We’ve recently been spending some time riding in the POC Resistance Pro line Jersey, Shorts, & Gloves. Hailing from Sweden, POC has made a huge impression industry wide in the world of protection and helmets, yet we don’t see too many people wearing their apparel on our local trails, so we figured it’d be nice to give some of their gear a try. When we first unboxed the product, the attention to detail, from packaging, to fabric, was immediately noticeable. We’ve been riding in this kit for a few months now, read on to see how it fared on the trails…
Starting up top we tested the Resistance Pro Enduro LS Jersey. Tech Specs below.
Technical Features
- Reinforced patches on the sleeve
- Velcro resistant fabrics
- Lower jersey fabric DWR treated
- Reflective label
- Armpit mesh for ventilation
- Optimized to fit with elbow pad
- Full length front zip
SIZES: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
COMPOSITION:
Main fabric: 72% PoLyamide, 28% Elastane.
Back: 88% Polyester, 12% Elastane.
Reinforcement: 100% Polyamide cordura®.
WEIGHT: 279 g
Riding Impressions
The Resistance Jersey has a soft feel to it, almost so that you forget it’s there for the most part. That said, ever present in feeling, are the patches of Cordura fabric along each arm. POC states that the “Cordura reinforced patches on the sleeves are for abrasion resistance and some crash protection” which makes sense to us, though we just didn’t encounter a situation that we needed them. The lower part of the jersey features a DWR water repellent coating, which is helpful, as we didn’t get all that wet riding in the rain, or after smashing through a few puddles and creek crossings. The fit for a size medium felt a bit on the small size to us, especially the length of the jersey. In comparison to the Resistance shorts we tested, due to the fit, and zippered front, the jersey felt a bit closer to the XC/trail side, as opposed to the claimed ‘Enduro’ use.
Working our way down, the Resistance Pro Enduro Shorts were our next focus. Tech specs below.
Technical Features
- Enduro specific MTB shorts with pre- shaped fit
- Pre bent with longer knee length for use with knee pads
- Reinforced patches for improved abrasion and tear resistance
- Fully lined with a combination of mesh and velcro resistant fabrics
- Constructed with durable, stretch nylon fabric which has good water repellency
- Strategically placed inseams to enhance riding comfort and eliminate chaffing
- Side pockets with zipper
- Soft brushed fabric inside waist band for comfort and good moisture management
SIZES: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
COMPOSITION: Main fabric: 95% Polyamide, 5% Spandex. Lining: 100% Polyester.
Riding Impressions
The Resistance Pro Shorts are built from a stretch nylon fabric that reminds us of a more heavy duty pair of board shorts. The water repellent fabric remained really breathable and never got weighed down, regardless of conditions. The front of the shorts have reinforced patches for crashes and wear, which we found to be helpful in a few incidents. With two well placed zippered and sizable pockets we always felt we had sufficient room for keys, phone, and a snack, therefore saving us from needing a pack. A built in cinch style belt with a plastic hook style buckle was also a welcome feature, and more of a quality option for keeping things around the waist snug, as opposed to built in velcro or standard belt loops. The inseams and cut of the shorts is spot on, and the size medium was a perfect fit. A notable feature of the shorts, was the longer front length to cover knee pads, and a curved shorter length in the rear that ensures snare free pedaling. These have been some our favorite shorts to date, and we feel they could be used for light downhill riding as well as enduro.
We opted to try the XC version of the Resistance glove, as we prefer a thin palm and simple top layer. Tech specs below.
Technical Features
BACKSIDE: 100% Polyester
REINFORCEMENT: 93% Polyamide Cordura®, 7% Elastane.
THUMB: 100% Polyester.
PALM: 60% Polyamide, 10% Polyurethane
WEIGHT 43 g
Riding Impressions
The Resistance Pro XC gloves felt quite thin and light weight when we first tried them on. We ordered a size small, which proved to be a tight fit, but due to the stretch of the fabric was eventually the perfect size. Having been more skeptical in regard to quality of gloves than any other apparel item in the past, this pair didn’t initially blow our minds. Our biggest gripe when it comes to gloves is the quality of the fabric and stitching, and thus how that translates into longevity of the product. Typically with the most recent pairs we’ve ridden, they start to show signs of coming apart after a month of riding, especially if there’s any off bike work being done such as trail building. After using the Resistance Pro XC gloves for two months now, including shovel work, and a few washes, we’re extremely impressed with the quality of construction. The rubber dots on the fingers have worn down a bit, but we’re not too worried about that. The thumbs feature a reinforced cross stitch pattern that seemed to really help with wear and tear. The fabric on top of the gloves looks new still, and has proved to be comfortable and breathable. The palm is equally comfortable, and with small circular perforations, never seemed to get overly sweaty.
Final Thoughts
The POC Resistance Pro line is undoubtedly a very well thought out group of products, featuring quality fabrics and construction. We’re fond of the relatively simple graphics and design, proving you could stop in at the store on the way home from riding and not be to ashamed of your attire. We’ll likely continue to ride in the shorts and gloves, and save the jersey for cold mornings, long rides, or wet weather. If you’re accustomed to a more casual look and fit like us, trying out a Resistance DH jersey may be the way to go.
