Review: Akta's Trail Apparel & Protection Line

May 3, 2023
by Matt Beer  
Akta Jersey Shorts Pants Gloves Knee Pads photos Forrest Riesco

As a mountain bike apparel and protection company, differentiating yourself from the sea of options out there means ticking all the boxes when it comes to fit, function, branding, and of course price. Based around Vancouver, Canada, Akta is one of the latest to take on the market and draws from 15 years of experience creating cycling apparel.

Their current range consists of unisex short and long-sleeve tops and bottoms, plus gloves and knee pads that should appeal to riders who want a lightweight trail kit. Both the knee pads and bottoms feature D30 inserts and keep the features to a minimum to focus on comfort.

Akta does take into consideration how and where the materials are sourced from. All of the products are BlueSign approved, excluding the knee pads, and received a handful of recycled material stamps of approval.

The apparel is backed by a limited lifetime warranty and a crash replacement policy that is handled on a case-by-case basis. You can read more about that program here.

Free shipping is included on orders over $200 throughout Canada and over $100 in the Vancouver area.




Short and Long Sleeve Trail Jersey

Akta Jersey Shorts Pants Gloves Knee Pads photos Forrest Riesco

Akta Jersey Shorts Pants Gloves Knee Pads photos Forrest Riesco
Akta Jersey Shorts Pants Gloves Knee Pads photos Forrest Riesco

Akta Jersey Shorts Pants Gloves Knee Pads photos Forrest Riesco

Akta Jersey Shorts Pants Gloves Knee Pads photos Forrest Riesco
Akta Jersey Shorts Pants Gloves Knee Pads photos Forrest Riesco

• Camera/eyewear wipe at hem
• Fabric: 87% Recycled Polyester, 13% Spandex
• $94 (SS) / $109 (LS) CAD
aktamtb.com

There are no special product names when it comes to listing Akta’s apparel range. The Short and Long Sleeve Trail Jerseys are straightforward with a dropped hem on the back and a cloth lens wipe on the inside of the front hem.

Each jersey comes in five sizes, from XS to XL, and two colors; purple or “almost black”. The short sleeve top rings in for $94 CAD while the longer choice is $109 CAD.

Fit/Performance

I went with a size medium for both which felt shaped well without being overly baggy. Currently, I weigh 77kg and have a 96.5cm/38” chest measure, which aligns with their sizing chart.

There’s enough material under the arms that it doesn’t get restrictive or ride up your back when descending. The texture is soft, moisture wicking and doesn’t feel like plastic either. On the longer version, I did find the sleeves to run a touch long.




Trail Pants
Akta Jersey Shorts Pants Gloves Knee Pads photos Forrest Riesco

Akta Jersey Shorts Pants Gloves Knee Pads photos Forrest Riesco
Akta Jersey Shorts Pants Gloves Knee Pads photos Forrest Riesco

• Two zippered pockets, one w/D3O padding
• Elastic waist with silicone grip, zipper fly
• 4-way stretch fabric: 88% recycled nylon, 12% spandex
• grey or brown colors
• sizes: XS-XL
• $209 CAD
aktamtb.com

Akta’s Trail Pants are a lightweight option for trail and enduro style riding with a highlighting feature that I’ve yet to see on other apparel. They’ve cleverly added a D3O pad to protect a phone in one of the two zippered pockets, plus they come in two neutral colors, “loam” and “almost black”.

The fly includes a zipper to avoid accidental venting that could develop while riding. Intentional venting is taken care of by perforated holes cut into the back of the knees and inner thigh area.

Akta Jersey Shorts Pants Gloves Knee Pads

Akta Jersey Shorts Pants Gloves Knee Pads photos Forrest Riesco
Akta Jersey Shorts Pants Gloves Knee Pads photos Forrest Riesco

Fit/Performance

Five sizes are said to fit riders with waist/inseam measurements between 72/70.5cm to 96/76.5cm. The elastic waist uses a commonly found ratchet bucket closure which Akta says can help riders choose between a more relaxed cut, or downside into a tight racer-style fit, with room for a mid-size knee pad.

