Submitted by
Ryan
a Weekend Warrior
from Phoenixville, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: December 7, 2007
Strengths: The liner is very comfortable. Very durable outside material.
Weaknesses: The are very hard to get on and off, because the inside liner is separate from the outside liner and it's held on by two small loops (they haven't broken yet, but I expect them too soon). The outer shell can be a bit tight on pedal strokes if you have thick thighs (many folks reading this probably do) and they are the noisiest shorts I've ever worn. I never thought that would matter, but they are that noisy
Bottom Line:
I would never buy these again, save your money and buy some Hoss'
Weaknesses: The medium liner fit the best, but the shell is a little too big.
Bottom Line:
This is for the Impact shorts. These are great shorts. I gave up on bike shorts for a few years after owning a pair that I named "The Nut Roasters." Thanks to the breathable mesh liner, these have avoided earning a similar name. I can live without them now that I am using a racing saddle.
Submitted by
Enoch Dongcroft
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle, WA
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2005
Strengths: 1) The shell material has some stretch making these shorts more comfortable on long riges than others I've tried 2) I like the styling of these shorts much better anything else I found while shopping in June 2005. They have clean, not-too-baggy styling that looks great for road or mountain wear. Too many other shorts in this price range have dated surf or cargo short styling. 3) The chamois is truely seamless and more comforable than other shorts I've tried, and I've tried a bunch from Pearl, Sugoi, and Nema.
Weaknesses: 1) Sizing is a bit odd. I'm wearing the Mediums, but they are a bit big on me. Small was WAY smaller than medium. 2) Other shorts with ripstop nylon shells might fare better than these in a nasty wreck, but the've been fine so far in a couple of minor spills.
Bottom Line:
This review is for the 2005 Peal Izumi Impact shorts.
Buy these shorts if you want a good looking pair of not-too-baggy shorts for road and/or cross country mountain riding. The shells have some stretch which makes them more comfortable than most others. Chamois is very good for the $75 price range, but this is a shell that you'll want to keep long after the chamois is shot.
Bike Setup: 1998 Stumpjumper M2 Comp 1986 Trek 760
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Sean
a Cross Country Rider
from Gaithersburb, MD
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2004
Strengths: Liner fits well, had zipper pocket
Weaknesses: outer short fits poorly, how many pockets to I need?
Bottom Line:
This review is for the Voltana. The liner fits well and has a very nice chamois, but overall I don't like the shorts. I haven't liked any of the baggies I've tried to date, for various reasons. I have a 33" waist so I'm in between sizes for all PI bottoms. The outer short has entirely too many pockets for my liking. The one zipper pocket is fantastic for keys or a wallet. However, the velcro closures don't cover enough of the pocket to keep small items in, like keys or my wallet. The large upper side pockets are mostly useless and just seem to add some insulation on an already hot short. My biggest gripe though is in the fit of the outer short. They don't stay up because there isn't enough adjustability in the waist. I've had to add my own belt to it to keep them close to wear they should be rather than halfway down my crack.
Submitted by
Al
a Weekend Warrior
from Westland, MI, USA
Date Reviewed: June 7, 2004
Strengths: Very strong outer shell. Good chamois pad dealie. Look good
Weaknesses: Inner liner held in by only two strings make putting these on and taking them off a genuine chore. Outer shell does not vent well. Outer shell tends to sag.
Bottom Line:
This is for the MESA shorts.
These shorts are good for riding around town, especially if you plan to go into a store or something. They look good, and the outer shell is really durable. The pad is comfortable and wicks moisture well. The downside: The inner liner is pretty cheesy, and is only held in by two strings, one on either side. This makes putting the shorts on or taking them off very difficult. Also, the shell size does not match the inner liner. The inner liner fits just right, but the outer shell, thanks to its retardedly short drawstring (they should have used a webbing belt) tends to fall down, making me want to pull up my pants as I ride. Also, the shell, although very durable, does not vent moisture well, so you WILL get hot in these shorts. All in all, these make great shorts to ride when you are messing around in the city or want to go into a store and look less conspicuous. However, for the trail, these are somewhat lackluster.
