Finally, women’s mountain bike shorts that fit and look normal on a smaller person. At 5 feet tall, I have had to pass on MTB clothing and even bikes that I desperately wanted. Most shorts for mountain biking are designed to hit at the knee, but if you’re petite like me, those shorts are often too wide in the leg and go well past my knees leaving me looking my teenage self of the 90s headed to the mall in my best culottes. Those days are (gladly) over and I’ve got the Club Ride Eden short to thank. The 7″ inseam on these shorts falls a couple inches above my knee they are long enough that if I were to go to the mall they would look age appropriate for someone who was a teenager in the 90s.
Aside from the length, the overall fit is spot on. I am between sizes based on my hip measurements so I went with the small thinking I didn’t want them to fit too tight with a chamois. It turns out the small is slightly big in the waist but I’m able to use the internal adjustment to get the fit just right. I also like the lower rise so my chamois liner and the button aren’t both digging into my stomach when I’m bent over on the bike. And because the material is so thin and stretchy there is no bulky leftover fabric on the sides after cinching up the waist. The lightweight fabric definitely adds to the comfort of these shorts, especially during the hot, humid summer in the South.
From a style perspective, these shorts aren’t flashy. The dandelion print says I’ll go wherever the wind (or trail) takes me and the subtly tailored look makes these shorts suitable for every day wear. The pockets — five of them! — are a bonus and large enough for a phone, keys, or your Tamagotchi. The Club Ride Eden Print short is available in two colors, grey and blue, for $79.95.
Pair these shorts with a Club Ride chamois liner like the Drift, available for $44.95. The Drift is soft and silky smooth, but the padding is a little thick for my personal preference. The ideal suggested ride time is 2-hours, but I could see that time stretched for most experienced riders.
I’ve also been wearing Club Ride’s Trixie tank top because Atlanta is hot. At first glance it looks like a basic Gap Favorite Tank, but the Trixie is really a multi-sport jersey. Made of super soft polyester-spandex blend, the top is slim-fit without being tight. The length (size small) seemed average with some natural, loose gathering in the front and back. The backside of the tank has some nice performance details. For starters, the large mesh back panel is great for helping wick away sweat, and two pockets are large enough to fit a water bottle and trail snacks. The Trixie fits nicely in my tops rotation for running, training, hiking, or really any outdoor activity.
The Club Ride Trixie Tank comes in four different easy-going, mostly pastel, colors and costs $54.95.
Check out our mountain bike shorts buyers guide and our picks for the best mountain bike shorts.
The Feel Good, Ride Good series is an effort to help women find mountain bike gear and clothing that just feels right. We recognize women have different body shapes, styles, and needs so we hope to help them discover women’s products that fit those unique requirements so we can just focus on the ride. While we are all different, we all want gear that fits, that works, and matches the energy and personality we bring to the bike. We’ll be back on #FeelGoodFriday with more women’s MTB products.
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