I never ran into any issues with the pants feeling too tight in the thighs or calves, even though I wore their size large Trail Knee Pads. What did come to my attention was the leg length, which seemed a touch short for my 81cm / 32” inseam measurement. It could be that the larger knee pads keep the pants from draping down farther, because without the protection they fit normally. Given the styling of the pants, I would have expected the cuffs to taper in tighter though. There is ample room in the hips and the waist never felt too low even while bending forward on steep climbs.

I haven’t touched the dirt in the Trail Pants yet, so I can’t comment on their durability on the knee or hip area. After spending the last few months primarily on flat pedals, I haven’t managed to nick the back of the calves with any pedal pins, which makes me think they’d hold up to a few slide outs.




Trail Shorts
Akta Jersey Shorts Pants Gloves Knee Pads photos Forrest Riesco

Akta Jersey Shorts Pants Gloves Knee Pads photos Forrest Riesco
Akta Jersey Shorts Pants Gloves Knee Pads photos Forrest Riesco

• Two zippered pockets, one w/D3O padding
• Elastic waist with silicone grip, zipper fly
• 4-way stretch fabric: 88% recycled nylon, 12% spandex
• grey or brown colors
• sizes: XS-XL
• $174 CAD
aktamtb.com

As for the Trail Shorts, they use the same construction methods and materials as the pants, including the D3O padded pocket and ratchet waist closure. The 4-way stretch Greenlon fabric strikes the perfect balance for a trail short where tough enough without being overly bulky.

Akta Jersey Shorts Pants Gloves Knee Pads photos Forrest Riesco

Fit/Performance

The sizing and colors are the same, except the inseams range from 30 to 33cm. The length of the medium shorts worked well for me by covering any exposed skin above the knee pad sleeve. At the end of the leg cuff, the stitching didn’t cause any iteration when pedalling without knee pads either.

Another bonus I noticed about the material Akta chose for the shorts and pants is how dirt seems to dry and fall off before really bedding in, meaning that unless I really sweat a lot I could avoid washing them every time I wore them riding.

As for the phone pocket on both the Trail Shorts and Trail Pants, I think it’s fair to assume that 99% of riders take this device with them on rides, making it a useful feature. The location and angle of the pocket is useful without hindering your pedal stroke or getting in the way of the saddle, however, it would be handy if you could remove the pad altogether or alternate which side the protection is on.




Trail Gloves

Akta Jersey Shorts Pants Gloves Knee Pads photos Forrest Riesco

Akta Jersey Shorts Pants Gloves Knee Pads photos Forrest Riesco
Akta Jersey Shorts Pants Gloves Knee Pads photos Forrest Riesco

• Touch screen compatible index finger
• Elastic cuff with pull tab
• grey or brown colors
• sizes: XS-XL
• $44 CAD
aktamtb.com

Matching the fit, function, and colors of the shorts and pants, Akta’s Trail Gloves are slim, stretchy and have the right amount of structure where necessary. They too come in five sizes and two colors.

In terms of construction, there’s no velcro for the closure. Instead, an elastic cuff is backed by a small extension of the palm material so as not to pull on the stitching.

Another piece of the palm material runs around the back of the palm between the index finger and thumb so there is no seam touching the handlebar grip. A silicone logo on the index fingers allows access to a touchscreen device too.

So far, so good - the stitching has stayed intact, even while yanking them off sweaty hands. I found the size medium to fit comfortably, yet snugly, with a little extra length in the fingers.




