If you’re on the lookout for some decent MTB riding shorts, there’s a ton of options to choose from out there. IXS is a brand from Europe who have been making gear for motorcycle and bike riders for quite a while, branching out from their roots in motorcycle gear and starting the IXS mountain bike range in 2001. They make helmets, protective gear and apparel, like these shorts. The Vapor 6.1 short, designed with freeride OG Richie Schley, are designed for trail use and come in a range of sizes from S to XXL and only one color: black.
The design is pretty understated, being black all over except for a small IXS logo on the front, back and on the front closure tab. The fabric is apparently made from mostly recycled PET, which means they’ve thought about the environment making these, and the fabric is a 4-way stretch type that functions well when getting active on the bike.
One of the things that’s nice to see in a pair of shorts is an integrated liner with chamois. Often apparel manufacturers leave these out, leaving you to purchase your own pair of knicks to wear underneath. The liner in these is nice and comfy with a decent chamois pad, and the elastic in it isn’t too tight (at least for me).
Two pockets at the front are ample in size, fitting in my larger screen phone with ease. The pockets have nice puller tabs on them, that are big enough to grab with gloves on but aren’t in a spot where they’ll snag on things as you ride down a narrow bit of singletrack.
The cut of the pants was good, the length comes down to just above the knee and worked well with knee pads. To be picky it’d be slightly better if the cut was a little tighter but I don’t think this is a real problem. The waist adjuster is the normal velcro type but on the outside of the pants which is different to every other pair of MTB shorts i’ve owned. I wasn’t sure if that was a good idea at first but it means no itchy waist band adjuster rubbing.
One weird thing i noticed was the care instructions state hand wash at 30 degrees C only. I’m not a fan of having to hand wash things and didn’t even notice that, I have put them through the washing machine a handful of times now with no ill effects yet.
Overall from wearing these on a few trail expeditions now and feeling super comfortable in them, I think these are probably the best pair of MTB shorts i’ve owned yet and would recommend them.
Pros:
- Understated design
- Well thought out features – the zipper tabs, waist adjuster
- Liner with chamois included
- Pockets you can use
- Recycled fabric
Cons:
- Fit could be a little less roomy in the legs (really nitpicking here)
- Care instructions: Cold hand wash only! (I’ve chucked them in the washing machine anyway)
RRP $134.95. Distributed in Australia by Link Sports: http://linksports.com.au/
Simple and comfortable, get out and rip!
Thanks to Alex Unicomb for the photographic assistance! @unicomb_photography