Dainese sent over some of their latest riding kit for us to take a look at. I’ve been testing out a jersey from their HG line and shorts from their AWA line. Both the 3/4 length HG jersey and AWA shorts feature lightweight materials, stretch fabric, and a casual, but still purposeful fit. The look is certainly a little Euro and is aimed towards the racer crowd, but it is understated enough that it looks good on any trail ride.

 

The AWA shorts are constructed of stretch material and include a couple nice features like an internal waist band adjustment and generously sized zippered cargo pockets on each thigh. The pockets are plenty big enough for storing a phone and other essentials for quick access. My waist measures around 33″ actual and I usually wear size 32 / medium shorts. I found the AWA shorts to fit fairly true to size but a little big in the waist. Thankfully, there’s plenty of adjustment in the waist to snug them up and I had no issues with the shorts staying put.

 

I tend to prefer jerseys with a little extra room to breathe and found the HG comfortable for all-day rides. The HG is cut a little long in the back and has plenty of room through the shoulders to not feel restrictive. I went with a my typical size large and wasn’t disappointed. In addition to the cut, I really like the weight of this material, it breathes well and is soft to the touch.

 

While I probably wouldn’t choose them for daily laps in the bike park, the weight and cut of both of these pieces is just about perfect for aggressive all-mountain / enduro riding. The fabric seems to be holding up well through the past several rides with no failed stitching or any other defects detected. While this hardly constitutes any sort of long term test, long term durability does look promising.

 

Overall, I’d say this kit is a pretty solid option for someone looking for racer style and performance to match. The shorts and jersey are squarely on the higher end of riding apparel but are still fairly priced. The HG jersey retails for a very reasonable $69.99 and the AWA shorts will set you back $109.99. The shorts and jersey are available at Dainese.com, online retailers, and your LBS.

Words: Toni Walbridge
Photos: Misti Walbridge