game, with an exciting new bike and an increase in speed. Mickey mouse and Lego just don’t cut it any more (although he loves his Minions). He wants to look like Daddy.
Well fear not, the folks at Dakine have you covered! I managed to get my kid kitted out in a Dakine kids Dropout 3/4 length shirt and Ridge short. A nice, matching pair of Prodigy gloves round out his look. The best part is that the gear doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, either.
The Dropout 3/4 length shirt is full-featured like adult-sized shirts. The shirt utilizes 100% quick dry polyester with antimicrobial technology to prevent what little stink a little one can generate. I guess that’s why we call them little stinkers. Inside you even get a sunglass wipe. Double stitching around the collar, cuffs, and base make for a comfy, durable jersey.
The Ridge short is a great value for the money, sharing a bunch of adult features. A standard zip and button closure system with interior side waist adjustments makes it easy to adjust to your child’s waist line. Made from rugged 125g-weight nylon and a polyester blend, this short has a good-quality feel to it. The short sports two front pockets, reinforced internally for what ever your little one decides he/she needs to carry. Finally, the short’s belt loops have been added along the waist, with a stitched Dakine patch in back. Leg length is 9″, which on my 6-year-old brings that to just below his knee.
If you’re not willing to ride without gloves, why should the little one ride without? The Prodigy gloves are the perfect answer. The closure system is perfect for little hands. Using a diagonal swing out, it makes for a glove that’s easy to get in and out of. For durabilty and comfort the palm is made of Clarino, while the back is made of 4-way stretch polyester. Silicon-reinforced thumbs and forefingers improve bar feel. Finally, there’s a nice micro fleece back thumb panel that inevitably will find its way across your kid’s snotty nose. The utmost in comfort feel (so sayith my boy) adds to the overall gloves’ appeal.
As far as performance goes, I can only extrapolate so far from the response to my question of, “Hey Raff, how’s the gear?”
“Good.”
Trying to coax more is like pulling teeth. But as far as a third party is concerned, my boy searches around the house to find his gear when he wants to ride. I guess that’s another check mark in the positive category
To kit your little one up you’re looking to pay about $23 for the gloves, $34 for the jersey, and another $54 for the shorts.. In the grand scheme of things that’s not bad at all, considering our adult gear costs about twice that.
A big thanks to the folks at Dakine for sending down the kids gear for review.
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Oct 17, 2014