 |
|
||||
|
|
||||
|
Home | Product Reviews | Shorts | Hoss Ponderosa | ||||
|
|
||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
Submitted by
Kyle J
a Weekend Warrior
from Plano,TX USA
Date Reviewed: 2/24/2008 7:32:15 PM |
|
| FavoriteTrail: | Erwin Park, Cedar Hill State Park, Rowlett Creek |
| Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month |
| Price Paid: | $68 |
| Purchased At: | www.HossMTB.com |
| Strengths: | !!THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE HOSS STALLION!!! Great price with outstanding customer service! Appears to be very durable material. The chamois shorts are removable so they can be used as basic board shorts when cruising around town or trail head. Lots of breathing room. Great price. |
| Weaknesses: | Although the chamois are removable, there is potential for the 'buttons' that fasten the chamois to the shorts to break. They are held together by a small elastic band with button sewn on. |
| Similar Products Tried: | Mesh NIKE shorts with lycra underneath...Ghetto set-up, but haven't failed me yet! |
| Bike Setup: | Motobecane 700HT, SRAM derailer, Rock Shox front fork, Shimano Deore, ODI Ruffian lock-on. |
| Bottom Line: | It's a bit premature on the review...because I haven't had the opportunity to try these shorts out on the trail. I typically wear a size 36 waist...so, naturally I bought the XL shorts. When I received the shorts in the mail, they barely made it past my knee's. That's with the waist fasteners loosened and everything. I called HOSSMTB and the owner (Keith) was quick to send a larger size with a return label for the other pair. 5 days later, I received the XXL (38"-42"). These do fit much better, but are still a bit snug. My only complaint, is the sizing....they are about 2-3" from being accurate on the sizes...GO BIGGER IF IN DOUBT. Based off of customer satisfaction, these people do it right. I'm all about supporting the mom/pop shops...give them a shot, you won't be disappointed. |
Value Rating: 
Overall Rating:
|
|
|
Submitted by
Jeff La Clair
from Towson, MD. 21286
Date Reviewed: 1/16/2008 8:36:03 PM |
|
| FavoriteTrail: | Loch raven |
| Duration Product Used: | 2 Years |
| Price Paid: | $40 |
| Purchased At: | Jim thorpe |
| Strengths: | Great light-medium weight short good protection in the crotch for long 50+miles of Mountain riding. |
| Weaknesses: | Outer Stitching Rips out in the ass area... not a great place for stitching or need heavier stitching. Hoss Needs to forgo the Velcro. It gets all wrinkled and use-less after several washes and if you have a belly it can rub or chaff. |
| Similar Products Tried: | Lycra Shorts with goos padding |
| Bike Setup: | Philwood SS, Bianchi SS, Gary Fish Cake 2DLX, SS '77 raliegh road, lemond road |
| Bottom Line: | The first pair of Hoss shorts I bought at the last Jim Thorpe festival and was SOLD right away. Bought a second pair about 6 to 8 months later( the second pair on lasted 4 months). The padding was perfect and light. I used the shorts extensively for the first year and a half. I used them for my 12 mile rides (twice a week) and commuting to and from work (4 times a week) obviously mixed in with other riding shorts. I loved how they felt and the padding was perfect. Only both pairs of shorts ripped in the crotch area as I lifted my leg over my seat to get on the bike. for 40.00 I guess you can say these are pretty good shorts, but I would like them to last a little longer. |
|
Value Rating:
Overall Rating:
|
|
|
Submitted by
kevin
a Weekend Warrior
from Queens
Date Reviewed: 10/31/2007 3:16:41 PM |
|
| Duration Product Used: | 1 Year |
| Price Paid: | $45 |
| Purchased At: | pricepoint |
| Strengths: | Good price, durable. |
| Weaknesses: | Velcro on the buckle strap starts to tear the strap apart after a dozen washings or so, the bit of loose material above the waistband at the back of the shorts acts like a funnel and sends dirt down my butt crack. |
| Similar Products Tried: | nema jewels |
| Bike Setup: | cheap baby, cheap |
| Bottom Line: | Good short for the money. Maybe I just have a funky pair, but there is an inch of short ABOVE the elastic waistband that hangs out a tiny bit and funnels dirt that the rear tire kicks up down the back of the shorts. Not a problem when I wear an elastic waist jersey. The buckle strap has velcro on the ends to keep it from flapping around but it gets messed up in the wash and the velcro makes the strap all fuzzy. |
