Fox or DaKine Shorts for AM

[popcorn_skollie]

Dakine Ridge AM shorts

 

Bought these a few months ago.
Was lucky enough to get them on sale here for R 720.00
But I see they back up to R 1,200 now.

 

Cons:

 

It has 2 front and one back pocket. The front pockets are a little deep for my liking. The fabric inside the pockets are the breathable mesh type. They stick to my gloves when I dig inside them and the whole pock unfolds when I take my hand out. Annoying actually. But I don't carry anything in them really. 

 

It comes with a padded liner. Good quality. Also a soft breathable mesh type fabric.

But the padding could have been a little more discreet. Its not really obtrusive or uncomfortable. Just seems like it would have been a better fit if there was a little less padding. Still, if its clean I always opt for the dakine liner instead of my first ascent ones because I love the fabric. 

 

Pros:

 

Construction is impressive. Shell is a 200D micro ripstop nylon (Downhill shorts are normally the 400D or higher) All mountain fit with 14" inseam (They just cover the knee and are slightly tapered but not enough to interfere with my kneepads)

While the fabric is soft, light and stretchy. It feels strong too. Stitching is solid and reinforced where it matters. The thick inner elastic feels secure on the waist. Especially in the back. The front buttons are a breeze to clip in and out and it feels quite pronounced when you clip them in place. The velcro waist tab adjustments have little rubber tags for fine tuning the fit. You just get the sense that they thought of everything when they made it and didn't cut any corners.

 

Fit. The waistline is exactly where I want it and so is the gusseted crotch. Love the way this thing fits. It never slides down or moves about at all. I never have to adjust it or pull it up. It feels secure without being tight. Breathable without feeling too roomy. I don't have to compromise with where I want it on my waist and how much crotch area I want. Its never in the way when pedaling or shifting my weight on the bike. Its like they took my measurements. But i'm probably just lucky with the fit because not everyone is anatomically identical so it may not be the same for you.

 

I tried on the fox ranger when I was shopping for shorts this year. I liked the fabric and construction but it was shorter that I hoped and I was sick of black. 

 

So while the rest of the manne here would probably opt for fox. I'm a very happy Dakine user and my next shorts will probably be Dakine too.

[Skylark]

The Dakine Ridge is still R720, Swindle site is a bit messed of late shows the old price but when you add them to the cart the price is right. Dakine make good stuff, good quality, I just mainly had issues with the sizing, it seems Swindle also had the wrong info up for the item I ordered, they were very helpful sorting it out. During the to and fro I got 2 reject pairs, one leg was almost an inch longer than the other and on the last pair the top waist closure button just pops open if you bend down , just decided to live with it.(still gives me the grates when it randomly pops open though, ah well can't always win!)

 

The Fox cut/fit is definitely superior though, perhaps just not as tough as true DH baggies, that being said not all styles fit all people, trying them on is the only true test.

[gwhite]

Thanks for your suggestion. The length looks sweet and the price is right...

 

Read some complaints that the fabric is quite thin and not so durable.

 

Anyone have a pair & some feedback?

 

The new shorts are much better and better material, like MUCH better and have been updated for our climate! Takealot.com are currently having a special on them.

 

http://sport.takealot.com/sport-one-industries-atom-short-black/PLID38161930

 

Sorry, forgot to mention that they updated the liner and is also breathable. 

[hayleyearth]

Cycle Lab also sells Fox shorts.

 

I also found riding shorts at a surf shop for much cheaper before.

[camelman]

If I had to choose between Fox and Dakine, I would choose Ion. Had Dakines, but the where heavy and never dried on subsequent bike touring days. The new Ion shorts are amazing IMHO Think the model range is called surfing elements. It will even double up as a board short.