Depending on your perspective, this is either the coolest or most ridiculous pair of mountain bike shorts you’ll ever see. The Opulent mountain bike shorts from ZOIC have iPod controls built right into the fabric so you can control your tunes without digging into your pocket on the trail. The shorts feature a removeable liner and sport a “freeride fit,” though ZOIC says these shorts will also work for XC and AM riding. iPod controls include play/pause, volume, and skip forward/back and there’s even a special grommet hole for your headphone cord.

In a completely unscientific forum poll about iPods on the MTB trail, 57% of respondents said they ride with an MP3 player sometimes so these shorts could appeal to a broad audience. If you’re part of the majority, head over to ZOIC.com where you can get these shorts for $120 (normally $150).

Opulent shorts? Absolutely.

Trying out new things is always fun, especially since sometimes you find stuff that’s way better than you even thought was possible. For me, I’ve always had a hard time finding MTB clothing that is comfortable right out of the box - until now. Gore Bike Wear’s new Freeride shorts and ALP-X Jersey are easily two of the most comfortably fitted pieces of MTB apparel I have worn.

The Gore Freeride shorts are understated in design and graphics. They are not the flashiest shorts out there but perform exceedingly well, going beyond my expectations of how a short in this class should feel. One great thing about these shorts is that when you’re done with your ride and want to go for drinks or a bite, you can just keep them on - these shorts are a big step up the fashion ladder from spandex.

Beyond good looks, the Gore Freeride shorts breathe so well you won’t overheat or feel uncomfortable even with the hammer down. I especially appreciate the adjustable zippered vents in the front of the shorts; unlike other shorts I’ve worn, these slots are actually large enough to let a comfortable amount of cool air inside.

With an MSRP of $149, you may be wondering if these shorts are worth the investment but a quick check of the spec sheet shows you’re getting a lot for your money. Like all Gore products, these shorts are constructed with cutting-edge materials and the company has spent hundreds of hours on research and development to get the perfect fit and performance.

Although these are called “Freeride” shorts, don’t let the name fool you - these are not full-on Freeride shorts by any means. Instead I recommend these as a Enduro / Trail / XC shorts, a great all around choice for anyone who like to ride fast and long!

A perfect compliment to the Gore Freeride shorts is the ALP-X jersey shown here in grey/green with black trim. This Jersey is a slim fit style so try one on before you purchase to get just the right fit. Based on the fit of my ALP-X I’d say this jersey is really a cross between a race jersey and a slightly baggier, casual jersey. One thing I really like about the ALP-X is the subdued logo just above the top left breast - nothing flashy here, just simple, understated, purpose-built stuff here. Like other pieces of outerwear Gore makes, the ALP-X jersey sports reflective piping instead of ugly, fat strips of reflective material.

The multi-paneling on this jesery enables a ton of freedom in the arms as well and there is little to no pinching when moving around. For a MSRP of $119 I think it’s a decent purchase, a bit more than you would normally pay but since it’s a Gore product you know you’re getting a superior product with leading edge moisture control materials.

Going for a few rides around the local trails and hitting some of my favorite stunts and hills I have fallen in love with the Freeride shorts and ALP-X jersey, and I may have to say goodbye to an old favorite of mine (made by another well known brand). Buy the Gore Bike Wear Freeride shorts and ALP-X jersey - you just might find that you end up riding a whole lot more because of them!

Cheers…

A girl can never have enough mountain bike clothing.  We need cycling tops in a myriad of colors and materials and we want variety in our MTB shorts, too.  Fortunately, Loeka’s line of tech shorts offers an alternative to your basic black or brown baggy short.  Although the tech shorts do come in black or brown, I really like the pinstripe and plaid options.

Last month I got myself a pair of brown plaid (Loeka calls this print “Harmony”) capri length tech shorts and a matching Mint Chocolate Chip half sleeve jersey.  This jersey and shorts combo takes the guess work out of trying to match plaid with anything in my current mountain biking wardrobe which is pretty awesome.  However, I’m not sure what else I could wear the plaid shorts with–maybe a green Singletracks t-shirt if I’m not riding my bike; otherwise, I guess I’ll have to invest in a few additional Loeka tops.

Not that I would mind having more than one Loeka jersey.  The colors are great and I could definitely see myself wearing the half sleeve jersey for running or even casual Fridays at work.  The fit is close to the body and feminine, but not tight.  I usually wear an XS and this jersey was true to size.  This jersey is made of a light wicking polyester material, and because it is more fitted than most jerseys, getting adequate ventilation was challenging.  This jersey is even designed to accommodate body armor–that is, if I ever was daring enough to have the need for body armor!

