The marketing says streamlined and lightweight and we couldn’t agree more. O’Neal gear has come a very long way since I used to race in it back in the early 2000’s. Throw away your preconceived notions and tuck into this.

The O’Neal Mayhem Lite line is built to be bold while remaining lightweight and breathable. For 2021, the Mayhem Lite Line introduces the all-new Hexx series, which features an athletic fit and all-new microfiber 4-way stretch fabric. It incorporates new features such as an infinity neck and cuff design, adjustable elastic waist, hidden external pocket and lightweight fabrics with bold, contemporary graphics to give riders a fresh, feature-packed kit.

Hexx Jersey
Price: $69.95

Features:

Jersey weight 8oz (size L)
Lightweight Microfiber 4-way stretch fabric body with athletic style fitted 4-way stretch sleeves
Extended tail
Sublimated graphics that won’t fade
Tagless neck design

Function:

Infinity neck & collar cuff design for ultimate comfort and performance
Clear silicone printing on the tail to help keep jersey tucked in
Four-way stretch for added comfort and ease.
Microfiber fabric makes better moisture wicking and cooling properties
Breathable fabric equipped with a fast-dry feature provides extra ventilation when sweating.

What I like about it…

Like I mentioned in the intro, O’Neal have come a hell of a long way since I raced with back in the early 2000s. It was still a pretty big name back then, but fizzled away for nearly a decade before making a come back and signing top level riders like Dean Wilson and Martin Davalos. The jersey is the pinnacle of that technology with its 4-way stretch material and its near perfect fit, making it not only functional and comfortable, but makes me look cool as shit too.

I like how the jersey is long and leaves you plenty of length to tuck in tight and tug the ends up a bit so it doesn’t look like a suit. The arms are snug, but thanks to the material there is no restriction in movement. The neck and cuffs are soft and you don’t even notice those tighter spots. Big fan of this jersey. I know other brands make a similar stretch fabric jersey but as this is the only one I’ve tried, O’Neal have nailed it on the head.

Note though that I usually get a size L jersey - in the Mayhem Lite Hexx I needed an XL sizing so try before you buy.

Hexx Pant:
Price: $189.00

Fit:

Streamlined and lightweight design for the serious racer
Reinforced and adjustable elastic waist system with hook-and-loop closure for a precise fit
No rubber thigh patches for reduced weight and increased mobility

Features:

Leather heat shield
Vented mesh liner
Hidden external pockets for keys or cellphones
Double snaps at waist closure
More durable, wear-resistant panels on the seat, inside of legs, and knees
Ergonomically correct, pre-bent and padded knee area

Function:

Durable denier fabrics with triple stitching in critical areas
Lighter weight, more breathable panels, positioned away from bike contact points
Stretch panels in key points on front, back, and knees for great freedom of movement
Tapered lower leg to prevent bunching in boot

What I like about it…

After sliding on the jersey and realising how snug it was, I thought that the pants might feel the same too. I’m a knee brace guy and a few of the more premium models of pant brands out there are starting to get really slim in the knees, and I can sometimes find it tricky to get the pant to slide over the braces. The straps catch on the inside of the pant and you have to start again. It can be a little annoying. I was happy to find out that even though the jersey is tight, the pants were designed with a little more knee room in mind - excellent.

There was no issues with knee braces and the fitment of the pant was very comfortable and formed to my natural riding position. They stretch where needed and have leather inner knees both sides for those Yamaha and Honda riders. The best feature might be the amount of adjustment in the waist, with two Velcro snaps giving a huge amount of variance when it comes to belly size. I run a size 36 and judging by the amount of extra rom available, I could balloon out to about 42 and still fit these pants. Good for those golden year when sitting down might start becoming the go-to. Just a basic, well designed Velcro strap system that is dynamite. Heck, I might get a size 34 next time and feel real good about myself.

Oh and there is a sweet hidden pocked on the thigh for whatever you need out on the track. Mars bar, phone, cash, keys, you choose.

Prodigy Gloves
Price: $49.95

Features:

TPR Injected Rubber in Critical impact zones for added safety
Palm material made of Nanofront technology allowing sweat absorption, feels soft to the skin and reduces irritation drastically, creating the best functioning glove on the market.
Silicone printing for a better grip
Long lasting and flexible materials for the perfect fit
Nanofront Seamless rollover fingertips
Nanofront double layer thumb reinforcement
Hook and loop adjustable wrist closure
High wrist closure for added protection

What I like about it…

Gloves are gloves. If you have read my other glove reviews, you will know I’m a dual-layer guy. I like as much padding on my gloves as possible as I am prone to blisters. The Prodigy gloves are single layer, direct connect gloves, meaning you have about as little fabric between you and the grip as possible - which some people love. I used these gloves all weekend at the Kids Camp and they were perfect for me when coaching. They didn’t bunch up and felt very comfy on the hand. They are phone friendly too so pull that camera outta the side pocket an snap away.

The Mayhem Lite gear has really blown me away with its comfort, feel and most importantly, how I look in it. I’ll admit, before getting into this gear, I was judging the O’Neal book by its 2002 cover, and that was a poor mistake on my part. This is worth a real look and is also well priced.

You can find some O’Neal gear for yourself on The Dirt Guide Website, the Cycletreads Website, or find your local dealer that stocks O’Neal.