Despite a thriving marketplace, a really good pair of baggy shorts can be hard to come by; some are too long, too short, too stiff, too restrictive or just plain rotten looking. It can be minefield buying a new pair only to pull them on and realise they don't ride too well too. With these Alpinestars Northshore shorts we have hit the jackpot however - they are simply superb, rarely coming off our legs since arriving a few months ago.
Sitting just below the knee they were a good length, the fabric light and with a super 4 way stretch, meaning they were very unrestrictive when pedalling. We found the sleek and uncluttered look absolutely spot on.
The combination of velcro waist adjusters backed up by an elastic lumbar area made the fit snug without being stifling, yet easily customisable to our preferences. The wonderful stretch built in meant our knee pads weren't an issue either, with the hem easily expanding to take them in.
The design is refreshingly plain and lacking in fripperies, so if you are looking for endless pockets and zips you are maybe going to be disappointed.
We weren't, not being great users of pockets and more into that sleek look, but even then the basics were still present - a pair of hip pockets for oddments and mesh-lined, zipped thigh pockets that can be used for storage or can be cracked open for ventilation if the warm weather strikes.
