crank
09-10-09, 06:20 PM
What shorts does everyone like? The following are my impressions of the ones i've used.
Fox Base
You pretty much get what you pay for with these shorts. They are the basic Fox model and it shows after a few rides. Crappy elastic around the waist with a drawstring that doesn't tighten enough when the elastic starts to go. The padding is very average, essentially just a bit of foam. The pockets are alright but don't have any closing tabs or zippers so i don't trust putting anything in them. The outer shell is a nice cut, not too tight or too baggy. I rarely get them caught on the seat. I've had my pair for more than 5 years and i always regret wearing them half way through a ride. They are okay on the trainer though.
Fox Mid Ranger
These are an interesting pair of shorts. The chamois is very basic, like the Base model, but they must be cut differently or maybe use a different density foam because they are much more comfortable than the Base model. The outer fabric feels a bit thicker and is nice for a mtb short. The pockets are okay and at least one has a velcro tab, but it'sa very small tab. The outer shell is much baggier than the Base shorts and i get these caught on the seat every now and then. The drawstring is okay and stretchier than the Base shorts with a nice high back to stop dirt and stuff getting down them. So overall, although they are comfortable, there are better shorts out there.
Fox High Frequency
These are an excellent short. The outer shell is a nice shape, the cargo style pockets close properly, the waist straps are good and the padding is good. Initially the padding was excellent but i went through a 6 month stint where they just weren't that comfortable. I don't know why it happened but they went back to feeling pretty good again. While i like the cargo pockets the fabric is a little thin and wears thin fairly quick if you use them every ride. The back doesn't seem as high as on the Mid Ranger model and they ocassionally get caught on the seat but not very often. They've been great shorts over the last few years.
Netti Shy Shorts
I had these a good 10 years ago so i can't comment on the more recent models they have but these had a very poor lining and chamois, the outer shell was extremely thin and they were basically just a crap pair of shorts that didn't last very long.
Oakley Trail
Similiar to the Fox High Frequency shorts but feel like they are made to a much better quality and are a bit baggier. The liner and chamois is significantly better than the Fox shorts. These are great shorts for longer rides as they stay comfortable for a while. Zippers up the legs help to keep things cool and they have decent pockets. The legs are a bit longer than the Fox models and this places the pockets too far down for me to fell comfortable riding with stuff in them. The only thing i don't really like is the velcro fly, but it works okay.
Troy Lee XC Air
These shorts feel absolutely brilliant for about two hours then they seem to turn on you and really start ro rub the wrong places. The outer shell is much heavier than anything else i've used except for some old Fox MX shorts that didn't have padding. One pocket that isn't very roomy means you can't carry too much. They feel much lighter on than they do just holding them.
Bib knicks
I don't own a 'nice' pair of bib knicks yet. I've got two pairs of Formaggio bib knicks that i wear on the road bike or for longer events as they are much more comfortable than baggy shorts and they don't slip down like knicks. They are easy to slip gel or energy bar wrappers up the legs too. I'll be looking for a pair with little pockets on the legs though.
Fox Base
You pretty much get what you pay for with these shorts. They are the basic Fox model and it shows after a few rides. Crappy elastic around the waist with a drawstring that doesn't tighten enough when the elastic starts to go. The padding is very average, essentially just a bit of foam. The pockets are alright but don't have any closing tabs or zippers so i don't trust putting anything in them. The outer shell is a nice cut, not too tight or too baggy. I rarely get them caught on the seat. I've had my pair for more than 5 years and i always regret wearing them half way through a ride. They are okay on the trainer though.
Fox Mid Ranger
These are an interesting pair of shorts. The chamois is very basic, like the Base model, but they must be cut differently or maybe use a different density foam because they are much more comfortable than the Base model. The outer fabric feels a bit thicker and is nice for a mtb short. The pockets are okay and at least one has a velcro tab, but it'sa very small tab. The outer shell is much baggier than the Base shorts and i get these caught on the seat every now and then. The drawstring is okay and stretchier than the Base shorts with a nice high back to stop dirt and stuff getting down them. So overall, although they are comfortable, there are better shorts out there.
Fox High Frequency
These are an excellent short. The outer shell is a nice shape, the cargo style pockets close properly, the waist straps are good and the padding is good. Initially the padding was excellent but i went through a 6 month stint where they just weren't that comfortable. I don't know why it happened but they went back to feeling pretty good again. While i like the cargo pockets the fabric is a little thin and wears thin fairly quick if you use them every ride. The back doesn't seem as high as on the Mid Ranger model and they ocassionally get caught on the seat but not very often. They've been great shorts over the last few years.
Netti Shy Shorts
I had these a good 10 years ago so i can't comment on the more recent models they have but these had a very poor lining and chamois, the outer shell was extremely thin and they were basically just a crap pair of shorts that didn't last very long.
Oakley Trail
Similiar to the Fox High Frequency shorts but feel like they are made to a much better quality and are a bit baggier. The liner and chamois is significantly better than the Fox shorts. These are great shorts for longer rides as they stay comfortable for a while. Zippers up the legs help to keep things cool and they have decent pockets. The legs are a bit longer than the Fox models and this places the pockets too far down for me to fell comfortable riding with stuff in them. The only thing i don't really like is the velcro fly, but it works okay.
Troy Lee XC Air
These shorts feel absolutely brilliant for about two hours then they seem to turn on you and really start ro rub the wrong places. The outer shell is much heavier than anything else i've used except for some old Fox MX shorts that didn't have padding. One pocket that isn't very roomy means you can't carry too much. They feel much lighter on than they do just holding them.
Bib knicks
I don't own a 'nice' pair of bib knicks yet. I've got two pairs of Formaggio bib knicks that i wear on the road bike or for longer events as they are much more comfortable than baggy shorts and they don't slip down like knicks. They are easy to slip gel or energy bar wrappers up the legs too. I'll be looking for a pair with little pockets on the legs though.