Trail Knee Pads

Akta Jersey Shorts Pants Gloves Knee Pads photos Forrest Riesco

Akta Jersey Shorts Pants Gloves Knee Pads photos Forrest Riesco
Akta Jersey Shorts Pants Gloves Knee Pads photos Forrest Riesco

• 4-way, vented Aramid main fabric
• Vented D3O foam insert
• Elastic straps with silicone grip
• sizes: XS-XL
• $144 CAD
aktamtb.com

Staying on track with their five fit options, the Trail Knee Pads are velcro-free protection with a serious amount of coverage and venting for leg protection that guards a critical area. The price is on par with most other mid-weight, high-performance options out there, like the Chromag Rift or Rapha Trail knee pads.

The front of the pad uses 4-way stretch Aramid fabric that is tear-resistant and has two cutouts to allow more air to enter the orange energy-absorbing foam. The padding insert is removable for easy washing and vented to pull fresh air in. Two elastic cuffs are backed with silicone grippers and a third stretchy band above the calf holds them in place.

Akta Jersey Shorts Pants Gloves Knee Pads

Akta Jersey Shorts Pants Gloves Knee Pads photos Forrest Riesco
Akta Jersey Shorts Pants Gloves Knee Pads photos Forrest Riesco

Fit/Performance

Akta’s Trail Knee Pads are my new go-to, everyday choice for pedalling because of the articulation, comfort, and amount of protection they offer. Without any velcro, the amount of material needed makes for a simpler, lighter pad that saves on bulk.

Compared to previous favorites, like the Rapha Trail and Fox Enduro Pro knee pads, there is increased protection without any downside. Although they look heavier, the Akta Trail Knee Pads only weigh 183g per pad (the same as Rapha’s and 20g more than Fox pads).

The fit is similar to both of those options too (I wear a size large in each), except the calf band is better positioned on the Akta pads and doesn’t cut into my leg like the Fox Enduro Pro did.

My favorite characteristic is how the pad tends to lift away from my knee with straightened, allowing airflow, yet the pad doesn’t put any pressure on my shin. Summer hasn’t quite kicked in yet, but the material leading up to that band, and along the back of the calf, is highly breathable too.

There’s also tons of padding around the lower shin and top of the knee too - much more than the commonly used, teardrop-shaped D3O insert. Adding to the security is the thick silicone-backed elastic across the thigh, which has failed to let them slide down. My only concern lies in the silicone gripper which can burn my leg after a full day in the pads, but these aren’t the only pads to cause this problem.