Strengths: Nice outer shell material, plenty of storage, PI rep, good zippers
Weaknesses: Poor design, high cost @$100 retail
Bottom Line:
This is a review for the PI 2003 Voltana short in black.
Please take my comments with a grain of salt since it seem like I'm between sizes...
1. The liner fit well but then the outer would snag and slide around since there is not a drawstring. It would want to pull off when moving around on the saddle. It needs a more secure and/or adjustable waist than just the rather weak elastic waistband.
2. The inner and outer are only attached with a loop at each hip. It's a puzzle to get it sorted out from the dryer and then again putting it on and taking it off. It's just waiting to be torn off. If this is the best PI could do why not just by some baggy shorts and ride with lycra underneath? Oh yeah, I already do that...but wanted something better.
3. The outer is very long and since it's completely separate from the inner it moves independantly...your thinking, hey that cool, but in reality it sucks. The outer hangs sticks to sweaty legs and it felt like I was struggling to squirm out of wet swimtrunks with EVERY pedalstroke. Nema's gaitor at the leg is a much better solution.
4. It's just too expensive considering what you get, stick with Nema , it's by no means less expensive but then you get a functional design.
5. Riding with the vents unzipped makes one look like they're wearing a poofy male skort...not the best look for most.
6. The thigh pocket tool pocket is a cool idea, until you go ride with a 1/2 pound of mini-tools flopping around your leg/bike/, sheesh.
All in all, they tried, overdid some things and underdesigned all the others. I don't relist posting flaming negative reviews, but they really do suck that bad....maybe @ $30, but $100???
Similar Products Used: Nema Crown Jewel, Nema Stone shorts, regular lycra under Prana shorts
Bike Setup: 2 wheels, with pedals
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
gary
a Weekend Warrior
from south bend IN usa
Date Reviewed: July 23, 2003
Strengths: The Voltana short from P.I. is the finest short on the marlet!Super cushion. And isn't that the most important thing about a short? Great pocket design. Zip vents in the front. What more could you build into a short?
Weaknesses: May take a few minutes to get the liner straightened out when putting on.
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Dublin, Ireland
Date Reviewed: July 15, 2003
Strengths: This review is for the Voltana Shorts. 1) They look good. 2) Perfect grip on the legs, no sliding, not too tight(but the outer shorts can bunch up). 3) The outer/shell is seamless where you contact the saddle. 4) Wicks very well. 5) Comfy, effective, chamois.
Weaknesses: 1) The finish is not as clean as it should be. There were many loose threads. 2) Too many pockets. Why position pockets where their contents can impact on your legs as you cycle? They should be at the back of the short. 3) Redundant(and heavy) zips for ventilation at the side. Why??? 4) Would it be very complicated to make the inner and outer parts of the short seperable? As it is they are stitched together by two strings of elastic which at some stage is going to get snagged and consequently tear the short.
Bottom Line:
The Voltana shorts are entirely wearable but way too heavy. I suspect they add all the junk on to justify a higher price. These could be a great short, if they got rid of all the unnecessary frippery and finished their product better. Lose the zips and pockets please, I am a cyclist not a fetishist.
These are for.... People who put the emphasis on comfort and have more money than sense. Who want a good looking short and don't mind carrying around things that will prove to be of absolutely no use(zips and obstructive pockets, grrr).
They are not for.... Those who want clean, simple, effective and well finished design.
Favorite Trail: The road home from work. Wicklow Mountains, Pacific 101.
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At: Supergo
Similar Products Used: Gill shorts
Bike Setup: Specialized Sirrus with an XTR cassette and a decent saddle.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Peter McCann
a Cross Country Rider
from Houston,TX
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2002
Strengths: Well made product from a standup company.
Weaknesses: Not the cheapest tool in the shed...
Bottom Line:
I havebeen using PI for at least 5 years, and all of my jerseys and shorts still look and feel good despite hundreds of hard, sweaty rides and many crashes. I had a problem with a liner seam at the chamois after a few hundred rides. Contacted PI and presto!-problem solved. PI stands behind their product. Guess you get what you pay for...
