All Arround MTB

For shorts that bill themselves as downhill fare, the Fox Demo DHs feel surprisingly light and airy, but make no mistake – the 600-denier shell is tougher than it looks. Fox makes a big deal about the Demo’s ‘freedom of movement’ and there’s truth in advertising here–the shell has a light feel and a nice degree of stretch to it. Sure, you can wear these things at the bike park, but they’re just as ideal for allday pedals in the backcountry. The Demos sport a fairly long inseam (14 inches), so they completely cover kneepads and prevent the dreaded gorby gap.

Most of the shorts in this review are of the silky, lightweight variety. Dakine’s 8 Track shorts, however, aren’t playing that game. Think of these things as the industrial-strength Carhartt models of the mountain biking world–the 8 Track’s polyester, canvas shell is burly as hell. These things shrug off spills and abuse without flinching. If you’re hard on your gear or are looking for shorts that are a bit warmer than the rest, the 8 Tracks, with their bomber build and hefty Durable Water Repellant coating, are the perfect choice.

Colorado designer Ashley Rankin debuted Shredly in January 2012, and hershorts have been a savior for female riders ever since. The funky patterns are a refreshing splash of color in a world of drab options and the fit and style are spot-on. I’ve tested the short and long versions, and prefer the cut with an added 3 inches to the inseam. If you wear kneepads, you’ll want the longer length too, which falls just below the knees.

When summer rolls around, i invariably reach for TLD’s Ruckus shorts due to their light and comfortable feel. The two-way stretch shell is featherlight. While I haven’t torn or snagged the Ruckus yet, there are certainly more robust shells on the market. The cut on the Ruckus is damn near perfect. Some shorts feel right when you’re faffing about before the ride, but constrictive when you’re hunched up on the bike. The Ruckus is the opposite – these shorts are at their best when you’re pretzeled up on the saddle.

The ether is an excellent choice on hot rides. While the shell isn’t quite as light as what you’d find on, say, TLD’s Ruckus, Zoic outfits the Ether with large mesh ventilation panels, which run down the inner thighs and along the waistband. That generous venting isn’t immediately obvious, but when you’re working up a sweat, you soon realize that they truly bring in some much-needed breeze. That’s great in the summer months, but isn’t quite so awesome when the mercury drops and the sky is crying.

Premium clothing manufacturer Assos has launched a dirtspecific clothing line that incorporates some unique features.

The popular sprint shorts from Troy Lee are designed with downhill racers in mind and in their latest guise offer a great mix of light weight (400g for the 34in pair tested) and durability thanks to their predominantly polyester based construction.

SO GOOD Scott's 3L DRYOsphere fabric does a great job of keeping the rain out without feeling clammy on the inside when you're pedalling hard.

SO GOOD The ALP-X 3.0s are the most breathable and waterproof shorts on test. They'll stave off heavy downpours and keep your bum dry even when you're really working hard.

SO GOOD The Tempests feel more like regular trail baggies than most waterproof shorts thanks to Madison's M:Tec fabric, which doesn't rustle as much when pedalling.

WE’D BE THE first to agree tha t 200$ sounds like an eyewatering amount of money to spend on something that’s going to get covered in mud.

THE SIGNATURE SHORTS feel properly tough and no-nonsense from the get-go, with a shell that feels light but wards off brambles, showers and mud.

THEY AREN’T CHEAP, but these well made and feature packed shorts are the epitome of classic mountainbike-specific functionality, and on the bike they don’t disappoint.

WE APPRECIATE KIT that’s different, and while you’ll either love or hate the graphic style of the Wadis, we were pleased to find that they’re not a case of style over substance.

THESE SHORTS ARE made from a heavy, silky feeling fabric that’s smooth to wear but does quickly feel warm when the sun comes out.

THAT INSEAM MEASUREMENT is an indicator of what’s to come on these shorts – they’re VERY short indeed, and while the legs look brief off the bike, they ride up even further when you pedal.

SPLASHING 160$ on a pair of shorts may seem like a silly idea, but the Minds from Scott really justify the price tag.

THE GAMMA DOWNHILL shorts certainly aren't cheap, but the impressive list of features goes some way towards justifying the price tag. A moto style ratchet buckle keeps things snug, while the silicone strip around the waistline holds them perfectly in place when riding.

FOX’S LONG-STANDING Demo DH shorts have had an overhaul for 2014 and are now lighter, shorter (just a touch) and available in five new colours. The main body is constructed from polyester, with areas of stretch material and mesh to keep you cool and comfy. Add a tailored cut, stash pocket and mesh lining and you have one tough and versatile pair of shorts.