Sombrio Disciple Jersey

Review by Johan Hjord // Photos by Tal Rozow and Johan Hjord

Sombrio has been a staple of the all mountain and freeride scene for many years, but despite the popularity of the gear, the brand ran into financial trouble a couple of seasons ago. Now back in business under new ownership and set to pick up where they left off, Sombrio kit is once again on the shelves. Drawn in by the black and pink get up reportedly designed for Darren Berrecloth himself, we wasted no time putting it to the test. Read on to see how we got on.

Sombrio Pinner Short Highlights

• Ultra durable 4-way stretch fabric with DWR finish and soft inner face
• Durable anti stink, wicking & abrasion resistant pocket liners
• Sturdy seam construction & bar tack stitching throughout stress zones
• Seamless crotch panel design
• Locking zip fly with hollow pop snap & VELCRO secure
• Mesh lined zippered thigh vents
• Front & back zippered pockets + one with lift pass retention cord
• Adjustable waistband retention system
• MSRP: $120 USD

Sombrio Disciple ¾ Jersey Highlights

• Silk screen graphics | SHUTTLE print
• Multi panel 3/4 sleeve design
• Wicking finish
• Drop back hem
• MSRP: $60 USD

Initial Impressions

When we first laid eyes on the new gear, we knew we had to have that black and pink jersey. Such a departure from the stylistic MTB norm had to be celebrated, and if The Claw rocks it, so will we. The kit showed up looking every bit as fresh as we had hoped for, the “silk screen graphics” are sharp and really pop off the fabric. The short is distinctly stealthier, but then it would have to be, there are only so many colors that will mix with that pink. Note that there are 2 other color options available for the jersey, and 1 other choice for the short should you feel less adventurous.

The Pinner short and Disciple jersey are heavy duty items intended for aggressive riders who like to spend long days in the woods digging, riding, and hanging out. Born on the North Shore, the materials chosen for both short and jersey are of the sturdy variety, and the DWR coating on the short speaks to wet climate design origins. There is no shortage of features on the short either, with 3 zippered cargo pockets, 2 zippered vents, Velcro-reinforced button fly closure, elastic waist adjusters, and even a lift pass leash hidden in one of the front pockets. The short lacks a liner, instead the material employed features a soft, almost fleece-like inner face.

Like any self-respecting freeride jersey, the Disciple features a ¾ sleeve cut, with colored accents at the extremities. Flat lock stitching is used throughout to avoid chafing, but the jersey lacks any kind of extras like pockets or a goggle wipe. Both the short and the jersey inspired us with attention to detail and a high level of finish, and with that said, it was about time to go out and get it dirty.

On The Trail

The Pinner short runs slightly big, and because of the 4-way stretch material, it will also accommodate any post-ride culinary extravaganzas you might feel entitled to after spending your day playing in the mountains. With regards to sizing, the short runs big - we had to cinch it down a bit using the waist adjusters, and this tester typically fits snugly in a size L. The Disciple jersey is spot on both in size and in regards to the cut, with just enough room for armor if you want it, and an extended hem in the rear to insure against any outbreaks of builder’s bum.

Both the short and the jersey are very comfortable on the skin. The short doesn’t feature any kind of liner, so a padded chamois is a smart addition for longer days in the saddle. The jersey is made from a fairly tightly woven fabric, which is super soft on the skin, and also wicks away moisture fairly well. Testing in 35 degrees Celsius quickly found the limits of this kit, but then again, when the mercury hits the stratosphere, you should already be heading to the beach anyway.

The ¾ sleeve cut of the jersey is a great feature. It leaves your hands feeling free, but it still covers your arms and protects against the shrubbery. It may take a little getting used to the first time you try one on, but we’ve been fans of this design for a long time, and the Disciple jersey delivers. Additionally, it’s cut just like we like it, slightly roomy but tight enough around the mid-section to not flap around – helped in this regard by the strategically aligned 2-way stretch fabric.

The short is coated with DWR which helps it shed water very efficiently. The fabric doesn’t soak up much moisture, which means it won’t cling to your legs when wet, and it also dries up quickly to be ready for your next ride. We’ve exerted ourselves plenty in the Pinner short, and it comes out of each wash cycle looking fresh and clean – the same is true of the jersey.

There are plenty of storage options available in the short. The 3 zippered cargo pockets are roomy, and will allow you to stash away quite a few items. Because of the stretchy quality of the fabric, pocketed items are held securely in place without bouncing around. There is no dedicated media pocket, but riding with a phone in either of the front pockets didn’t bother us. The zippered vents are also a welcome addition on hot days.

Things That Could Be Improved

The Pinner short is well-built and it is up for whatever abuse you can dish out. It is comfortable, but we found the cut to be less than ideal in regards to the waist and crotch area.

In our opinion, the inseam should be made longer and the waist lower. As it currently stands, the short tends to ride a bit low, which leaves it too baggy and exposes it to snagging on the saddle (mainly when mounting or dismounting the bike). If you are at the upper end of each sizing bracket or if you have proportionally shorter inseam you may have less of an issue than this tester did. At $120 MSRP, we should also point out that a number of other options out there will include a padded liner of some description.

The Disciple jersey is not the best choice for really hot days, but it was made for the rigors of the North Shore so this is fully in line with the design brief. At $60, some might ask for extra features like a goggle wipe, but all in all, the jersey is a quality item and it certainly delivers value for money.

Long Term Durability

We’ve been riding with the Pinner Short and the Disciple jersey for close to 2 months, with plenty of long days in the saddle and some extracurricular digging activities thrown in for good measure. There are absolutely no signs of premature wear, neither with regards to the stitching nor the fabrics. Both items still look very fresh and the colors are still vivid. The materials chosen are sturdy, and we would definitely expect this kit to be able to withstand a hard season of riding and to come back asking for more.

What’s The Bottom Line?

If your idea of a good time involves riding hard, digging trail, and hanging out with your buddies no matter what the conditions, the Pinner Short and Disciple jersey are well worthy of your attention. Both items are comfortable, functional, and look great. The cut of the short is perfectible, so make sure it is right for your body shape, but other than that, the only question that remains is whether or not you are man enough to rock the pink?

More information at www.sombriocartel.com.

About The Reviewer

Johan Hjord loves bikes, which strangely doesn’t make him any better at riding them. After many years spent practicing falling off cliffs with his snowboard, he took up mountain biking in 2005. Ever since, he’s mostly been riding bikes with too much suspension travel to cover up his many flaws as a rider. His 200-pound body weight coupled with unique skill for poor line choice and clumsy landings make him an expert on durability - if parts survive Johan, they’re pretty much okay for anybody. Johan rides flat pedals with a riding style that he describes as "none" (when in actuality he rips!). Having found most trail features to be not to his liking, Johan uses much of his spare time building his own. Johan’s other accomplishments include surviving this far and helping keep the Vital Media Machine’s stoke dial firmly on 11.