Summer trail shorts

This wacky summer threw everything at 10 shorts selected for tech, comfort and style

As befits mountain biking’s relaxed, chilled-out vibe, its clothing has always favoured a baggier, more casual disposition compared to the uptight, performance-driven options worn by road riders. From the early jeans and work boots repurposed by the Repack pioneers, through surf shorts in the 90’s and heavy-duty protective freeride wear in the early noughties, mountain bike clothing has evolved dramatically, with standard issue kit now boasting lightweight, hi-tech fabrics, built-in stretch, wicking properties and waterproof coatings. For a relatively simple garment, mountain bike shorts have been on quite a journey in the last 40 years.

And the reason shorts have made such great strides is that, globally, the sportswear market is worth a staggering 353 billion dollars. Annually. There is no shortage of cash swilling around to fund research and development. And that means that MTB clothing benefits from innovations being made across the entire sportswear industry.

Most MTB shorts are made from a polyester/ elastane mix. Polyester has excellent durability and is resistant to shrinking and stretching. It’s also easy to look after and quick-drying. The elastane element gives the garment a stretchy property, making it more suitable for high intensity activities involving lots of movement. And yes, you probably know it better by one of its trade names Lycra or Spandex.

Many brands add a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coating. And while that might seem like a waste of time on a pair of shorts, where water can splash up the leg, it actually makes a lot of sense to prevent the seat area becoming saturated from spray. No one likes a soggy bottom, after all.

Mountain bike shorts also need a secure fly closure, pockets and a cut that allows freedom of movement without billowing in the wind.

For this test we’ve assembled 10 of the latest shorts from an assortment of the most popular brands. Read on to find out which are pants and which are the bee’s knees.