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My TLD Moto shorts have served me superbly for, scarily enough, about a decade. However, as the DH bike gathers dust and I mainly ride the hardtail on enduro type trails, it's probably time for something that doesn't boil my cockles after, say, May.
Requirements are - medium weight fabric, not DH ready, but not like some I've seen that feel like swim shorts. Two zipped pockets in the normal position (thigh pockets, yes I'd love my minitool to slap me every pedal stroke, thank you). No inner short required. Adjustable waist would be nice but see a lot are just a popper these days (Christ I feel old).
Any assistance in narrowing down the huge range on offer greatly appreciated.
Morvelo rad.
Thanks Mike, never heard of those. They seem to get a lot of praise, however MBR describe them as 'relatively lightweight'? Probably looking for something a tad more robust, but thank you.
I recently got a set of the DHB Pro MTB shorts. I think they would meet all your requirements and they weren't silly money either.
I use fox flexair shorts for all riding, I like shorts with a ratchet style fastening rather than poppers, these fit the bill and are tough wearing but not full on dh
2018 Motos are designed to be lighter but I don't know by how much. The last motos I bought where so heavyweight you could stand them up on their own. That said the 2017 ones are now £60 on CRC so I am going to boil for another summer
POC resistance. I've got the Lite version, which sound like what you're trying to avoid, but they're well made and fit well, and if I was after something thicker, I'd be looking at them. Pricey, but on sale everynow and then for prices approaching reasonable.
There's always the Endura Singletracks, too. Can't go too far wrong with them.
Edit: Well blow me down, POC spell "Light" correctly. Well done them!
Work wear shorts or even cut off jeans for me if it's not the lightweight short ones you refer to. Work wear are the best as they tend to dry quicker and be less absorbent.
The lightweight shorts are good for longer less gnar rides though.
Morvelo RAD are really well cut summer shorts but they are very lightweight and pocket light. Sounds like you want some Endura Humvees to me.
I bought two pairs of Endura Singletrack shorts (and a third Endura short - the other one they used to sell mostly back then??) over a two year period about ten years ago and still wearing them all today! Everything else now seems silly expensive, poorer design (less pockets, faffing belts rather than side tensioner thingies) and naff colours.
Madison Zenith shorts.
I bought some about 3 years ago as a stop-gap pair of shorts, and have used them every mtb ride since! Only £30 now too.
The RADs are lasting well for me, however the Endura shorts I have are still in really good condition for about 7 year old shorts, mostly because the fit was awful, the material was uncomfortable, the press stud fastener was too weak etc. not gone any where near Endura since.
Used to like Endura, but the newer ones didn't last. No recommendations for what to buy though as I am using a rather spiffing pair that Mrs L made for me.
7mesh Flightpath would be my choice, have a pair myself and they are awesome. Zipped thigh pockets and open waist pockets, adjustable waistband and the quality and attention to detail is insanely good. I can’t fault any of my 7mesh shorts to be fair.
£110 for the 7mesh shorts! Holy shit!
I'm in the market for shorts so interested. I find most are too short though. The dakine 8track look good ish.
+1 Madison Zenith
Nice middle weight - hard wearing enough where any bashes still haven't left a mark, while light enough that they're soft & comfy.
Dakine 8 track... I bought mine 7 years ago, they are still my “go to” short and are pretty much that material you seek. I’ve had a fair few other brands just to compare and only my RaceFace shorts come close to matching them.