Peppermint Cycling Co. was founded in 2015 as a collection of Road, Gravel, and MTB cycling apparel designed “by women for women.” According to Peppermint, their mission is to “inspire women to live an active lifestyle by promoting the many benefits of cycling” (and to have fun).
We first heard about the brand at their Sea Otter debut in April, where they were showcasing their new Spring lineup.
When an opportunity to review some of the pieces presented itself, I jumped at the chance to try them, as I’ve been on a hunt to find MTB riding bottoms with a comfortable, adjustable, and flattering fit.
MTB Pants (color: Spruce) – Features & Specs
- Woven, 4-way stretch fabric – 88% nylon, 12% elastane
- Adjustable side waist tabs for a customizing fit
- Wide elastic back panel
- Two side zipped pockets and a small rear zipped pocket
- YKK zippers
- Fast-drying fabric
- DWR Water repellent treatment
- Compatible with knee pads
Peak Short Sleeve Jersey (color: Sage) – Features
- Quick Dry, abrasion-resistant fabric
- 84% recycled polyester, 11% lyocell, 5% spandex
- Antibacterial treatment
On the trail
TLDR: I’ll just come out and say it — these pants look and feel great! The waist stays in place while riding, and the stretch material in the fabric makes for easy movement and a full range of motion. The stretchy panel on the angle cuff does a fine job keeping things snug and out of my drivetrain.
I’ve found them to be the perfect weight for spring/fall riding as the weather shifts from chilly to warmer during the course of a ride. I will see how far into summer I can wear these, as I am starting to prefer pants to shorts.
The Peak Jersey is lightweight and comfortable. It features slightly longer sleeves than a regular tee, but there is plenty of room for elbow pads should you need them.
The material is quick drying and breathable, and the length provides great coverage.
Padded Underwear
Peppermint also included a set of their padded underwear as part of the riding kit.
The padding rating states it’s rated for a 3-hour duration. They’re lighter than a conventional chamois and ideal for session-style riding, and around town, and they have been comfy so far. I like the breathable material and lower profile of the pads.
Fit & Sizing
Of all the riding shorts and pants I’ve tried to date, the Peppermint design is my favorite waistband yet. The pants include all the features I’ve liked in other MTB shorts and pant models, but incorporate them all in one design!
I have a 27” waist and 39” hips, so it can be challenging to find bottoms that are comfortable, adequately adjustable, and still look stylish. These fit the bill in all areas.
The truly unique feature of the Peppermint MTB pants is the wide adjustable waist tabs- even when cinched in all the way, the fabric doesn’t bunch. I was able to adjust them to get a just-right fit that still allowed for movement. While they are a slimmer cut, they still pair well with kneepads. The inseam of 27.5 inches hits a little above the top of my ankle bone (I am 5’6” with a 30-inch inseam).
I appreciate the wide waistband on the pants, which are a higher rise. The underwear is more of a low/midrise, and so not ideal for my body type. I would be curious to see if their new Bib liner offered a better fit.
I love the color of this jersey, and the material is super soft. My initial impression was that it was a bit on the baggy side compared to what I was used to, and at first, I wasn’t as into the fit/style, as it’s a boxy cut, and more of a tech tee. Upon further reflection, it does hang nicely and is still flattering even with the loose fit.
I am wearing my usual size medium in the jersey, pants, and padded underwear.
Conclusion
Peppermint Cycling Co apparel was created “to develop performant, versatile, and comfortable products to offer an unparalleled athletic fit specifically designed for women.” I have found this to be accurate in regards to this kit. As I continue to branch out from mountain biking and do more XC and multi-surface adventure rides this summer, I’d be interested in trying out pieces from their gravel collection down the road.
Learn more at PeppermintCyclingCo.com.