Shift Faction Gear Info:

COLORS: (Pants and jersey) Black, blue, orange, green, red, and purple; (Gloves) black, blue, red, white/black

SIZES: (Pants) 28-38; (Jersey) S-XXL; (Gloves) S-XXL

PRICE: (Pants) $149.95; (Jersey) $49.95; (Gloves) $32.95

MOTOCROSS.COM RATING: 9.5

CONTACT: 888/SHIFT-IT or visit www.shiftmx.com

    In the world of motocross apparel, Shift is no newcomer. They have been in the business of producing gear since the mid ‘90s, and since then have always been on the cutting edge of design and function. Over the years, they have come a long way from their first offering that National Champion Jeff Emig wore aboard his factory Kawasaki, and this year’s gear is no exception.

            As Shift’s top-of-the-line gear, the Faction is as stylish as it is comfortable. The pants are made from premium polyester and nylon for superior durability and protection. And feature articulated knee and waist areas to allow for better rider mobility. The knees in particular have an accordion panel to help further increase comfort and mobility. And on solid colorways, there are vented front panels to help with air circulation during hot days. Finally, like nearly every other pant on the market, the Faction has full-grain leather panels on the knees to help protect against heat and abrasion. As for the jersey, it’s made from multiple polyester and mesh fabrics that help increase airflow and resist fading. The mesh can be found on the back, side panels, and the bottom of the arms, while the rest of the jersey is polyester. Another feature on the jersey is the padded elbows for increased comfort, and slightly more protection. Finally, the gloves, like everything else in the Faction line, are designed to provide a high level of protection, yet still remain comfortable. One key trait is that they have a two-way stretch knuckle panel, as well as a breathable and flexible top-of-hand panel.

            When we first slipped the Faction gear on, we were immediately impressed. The comfort of the pants is far better than last year’s Shift gear, which we felt fit about one size too small. The jersey is also equally as comfortable, and while riding, it never seemed to come untucked even though there isn’t a bead of silicone on the base. The articulating rear panel of the pants also did its job, and kept them fitting comfortably. As a set, the Faction pants and jersey work really well together. As for the gloves, when we first looked at them, we have to admit that they looked a little too bulky; however, once we put them on, they were far from it. The palm actually doesn’t have much, if any, padding and the articulated top panel helps the gloves form around you hand really well. As another little side note, being the fashion-fickled riders that we are, the various different colorways that Shift has to offer definitely are an added plus. Our resident video expert Cliff absolutely loves the purple and gold.

RATING:

            Overall, we are really glad to see that the Shift Faction gear is one solid choice for protection. And when compared to last year, it’s definitely a step in the right direction for the company. When it’s all said and done, you need good quality gear like this for MX. It will keep you safe, comfortable, and above all, looking stylish.