The Crankbrothers Candy Lace Clip-In shoes offer a well-balanced design, featuring a roomy toe box and a snug heel fit, making them versatile for nearly all types of off-road riding. During testing on long, gruelling rides, they’ve proven to be comfortable and durable, standing up to the toughest conditions. If you're a fan of lace-up shoes, these will certainly impress.

The Windover Beacon is a frameset that seamlessly merges the worlds of mountain and gravel bikes, built with a hand-crafted Reynolds 853 DZB steel frame in Sussex. While its specification and geometry lean heavily towards a mountain bike, the abundance of mounts makes it ideal for adventurous outings. However, the fork can make the ride quality uncomfortable at times.

The POC Pro Thermal Vest is a lightweight, technical piece that offers an impressive amount of warmth relative to its size and weight. Compact enough to be stowed in a rear pocket, it’s an excellent option for rides where temperatures are likely to change. While it packs neatly into the rear pocket, the design of the pocket with an unattached liner means it can cause problems.

The USE Components VYBE suspension stem offers 20mm of travel via elastomers. The ability to adjust the rebound and compression damping sets it apart from the competition. It’s also lighter and more affordable than its rivals but does that make it the superior option?

The POC Thermal Lite long-sleeve jersey aims to combine style with performance, crafted from a merino blend fabric that offers decent breathability and claims to control odours. While the fabric performs well, the jersey’s fit is unconventional compared to many others and the pockets are quite small, which limits its practicality.

The Vittoria Peyote is a low-profile tyre with a new construction designed for XC racing. It feels impressive, has supple sidewalls and is smooth rolling. Grip is limited in certain situations, perhaps unsurprising given the minimal tread depth. If speed is a priority, this tyre should be on your best mountain bike tyre shortlist.

The DT Swiss GRC 1100 Dicut wheelset is a prime example of how gravel cycling is evolving, with design and performance characteristics that wouldn’t be out of place on a high-end road bike. With its 50mm deep rims, this wheelset aims to deliver more than just aerodynamics – what DT Swiss calls "Aero+." The uniquely shaped rim bulges outward, paired with lightweight DT 180 hubs and bladed spokes to minimise drag and maximise speed.

The POC Supreme Rain Jacket is one of the most expensive pieces of cycling clothing you’re likely to come across, with an eye-watering price tag that will leave many wincing. However, if you can look past the cost, its performance is impressive. The jacket boasts an exceptionally low weight and a compact size, making it easy to pack when not worn. That said, it isn’t flawless and, at this price point, expectations are understandably high.

The RockShox SID SL Ultimate is the lightest and most race-focused suspension fork in the company's range. It is tailored for cross-country purists and features a lightweight build, 32mm stanchions, and a three-position lockout. While its low weight is impressive, this comes at the cost of stiffness, and it notably struggles in mid-travel performance. That said, it's still a front-runner among the best mountain bike forks.

The Albion All Road Three Season Pocket Tights are a premium choice for milder weather riding, featuring excellent fabrics and one of the most comfortable pads I’ve used. The cargo pockets are spacious yet unobtrusive when not in use. However, the "Three Season" label feels optimistic, as they lack warmth for true winter conditions.