As I mentioned earlier, the Mint Chocolate Chip Loeka jersey was a perfect match with the Harmony tech shorts.  These stylish shorts have a cute plaid print and fun capri length.  They are big and baggy, much looser fitting than the top.

Obviously style is important to me in choosing mountain bike clothing, but function is just as important on the trail, if not more so.  My first functional criteria with mountain bike shorts is having a removable chamois or room for your own chamois.  Since I’m particular about my chamois, I love the fact that the tech short offers plenty of room to wear whatever you want underneath the shorts.  Without a bulky sewn-in chamois, I can wear these shorts comfortably off the trails too.

The Harmony tech shorts are made of a thick micro suede polyester, similar to that of board shorts.  This material makes some noise with leg movements which seems like a fair trade-off since it keeps the shorts water resistant (against spring showers or dewy morning rides).  Thanks to the soft inner mesh liner and water resistant coating, I can stay cool and dry under any conditions.

Last on my functional requirements list are ample pockets and there are pockets galore on the Loeka tech shorts!  With two side, two front, AND two rear pockets, I can take extra goodies like snacks, my cell phone, a mini camera, and chapstick, with me on a ride.  I appreciate all the pockets even more when wearing these shorts off the bike since there’s plenty of room for my keys, ID cards, money and other junk.

If you’re looking for functional and feminine on the MTB trail, check out Loeka’s Spring and Summer lines for some great mix-and-match options!

I’m a big fan of mountain bike specific shorts for a lot of reasons: they’re comfortable, they look good, they fit well, they protect stuff, and they’re ultra-low maintenance. The Viper shorts from Sugoi are the perfect example of what’s great about mountain bike shorts and if you’re not already a believer, allow me to explain…

Comfort: The Sugoi Viper shorts are designed first and foremost with comfort in mind. From the integrated S.100 chamois with one piece construction and zero seams to the breathable dry wick outer material, these shorts just feel good on the bike and on the trail. Some folks may not care for an integrated liner but for me, it’s a good compromise because the liner material can be much lighter weight and breathable than typical spandex bike shorts. I hardly noticed the padding which is a good thing - not so thick that I feel like I’m wearing a diaper but thick enough that my ass wasn’t hurting after a moderate ride.

Style: The Viper shorts look cool as hell. I know, I know, you’re gonna say buying clothes based on how they look is silly but if that were true you’d be going to work covered in a burlap sack. Nope, style is at least a little important to most of us and the Viper shorts are semi-fitted giving them a sporty profile and just the right leg coverage (down to the kneecaps). Colors are neutral and sleek on the outside while the inside includes some neon details that just might surprise you (I’ve never seen a bright orange chamois before). In terms of fit you may want to consider choosing a smaller size if you’re unsure - the large shorts are a little droopy on my size 33 waist.

Fit: In my mind fit and style go hand in hand but when you’re mountain biking fit is all about managing flapping fabrics. The Sugoi Vipers have a high cut in the rear to keep your shorts from snagging your saddle nose on steep descents and are are virtually unflappable even at high speed. No need to worry about material getting sucked into your wheel or chain either - the length on the Vipers is perfect. One thing the Viper is missing is a drawstring for cinching up toward the end of a dehydrating epic ride (or epic diet).

Protecting stuff: We all have stuff to protect and the liner in the Viper shorts will secure your family jewels comfortably. The outer shorts are made from tough Nylon material that should stand up to all but the gnarliest tree snags and dirt slides. The Vipers also include four velcro-sealed pockets (two front, two back) to keep your gear secure, even on rooty and rocky trails. I actually had a hard time quickly accessing my pockets because the velcro is so tight - must be some extra strength velcro or something…

Low maintenance: Throw the Viper shorts in the wash with all your other clothes - how low maintenance is that? The shorts also include two elastic loops inside which I imagine could be used to hang them to dry after a quick rinse at the campground. Integrated liner means you won’t have to match up your shorts after every load of laundry.

Yep, the Sugoi Viper shorts make a solid foundation for any mountain biker’s trail ensemblé and are a HUGE upgrade for anyone still rocking the tight spandex or Umbro soccer shorts on the trail. Try them out and you’ll see what I mean - no need to thank me.