|
Value Rating:
Overall Rating:
|
|
|
Submitted by
Craig
a Cross Country Rider
from Scottsdale, AZ
Date Reviewed: 10/4/2007 10:52:26 AM |
|
| FavoriteTrail: | Trail 100 |
| Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month |
| Price Paid: | $69 |
| Purchased At: | online @ http://www.hossmtb.com |
| Strengths: | I ordered the knickers which is why I paid more..So far the shorts is durable. The shorts are lightweight and comfortable... The customer service at Hoss is excellent. I ordered the wrong size and they shipped me the correct size and included a postage paid package for the return. |
| Weaknesses: | None |
| Similar Products Tried: | REI...knickers |
| Bottom Line: | Great pair of shorts! |
Value Rating: 
Overall Rating:
|
|
|
Submitted by
Sam wilson
a Racer
from Charlotte
Date Reviewed: 9/13/2007 11:23:23 PM |
|
| Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month |
| Price Paid: | $45 |
| Purchased At: | Carolina Fatz |
| Strengths: | Really comfortable, great construction, lots of pockets to carry stuff... if you like pockets. I personally only use them when I'm driving to and from the trail head to carry money and keys. |
| Weaknesses: | The short's outer shell is made of some type of material that tends to stick and hang up on the saddle once it is soaked with sweat. This is very annoying when you have to get out of the saddle for a climb and then find your ass hung up on the back of the saddle a bit because the shorts are hanging up. This is such a problem that I plan to throw mine in the trash. |
| Similar Products Tried: | Fox Epic Shorts |
| Bike Setup: | Ventana Mavic Crossmax SL wheels King headset Easton Monkeylite carbon bar Thomson stem Thomson setback seatpost Fox RP23 RaceFace Dues crankset Time peddles SRAM X.0 triggers SRAM X.9 Rear D SRAM drivetrain, 990 cassette and 991 hollowpin chain XTR Front D Panaracer FireXC pro tires WTB Laser V saddle Avid Levers and Mechanical Brakes |
| Bottom Line: | These could have been great shorts if the manufacture had chosen a better material for the outer shell. But as they are now... they hider your skills when riding and therefore I do not plan to ever use them again. |
Value Rating: 
Overall Rating: 
|
|
|
Submitted by
David Akselrud
a Cross Country Rider
from Ramat Beit Shemesh, Israel
Date Reviewed: 9/4/2007 2:19:36 PM |
|
| FavoriteTrail: | Any trail my front tire follows |
| Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month |
| Price Paid: | $50 |
| Purchased At: | Hoss website |
| Strengths: | quality item for the money, prompt shipping by the Hoss guys and comfortable fit overall. |
| Weaknesses: | none so far |
| Similar Products Tried: | Primal Wear |
| Bike Setup: | '07 yeti 575 enduro |
| Bottom Line: | Great Shorts Period ! I'm a large guy who wears XL Hoss Ponderosa.Bottom line, I can ride comfortably for hours and walk in the streets not looking like one of those shaven legs (male ,Of course)roadies in lycra. |
|
Value Rating:
Overall Rating:
|
|
|
Submitted by
SOGOAK
a Cross Country Rider
from Chicago, IL, USA
Date Reviewed: 8/28/2007 5:54:26 PM |
|
| FavoriteTrail: | Anything tight and fast |
| Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month |
| Price Paid: | $40 |
| Purchased At: | Beyond |
| Strengths: | True fit like the others said. I wear an XL in Fox Midrangers, 36 in casuals. They are just right. I like the clasp in front. Ez to lower the front when nature calls. I think they look great, seem to be well made, and the chamois is fatastic. It works on the bike so your a$$ doesn't hurt, yet you don't feel like you have a pillow in there when walking or hanging out for that postride pint. The leg liner manages to stay down too. |
| Weaknesses: | none so far |
| Similar Products Tried: | older 2002 Fox Midrangers |
| Bike Setup: | customed out klein pulse comp |
| Bottom Line: | for $40, I'm blown away. I was sick of the chamois in my Fox's. I was starting to revert to lycra! Not anymore, I think I will order another pair of these. I've never tried the $100 Fox or Pearls, but these will impress for the money. Reading the reviews, it looks like other 'clydes are buying these. |
