The Radavist

Who wears short shorts? Blix Croell tested the Curious Creatures Ramble Scramble short ($139), a unisex mountain biking short made by Curious Creatures, to see if casual cycling apparel can be both gender-inclusive and full-featured.

For the start of summer, Hailey Moore shares a brief review of four casual women’s cycling short options: the Rapha Women’s Explore Shorts, ORNOT Women’s Mission Short, Fjällräven S/F Rider’s Hybrid Short and Ripton Diesel Jorts. Find your new warm-weather uniform for on and off the bike! 

Wow! It’s already almost Summer. On a particularly cool and wet morning in Santa Fe, John wrapped up his Summer 2024 Product Picks list, showcasing ten items he’s been enjoying in everyday life and on big backcountry rides this year…

ORNOT has been working on developing the women’s version of its Lightweight Mission Shorts since these first came out for men, years ago, and the day has finally arrived.

Shorts? What shorts? I don’t see any shorts.

Search and State’s Field Shorts just got a camo print for spring/summer 2024, and we’re digging them! The Field Shorts feature an 8″ inseam and are made in New York City with local materials from the NYC fabric district. Over time, they soften and break in from riding and everyday wear. Check out more at Search and State.

Canvas shorts are great to ride a bike in. They’re durable and comfortable both on and off the bike. These new Ripton Chore Shorts ($70) for men and women are 98% cotton with 2% spandex; 10-ounce fabric in tumeric and navy, will withstand the rigors of riding or for workwear/chores. Check out the full drop at Ripton.

Back in 2019, cycling apparel company ORNOT dropped a line of casual clothing, and within this announcement was the Mission Shorts. These stretchy minimal shorts have been in my riding and off-the-bike rotation for over three years, so I wanted to shine a light on them in a review. Check it out below…

Our Radar Roundup compiles products and videos from the ‘net in an easy-to-digest format. Read on below for today’s findings…

Once the high country melts here in Santa Fe, it’s singletrack 24/7 in the Land of Enchantment. Santa Fe is a MTB town with trails accessible right from your front door. Because of this accessibility, I put a lot of miles on my gear in our summer season. I wanted to offer a quick rundown of some of my favorite new accessories and apparel items I’ve enjoyed over the past few months…

Our Radar Roundup compiles products and videos from the ‘net in an easy-to-digest format. Read on below for today’s findings…

Have you tried looking for shorts recently, only to be bummed that they all look like they came from a surf shop in the 90s. Baggy, long, parachute-looking shorts are a bummer. In my attempt to find a MUSA, quick-drying, durable short I found the Ornot Mission Shorts and they quickly replaced my old go-to shorts. Sure, an 8.5″ inseam might not look like modern MTB apparel but I’d argue that’s a good thing. Shorts are short for a reason. Otherwise, they’d be called “Longs”.

Photos by Kyle Klain

These shorts feel great on a road, gravel, or MTB and even off the bike. They’re made in the Bay Area from 95% recycled nylon, feature four pockets, one of which has a zipper for extra security, and are gusseted to withstand wear and tear from the rigors of cycling…

The Ornot Mission Shorts are back in stock at Ornot with a retail of $108.

Search and State’s Field Shorts are some of the most robust and hard-to-kill shorts out there. They’re cut from a material called Stay Wax, which is a stain and water-resistant waxed cotton that’s washing machine safe. As in year’s prior, Search and State often releases a limited edition camo colorway in these shorts and this year’s pattern is now in stock. See all the details at Search and State.

Ripton and Co, who make those nifty stretch riding jorts have just announced the perfect color for those who like less hair metal and more black metal. These black “smoke” jorts look like a nicely worn denim vest and will continue to fade and patina with heavy use. They’re available in cut (pictured) or hemmed, for men and women, at a retail of $89. Best of all, they’re shipping today. Head over to Ripton to see more and if you’re curious about what Spencer thought of them, check out his review in the archives below…

With warmer weather on the way, your riding shorts will quickly become your weekend camping shorts, swim trunks, and more. Cascada’s Lakewood Shorts are made of tear-resistant, lightweight, and quick-drying ripstop fabric. They are a stripped-down, bare essentials shorts, perfect for on and off the bike adventures.

Specs:
-100% Polyamide rip-stop fabric
-Tear resistant
-Quick drying
-4 pockets (two side and two rear)
-Length 19″ outseam
-Packable into back right pocket
-Made in Italy
-Retail €75,00

See more at Cascada.

The Mission Workshop Stahl shorts are some of our favorite do-it-all summer riding and all-day shorts on the market. The newest Stahl are the Stahl LT, which are made with Tweave’s 518C, resulting in a 35% lighter final product when compared to the 520E fabric used in Mission’s classic Stahl short design. Available now in blue, black, and a variety of sizes at Mission Workshop.

A year after Episode I, Endura posted their follow-up in this mock-u-mercial mini-film series, featuring their Baggie Shorts.

$145 shorts aren’t for everyone but if you’re going to spend that kind of money on shorts, it’s good to have them vetted first. I can attest to the durability, fit, and construction of these shorts. Search and State’s products are well worth their price, being made in NYC, of the finest materials, and an exceptional cut. With the pandemic delaying production across the board, it’s nice to see them re-stock their summer staples. Head to Search and State to see more!

These new shorts represent so many firsts for Machines for Freedom. The Essential Cycling Shorts are the first new piece in the Machines’ line to feature their new inclusive size range, extending from X-Small to XXX-Large! They’re also the first cycling short truly designed for the long-distance rider with the same chamois as Machines’ Endurance Bib, graded for 6+ hours in the saddle, bacteriostatic to inhibit infections, and wide enough for most women’s sit bones.

The yoga-inspired waistband is revolutionary: compressive enough to stay up without sagging, but soft enough to eliminate elastic bands that dig when in the riding position. The seamless leg bands keep the shorts in place without overly compressing. The Essential shorts use the highest quality European fabric is compressive, moisture-wicking, and silky soft to the touch.

Head to Machines for Freedom to read more and to see their lifestyle lookbook.