Fox Defend Mountain Bike Shorts Review
I decided I needed some lightweight shorts, so I thought I’d try the Fox Defend mountain bike shorts. My Endura Hummvee II shorts are great but a little thick and heavy for summer riding here in the French Alps, especially as it’s getting hotter every year.
What Are The Fox Defend Shorts?
The Fox Defend shorts offer an excellent balance between durability and comfort. They are made from a lightweight TruMotion® all-way stretch fabric, which allows you to move without restriction on the bike.
Fox has included laser-perforated areas on the front and back for ventilation and a water-resistant coating to keep moisture, dirt, and debris at bay.
They are pretty minimalist in terms of pockets. They only have two zipped hand pockets, rather than including army-style cargo pockets for extra storage. But this suits me fine, as I don’t like things moving around in cargo pockets while pedaling.
Interestingly, the Fox Defend shorts don’t fasten with a typical zip and popper fly. Instead, they have a ratchet closure designed to be secure and easy to adjust.
How Do The Fox Defend Mountain Bike Shorts Stack Up?
I’ve been riding all summer wearing my Fox Defend mountain bike shorts. So, how did they fair on the trails of the Portes du Soleil?
Excellent Level Of Comfort
Thanks to the stretchy fabric, the Fox Defend mountain bike shorts are very comfortable. But I also like how effective the ventilation is. The small holes on the front of the legs let in the breeze as you ride. This is welcome on hot days, and I’ve noticed a significant difference between the Fox Defend and my Endura Hummvee II shorts.
I also like the length and cut of these shorts. They are the perfect length and bagginess to not interfere with my knee pads.
However, now autumn has landed, I may have to go back to the Enduras for my EMTB rides for warmth, although they don’t repel water as well.
Secure
At first, I was a bit dubious about the ratchet fastening system, but it works very well. The system makes getting in and out of them super easy but keeps them in place, even on bumpy terrain.
Another bonus of the ratchet is that you can adjust the fit, which comes in handy after too many post-ride beers and burgers
They Look Great
I really like the look of the Fox Defend mountain bike shorts. They come in a few colors that all look great, but I opted for the classic black. The left leg has the fox logo outlined in white, which contrasts nicely with the darkness of the material.
These shorts go well with all my mountain bike jerseys to make a cool-looking ensemble; even my wife complimented me on how cool I look!
Final Thoughts On The Fox Defend Mountain Bike Shorts
The Fox Defend mountain bike shorts are great. They are comfortable, unrestrictive, and look great. They are best suited to riders who want a lightweight option and for warmer days.
Even though they are lightweight, they seem to be pretty durable. Even after a summer of wearing them several times per week, they don’t show any sign of wear and tear.
The only thing is that one of the vent holes is slightly damaged after my pedal got caught in it while I was picking something up off the floor. But that was just an awkward and freaky incident.
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