What would $160 shorts be like?

Normally I'd never know. But at 50% off, I was tempted to find out.

Mons Royale brand Momentum 2.0 shorts.

One ride in, my favorite riding shorts. Easily beats the Zoic, Endura, Patagonia, Dakine shorts I've ridden in. Stretchy material (on the burly side) is a Merino wool blend. The design, fit and detailing is as outrageous as the price. Purists won't like the velcro adjusters, but it does have belt loops. The side vents are long. Comfortable and long enough legs that the hems don't ride up my thighs during low-seat pedaling.

Most times you get what you pay for. Sometimes you get a little more? These things kick ass so far, let's see about longevity.

https://us.monsroyale.com/products/momentum-2-0-bike-shorts-black

 

I've had MTB shorts at all price points (up to $120) and #1: If they came with a padded liner, the liners have sucked and #2: When I'm sitting on my bike and riding, I can't tell what shorts I'm riding so I stopped opening stupid $$ on shorts. I've been wearing sub $15 shorts from Costco over quality chamois for several years now. Aside from the color fading from all the washing, they've held up BETTER than the pricey Club Ride shorts I used to prefer.

 

Getting to what works for you is the main thing. I wear any kind of shorts on shorter rides. Many of the cheap shorts I've owned over time have given better performance than some MTB shorts I've had. For serious efforts and no diaper I scrutinize the shorts selection thoroughly, and I can feel the differences in various shorts when I'm riding and sometimes afterward.

 

My favorites the past few years have been Fox and Troy Lee. A few months ago, I wore an old pair of Performance Bike shorts that were in the closet. I can't even tell the brand, because the label is so so worn. But they are softer and stretchier than the others- more like a bike messenger short. When I go back to the Troy Lee and Fox, they seem really stiff.

How are these compared to others you've used just in terms of flex?

 

The fabric has two-way stretch, so they are pretty forgiving. More stretch than any riding shorts I’ve owned.

Despite the generous vents I don’t think these are warm-weather shorts.

I like putting something in my front hip pocket and feeling like there’s no way it could fall out. Most shorts the pocket is too short or not anchored internally; those like to auto-dump when you sit in a car seat and the struggle to hold even a small smartphone. I’m looking at you, Endura and Zoic.

 

Thanks for the review... I'm going to be in need of some new riding attire soon...

The only shorts I've used with a front pocket that generous and secure are the Troy Lees. I can put my gigantic computer phone in there with no issues, and it zips shut. Any other shorts and the phone is in a jersey pocket or in the pack.

 

There are two deep hip pockets that don’t zip. Inside one is a smaller zipped pocket that’s a little too high on the hip to hold a phone comfortably. So unless one trusts the normal hip pockets, these shorts really don’t have a great place for a phone. Although I’ve lost a phone from a shallow pocket, I do trust these pockets to retain contents other than for spinal inversions.

 

I don’t know how you guys ride with crap in your shorts pockets. My Tasco shorts have a phone pocket and ibises it for about 10 mins before it drove me mad.

I have a hard enough time dealing with my car keys in the zippered pocket.

 

That's what I think when I see you with your jersey pockets stuffed. That would drive me nuts.

 

Sometimes I don’t know exactly where I’m going; a phone in a pocket is handy versus nerding out with a screen mounted on the bars or using a frame bag. If one never leaves his home trails it won’t be an issue.

 

thats why I have jersey pockets.

 

I like to wear my worn out roadie shorts (aka: the ones with holes) under whatever shorts I have available. Shirt is just whatever tech fabric shirt I already have on (I have probably 30 from running events).

I bought one fancy pair of Specialized Swat bibs with shorts. Very nice, real comfortable and useful. But I never wear them because I don't want to ruin them for the rare occasion I feel like I need them

 

I find the phone pocket on the Tasco shorts ideal. The phone doesn't flop around and is accessible so I can take the occasional photo. Both front pockets are zippered. One holds the key fob ( not actual keys) and I don't have to worry about losing it.

The Patagonia shorts thigh pocket with the phone in it just flops around and drives me nuts, not much use. The hip pockets don't zip so near usless when riding except for a paper towel. Otherwise they are good fitting shorts but do need to wear a pack.

TLD, not a huge fan any longer of their shorts as the Velcro scratches me, there's no where to put a belt, hip pockets have no zipper. But used to use them as my go to.

I think that I'm getting too picky, now get off my lawn!

 

Kudos @mike I hope those Dee-Liver!

I despise jersey pockets. Actually, I despise short pockets as well... Okay... I'll fess up, I actually do not like baggies in general.
I don't like anything in my pockets or even have pockets. I want to go ride bikes, not be in a photo shoot for Bike Magazine for the latest fashions.
But Social Pressures and MTB Fashion Police like @herzalot keep you on your toes for properly coordinated kits...
It's like the Soup Nazi!
Just sayin'

 

You mean those three along the back bottom with the elastic along the top? You trust that with a phone? Moot point – I don't wear shirts that are only for biking.

 

I visited the Rapha “boutique” in Aspen last week. Holy crap. As always: if you want to spend more, someone will help you with that.

 

Been wearing Columbia Silver Ridge shorts for over ten years for every ride, oustanding comfort and durability, great for hiking too.

 

The only thing I have in my pockets when I ride is a single car key and a sunglass cloth if my jersey doesn't have one. Everything else is in my hip pack or backpack.

I'll let you all in on a little secret I'm not really an MtB fashionista. I like to point out what seems to be fashionable and what seems to be otherwise, but mostly mocking fashion. I really couldn't care less what anyone wears while mt biking, unless it's a male wearing a thong or mankini. Or sandals. I have to draw the line somewhere. Sorry @Bill

 

If there were an iMTBtrails thong or mankini, I’d be all over it.

 

Bill heading down Joplin in sandals was the most badass thing I have ever witnessed.