Kit Information
There are a few critical things to know.
- A team jersey is required to race with the team (NICA rules)
- There is one main order each season
- We are doing a substantial kit redesign for 2023 so you're going to need a new kit.
- There is often (but not always) a re-order in mid-January
2023 Voler Order
Here is the link for this year’s order
https://www.voler.com/custom/ordering/li/44886
The deadline for the order is 12/19/2022
Items will be shipped directly to you starting sometime the week of February 3rd 2023, just in time for the first race
We will have “Fit Kits” the first couple of weeks in December so you can find out your size and check out different types of jerseys. Stop by some time and try on a kit!
https://www.voler.com/custom/ordering/li/44886
The deadline for the order is 12/19/2022
Items will be shipped directly to you starting sometime the week of February 3rd 2023, just in time for the first race
We will have “Fit Kits” the first couple of weeks in December so you can find out your size and check out different types of jerseys. Stop by some time and try on a kit!
2023 Voler Re-Order
We may or may not do a re-order this year. if we do, you won't get your stuff until the season is almost over, so don't count on it!
Kit Cost
Voler sponsors us with a NICA discount, which helps keep the cost down. A basic kit (jersey and bib shorts) usually costs about $180. How much it costs exactly depends on what exactly you order. The prices in the Voler custom order link reflect the discount.
Just the Basics
When you look at the order website, there are a lot of choices! The most common order is:
1) Pro Jersey, race cut, with no "extras". Pro Tip - don't check the "national champion" box unless you actually are one!
2) Pro Bib Shorts, with the basic pad
3) a LOT of people get a Wind Jacket too! For about $70 they're very sharp and super useful.
1) Pro Jersey, race cut, with no "extras". Pro Tip - don't check the "national champion" box unless you actually are one!
2) Pro Bib Shorts, with the basic pad
3) a LOT of people get a Wind Jacket too! For about $70 they're very sharp and super useful.
Finding Your Size
We normally get a “fit kit” from Voler for a couple of weeks in late November or early December for you to try things on in person. Also here are the descriptions of the latest styles offered in the Voler Custom Product Catalog, that can help a lot, as well as Voler's sizing charts.
What do the kits look like? WE DON'T KNOW YET!
We are substantially changing our kits for 2023, and we haven't finalized the design yet. Here are some pictures of our 2019 kits for reference. Yes, we still have pink team socks available for $10 a pair, and won't be changing the sock design for 2023.
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What does the Trail Jersey look like? ALSO UNKNOWN
Again, we're doing a substantial redesign for 2023. As in past years, the trail jersey will be different from the race kit, intended to look great with baggies for fun rides. You can’t use it for races though, it’s too different from the regular kit.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything else that you might want to know about kits.
Do I need a full kit?
At a minimum you need a team jersey to race with the team (if there are races this year), so you don’t technically need the matching shorts or bibs. While there will always be a few racers out there in baggies or plain black shorts, most of the other riders on our team and on other teams will have the full kit. It is more comfortable and it looks really sharp. Let us know if the kit cost is an issue for you, we have some funding available to help.
Can I use last year’s kit?
Most years you can, but this year it will be so different that it's not really going to work. We also like you to be wearing the current sponsors, and we've had some important sponsor changes this year. Plus last years stuff will always look faded and worn compared to a new kit. Also, it’s really smart to have a second kit in case something happens to one of them. Most kids wear their prior year's kits to practices and race in the new kit. Let us know if kit cost is an issue for you.
Can I race in the Trail Jersey?
Nope. It’s missing most of the sponsors, and looks pretty different from the regular jerseys. If you want the full “loose fit” look, get an pro jersey that's a size too big and some baggies. Lots of kids have done that successfully and looked great.
What about a jacket or vest?
We’ve ordered the wind jacket, the thermal jacket, and the rain jacket before. I highly recommend the wind jackets, they don't cost much, look really good, and everyone who gets one gets a ton of use out of them. They are often just right in that you can easily stick it in your back pocket for the ride up, and it is just the thing on the ride down. I don’t particularly recommend the rain jacket, the ones we got just ended up sitting around mostly unused. The thermal jackets are nice, but really only got used in January, and only by those who have a harder time keeping warm.
What’s the difference between a “Velocity” jersey and a “Pro” jersey?
We will have fit kits for both in late November or early December - come check them out and see for yourself! Most kids get the Pro jerseys, but some of us have been using the Velocity jerseys for cyclocross and we really like them. Velocity is thinner/cooler and generally tighter fitting and stretchier. So the Velocity fit is a little more "pro race", and generally popular with the faster racers.
Bibs or Shorts?
For boys, bibs are highly recommended for comfort and speed. Shorts are too constricting and they actually slow you down as a result. For girls, the tradeoffs are a little different because many girls find that the shorts aren’t that constricting, so most girls opt for the shorts because they’re a lot more convenient - with bibs, you have to take off your shirt to take off your pants and this can be a real pain when visiting the porta-potties at races. However, if you want the best for comfort and speed bibs are still the way to go, and most serious women racers use bibs.
