Innovative use of materials combined with an effort to apply high ethical and environmental standards make this shorts and t-shirt combo worth your attention, if you appreciate the Italian flair for design. About the brand You’ve quite possibly never heard of Double 3. I certainly hadn’t, but the Rome based clothing company deserves to be better known through the biking...
ION have an extensive range of mountain bike gear these days, with clothing for downhillers to XC race whippets and protection, bags and shoes to boot (excuse the pun) there is plenty to get excited about! Paze, Traze, Seek, Slash and Scrub (featured here) make up the range, each of them aimed at a slightly different end user. Varying from...
Not as 'hardcore' as some of O'Neal's more aggressive moto-inspired clothing, the Rockstaker short is a fairly casual trail short. Available in three different colours which match into the ever-so-colourful O'Neal range, or can easily be worn with other brands, especially if you choose black. Featuring waist adjustment and velcro hem tabs, it has plenty of flexibility in size and...
Dakine's Derail shorts aim to offer a robust, casual set of shorts for shuttling, downhill or riding the park. Now, I'm not sure exactly what makes them specific to these tasks, but the fabric is a far stronger material than usually felt on riding kit. The design also suggests a more casual approach to riding bikes, with a flat fronted...
When it comes to MTB branding and style then it’s safe to say that Fox are usually right up there with the best, with a visually striking and effervescent range of hues to make you and your MTB footage ‘pop’ with colour. They say that clothes maketh the man, and certainly having the right gear helps you to get along...
Vaude’s second iteration of the Moab Short is available in both a men’s and women’s fit and is aimed at the perennial trail rider, with an 80% windproof (surely an oxymoron) fabric and water-repellent coating. Featuring a strong ecological story, the Moabs are made from a sustainably sourced, fairtrade, lightweight 4-way stretch material designed with strength and comfort in mind....
Waterproof shorts are perhaps a rather confusing concept to some who live in sensible parts of the world where the winter brings snowsports or perhaps just mildly chilly conditions. Elsewhere, riders might just have a rest whilst it rains before riding once more when the sun returns. In the UK waiting for the sun to return could be a long...
Scottish brand Endura have been creating clothing for British conditions for many years, a staple of which has been the MT500 range. Made from ExoShell60™ 3-Layer waterproof fabric to keep things dry, these are a fully waterproof short with taped seams and stretch panels which help keep the fit neat and comfortable. A reinforced Cordura panel on the seat provides...
With their knowledge of making clothing for motorsports Alpinestars are a pretty dab hand at creating them for the pedal bike world too. The Gravity range is their line up for the downhill market, as the name suggests. They’re not as heavy as some of the other downhill specific shorts on the market and this thinner and light weight construction...
At Eurobike this year it was obvious that the ION bike range is growing, and also that the momentum around the brand is increasing. The stand had doubled in size, going upwards with a second floor, and it seemed to be permanently busy. A positive sign for a relative newcomer to the bike market indeed! The Avid bike shorts are...
The Ace Shorts from Troy lee Designs are packed full of tech to place them firmly on the podium for the best MTB shorts around. They are made using a 4-way stretch, highly durable material. There are two side pockets that have been designed to not be uncomfortable when you are pedalling, even when you have stuff in them. Welded...
Another pair of shorts from ION packed with features. The Transit shorts are aimed at the rider who likes his gear to look stylish, whilst still remaining extremely functional. They are made from hard wearing Cordura, double stitched, and feature a two way stretch to the fabric giving you extra comfort. The cut is below the knee and they are...
The men’s Curva shorts from iXS are aimed at the downhill market and made from a very robust polyester-mix material. The seams are all multiple-stitched too so these shorts should see you through some heavy use. Fully mesh-lined to help wick moisture away from the body the shorts also feature 2 inner zipped vents to get the airflow moving even...
With Greg Minnaar having a signature colour way as part of the O’Neal Element Series you can be sure the Element FR shorts are built to last and have been tried and tested to the absolute max. Heavy duty fabric is used throughout the shorts with a durable Spandex stretch material in the crotch area and across the rear giving...
These shorts became a firm favourite during a recent DH trip to the Alps. They not only look great, but they’re totally functional and comfortable as well. The length of them is absolutely spot on; covering the top of your knee pads, but not catching on them when riding, thanks to the stretch material in the knee area. There are...
German born Maloja, pronounced “Mah-low-yah” was only launched last year, but they hit the ground running with a huge range of stylish and very different clothing. They have clothes for just about every kind of outdoor enthusiast and all their products are feature led. The range for mountain bikers is as extensive as it is well thought out. The TierraM....
Arguably the most stylish shorts in the test, while the material isn’t as tough as some of the more downhill orientated shorts they survived the alpine road trip with ease. They might not look quite as white as they did when we first put them on, but they do come in black and also orange which might be more practical...
These shorts are badass, pure and simple. Don’t be fooled though, while their tough and burley exterior lends them perfectly to DH, I’ve fallen in love with them so much they are getting used for trail riding duties too. Made using tough 600 denier polyester you’ll have a hard time ripping them in a crash. This does mean they have...
Since first trying these on, the Zoic Sovereign shorts have become a firm favourite. No doubt the bold colours and graphics help them to stand out, but the technical features prove they aren’t just a case of form over function. These are very thin and light shorts, but if you need any more ventilation you’ll find two handy zips on...
The Ether Premiums are American company Zoic’s best selling shorts. There’s a lot going on with these shorts including and in seam gusset for improved movement, intergrated airflow panels below the waist for improved ventilation and a microfibre lens wipe. There are two hand pockets for when you’re not riding, and two zip up pockets on the legs and a...
These stylish shorts from Vaude have a definite European feel to them, but if you want to shake off the black these are the perfect remedy! They come in a variety of colours; the blue featured here, also a black check and a green check design. They have stretch panels in the crotch and at the back of the shorts...
The Flux 88 are billed as a high value short in the price range, using 4 way stretch fabric as the base for the construction they allow plenty of movement when you are riding the bike. The leg cut is very generous, covering the knee completely. There are 4 zippered pockets on the front of the shorts; the two bottom...
The Sergeant shorts are so good looking you could easily get away with keeping them on once your ride is over, and who could blame you! Made of fast drying, breathable fabric the fit and cut is absolutely perfect, coming in just below the knee, and more importantly staying there. There are two deep hand pockets with zip seals, as...
Littered with features and some very understated styling made these a popular choice amongst the test team, I think someone kept them on after the shoot and drove home in them so as not to arouse suspicion… Two zippered front pockets as well as two zippered rear pockets leave you with plenty of options for storing small trail essentials. There...
The Summit Baggy Shorts from Altura are another example of some great lightweight yet durable shorts to be seen in this summer. Stretch panels across the gusset and rear of the shorts allow for plenty of movement and no restriction whatsoever. Two for pockets are great for when setting up your bike or if you stop off anywhere mid ride,...
These well made Blackline shorts from Cube certainly look the part with the distinctive white piping detail, but they are also very functional too. They have quite a loose fit and hang just over the knee when standing. There are two zippered front pockets, which are perfect for a phone, or a car key, and there is a double popper...
For 2013 Cube have revamped their line up of accessories, and it now includes a much more extensive clothing line. Not stopping there they also make tools, backpacks, helmets, you name it, they’re probably now offering it! The Rain Shorts are part of the All-Mountain/Action Team line-up and are a useful addition to anyone’s riding wardrobe. Small and light enough...