Author Info:
mattbeer avatar

Member since Mar 16, 2001
360 articles

139 Comments
  • 141 12
 *sigh* yet another bike pant with only a 2” inseam change across sizes. 30.0” inseam for the XL - that’s just comical. I guess everyone is short and fat and manufacturers are convinced that tall athletic people don’t exist in cycling.
  • 30 7
 I don't think clothing designers can win this one because humans are morons. One year it's cool to have your pants dragging along the ground, sucking up liters of puddle water. The next year (i.e. seemingly now), the 'cool' kids want to wear pants that barely reach half way down their skinny hipster calves. On the plus side, at least white clothing isn't trendy in mountain biking circles, as that would be the dumbest move ever. Oh...hang on..... Big Grin
  • 10 1
 @wake-n-rake: no I didn’t crap my pants after that huge kicker into a blind drop, it’s just trail debris ….
  • 31 3
 Exactly. It’s difficult to even find a 34” inseam these days. Plenty of tall mo-fos out there including me.
  • 30 1
 They need to have Cathro do an field test of trail pants.
  • 15 5
 6'5 with a 36in inseam here. A friend had told me that NF pants fit longer than their stated inseam. I opted to buy a pair of DP4s in the long inseam and I do agree they fit more like a 36in. I think you can contact them and they'll make you a longer pair of their stuff.
  • 14 6
 Yoo BigBrett - guessing you're a big fella with a name like that! For your reference, I am 6'1, 180lbs and wear a medium and you can see just the right amount of sock.
  • 4 3
 Abit shorts. End of story. I'm biggest stickler about finding long inseams for clothes. All mtb shorts are too short or too wide to get length. Abit makes best shirts I've ever owned and in "long"
  • 2 0
 I mean us tall folk could make mountain bike capris a new trend…
  • 8 0
 Remember the old TLD Skyline shorts? They had an adjustable inseam with different hem lines already sewn in so you could trim the shorts to different lengths. Could cover a bunch of different inseams by integrating that feature into pants.
  • 5 0
 @AKTA-mtb: see just the right amount of what? oh, sock
  • 10 2
 @AKTA-mtb: the right amount of sock showing is non or at the very most 1cm
  • 2 0
 Specialized Demo Pro pants fit me well in a size L. I'm 6'4" with a 35" inseam. Try a pair on if you get the chance
  • 2 0
 Lulu Lemon ABC Warpstreme 37” pants are the best I’ve ever found for comfort and fit being tall!
  • 1 0
 @gbeaks33: they do, I own two pairs of the long inseam version!
  • 12 0
 @AKTA-mtb: yeah that’s exactly my problem - your size medium and XL have less than an inch difference in inseam length. They just get wider. Its one thing if you are building wal-mart brand jeans for Americans, but if you are building technical apparel for “athletes” then wouldn’t it make sense to assume that people aren’t just getting fatter/wider as the size goes up?
  • 9 2
 @AKTA-mtb:
hahaha "you can see just the right amount of sock" ridiculous, Well @bigbrett looks like you better have some "statement" socks.
  • 3 0
 @wake-n-rake: Actually, there may be a reason to wear white pants and (hang on tight…) tuck them into white socks: in areas infested with ticks this is one way to spot them and easily get rid of them.
At least this is what some health authorities suggest round where I live…
  • 2 0
 Endura Singletrack II pants are by far the longest I have found. I’m 6’3” and 200lb with a 33” waist/34 inseam and the size L just makes it to the shoe while standing and stops an inch or two above the shoe while pedaling.
  • 6 2
 Best tall guy pants are the Cognitive mtb talls. They come with a 39” inseam you cut and hem to your liking. And the pants themselves are hands down the best I’ve ever had. Stretchy material, no plastic ratchet crap on the waistband and proper placed pockets.
  • 1 0
 I'm just happy they actually publish the inseam length. I wish all manufacturers could do that. Inseam and outseam would be ideal.
  • 2 0
 Nukeproof Blackline are really good trousers/pants for lanky buggers
  • 2 0
 I rate the Leatt Enduro 3.0 for fit - they deffo have a couple of inches extra length over my other pants (Fox & TroyLee)
Lots of pockets too - I like the bum pocket, means I can stash a tool and a Co2 and ride without pack
  • 1 0
 @gbeaks33: I got similar dimensions. I watched a bunch of cathro's videos until I saw one of him wearing riding trousers that were long enough. At the time he was sponsored by leatt (which I know to be too short) but in the video he was trail building in a pair of enduras. I got a singletrack 1 and singletrack 2 from them and they're long enough! And well priced! Other than the hole I put in the knee of the 2's within a few rides they've been fine. 7.5/10 would recommend to a stranger on the internet
  • 1 0
 @Yody: I’ll second that I have 3 Pairs of Abit Shorts and they are the best riding shorts I’ve owned in 30 years of riding.
  • 1 0
 @calhoun: I remember those. Seemed like anything less than full length would be too short but brilliant concept none the less
  • 1 0
 @Bikethrasher: yeah for sure 100 percent altho I always worry about forgetting to zip a pocket and lose something. Wish the top pockets were horizontal and deep no zipper
  • 3 1
 the fuck is inseam this is a whole new level of Geometry for pants i need to learn
  • 3 0
 @bigbrett: how tall are you? What's your inseam. I'm always on the lookout for riding pants but none are ever long enough. Maybe there is hope with NF!
  • 5 0
 @k2theg: FIrst off, major congrats to AKTA for the first season's release! No easy feat in the current environment, so props to the team!

