The Scott Brendan Fairclough Fury Deathgrip2 goggles come in a wide range of colourways including this limited edition model made to celebrate the recent launch of Deathgrip2. They prove to be comfortable goggles with a natural fit and prevent fogging up when things get toasty. They are not cheap by any stretch but do represent one of the best mountain bike goggles currently available.

The Pivot Shuttle comes in three flavours, but the LT version is the hard-hitting, 160mm rear travel, mixed-wheeled ripper. With dialled geometry, a pretty reasonable spec and excellent ride characteristics, it has a confidence-inspiring ride. Cornering, braking and high-speed trails are handled with little dramatics whilst the climbing is dispatched with comfort and plenty of traction. It isn’t perfect and the eye-watering price makes it hard to justify it as good value for money but the performance on offer is top-tier and certainly worth trying out if this fits your budget.

The GoreWear Gore-Tex Paclite jacket is a lightweight and packable offering for battling the changeable weather. The Paclite material does a great job of fending off showers and heavier downpours while remaining breathable and windproof. The thin material is compact and provides a relaxed fit without being baggy. The storage leaves me wanting more as the pockets are on the frustratingly small side, and the price isn’t cheap however, it's a well-rounded and high-performing jacket. 

The 7iDP Project 21 Pro Trail helmet is well-thought-out offering plenty of safety tech to address the impact and rotational forces during a crash. This lid has a range of construction methods that aim to keep you wrapped up in a comfortable and airy package. The sweat management needs some refinement, and I found the helmet a little bulky but represents good value for money considering all the tech on offer.

The Fox Racing Defend Fire Alpha jacket is for those colder rides, especially if the wind chill is bitterly cold. The fleece lining manages heat well, keeping the cold out while being breathable enough to manage overheating. The sizing is on the small side, and I found the main zip a little fiddly; however, it’s a great cold-weather riding jacket.

The Hayes Dominion T4 brakes put the already popular A4s on a diet with some carbon and titanium bling. The power and modulation on offer with a light lever feel makes these brakes a delight to use however the idea of saving a couple grams in the enduro and dh environment where high-power brakes are used is a little whimsical. The price hike from the standard A4s is eye-watering but if you want the very best with some understated bling (is this an oxymoron?) then these are the brakes for you.

The Crankbrothers Stamp 1 Gen 2 pedal comes in two sizes (small and large) to suit different shoe sizes. The plastic-bodied platform is large, slightly concave, and low-profile, thanks to being built around Igus bushes. The pedal is supportive, grippy, and easy to service. With plenty of colour options and a sensible price, it’s hard to look past it for trail and enduro flat pedal duties.

Michelin's Wild Enduro MS Raching Line has received a revamp with the goal to improve grip, reduce rolling resistance and shave some weight off the original design. The lighter casing and new compound retain the excellent grip and ride qualities of the previous version with fewer of the drawbacks. Improved rolling speed is noticeable and makes the tyre more friendly to live with. The new tyre is a little more expensive, but the performance on offer is top-notch, making it a solid choice as a hard-charging enduro tyre.

The 100% Brisker Xtreme glove is a heavy-duty version of the already well-renowned Brisker. Ideal for mixed temperatures in the colder seasons, the Brisker Xtremes fend off the cold while retaining plenty of feel for technical riding. However, they don’t work with touchscreens, and they’re only water resistant, so if you’re hoping for comfort in prolonged cold and wet weather riding, look elsewhere.

The Merida eOne-Sixty SL is a lightweight e-mountain bike that uses a 55Nm Bosch motor and 400Wh battery to give a rewarding and lively ride. Thanks to some well-sorted geometry, climbing is an efficient and well-balanced affair, it's stable at speed and it remains manoeuvrable. However, the low front end does affect performance on steep descents.