Submitted by
Joe
a Weekend Warrior
from Madison, Wi, USA
Date Reviewed: September 27, 2001
Strengths: This is a review on the Pearl Izumi Mesa Bike Short. I purchased these shorts because I have always had good luck with Pearl Izumi quality. They have 2 side cargo pockets that Velcro shut. The shell is good. I skidded on my hip through gravel and the shell did not tear. I thought the shorts were comfortable.
Weaknesses: The liner. When I first received the shorts, I was not impressed with all the strings hanging from the seams. The shorts looked cheap. The liner split (tore) at the outside leg seam (not the side I slid through the gravel on).
Bottom Line:
I do NOT recommend the Pearl Izumi Mesa Bike Shorts based on my experience. I have since returned them to REI for a full refund.
Similar Products Used: This was my first purchase of loose fit bike shorts. I have always used regular bike shorts.
Bike Setup: TREK 6500
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jason
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Barbara, CA
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2001
Strengths: Uh, none.
Weaknesses: Liner is a total POS. Completely unacceptable for any product, especially one from a company with the reputation PearlIzumi has and considering what I paid for them.
Bottom Line:
Do not buy these shorts. The liner started to come undone at the seams after about 4 weeks. Total crap. If I could give these things zero flaming piles of poo i would. But I can't so they get one.
Similar Products Used: Cheapo Nashbar lycra shorts that have held up 10X better than the Pearls that caust 3X more. Go figure.
Bike Setup: RockHopper with some mods.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Big Al
a Cross Country Rider
from Houston/Austin
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2000
Strengths: This review is for the Switchback model.ll Durable outer shell-ripstop nylon. Chamois pad thicker than most others tried. Light weight.
Weaknesses: Fit can be funky for chunkier riders.
Bottom Line:
After checking out Tons of shorts. NEMA: too heavy, excessivly baggy, goofy color schemes. Zoic: cotton? Are you kidding? Might as well ride with my hiking shorts .I have a pair of year-old Zoics; ripped open the side pocket brushing up against furniture in the house the first day I had them...geez. FOX ( you can even find these at your favorite teen trendy-wear shop) Tried the Pearls on and liked what I felt. Thicker padding than the NEMAS and ZOICS and FOXES. Whats funky about baggies is that you're never gonna get the fit of a good lycra short but these come close. I'm a size 31 waist and got the smalls. Yeah they're kinda tight but they keep your goods from floppin around and after a few rides the liner will stretch a bit. One thing to watch out for though. If you have a bike bag attached to your seat make sure that the velcro strap around the post is tucked away or else it starts shredding away at that beautiful ripstop nylon on the inner leg. Other than that they been good to me so far! Four and a half flamin trail-nuggets for these puppies....
Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado Springs
Date Reviewed: April 10, 2000
Strengths: Shell
Weaknesses: Liner
Bottom Line:
Agree with the other reviewers. Pretty good shell, liner is a joke. Getting ready to cut the liner out. I should have known better. If I could return them i would. Stay away from these!!
Submitted by
CrazySteve
a Weekend Warrior
from Garden City, MI, USA
Date Reviewed: March 28, 2000
Strengths: Nylon shell is really nice, durable, heavy duty.
Weaknesses: The liner sucks really, really bad. Its a 2 piece spandex, if you can even call it that. The liner hangs out lower than the shorts, its baggy and the paddings horrible. what the liner compares to is if you took a pair of your moms panty hose and cut the feet out and sewed a wash cloth in the crotch. Do they expect that to comfort you on any kind of ride. i've seen better constructed spandex biking shorts for $5 at K-mart.
The back has an elastic waist and unless you have somekind of belt on it looks like you're wearing a diaper.
Bottom Line:
Basicly you're paying a lot of money for a nylon shell cargo pocket short because the liner cost them 30 cents to make.
I'm looking for a pair of baggy shorts, and I found the Pearl Izumi Otis (which are made for men) and they do not have chamois, but can be worn with a regular bike short (tight-fit Read More »
