Norman MTB Bamboo Gravity Jersey & Merino-Edge Tech Tee – Review

Aussie clothing brand Norman are based out of the Snowy Mountains and make ethical gear for a different kind of rider. Tim and Alissa took their Merino-Edge Tech Tee and Bamboo Gravity Jersey out for a spin.

Founded in the Snowy Mountains of NSW by keen riders, Norman speaks to a different side of mountain biking culture.

The brand is working towards becoming certified carbon neutral and an ongoing partnership with our friends Keep It Cool, sees a native tree planted in the Snowies with every purchase.

Alissa threw on the long-sleeved Bamboo Gravity Jersey while Tim took out the Merino-Edge Tech Tee. Here’s what they thought.

Women’s Bamboo Gravity Jersey

I tested out the long sleeve Bamboo Gravity Jersey for two reasons.

One: Few of Tasmania’s trails are exposed to the sun, most are within forested areas and get a bit cold, especially when you’re zooming through the trails.

Two: When hitting through the trails, I often take a few *calculated* risks and end up off of my bike every now and again, so having long sleeves covers more of my skin from the potential crash. Simple as that!

Read more: Learn to Mountain Bike Without Breaking Yourself

Aesthetics

The Gravity Jersey fits incredibly well and doesn’t just hang off of me. It didn’t ride up with any downhill trails and fit true to size even with elbow pads underneath. It’s more fitted than some of my other jerseys so if you’re debating on size, I recommend sizing up.

Unlike many other brands in the mountain bike scene, the logos are very subtle and you could definitely wear this for a pub meal afterwards without anyone knowing you’d been on the trails (except for the mud covering it as a dead giveaway). But in all seriousness, it’s really nice to have a plain jersey that isn’t decked in florals or other bold patterns.

Comfort & Materials

This jersey feels incredible from the second you put it on. It does feel quite lightweight, I worried it wouldn’t be quite warm enough for Tassie winter, but to my surprise it was great for regulating my temperature, thank you bamboo!

From climbing trails on a late arvo ride to quick laps of the skills park, the jersey kept me super comfortable to keep going back for more laps without noticing any smell after a big day of riding.

Durability & Performance

I may (or may not have) taken a slide while trying out a wall ride feature at the Meehan skills park for the first time. I shredded a bit of the sleeve as I landed on the gravel ground, but it just adds some character to the jersey, still fully intact!

There’s a small pocket on the left wrist which is perfect for a physical pass if you’re using a gondola, I could scan right through the fabric! Otherwise this pocket is great for storing keys or a few cheeky sour lollies to keep morale high when climbing and a pocket along the right that sits on your back to store a seasons pass, mask for shuttling, a stuffable windbreaker, or any other goodies you need or want on you.

Price

The price is definitely on the higher side when it comes to the cost of jerseys, but as it’s been designed and made in Australia, with the fabrics manufactured in either Australia, the US, or Canada, the price reflects this.

If you’re enjoying lots of climbing or flowy laps and not falling off of your bike, they’re definitely a great option to regulate heat.

Men’s Merino-Edge Tech Tee

I couldn’t go past the bright mustard-coloured merino tee when I was choosing what to review. You’re telling me mountain bike jerseys are allowed to look like that? I thought skulls, clashing patterns and long sleeves were a prerequisite. Let’s go!

Aesthetics

Aside from the beaut colour (it also comes in forest green), the Merino-Edge Tech Tee fits like a nicely cut t-shirt. It’s simple, with two small logo tags and one rear pocket with a white zipper, which I personally think should be black to keep things subtle.

The pocket is great for a lift pass, or a really small item like a key. Although it can (just) fit my iPhone 11, it’s a stretch at best and weighs the shirt down. After smashing my phone while mountain biking in NZ, I now always store it in the small of my back. If I land hard there, I’ve probably got other problems.

Comfort & Materials

Merino is wool, and therefore the first feeling I got was a slight itch. However as with all merino tech clothing, you get used to this pretty quickly. Somehow the shirt feels simultaneously thick and light, it’s a really nice feeling to be honest. It breathes very well, but doesn’t freeze you with wetness once you stop. Most importantly, the merino’s natural anti-odour properties work like a charm and it’s good for back-to-back days on the trail.

The natural fibres are all certified-organic and the shirt is completely biodegradable (not sure about the tags), which fits nicely with Norman’s ethical and environmentally friendly approach.

Durability & Performance

Performance chat can only go so far when talking about a tee, and in the ‘on-bike’ category the Merino-Edge Tech Tee is ticking all the boxes.

In the off-bike category, we start to see a divide form. In the pub, car on the way to the trail or even at my desk as I write this, it excels. (Yep, it’s so comfy I wear it at home, just like the shorts).

However in the off bike-crashing category, its durability threw up some questions. I went down hard on my right hand side and while the shorts look brand new, I can’t say the same for the shirt. Granted, I landed fast on a rough gravelly surface, but a smattering of small holes from my shoulder to butt have me questioning the durability of merino for more aggressive riding.

Price

At $99.95, the Merino-Edge Tech Tee is competing with some other similarly priced merino tees that aren’t pitched specifically for mountain biking. It’s a great tee, but beyond the little lift pass pocket there aren’t really any features. I think I’m going to use the shirt for more cross country and gravel riding in the future, as I reckon that’s where it excels, but other shirts could do this.

It’s worth noting that Norman are pushing for carbon neutrality, creating gear locally and planting native trees with Keep It Cool. None of that comes cheap, so with that in mind, the price is quite fair.