You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
I’ve been riding endura humvee outer shorts for quite a few years now but beginning to wear one pair out abs the others can’t be far away either.
The humvee 2 I looked at in the shops recently look worse quality so I fancy trying something different. However I don’t want to spend close to £100 like a lot of shorts are - I think £60 is about the most expensive I want to go. Not worried about getting padded inners within that price - I didn’t find the endura ones were very good. I use either DHB Aeron road lycra shorts or endura fs260 bibs underneath the outer shorts and that works well.
I’ve seen the endura Singletrack 2 shorts which look a nicer / slimmer cut which I need to find in an actual shop to try on and if decent buy there.
Most other options seems to be lacking in physical stock in an actual store so would have to buy online.
Seen the Fox Ranger which if in a sale is just in budget - what else is decent?
Note I’m 5’9 / 75kgs and about a 32” leg - so long ish legs for my height but not that great a height. Generally a stocky build - I need quite a lot of give in the ‘arse area’ of the shorts as I seem to carry a lot of weight there 🙈
Have a look at Nukeproof shorts and the Troy Lee Ruckus if you can find them on offer.
Madison is always my go to. Often some sale bargains to be had on Freewheel.
ION - best fit & quailty I've found. Expensive at full rrp - but Bikester have good deals: https://www.bikester.co.uk/clothing/cycling-shorts-trousers/ion/men/
Specialised make some nice shorts I think you can get Trails for under £60.00 and Race Face (Indy or Stage) are always a good back up. Troy Lee Skyline can often be had at a decent price and aren't bad - some of the colours are a bit garish though.
Ok - no consensus there - I’ll have a look at each of the options. Guess the concept store in Bristol should have some of the Specialized options - albeit at full rrp I’d imagine
Ok, I’ve ordered up some Nukeproof shorts as CRC are easy to do returns to - will see how they go! Also picked up some more aeron lycra shorts as they seem to be heavily reduced now and I get on well with them for mtb.
I find a lot of mountain bike shorts to be too baggy around the knee. After much trying on, I found the Gore C5 to be as close to perfect as I could find.
Retail is around £100 but I paid about £60.
https://www.blacks.co.uk/16143607/gore-mens-c5-shorts-16143607
Also they're pretty subtle with no big logos and have adjustable waist and zipped pockets.
@didnthurt - those look quite nice tbh. If the Nukeproof aren’t a good fit I might order some of those to try.
Troy Lee Moto are the only ones I've had that wear really well - as in don't wear out
I bought a pair of the cheapest Patagonia shorts in a sale, mainly because I'm a Patagonia fanboi. They have turned out to be brilliant and have relegated my Endura and others to the back of the cupboard. Can't speak for longevity as they're only 2 years old but they are very comfortable and just the right length for me.
I have some Humvees and also got some cheap shorts from Decathlon a while back:
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/men-s-durable-shorts/_/R-p-192277?mc=8501891
They work well with road shorts underneath, are comfy, stretch nicely and wouldn't look out of place as shorts on their own in the summer. They may not be quite a heavy duty durable as 'proper' MTB gear, but they are also a whole load cheaper..
Madison Alpine shorts seem tough and are comfortable. The only downside for me is there's only one small pocket. They're also very reasonably priced currently.
https://www.freewheel.co.uk/madison-alpine-men-s-shorts-varcl198
Troy Lee Moto are the only ones I’ve had that wear really well – as in don’t wear out
I'm a big fan of the Motos, and pretty much wear them exclusively, but the 2.0 version are flawed in that they have a naff popper above the fly rather than the previous ratchet.
The popper often comes unpopped which then puts all the tension through the zip. I have had three pairs where the zip then subsequently broke. One replaced under warranty.
I’m a big fan of the Motos, and pretty much wear them exclusively, but the 2.0 version are flawed in that they have a naff popper above the fly rather than the previous ratchet.
The popper often comes unpopped which then puts all the tension through the zip. I have had three pairs where the zip then subsequently broke. One replaced under warranty.
That's annoying - my V1.0's don't show any sign of wearing out yet though
I've now got two pairs of lovely stretchy, simple (just two pockets and a fly) Northwave baggy shorts.
The material and cut is much better than the predecessors - Endura.
Same dilemma.
Have just settle on Humvee 2. Pocket count with zips + velcro swing it for me. Noticed some others didn’t secure shut which is pretty useless for MTB.
@sillysilly I literally never use pockets on mtb shorts when I’m riding my bikes. Only when going to / from the car loading it for a drive to the trails.
So maybe that makes life a bit simpler - just need some with the right cut for a slightly awkward body shape. Same problems with jeans / trousers etc. Very boring!
So the Nukeproof shorts won’t work out for me - the small is too tight and the mediums are too big round the waist even cinched right in. They’re also too long in the leg - hang well below the knee.
Shame, as they look pretty smart. Sizing is so random on clothes - my Humvee’s are a large.
North wave - the shorts I can see online don’t seem to have waist adjustments to cinch them in - anyone got any and can confirm this is / isn’t the case please?
Will have a look online at Madison / Gore / Patagonia and Fox Ranger I think.
Ordered 2 sizes of Fox Ranger Water shorts as on offer at CRC.
On the upside the DHB Aeron lycra waist shorts are on offer as it looks like there’s a new version, and the Endura r’s 260-pro bibs are also on offer so grabbed a pair of each at the same time.
How about “none at all”! Since I got heavy into XC / gravel I ditched the baggies and go naked in Lycra. On long rides I’ve got some Lusso adventure cargo bib shorts which have a ton of pockets and are super comfy.
Told ya to get IONs, perfect for the larger of posterior
@desperatebicyle
I had a look at them I thought and didn’t like the look...but just realised what I actually looked at was IXS. Doh!
If the Rangers don’t fit I’ll have a look at Ion.
In the Nukeproofs the medium was too big....yet in Endura I wear a large for both bib shorts and humvees.
I think you can still get 20% off at Showers Pass with a Singletrackworld code.
https://showerspass.co.uk/collections/mens-shorts
Can't tell you how long they last though as have only worn mine twice but the fabric feels lovely and they do that loose/baggy without being flappy / looking ridiculous thing well.
Dakine shirts are reasonable.
They are quite slim in the leg and have velcro adjusters inside the waist. The material is nice and stretchy and stars to be pretty durable.
The two side pockets don't have zips though.