In the 90s on the North Shore, freeride mountain biking was coming into its own with skinnies and big hucks — on 26-inch wheels! Kinda seems like yesterday, but it’s been around 30 years since those early North Shore riders put their stamp on the sport of mountain biking. At that time, many of those freeride pioneers wore Roach apparel. Roach was a small apparel brand started by Vancouverite Ingrid Doerr, producing clothing and protection made to meet the new demands of North Shore riders.
According to the “Godfather of Freeride,” Wade Simmons, “We were forging (stumbling) into the MTB unknown. We needed gear that would perform and protect, designed for our specific needs. The shore provided gnarly descents, builders were experimenting with high skinnies and ladder bridges, huge drops, with terrible landings, being the norm. It defined an era of our sport. Roach was the gear we wore. Designed for the Shore, evolved with our needs. What a time to be alive!”
Race Face’s limited collection of casual Roach apparel pays homage to the brand, the 90s, and the pioneers of freeride on the North Shore. With a handful of throwback styles and Roach logos on hats, t-shirts, and hoodies, you can relive the glory days, too. Pick yourself up some throwback Smith Sliders and a 26” downhill bike, and you’ll be ready to send. The 90s are making a comeback, after all…
Roach x Race Face Collection
Race Face’s collection of Roach apparel consists of a handful of casual wear pieces, including t-shirts, a long-sleeve t-shirt, a hooded sweatshirt, and a couple of hats. It’s a small and simple lineup of apparel to celebrate a special time, place, and people in the evolution of the sport of mountain biking.
Hats
The Roach collection consists of two baseball-style hats, both of which retail for $32. They are one-size fits all with an adjustable strap and a semi-curved brim. The Fisheye Camo Hat comes in camo with the Roach “fisheye” logo.
The Classic Hat features the classic Roach logo and comes in black.
T-shirts
The Roach t-shirts sell for $30 and come in two styles. The Classic T-shirt is solid blue with a classic Roach logo.
The Fisheye T-shirt is solid black with the Roach fisheye logo.
Long-Sleeve Shirt
If you like your arms covered, the Immortal Long Sleeve Shirt goes for $35 and comes in a neutral white color with the classic Roach logo and the words “You Can’t Kill a Roach” printed on the sleeve.
North Shore Hoody
The North Shore Hoody is $65 and comes in solid black with a classic Roach logo on the front.
Roach x Race Face Collection: Availability
The Roach collection of apparel is available now, but this is a limited run. If you’re feeling nostalgic or you just want to represent freeride mountain biking’s glory days, you can get your Roach wear through the Race Face website.
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