|
Value Rating:
Overall Rating:
|
|
|
Submitted by
Thom
a Cross Country Rider
from Kirkland,WA USA
Date Reviewed: 5/19/2007 9:35:28 PM |
|
| FavoriteTrail: | Parasite |
| Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month |
| Price Paid: | $38 |
| Purchased At: | universal Cycles |
| Strengths: | Good fit. NOT bulky. Soft fabric, not too hot, chamois fits well. nice Fit in back. Pockets are handy and don't get in the way, |
| Weaknesses: | A bit long in the leg for "shorts" but thats the style of shorts in general. |
| Similar Products Tried: | NEMA, Performance brand, a few others |
| Bike Setup: | Ellsworth Epiphany |
| Bottom Line: | I do not lightly give out a 5 Chili rating. I have been looking for a GOOD pair of shorts for a LONG time. Amazing value for the cost too. They are very true to size per the website, but I have apparently large thighs and seem to always have the elastic fit to tightly, so I went with an XL with my 35 inch waist. A bit snug in the thigh, and a bit loose in the waist(waistband adjustment works ok) so they are about as good as I could hope for. I LIKE the buckle and velcro. The back is high enough, although I wear suspenders to make up for a slightly loose waist fit and I prefer not to share plumber's crack with my ride partners in general. These fit great! Not flapping in the breeze with too much material like the NEMAs. Very soft material and Chamois fits nicely and provides sufficient padding, but not too much. Look "contemporary" if you need to stop somewhere to or from the ride. A rare treat to find such a well designed and reasonabley priced product. |
|
Value Rating:
Overall Rating:
|
|
|
Submitted by
Rob L
a Cross Country Rider
from Bethesda MD USA
Date Reviewed: 5/9/2007 11:12:00 AM |
|
| FavoriteTrail: | Schaeffer Farm/ Camp Tam |
| Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month |
| Price Paid: | $45 |
| Purchased At: | Hoss Online Store |
| Strengths: | Liner Fit is excellent and the chamois is also well placed. The Style of the print in B/W camo is super sweet and doesn't look retarded while just walking around. The pocket setup is great also. |
| Weaknesses: | The Closure/Velcro Setup. My dunlap bites in sometimes a bit as I ride. I think it may get better by slightly adjusting the placement. |
| Similar Products Tried: | Several other cheap shorts in the same style, Fox, and others too. |
| Bike Setup: | 2005 Giant Rainer, Platforms, WTB Nano Raptor 2.1 Rear, WTB Weirwolf LT 2.55 Front. |
| Bottom Line: | I love these shorts so far. I've now done 2 almost day by day ride comparisons with these and my generic shorts. These rock! The chamois is placed much better, the liner fits better and the outer shell doesn't move around nearly as much. I just need to get the fit adjustment straps velcro'd a bit better/lower. I also love the high back/crack cover in the rear of the shorts, and so do my riding friends who otherwise think I'm a plummer. |
|
Value Rating:
Overall Rating:
|
|
|
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Laguna Niguel, CA
Date Reviewed: 4/24/2007 1:08:39 PM |
|
| FavoriteTrail: | Secret Trails |
| Duration Product Used: | 3 months |
| Price Paid: | $45 |
| Purchased At: | Ladera Cyclery |
| Strengths: | pretty good fit, good strength, good length, a better-than-average chamios |
| Weaknesses: | they ride a little low in the back (plumber's crack), could be a bit more forgiving in the shell |
| Similar Products Tried: | Supergo, Nema, Primal Wear |
| Bike Setup: | '04 Trek Liquid 55, XT, Bontrager lite wheels, WTB Speed saddle, WTB Weirwolf rubber in front/Panracer Smoke in back |
| Bottom Line: | This is a quality short at a competitive price. I like the material, comfort, and look of the shorts, and the chamios is built for long periods in the saddle ('nuff said there). These are not bad shorts to be seen in off the trail, and with many pockets, they make practical gear. BOTTOM LINE is that these shorts are a great value in a market that where value is rare. |
|
Value Rating:
Overall Rating:
|
|
|
Submitted by
Eddie
a Weekend Warrior
from Phoenix Az
Date Reviewed: 3/28/2007 8:36:59 AM |
