We first set eyes on new clothing brand Intrepid Apparel at the Cycle Show in September – now we’ve had a selection of their kit arrive at Bikemagic for closer inspection.

Ultimate MTB Softshell Jacket – £135

The Ultimate MTB Softshell Jacket is Intrepid’s signature piece, retailing at £135. There are clothing brands popping up all the time so it takes something special to stand out from the crowd. Although this jacket is simple on the face of it, the beauty is in the detail.

The jacket is designed for winter riding but feels quite thin when you pick it up. We like that, however, as it means you can have it as an outer shell which isn’t restrictive when riding, but there’s a toasty fleece lining and you can layer-up underneath. After all, that’s the key to staying warm in winter.

Neat features include a generously sized rear pocket, plus an additional pocket on the left forearm. This is a jacket designed for riding, so there’s a dropped tail, plus reinforced and ergonomically designed sleeves.

It’s a real looker, too, with Intrepid’s signature green providing a splash of colour. Being mountain bikers themselves, Intrepid are nuts about the environment they ride in, and that comes across in the company’s logo, and the subtle tree images dotted around the jacket.  And we love the contrast of the white zip. On that note, all the zips are chunky so they’re easy to open when wearing gloves.

Mission Shorts – £79

Two pairs of shorts feature in Intrepid’s first range; these are the Mission Shorts, while the downhill-specific Campaign Shorts are also available.

But back to the Mission Shorts. Two colours are on offer – black and green – and the chequered styling is similar to what we’ve seen from snowboarding brands. It might not be to everyone’s tastes but it’s good to see something different.

These shorts are designed with versatility in mind, made from a lightweight and durable stretch fabric suitable whether riding cross-country or downhill. The shorts are held up by a chunky zip and two poppers, with two ratchet waistband adjusters allowing you to find the perfect fit.

The pockets are fleece lined and there is a zipped mesh vent on either panel to let air in when riding hard, while Intrepid say the fleecy waistband is designed to be fast wicking. There’s also a small pocket at the rear.

Classic Race Jersey – £59

The Classic Race Jersey (available in white or black) is, as the name suggests, for racing; or at least riding quickly. As a result, it’s made from a fast wicking, quick drying and breathable fabric.

Intrepid’s downhill flavour comes to the fore in the shape of a lift pass pocket on the left forearm, while there are thumb loops on either cuff. A taped neck and flat lock seams ensure the jersey sits comfortably next to the skin.

The styling is distinctive, with Intrepid’s logo splashed across the front of the jersey. It’s big, and may not be to everyone’s taste, but proudly Intrepid.

See www.intrepidapparel.co.uk for more.