NF does offer "tall sizes" with a ~35-36 inseam and with also extend any of our pants to the inseam length of your choice for a small fee.
  • 5 0
 @ennefdesign @k2theg way ahead of you, I got 2 pairs of DP4s. I 100% recommend NF for tall folks. Pricey but perfect. The large longs are spot on for for me (I usually wear 34Wx36L jeans).
  • 1 0
 Sizing way off, who wears M: 33/29 pants? default would be L: 32/32 for non baggy jeans
  • 1 0
 @AKTA-mtb: At 6‘1, according to my bike fitter, based on about a thousand customers so far, the typical inseam should measure around 34“. If you think at that height a 30“ inseam shows the right amount of sock you should probably consider providing color matched socks with your pants. And make them really long.
  • 1 0
 @generictrailrider:
7mesh Glidepath Pant (L = 34" inseam) - quite light fabric if you are crashing a lot.
RideNF - DP4 (L = 34" inseam) - good for three seasons and very crash resistant
Norrona - Fjora Flex Pant (L = 34" inseam) - phone pocket is not ideally placed but works
  • 1 0
 I feel your pain 34 waist and 36 inch legs here...
  • 1 0
 @TomasK: 31-36 here. My hips are barely wider than my waist and my legs are early 50% of my body height. It takes some trying on to find fitting clothes.
  • 18 0
 The phone pocket is innovative, I like that. I wish I had the padding the one time I smashed my brand new iPhone 12 three years ago during a freak bar clip accident…
  • 12 0
 Logo looks like the old Lavan logo.
  • 9 0
 Might be onto something there… Wink
  • 3 0
 @AKTA-mtb: Love the look of the AKTA gear! Any plans for ladies stuff?
  • 3 0
 @srh2: Definitely! We're a small brand so it's just a matter of time and money. Hopefully in the next couple seasons!
  • 4 0
 @AKTA-mtb: That's cool i had a bunch of the original tee's from back in 2007 or whenever it was.
  • 9 0
 Are we bringing back 3/4 shorts? I swear you are out of luck pants wise if you are just kinda tall. 30inch inseam must be some sick joke.
  • 7 1
 Love my first set of Akta gear! I haven't worn gloves for YEARS because of bulky gloves or gloves that only last a week but the Akta gloves have been awesome so far and actually fit. The pants and shorts are game changers in terms of not cutting off circulation and crazy flexible.
  • 6 0
 Stoked to hear this, cheers!
  • 9 1
 Looks good, rapha pads are my favorite ever, but, you saying similar things Matt-I will give these a try because I'd rather support a canadian than walmart.
  • 1 0
 I have the Rapha aswell - love them - these seems very cool, but one thing I can’t seem to find is the omologation, Raphas have the level 2 which is surprisingly good for a pad this light and comfy
  • 2 0
 @teor: Pretty sure that d 30 is level 1.
  • 1 0
 @yakimonti: It's RHEON, similar but not D30, and the product page claims it is Level 2, Type B protection, based on what certification? I don't know.
  • 7 1
 I've got the pants, shorts, and pads. So far everything is working nicely. Pads feel premium and look great. The insert is a bit tough to install after removal for washing but thats a minor issue. The pant and short material has a nice look and feels (soft yet durable?) and after 6 months, including winter riding, it still looks new. I'm 6ft tall, 180lbs, and wear LG pads, and medium bottoms if that helps someone decide on sizing.
  • 11 4
 Between the XS and XL size pants, the waist increases by 24cm but the inseam by only 6cm. This barely accounts for any height difference.
  • 1 0
 It's just like how bikes are sized. XS to XXL has a difference in head tube length of about 6cm despite a 50cm height difference.
  • 1 0
 @GTscoob:
Haha, so true
  • 2 0
 Catering to the ebike crowd it seems.
  • 10 1
 Ludacris - Akt A Fool

