Mountain biking shorts have certainly come a long way in the last few years. It seems like just yesterday all my shorts were black, skin tight, and uncomfortable. These days there are dozens of different styles of mountain bike shorts to choose from but if you ask me few can match the Sugoi Greta MTB shorts.
Like the Crossroads henley I reviewed last week, the fabric in the Greta also contains carbonized bamboo. Spring and summer rides can be hot and sweaty here in the dirty south so I can really appreciate the anti-bacterial properties of these shorts. The Greata shorts also sport UV protection which means they’ll last forever and won’t fade as quickly as unprotected shorts (remind me to let you know how they’re holding up in a year 🙂 ). Some mountain bike shorts are made of stiff, thick fabrics but not the Gretas. A little bit of spandex in the poly/bamboo blend makes these shorts soft and stretchy allowing me to pedal freely in these roomy shorts.
The best part about these shorts is the removable mesh liner. The RC Pro women’s specific padding is ultra comfortable with molded panels providing a little extra cushioning where you want it most. The chamois has ample coverage from front to back and fit snugly against the body and after a 3-hour ride at Raccoon Mountain my butt was ready for another loop! Also, the sticky rubber leg grippers keep the extra-short liners from slipping; these liners would also work well under a skort if you want to show off your hill-climbing quads.
The neutral brown color looks good with almost any jersey, so I plan on getting a lot of use out of these shorts. I found the Greta sizing was slightly larger than expected, particularly in the waist. I didn’t mind the loose fit though, comfort is the most important element of mountain bike clothing and these shorts were extremely comfortable on and off the trails.