Tight or loose fit?
Roadies always have the tightest most aero fit possible. General MTB culture tends to opt for baggies and loose fitting shirts. Cross Country MTB racers are a bit of a mix, but at NorCal the trend is clear - speed is king and the faster the racer is, the tighter they like their kit to fit. Having said that, loose bibs/shorts have significant challenges for racers - they are not as cool (temperature) or comfortable and can snag on your seat during an emergency dismount/remount.
Can I get a Velocity Suit (aka skinsuit)?
Yes you can. Some of the fastest racers opt for a one piece Velocity Suit for comfort and fit. There is no such thing as snagging your jersey on your seat in one of these. They’re not to most common type of kit even at NorCal, but if the fastest racers are choosing them there is a reason for it. If you're racing at the top, you should at least consider it. If you're racing Varsity, you probably already own one or two.
Do Middle Schoolers need a kit?
The rules may be a little more lax this year for middle schoolers vs high schoolers, but if you think you want to race, you should at least get a jersey. Also if you're riding practices with us you'll want cycling clothes and these are popular among people riding with the team! Also, if you plan to race Sea Otter or CCCX races, a lot of the middle schoolers who ride with us race in a Black Mountain kit at these events. Plus, they look sharp!
Do I need a full kit?
At a minimum you need a team jersey to race with the team (if there are races this year), so you don’t technically need the matching shorts or bibs. While there will always be a few racers out there in baggies or plain black shorts, most of the other riders on our team and on other teams will have the full kit. It is more comfortable and it looks really sharp. Let us know if the kit cost is an issue for you, we have some funding available to help.
Can I use last year’s kit?
Most years you can, but this year it will be so different that it's not really going to work. We also like you to be wearing the current sponsors, and we've had some important sponsor changes this year. Plus last years stuff will always look faded and worn compared to a new kit. Also, it’s really smart to have a second kit in case something happens to one of them. Most kids wear their prior year's kits to practices and race in the new kit. Let us know if kit cost is an issue for you.
Can I race in the Trail Jersey?
Nope. It’s missing most of the sponsors, and looks pretty different from the regular jerseys. If you want the full “loose fit” look, get an pro jersey that's a size too big and some baggies. Lots of kids have done that successfully and looked great.
What about a jacket or vest?
We’ve ordered the wind jacket, the thermal jacket, and the rain jacket before. I highly recommend the wind jackets, they don't cost much, look really good, and everyone who gets one gets a ton of use out of them. They are often just right in that you can easily stick it in your back pocket for the ride up, and it is just the thing on the ride down. I don’t particularly recommend the rain jacket, the ones we got just ended up sitting around mostly unused. The thermal jackets are nice, but really only got used in January, and only by those who have a harder time keeping warm.
What’s the difference between a “Velocity” jersey and a “Pro” jersey?
We will have fit kits for both in late November or early December - come check them out and see for yourself! Most kids get the Pro jerseys, but some of us have been using the Velocity jerseys for cyclocross and we really like them. Velocity is thinner/cooler and generally tighter fitting and stretchier. So the Velocity fit is a little more "pro race", and generally popular with the faster racers.
Bibs or Shorts?
For boys, bibs are highly recommended for comfort and speed. Shorts are too constricting and they actually slow you down as a result. For girls, the tradeoffs are a little different because many girls find that the shorts aren’t that constricting, so most girls opt for the shorts because they’re a lot more convenient - with bibs, you have to take off your shirt to take off your pants and this can be a real pain when visiting the porta-potties at races. However, if you want the best for comfort and speed bibs are still the way to go, and most serious women racers use bibs.
Tight or loose fit?
Roadies always have the tightest most aero fit possible. General MTB culture tends to opt for baggies and loose fitting shirts. Cross Country MTB racers are a bit of a mix, but at NorCal the trend is clear - speed is king and the faster the racer is, the tighter they like their kit to fit. Having said that, loose bibs/shorts have significant challenges for racers - they are not as cool (temperature) or comfortable and can snag on your seat during an emergency dismount/remount.
Can I get a Velocity Suit (aka skinsuit)?
Yes you can. Some of the fastest racers opt for a one piece Velocity Suit for comfort and fit. There is no such thing as snagging your jersey on your seat in one of these. They’re not to most common type of kit even at NorCal, but if the fastest racers are choosing them there is a reason for it. If you're racing at the top, you should at least consider it. If you're racing Varsity, you probably already own one or two.
Do Middle Schoolers need a kit?
The rules may be a little more lax this year for middle schoolers vs high schoolers, but if you think you want to race, you should at least get a jersey. Also if you're riding practices with us you'll want cycling clothes and these are popular among people riding with the team! Also, if you plan to race Sea Otter or CCCX races, a lot of the middle schoolers who ride with us race in a Black Mountain kit at these events. Plus, they look sharp!