|
| FavoriteTrail: | Fantasy Island Tucson Az. |
| Duration Product Used: | 6 months |
| Price Paid: | $50 |
| Purchased At: | AZ CYCLERY |
| Strengths: | Price, comfort, construction, durability, style and colors available. |
| Weaknesses: | None yet |
| Similar Products Tried: | You name it I've tried it. |
| Bike Setup: | Custom Italian built cross country bike |
| Bottom Line: | The value is great, and the construction is even better. I bought these at the recommendation of the owner of my favorite local bike shop. For the price I paid I was half expecting them to fall apart after 2 or 3 rides, but 6 months later(with 1-3 rides a week) they are holding up great. I will most certainly purchase more of these and other products from this company. |
|
Value Rating:
Overall Rating:
|
|
|
Submitted by
PRESTON CHILDERS
a Weekend Warrior
from MAZATLAN, MEXICO
Date Reviewed: 3/16/2007 1:48:41 PM |
|
| FavoriteTrail: | Cedar Hill State Park, Dallas |
| Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month |
| Price Paid: | $50 |
| Purchased At: | Hoss website |
| Strengths: | The Hoss sizing chart is accurate, which is an obvious must-have when ordering online. Shorts are constructed to take a good pounding, which is what you want in a good mountain bike short. Customer service is hands-on and personable. |
| Weaknesses: | Nylon belt is more of a token gesture for my 42" waist. |
| Similar Products Tried: | Performance bike shorts were crap. They made me look like Phillip Seymour Hoffman pool-side in Boogie Nights! |
| Bike Setup: | Cannondale Killer V500 |
| Bottom Line: | Great Clyde-worthy product. The Mexican terrain down here is like Arizona on a very bad day. These clothes have already taken a good thrashing and everything is muy excelente! Will be getting more from Hoss. Get Sum!! |
|
Value Rating:
Overall Rating:
|
|
|
Submitted by
Christopher
a Cross Country Rider
from Evergreen
Date Reviewed: 2/9/2007 8:10:25 AM |
|
| FavoriteTrail: | Centennial Cone |
| Duration Product Used: | 3 months |
| Price Paid: | $45 |
| Purchased At: | Hoss |
| Strengths: | Quality and Value, variety of pocket sizes and zippered pockets. |
| Weaknesses: | Internet sales only. Material is not water resistant |
| Similar Products Tried: | Mostly tights, Fox shorts |
| Bike Setup: | Ibis Silk Ti w/ disc & Titus Motolite Ti & Airbonrne single speed |
| Bottom Line: | There is not better choice for value in cycling shorts. They are really casual and comfortable. I purchased two shorts and will definately purchase two more this summer and through those fox rags away. |
|
Value Rating:
Overall Rating:
|
|
|
Submitted by
fatstevie
a Weekend Warrior
from humboldt, ca
Date Reviewed: 11/18/2006 3:29:07 PM |
|
| Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month |
| Price Paid: | $40 |
| Purchased At: | Direct from Hoss |
| Strengths: | comfort & fit. great price too |
| Weaknesses: | none that I have noticed |
| Bike Setup: | 2006 Kona King Kikapu |
| Bottom Line: | I am big guy (6'1" 240) & these shorts fit great. They are very comfortable and you can't beat the price. I spoke with the owner of the company & he was great and very helpful. I definitely recommend these. |
|
Value Rating:
Overall Rating:
|
|
|
Submitted by
westin
a Cross Country Rider
from Idaho
Date Reviewed: 11/13/2006 4:45:03 PM |
|
| Duration Product Used: | 6 months |
| Price Paid: | $38 |
| Purchased At: | Jenson |
| Strengths: | Craftsmanship, great customer service (someone replied to an email within 24 hours!), pockets are sized for riders who may actually use them. |
| Weaknesses: | Not a weakness but it's sized different. I'm a 32" waist and that is medium in 99% of the world but Hoss says it's a large. |
| Similar Products Tried: | everything |
| Bike Setup: | something |
| Bottom Line: | Not perfect but close. Durable and bombproof and comfortable and inexpensive. I'd like to see a better fit with the front buckle around my abdomen (I'm 5'10" and 165 pounds with a 32" waist and it scrunches up sometimes). Once I ride I forget about any minor issues though. The Coolmax pad is thick and comfortable but I can see how some would think it's a typical diaper feel; I've been using baggy shorts for about 8 years and I felt it was nice with better wicking than most. Best short since the original Nema. |
