Shim Slade
Shim first discovered MTBs when she moved to Bath in the mid-nineties and has been making up for lost time ever since. She started working on Mountain Biking UK nearly 20 years ago and also counts What Mountain Bike, Cycling Plus, Off-road.cc and Bikeradar among the bike-related magazines and websites she's written for. She loves exploring technical singletrack, has ridden England, Wales and Scotland C2Cs and gets out in the Quantocks and the Black Mountains as often as possible. Other regular riding destinations are the Lake and the Peak Districts, and an MTB holiday in India is her most memorable, partly for its uber-steep tech. The odd trip to the Forest of Dean and Bike Park Wales inspires her to get wheels off the ground, but that’s a work in progress, helped by coaching with Rach at Pro Ride and formerly Pedal Progression.
Latest articles by Shim Slade
![Front full-length view of blue Rab women's Crank riding trousers](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pSG6EgVSRCAYJxfADb8tVC-320-80.jpg)
Rab Cinder Crank Pants review – extremely comfortable, lightweight riding trousers
By Shim Slade published
Review Rab's quality biking pants are well designed and made, with plenty of features
![Grid layout of pants](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jg9oQyso8b5G8jcsUaKwx7-320-80.jpg)
Best women's padded underwear for cycling 2024 – top options to keep you riding in comfort
By Shim Slade last updated
Buyer's Guide Our expert pick of ladies’ padded biking liner shorts for all seasons
![Endura Women's SingleTrack S/S jersey being worn by a rider in a field](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6dGeJxvFRHQasaFLrh5DJW-320-80.jpg)
Endura Women's SingleTrack S/S jersey review – a Scottish take on a technical tee
By Shim Slade published
Review In a crowded market, what sets Endura's SingleTrack short-sleeve top apart?
![Endura Women's Hummvee shorts](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WxxGbydCA8DCPCywSe3jfP-320-80.jpg)
Endura Women's Hummvee shorts review – classic baggies still going strong
By Shim Slade published
Review These great-value shorts with an old-school design include a quality liner and will last a lifetime
![Endura Women's SingleTrack Tank Top being worn outside near a trail](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HckHJXQwC7WLJ2ZCdD7Ssd-320-80.jpg)
Endura Women's SingleTrack Tank Top review – perfect for those hot sunny days
By Shim Slade published
review Endura's sleeveless jersey is super-comfortable and cool with a spot-on design
![Woman in waterproof jacket by gate with field of sheep behind](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZJiMEzE4HtLNEeJ5dxiKAM-320-80.jpg)
Rab Cinder Downpour Light Waterproof Jacket review – a super summer shell
By Shim Slade published
Review Waterproof, breathable, packable and well-featured, Rab's lightweight Cinder Downpour jacket ticks all the boxes
![Rapha Trail GORE-TEX Pants](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/utu2B6VWj58aWgbn9yGCsj-320-80.jpg)
Rapha Women's Trail Gore-Tex Pants review – properly waterproof trousers built for abuse
By Shim Slade published
Review Rapha's wet-weather pants are spendy but super-breathable as well as waterproof and versatile
![Endura SingleTrack Leggings](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yRAjpafuZP9a7aQT6TGw9j-320-80.jpg)
Endura Women's SingleTrack Leggings review – versatile, compressive and flattering tights
By Shim Slade published
Review Designed for multiple uses, Endura's new SingleTrack leggings are for ladies only and boast pockets galore
![A female tester wearing the Rab Ascendor Light Hoody](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/y9RPgUQ48WRUL4LrEdVaE9-320-80.jpeg)
Rab Ascendor Light Hoody review – the perfect layer for year-round riding
By Shim Slade published
Review Need a warm yet lightweight technical top that’s fast-wicking and breathable? Look no further than Rab’s Ascendor Light Hoody
![Endura SingleTrack Jacket II women's](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mq3MovLXtXqbncMtCJPWhX-320-80.jpeg)
Endura SingleTrack Jacket II review – a properly protective waterproof
By Shim Slade published
review If you need a winter waterproof you can depend on to keep you dry, check out Endura’s SingleTrack Jacket II
![Endura MT500 Freezing Point pants](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yFRk4c6BjoxnK5ffxyq8KA-320-80.jpg)
Endura MT500 Freezing Point Trousers review – superb cold weather leg protection
By Shim Slade published
review If you frequently ride in below-freezing temperatures, Endura’s brilliantly designed Freezing Point pants are a worthwhile investment
![A male mountain standing while wearing 100% Airmatic pants one of the best mtb pants](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bYPGE2JseeHyktrK9M94RR-320-80.jpg)
Best MTB pants 2024 – we test top mountain bike trousers for full length trail and gravity protection
By Richard Owen last updated
Buyer's Guide MTB pants have radically improved over the past few years, making full leg coverage a much more popular option. Our experts review and rank the best options available
![Endura MT500 Freezing Point waterproof gloves](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hv43ica6NgSEkdyGRRoyMA-320-80.jpg)
Endura MT500 Freezing Point gloves review – waterproof gloves for winter riding
By Shim Slade published
Review Endura's MT500 Freezing Point waterproof excellent gloves live up to their name
![Front view of Osprey Seral 7 hip pack](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HXsthbDHgFAUczAGWN47AM-320-80.jpg)
Osprey Seral 7 hip pack review – MTB-specific and backed up by a superb warranty
By Shim Slade published
Review The generously sized Seral 7 is ideal for riders who want to keep their back pack-free but need enough water and kit for long rides
![female mountain biker in the countryside wearing a black Giro Montara helmet](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DWmE59rAMCqvRgoKYbbBSW-320-80.jpg)
Giro Montara MIPS helmet review – the women’s version of the ever popular Montaro
By Shim Slade published
review The Giro Montara is a comfortable, well-designed trail helmet with some extra nifty features
![Rapha Women’s Trail Pants](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ThuqgeCvaohiP6txNef9c8-320-80.jpg)
Rapha Women’s Trail Pants review – well-designed premium cool-weather riding trousers
By Shim Slade published
Review Does Rapha’s reputation for quality clothing justify the high price tag here?
![Ion Shelter Jacket 4W Softshell being worn by a woman](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uzocFu6gwitjZebjiQY7KZ-320-80.jpg)
ION Shelter Jacket 4W Softshell review – a versatile midweight jacket, both on and off the bike
By Shim Slade published
Review ION’s description says the Shelter is “perfect for all those rainy, windy and cold days” so how does it measure up?
![ION Shelter Pants 4W Softshell](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/r8JDHiavJZQfjstqiNwugf-320-80.jpg)
ION Shelter Pants 4W Softshell review – a sturdy midweight trail pant with plenty of features
By Shim Slade published
Review Comfortable and well-made riding pant for fall through to spring, designed to withstand dirty trail conditions, and the odd crash, but they are pricey
![Rapha Women’s Trail Windblock Jersey](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/S4w2PXVKuxfdwSRVVPtTph-320-80.jpg)
Rapha Women’s Trail Windblock Jersey review – an MTB-specific cool-weather top
By Shim Slade published
Review A well-made casual-looking jersey that lives up to Rapha’s reputation for quality
![Smith's Session helmet](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sEVQkb87Sk9JGrCWujNvfc-320-80.jpg)
Smith Session MIPS helmet review – well priced and comfortable trail lid
By Shim Slade published
Review Koroyd technology plus MIPS makes the Smith Session helmet super-protective