youtu.be/qfjbe4RKbwQ
  • 6 2
 Have the Trail pants and love them. Super durable and fit is perfect. I’m just under 6ft and 170 lbs and wear a medium. I was on the fence about trying the Trail pads, but after this review I’m grabbing a pair for sure. Well done Akta!
  • 2 0
 I'm in the same boat. Love the pants and need to grab a pair of shorts and the pads now too.... The D3O phone pocket is a fantastic feature.
  • 5 1
 Just bought virtually the same kit that Matt's wearing in the first pic. Love it! Love that it's a local company, making quality materials out of recycled materials, and everything fits me so well. The knee pads might be the most comfortable knee pads I have put on.
  • 5 1
 I ride the pants, gloves and pads and are now my go-to's. Finally, a pant that is comfortable and articulates but also returns to its normal fit/size after use. So many other pants offer stretch but they bag out after a day in them until you wash them again. These return to normal size. The pads are legit comfy and stay on my legs well for pedaling and shuttles. My thighs are big so finding nice pants/shorts and pads that fit has been tough, until Akta.
  • 5 2
 Love my stuff from them, especially the knee pads. I already got a couple friends wearing them too! My only complaint, with the pants and shorts why not put the phone padding on both side pockets for a little hip protection, and for those of us (me) who are used to keeping their phone in their left pocket so putting it in the right just feels weird.
  • 4 1
 I have the trail pant, shorts and knee pads. Some of the most comfortable gear I’ve worn. I pedalled for 3hrs yesterday in summer heat and didn’t think about or adjust the pads once. I personally love the waist system it’s solid and doesn’t slip like other high end brands I’ve used that need regular adjustment.

I’ve crashed multiple times in the pants and they are extremely durable. Sizing is on point as well. If you’re going to spend the cash on good quality gear I wouldn’t look any further.
  • 3 0
 I just ordered their knee pads because of this review as I'd never heard of em before. For what it's worth lol... Sam hill knee pads suck barely any real protection around the knee. Hopefully these will fill the ticket.
  • 2 0
 General question regarding riding pants: Why do so many come without the zippers at the lower cuff? At this price point it just seems like such an obvious and purpose-built item to be neglecting. Every bike park day I find myself in the parking lot taking down my pants to remove knee pads, silently apologizing to the neighboring vehicles for my blindingly white thighs.
Even the pairs I've purchased with the ankle zipper, never really extend far enough up the calf.
  • 5 2
 I wish companies said want size phones fit in their "phone pocket"

I have the normal-sized iPhone with a case on it and it doesn't fit in many of my short pockets
  • 4 0
 Your "normal" size is likely twice as big as my iPhone SE (the original one).
  • 6 0
 That’s a good point! We should add that to the product description. We tested many different phones, some being on the bigger side like a Samsung s10 with an otter box, and there’s still room to spare.
  • 2 0
 I have a Samsung s21 in a Otterbox and it fits nicely fwiw
  • 1 0
 @CSharp: I miss that form factor, went through a bunch of them before being gifted one of the larger ones.
  • 5 4
 I was really interested in getting a set of the leg pads to try out, but shipping turned out to be an issue. I ended up getting a set of Cromags, which are awesome so far. How about if you made charged 150 for the pads and then made the free shipping mark 150 dollars instead of 200? I bet you would sell more, i would have bought a set, especially after this review.
  • 6 5
 Who's behind this company? The products look suspiciously like Chromag but with a different label. The trail knee pad has the exact same back as the Chromag rift, slightly different fabric on the front. The no-zipper fly ratchet synch waist on the pants and shorts is the exact same as Chromag. The gloves look just like the Habit but with the extra grip protection of the Tact (extra piece around thumb and piece on palm).
  • 6 2
 I have both knee pads and will tell you these are nothing like the chromags. The chromags I find not super comfortable, while these are the most comfortable pads I have put on. When you see them side by side they are quite different These have removable pad material as well.
  • 2 1
 @gnarnaimo: Interesting, I know a few people with the Chromags and they love them.