|
Value Rating:
Overall Rating:
|
|
|
Submitted by
Glenn Poirier
a Cross Country Rider
from Fontana, CA
Date Reviewed: 11/5/2006 11:10:51 AM |
|
| FavoriteTrail: | Strawberry Peak/Josephine - San Gabriels |
| Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month |
| Price Paid: | $45 |
| Purchased At: | JensonUSA |
| Strengths: | Good construction, comfortable. Look good. |
| Weaknesses: | The velcro belt rubs on my abdomen when riding. The chamois seems a little thick, but perhaps it will compress. |
| Similar Products Tried: | Fox Base shorts (yuck to the '06) |
| Bike Setup: | It's blingin' You should see it. |
| Bottom Line: | I like these shorts. They're pretty heavy duty. Not lightweight. But, you can wear them around town without embarasment. They feel good. Hope more stores start carrying them. If you're riding, you should wear these. They are great. |
|
Value Rating:
Overall Rating:
|
|
|
Submitted by
Phatphil
a Cross Country Rider
from Lewisville Texas
Date Reviewed: 9/8/2006 7:23:12 AM |
|
| Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month |
| Strengths: | material and fit, oh yeah and that fly ace urban cammo...lol i really like the way the leg on the inner short is attached to the leg of the outer short. keeps them from riding up |
| Weaknesses: | the velcro on the belt. it is a great idea i am just to big to use it properly. i cant really knock them for my body.... |
| Similar Products Tried: | pearl izumi, belwether, zoic |
| Bike Setup: | titus motolite |
| Bottom Line: | i have 3 rides in them and they feel just as nice as some of my bib shorts. i liked them so much after my first ride i took them home and washed them right away so i could wear them again the next morning. plain and simple i will buy more stuff from these guys. the quality seems to be there and they fit my clydesdale booty. |
|
Value Rating:
Overall Rating:
|
|
|
Submitted by
Lee
a Weekend Warrior
from Texas
Date Reviewed: 8/15/2006 4:00:52 PM |
|
| FavoriteTrail: | TSP |
| Duration Product Used: | 6 months |
| Price Paid: | $50 |
| Purchased At: | hossmtb.com |
| Strengths: | Price.Quality.Fit.Looks.Chamois is nice. Cool color choices like "dirt" and "blood". |
| Weaknesses: | They fit me just right if they are cinched all the way up. I don't know what I will do if I loose a little weight. |
| Similar Products Tried: | Pearl Izumi |
| Bottom Line: | You can't beat these shorts with a stick for $50! |
|
Value Rating:
Overall Rating:
|
|
|
Submitted by
Randall
a Weekend Warrior
from Tremonton, UT, USA
Date Reviewed: 7/29/2006 12:45:38 PM |
|
| FavoriteTrail: | Maples Loop. Ogden, UT |
| Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month |
| Price Paid: | $45 |
| Purchased At: | Price Point |
| Strengths: | Good value. |
| Weaknesses: | Poor waist band securing system, leg openings too big in inner short. |
| Similar Products Tried: | REI, Primal Wear, Oakley |
| Bike Setup: | Too many/varied to mention |
| Bottom Line: | I bought a pair of these shorts via mail order (Price Point). I have a 42" waist, so I bought the XXL shorts (Hoss' unusual sizing method has been mentioned by other posters). I wore them for the first time today, and there probably won't be a second outing for these guys. They were tremendously uncomfortable. The waist cinch is 1" nylon webbing with a Fastex buckle. The extra webbing is secured by a belt loop and Velcro. Well, the Velcro worked for about 2 minutes of the ride, then, when the waist band of the shorts began to roll down, the Velcro began digging into me on both the left and the right side. OUCH...I ended up rolling the waist band down to the outside to prevent the raspberries. Also, the leg openings of the inner liner are too long, and way too big in diameter. I have huge, short legs, and the inner liner ended up about 2" below my knees. The leg openings in the liner were so big in diameter, that, despite my huge thighs, the gripper didn't help hold them up at all. As a consequence, my knees were inside the liner the whole ride. $44.98 lesson learned...if you are a short clyde, avoid these shorts. |
|
Value Rating:
Overall Rating:
|
|
|
Submitted by
Chris C.
