I’m looking for some help finding a really light shell short. I sweat allot and I live in the northeast so it’s humid. I feel like every short I have tried just get soaked and stops being breathable. I feel like I’m wearing a wet dishrag. I switched it merino jerseys and it’s made all the difference. I’m hopping some of you guys have some recommendations. I have thought about just going back to regular bibs in the summer and cutting the extra layer out completely. But I also like to ride in knee pads and I just don’t think that’s a good look.
Looking for light summer shorts.
pulser
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I’m looking for some help finding a really light shell short. I sweat allot and I live in the northeast so it’s humid. I feel like every short I have tried just get soaked and stops being breathable. I feel like I’m wearing a wet dishrag. I switched it merino jerseys and it’s made all the difference. I’m hopping some of you guys have some recommendations. I have thought about just going back to regular bibs in the summer and cutting the extra layer out completely. But I also like to ride in knee pads and I just don’t think that’s a good look.
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334 Posts
Good, durable lightweight shorts can be hard to find. Here are couple great options, but they are not cheap.
NF Lazerlights
Chromag Ambits
You'll probably have to click something to change the currency to USD. Both of these are awesome mountain biking shorts. Fast drying, too, especially the Lazerlights. NF is a very small operation, so I recommend signing up for their notifications to find out when they have more stock, new colours, etc. I'm sure someone will come on here with a recommendation for some cheap Chinese made ones, but I'd rather know that what I'm getting is of good quality and support a Canadian business.
I hope you find what you're looking for.
NF Lazerlights
Chromag Ambits
You'll probably have to click something to change the currency to USD. Both of these are awesome mountain biking shorts. Fast drying, too, especially the Lazerlights. NF is a very small operation, so I recommend signing up for their notifications to find out when they have more stock, new colours, etc. I'm sure someone will come on here with a recommendation for some cheap Chinese made ones, but I'd rather know that what I'm getting is of good quality and support a Canadian business.
I hope you find what you're looking for.
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265 Posts
That’s where you went astray.
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4,089 Posts
Tasco fantom ultralite shorts are the lightest I've ever found, practically full mesh.
tascostoke.com
Mountain Bike Shorts
The Scout mountain bike shorts have become an absolute staple in many gear bags. Now featuring recycled fabric the scout MTB shorts steal the show with features and performance. The Scout Fantom shorts, based on the original Scout feature lightweight mesh fabric to keep you cool on hot days.
tascostoke.com
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being as sensitive to heat as I am, this scenario is the biggest thing keeping me from wearing pads of any kind. They just make venting excess heat that much more difficult, especially when it's humid (I live in the southeast, so I get you). For me, the risks and consequences of heat illness are worse than the risks of scraping up a knee. I usually dial back the intensity of summer heat rides, anyway.
I don't think the shorts are what's giving you trouble, tbh. Where I am, most of the people I see with pads either carry them on a pack while climbing or let them slide down to their ankles or something to minimize heat troubles. Then they pull them up/put them on for the descent. Around here, rides tend to be one or two big ups with one or two big downs. So it isn't usually too much trouble to do that with your pads. I could see that being more troublesome if you have many more short ups and downs.
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I'll prepare myself for the downvotes.
I wear spandex roadie shorts because I find them to be more comfortable. Especially in the summer. I don't give a **** about fashion, I am 100% about comfort.
Spandex shorts don't get so sweaty and they tend to dry faster. Shells and liners tend to trap more sweat. Also, shells tend to get caught on the nose of my saddle more often.
So I ride with Pearl Izumi lycra shorts and I am infinitely more comfortable than the guys that I ride with who all complain about the heat and sweat in the summer.
In the winter I wear these down to ~40F and then below that I have a full base layer pant and then throw the spandex on top. That works for me. Everyone is different. But my recommendation is to try it and see if it works for you.
I wear spandex roadie shorts because I find them to be more comfortable. Especially in the summer. I don't give a **** about fashion, I am 100% about comfort.
Spandex shorts don't get so sweaty and they tend to dry faster. Shells and liners tend to trap more sweat. Also, shells tend to get caught on the nose of my saddle more often.
So I ride with Pearl Izumi lycra shorts and I am infinitely more comfortable than the guys that I ride with who all complain about the heat and sweat in the summer.
In the winter I wear these down to ~40F and then below that I have a full base layer pant and then throw the spandex on top. That works for me. Everyone is different. But my recommendation is to try it and see if it works for you.
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2,148 Posts
Thanks I will check them out.
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I use the Pearl lizumi elevate knee pads they are the best summer pads I have found for breathability and comfort. I have hit my knees in crashes before and it made walking out difficult. So no way I’m risking that when I’m riding rocky trails.
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yeah, "difficult" walking out beats heat stroke in the woods for me. I've come close to heat stroke more than once, so it's not a game that I play.
Revel Ranger, Raaw Madonna V2.2, Cotic BFe Max, Raleigh Willard 2, Stooge MK6
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I'm wearing POC enduro shorts, super lightweight and dry fast when wet. I'm in central VA, so yeah super muggy. Great value, lightweight, good coverage over my chromag knee pads.
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I'm telling you guys, LAPG Nomad shorts. The last short you'll ever need for cycling, running, casual, swim trunks, whatever. $30 and last forever. LA Police Gear Men's Nomad Cargo Short
If you ride with a chamois you may try losing it.
I haven’t made the transition myself but last summer I rode my local pump track without a chamois and couldn’t believe how much cooler things were with my regular shorts (Zoic).
It was so much cooler that I started researching how to go without a chamois on my MTB rides. I did find an article about someone who did this and they recommended a specific wool underwear. Can’t remember the name but it was a small type of company.
This thread has inspired me to try going chamoisless.
I haven’t made the transition myself but last summer I rode my local pump track without a chamois and couldn’t believe how much cooler things were with my regular shorts (Zoic).
It was so much cooler that I started researching how to go without a chamois on my MTB rides. I did find an article about someone who did this and they recommended a specific wool underwear. Can’t remember the name but it was a small type of company.
This thread has inspired me to try going chamoisless.
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Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Im thinking the mesh type shorts will be the way to go. The other one I’m looking at are from ketl mountain. They have some really light mesh type shorts. I just wish i wasn’t ordering blind.
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I know what you mean, ordering bike clothes, sizing is always a crap shoot. If you go with the Tascos I recommended, I can say they're sizing is pretty generous-my actual waist measurement is 34-35" but I ordered 32" Tascos and they fit real well. European companies' apparel is more likely to be undersized by American fit expectations in my experience.
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I'm in Texas, so been down this road once or twice before. There is no magic material that is going to feel awesome. The best option is to have just a single layer. For a pedal-fest, go with XC race shorts or bibs. If your doing enduro runs, go without an under-short/chamois. Riding without a chamois is more challenging to get right. I suggest getting a proper Enduro short, but down size enough to keep things in place. My favorites are the Specialized Enduro and the Voler. The Enduro can almost always be had on sale, the pockets are great and the material feels nice on the inside. The Voler are shaped specifically to hold your junk in place without a chamios, the material is nice but the pockets are too small for really big phones.
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3,166 Posts
SKYLINE AIR here's a good deal on these. You can basically see through them. Doubt you're going to find anything cooler. As a bonus, their liner short is one of the better ones I've used as well, but I typically use a PI liner bib most of the time.
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