I didn't expect my comment to be so controversial, I think it's a fair question. That style waist closure was introduced with the Ambit then the button on the Feint short and pant was replaced with them. Now a new company comes out with the same waist closure? Their about says "working for the corporate side of the MTB". If they weren't involved with Chromag, then who were they involved with? They obviously came from some other MTB company.
  • 4 0
 @eh-steve: Think they worked on the RaceFace collection previously. You will see a lot of similarities between brands as there are certain ways of doing things that just work.
  • 2 2
 @bicycle019: What other brands have that style ratchet closure on their pants/shorts and laser cut ventilation? I'm only aware of Chromag.

This isn't a case of "Everyone makes shorts and pants like that".
  • 2 1
 @bicycle019: A lot of companies are probably using the same offshore manufacturing partners. I imagine the manufacturers have an assortment of waist closures to choose from, for instance.

I have the Chromag and Rapha kneepads, as much as I loathe the Rapha ownership, those pads are my go-to — very comfortable. These Akta pads are interesting with the additional armoring.
  • 3 0
 @eh-steve: loads of shorts have used that style. Tld, fox, lavan, etc
  • 2 0
 @taskmgr: I guess they do now. Last time I looked at Fox they all looked like the Ranger. Buttons and side cinch. Now nearly all their stuff has the ratchet. So I'll give you that. TLD only has one set of pants with it from what I see on their site.

RF no ratchet, Endura no ratchet, iXS no ratchet, Specialize no ratchet, 7mesh no ratchet, Sombrio no ratchet, Five Ten no ratchet, Dharco no ratchet, 100% no ratchet.

Seems like loads don't.
  • 1 0
 @eh-steve: no they almost always have. I have some fox shorts from 2013 with them... tld has always had them. oh, i have some old dakine shorts with them as well, from 2010

the point you were trying to make is invalid just move on.
  • 1 0
 I rode with chromag stuff before I got the Akta gear. Had chromag pant, jerseys, gloves and knee pads. The pants are very different (material, feel and fit). I liked the chromag knees but they are a little less protective than the Akta.
  • 2 2
 @taskmgr: dude, the shorts look 100% like Chromag shorts and nothing like fox. Sure different materials etc, but you can't deny how similar they look unless you're just astroturfing for the brand.
  • 3 4
 @eh-steve: im what? I have the shorts and i like them. Not sure what your going on about .Too many joe rogan alien conspiracies?
  • 4 2
 @eh-steve: Uh lots of brands? That ratchet comes from a supplier called Nifco most likely, used by tons of MX and MTB brands. Because you asked, specifically the Spec Trail Pant uses it, as does Fox Flexair, Troy Lee Resist, Endura MT500 Burner, RaceFace Ruxton, etc. Laser cut venting is not some magical unique feature either, it's an easy-to-implement way to add venting. The combination of the two is not something unique to Cromag, I think you're maybe assigning too much credit to them as their stuff is nice but no way innovative either. Not sure why you're trying to shit on Akta here, their stuff looks solid and inline with other brands in the category.
  • 4 0
 @eh-steve: i have fox shorts that have that exact same ratchet closure, i really like it as i can gain/lose 10lbs in a season. The also have laser cut ventilation
  • 2 0
 @taskmgr: Mike, you haven't put a leg over a bike since aug 2022. You spent more time in 2023 defending this brand than you spent on a bike.
  • 1 0
 @arrowheadrush: And that's why I love my Chromags. My weight goes up and down too and they fit throughout the season. It's a great design. My first impressions were, "Is this Chromag for people put off by the crotch scratching bear?"