a Cross Country Rider
from Salt Lake City, Utah
Date Reviewed: 6/19/2006 9:50:54 PM |
|
| FavoriteTrail: | Moab Slickrock |
| Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month |
| Price Paid: | $40 |
| Purchased At: | Price Point |
| Strengths: | Functional with great styling. Pockets are very useful for holding car keys, trail maps, power bars, etc. Overall, these shorts are very well designed. Excellent price. Good quality construction, materials, and design. |
| Weaknesses: | Sizing. Hoss uses a different sizing system than other brands. Usually, I fit perfectly into a standard medium size short (I have a 32/33" waist). With the Ponderosas, the medium is too small, and the large is too big. I settled on the large, but they are a bit too baggy around the sides. Also, the partial waist strap/velcro doesn't work too well for size adjustment. When the velcro side straps are tightened, it causes the front of part of the waist of the shorts to bunch up. Also because of this, it was difficult to avoid the dredded plumber's-butt effect. A full-length strap all the way around the waist, with an adjustable front buckle, would be much better, and would solve these problems. |
| Similar Products Tried: | Fox, Nema, Oakley, Zoic, PI, Bellweather, etc. |
| Bike Setup: | Titus Switch Blade |
| Bottom Line: | These are good shorts with a high performance to cost ratio. The weaknesses are relatively minor, but if the above changes were made, these would be absolutely great shorts. |
|
Value Rating:
Overall Rating:
|
|
|
Submitted by
Phil
a Cross Country Rider
from SW Virginia
Date Reviewed: 4/16/2006 3:15:43 AM |
|
| FavoriteTrail: | Explore Park |
| Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month |
| Price Paid: | $45 |
| Purchased At: | speedgoat |
| Strengths: | Fit, pockets, comfort, dry quickly, aesthetics, value |
| Weaknesses: | no belt loops |
| Similar Products Tried: | Regular bike shorts (not baggy) |
| Bike Setup: | Clark Kent Ti HT,King,XTR,FSA,etc. |
| Bottom Line: | Great shorts, but I feel like they slip down too much. I would like to see a better system around the waist. However, the comfort supercedes any complaints. Great shorts. I've had them only a month, but am totally happy with them. They are definitely a value when comparing them to other manufacturers. |
|
Value Rating:
Overall Rating:
|
|
|
Submitted by
Have my cake and ride it to
a Weekend Warrior
from Winchester
Date Reviewed: 3/25/2006 9:29:39 AM |
|
| Duration Product Used: | 3 months |
| Price Paid: | $35 |
| Purchased At: | Jenson |
| Strengths: | Good, look and feel. Cheap price. |
| Similar Products Tried: | Oakley, REI |
| Bike Setup: | Fisher Cake 2 dlx |
| Bottom Line: | You can't beat these shorts. Compared to the $80 oakleys I have, these short fit better and are more comfortable. Still get the wet diaper feeling (not that I know what that feels like)but you know what I'm talking about. I'll be buying another pair. |
|
Value Rating:
Overall Rating:
|
|
|
Submitted by
chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Dhead, MS
Date Reviewed: 1/22/2006 2:50:51 PM |
|
| Duration Product Used: | 3 months |
| Price Paid: | |