TESTED: Tineli Women’s MTB Trail Shorts

Words and photos: Georgina von Marburg

Mountain bike shorts are a surprisingly difficult product to master, with so many factors counting towards a short that will keep you happy all day regardless of the conditions or length of your ride. For a relative newcomer to the mountain bike apparel scene, Tineli have produced an extremely affordable contender packed with features you wouldn’t expect at this price point. The women’s specific Trail shorts (also available in a men’s cut) is the lighter weight option of one of two short offerings in their range. 

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Features and Fit 

Straight out of the packaging, the Trail shorts tick many boxes. The inner legs are reinforced with an extra panel, the waist has an adjustable elastic band, and the shorts are closed with a zip, clip, and buckle. The buckle can be removed by a rubber tab to avoid any unnecessary wear and tear on the fabric; it’s a detail that many would brush over, but any feature which prolongs the life of your gear is a plus. 

There are two deep, iPhone-wide pockets which allow the contents to rest against the outside of your leg rather than interfere with your pedal stroke on the inside. And inside the right pocket is a feature you would typically only find on high-end shorts: a microfiber cleaning cloth for your eyewear. This is attached via a removable clip for ease of use and allows the cloth to be washed separately. Attached to this clip is yet another clip for securing keys or other valuables. 

The fit of the shorts is far from casual, designed for nothing other than performance on the bike. The shorts sit quite high and securely with a wide waist panel. I found my size Medium to fit perfectly, but you could adjust the waist with Tineli’s hidden ‘Set and Forget’ elastic band. The legs are wide and long, designed for maximal coverage. They should sit neatly over any pair of knee guards, including my Fox Launch Pro. 

On the trail 

I was initially concerned about the length and bulk of the Trail shorts, but again, these are a surprisingly light pair of shorts. They had an exceptionally breathable and airy feel, with plenty of stretch through various positions on the bike. There’s also a mesh panel on the back to assist in evaporating sweat. While I tested these shorts in spring conditions, I would happily wear them throughout the Aussie summer.

I tested these with the Tineli Women’s Platinum MTB Liners, which fit perfectly beneath the tapered waist and thigh area of the Trail shorts. The mesh Liner fabric added to the overall comfort, although I would have preferred grippers on the inside of the laser-cut leg openings. The panel down the inside of the Trail short legs means there are no seams to potentially rub against the saddle. This isn’t usually a problem for me, but it’s a solution that other riders may find useful. And because of the Trail shorts’ generous length, the infamous punter thigh gap was never a concern. 

While on the budget-friendly side of the apparel spectrum, the Tineli shorts feel higher-end than their price suggests. All Tineli products come with a 12-month warranty, so owners should have confidence in the longevity of all the clips and buckles. Combined with simple aesthetics and ample storage, the super comfortable Trail shorts are an impressive offering at an entry-level price point. 

RRP: From $99.95

From: tineli.com.au

Hits

• Affordable 

• Adjustable fit

• Lightweight 

• Zippered pockets 

• Breathable 

Misses 

• None so far!