Crotch scratching bear was another PBer's take on Chromag (which is hilarious). I'm glad to have other options, but I think it's fair to ask, "Is this a brand exercise by another company?" Plenty of brands compete against themselves. It's something separate. Cool, I love more options and it sounds like it's real competition where they improved on various aspects.
  • 2 1
 @bicycle019: My first impression was, "This looks just like Chromag." And no one has said it doesn't, they just say, "well other companies have similar features." Ok fine, my first impression was it looks like Chromag and maybe it was just a spin-off. That's fair considering the how visually similar they are. How is that shitting on them? They are both from the lower mainland, and they look uncannily similar. I was genuinely curious if there was a connection, not throwing shade. That really ruffled some feathers.
  • 4 0
 Really nice colour jersey, love the purple. Can I get one without a massive logo on the back?
  • 3 1
 Those knee pads look perfect. I’m going to order a pair for myself and wife. Anybody have any input on sizing? Size chart accurate?
  • 4 0
 @torro86 The sizing chart is accurate and there is a fit reference to other popular knee pads in the article.
  • 4 0
 Don't worry y'all, the prices are in maple syrup!
  • 8 0
 Hey past me, that's still $84 for a tee shirt.
  • 1 0
 @therealnobody: I guarantee after a long day it’s going to feel very different than a $5 Walmart tshirt.
  • 3 0
 @pisgahgnar: at the end of the day any shirt I've been riding ends up feeling the same way; wet, salty and a little gross! Im not advocating $5 shirts, Walmart, nor disposable clothes. I am certainly though, balking at $84 tee shirts.
  • 1 0
 @pisgahgnar: an addendum: this brand is less than a year old. How did the start up in your area do with the $80 tee shirts? Are the lights on in the building? Just sayin'
  • 2 2
 My spouse had the full line up, she’s over the moon with all the gear. Historically would wear fox or TLD but she’s a convert!

Great quality and environmental initiatives, and pricing is on par with big brands that aren’t paying attention to as many details.
  • 5 2
 $100 for a t shirt and $175 for a pair of shorts..... thanks but no thanks.
  • 1 0
 That’s the price in timbits
  • 1 1
 i'm in India right now and the same cloth tshirt with no brand costs $3-7
  • 2 1
 At the end of the leg cuff, the stitching didn’t cause any iteration when pedalling without knee pads either.
Iteration to irritation?
  • 2 0
 Im super happy with my pants and always grab them over my leatts or foxs, time for some shorts!
  • 3 4
 Thanks to some internet tips, just tried the Decathlon jogger-style MH 500 hiking pants and love them as a light MTB pant. They won't replace burly MTB pants for shuttling or park, but for pedal rides in warmer weather very impressed for $55 CAD. www.decathlon.ca/en/p/8678188/mens-hiking-pants-mh-500-khaki
  • 1 1
 Are the people who created Akta use to work for NF? Because their kneepads look exactly like the prototype NF pads which never saw production and now NF just use the 7idp Sam Hill pads.

Also what does Akta mean?
  • 2 1
 CE2 level pads in the Raphas and Fasthouse Hoopers. If these are only level 1 then you’re wasting money out of national pride or Walmart disdain.
  • 3 0
 They look pretty good !
  • 1 0
 I'm definetly getting some of those pads to replace my crusty old race face ambush.
  • 3 2
 What a shame the pants and shorts lack Universal Belt Loop Technology.
  • 1 0
 would like a look at the pad 3do insert's perforations for ventilation
  • 2 1
 It's the same d 30 insert as 900 other brands.
  • 3 0
 Head to our website, we show images on the D3O pad on the product page.
  • 1 1
 Looks like the very-standard LP1 model that's used in every D3O knee pad I've ever seen, google it
  • 6 5
 I wouldn't wear this in sweden because akta means "watch out"
  • 12 1
 Sounds like more reason to wear it! Haha
  • 1 0
 Hey look it’s a bear in the woods
  • 1 1
 Knee pads look decent... but where are the matching elbow pads... I cant have a mis-matched setup?
  • 1 0
 Limited lifetime warranty-well ya, our riding years are limited.
  • 1 0
 Over $500 for pants, jersey, gloves, and knee pads. Just, wow!
  • 1 0
 Sick Designs, Sick Colors, Good People!
  • 1 0
 Akta deg for vargen!
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