Backcountry.com Newsletter Articles

After graduating college in Maine, Rob Wykoff decided he wanted to be closer to the mountains. He packed up everything and moved to Jackson Hole where he spent more than three years skiing all winter and riding bikes all summer. He claims that moving West was the best thing he’s ever done, but he couldn’t sit still. Looking for a new challenge, Rob moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, where he had access to even more skiing and mountain biking—not to mention landing a job at Backcountry.com. Now working as the LiveHelp Manager, Rob trains the Gearheads that you chat with when you need help picking out some new goodies for your own personal gear closet.

We asked Rob to pick his five favorite pieces of gear. Judging from his responses it seems pretty clear that his mind has officially made the switch to bike mode.

The Sidi Dominator 5 is the best mountain bike shoe I’ve ever owned. Even after seven seasons of abuse, the burly ratchet straps continue to provide me with a perfect fit whether I’m banging out a long XC ride or opening it up on Deer Valley’s freeride trails. The composite shank gives me a stiff and solid platform while I’m clipped in, and if I need to scramble up an über-steep section of trail, the sole provides enough traction to take care of business. When it finally comes time to buy a new pair of MTB shoes, the decision will be simple—I’ll get another pair of Sidi Dominators. My Crank Brothers Candy Sl Pedals have really impressed me. They are simple to get in and out of, never get clogged with mud, and give me just enough of a platform to use in those sketchy situations when I don’t want to clip in. For anyone looking for a clipless pedal that can do everything from cruising around the neighborhood to getting after it on the trails, I highly recommend the Candy Sl. The Fox Racing High Frequency Bike Shorts are my go-to shorts whenever I’m heading out for a pedal. The reason I like these shorts so much is because of their versatility. They’re baggy enough to allow me full range of movement without being so big that they get in my way. The chamois liner is crucial for the longer cross-country rides, and the zippered leg vents always come in handy when the temperature rises. And when it’s time to kick back with friends after a ride, I’m not scrambling to find shorts to cover up my neon spandex. The CamelBak Mayhem Hydration Pack has all the bases covered. If I’m in Boulder City, Nevada, riding Bootleg Canyon’s downhill trails, the Mayhem has plenty of room to store my downhill pads, full-face Giro Remedy helmet, camera, snacks, and water. While it has plenty of room for all my DH gear, the Mayhem compresses down to the size of the average CamelBak for XC rides where keeping things light and compact is my first priority. The Giro Hex Helmet protects my noggin when I bail, and it offers as much breathability as it does protection. I’m also a fan of the low-profile design and customizable fit. As someone who spends a ton of time on my bike, fit and comfort are especially important to me. Giro’s Roc-Loc system is easy to use and really enables me to get a tight and comfortable fit. I’d recommend the Giro Hex to anyone looking for a protective, comfortable and good looking helmet.