The dhb Women’s Trail Baggy Shorts are tough, hardwearing, well-fitting and comfortable. At a price of just £50 they set the bar pretty high where value for money is concerned.
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I was, in all honesty a little sceptical when the dhb baggy shorts arrived, I’ve tested both the long and short sleeved Trail Jersey’s recently and whilst they are great value, they did have some faults indicative of the price. The dhb shorts teach me, yet again, not to judge a book by its cover.
The shorts are designed to be a tough and durable short for any season’s riding escapades. They certainly feel tough, the material used is a nylon and polypropylene two-face fabric which is pretty heavy, so although these will fend off most crashes with ease they do get a little hot on summer rides. The outer of the short is made of nylon to be highly abrasion resistant whilst the inner is made from polypropylene which is a hydrophobic yarn designed to move moisture away from the skin. There is some stretch and give to the material though, with 5% Spandex used to help the material flex. This plus the elasticated insert at the rear ensure that the shorts don’t feel bulky to wear despite their weight.
The fabric has a denim look to it which along with the belt loops, silver snap popper fastenings, zip fly and open front hand pockets contribute to a relaxed and casual look which I really liked.
The attention to detail in the shorts is high, there is a silicone strip around the waistband to help keep the shorts in place and elastic waist adjuster tabs which not only work well but lie neatly and flat against the short. There is also a hanging loop at the rear and a mesh leg pocket with the zip integrated into the seam making to not too obvious.
The dhb shorts sized up well, I’m a size 8-10 and wore a size 8. The fit is flattering but with quite a high waistband which, personally I’m not a huge fan of. The high waist does help stop mud and dirt ingress but it also feels a little bulky around the stomach when riding. Pleasingly the dhb shorts are long enough in the leg, with an inseam measurement of 13” in my size, great to see at a cost of just £50. The shorts dropped to my knees, covering my taller kneepads easily and no riding up unnecessarily when pedalling. I'd like them just an inch longer but I'm being picky, these shorts will suit a majority of riders.
If you are looking for a decent trail short that will withstand all the trail abuse you can throw at it without spending a shed load of money then the dhb baggy short is the one, as long as you don’t mind getting a little hot in the summer. It’s comfortable, fits well, covers knee pads and looks set to last more than a few years!