Caught on my saddle on descents. Grrrr...however, I know two other women who don't have the great variation between hip and waist, who LOVE theirs. And they look good on them, too!
I'm using them now for riding to and from the beach when I swim. They are great for that! Quick drying, soft, and work over bikini bottoms.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Loeka's Second chance
Sombrio LA NINA Freeride Knicker
An awesome pal, and superior endurance rider, is moving to Hawaii. Because of this, I was the lucky recipient of the Sombrio knickers, because she said they just would be too hot in Hawaii.
The Nutshell Love, love love:
- overall stretch and resilience of the fabric
- full coverage and protection
- worked well over my chamois
- attractive color
- attractive lines
Things I'd like to see:
better fit for big bottomed girls, but, hey, that never happens in the mass market...maybe an integrated waist adjustment, because I HATE wearing belts when I ride, and so do a lot of my friends.
Overall score: 10 out of 10...because I haven't experienced anything like this fabric - awesome! I can't wait until winter!
Monday, August 11, 2008
Fox Racing Womens Sierra Short #26068
We've got a guest reviewer this go-round. She's a friend of mine,
an excellent rider and had an opinion to share. Here it is:
"First Impression
Nice light fabric
Appealing accents that are feminine without going overboard
Available in a very nice grey and a deep brown color
Overall fit
I am a 30” waist and 40” hip and I found the Medium to fit well. As I tested that squatting off the back of the bike position for unwanted draftiness, I was pleased to find these shorts gave no hint of the dreaded plumbers crack. Next I did a turn in the mirror, to make sure I didn’t look like I needed a wide load sign and the shorts earned a extra point for flattering cut. I should have expected as much from a company like Fox. Now down to the important stuff. The length on the shorts was good for freeride shorts, falling just at the knee on my 5’4” frame. The outer fabric felt light enough to not chafe like heavy DH Azonics will on a hot day, but still strong enough to offer some protection. The built in liner short was a light fabric with venting that seemed to promise excellent wicking and had a nice soft feel. The chamois was the only component of the shorts that gave me pause in the dressing room. The chamois was not held in place well by the built in short and was fighting to resume the shape it had been folded into during shipping, it was a bit like a diaper wedge. However, most chamois require a little break in time so I was willing to withhold judgment until I had a bit of ride time into the chamois.
Technical Performance:
I have used these shorts on at least 10-15 rides in areas varying from the somewhat rocky steep and climbing portions of Skeggs to the swoopy, hippy areas of UC with drops, jumps and other fun silliness. I was pleased overall with the performance of the shorts. They did what freeride shorts should do, protect my soft girly skin while staying the hell out of my way and keeping me cool. The fabric did not chafe, and the inner short wicked well. My only disappointment is that so far despite having 20+ hours and 10+ washings in the shorts the chamois is still stubbornly riding up my tukas. Admittedly, I don’t notice it too much while climbing. However, any time there is a long standing DH section or when we stop to regroup, I feel the intense need to pick the chamois out of my butt.
The Nutshell
Great fit
Good fabric
Functional while looking good
Not black, ;)
Chamois needs tweaking
Things I'd like to see:
These shorts overall are great. The chamois is a bit of a buzzkill, but I suspect the chamois is not at fault. It seems like the wicking material they used for the built in short does not have enough elastic strength to hold the chamois flat and in place the way a pair of road shorts does. In their next revision of this short, I would love to see them resolve this issue with a different fabric or maybe a removable or separate inner short."
Alas, my gal pal gave it no score, so here's my best guess:
8 out of 10, because you should never have to think about your chamois.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
From Loeka:
"Hi Dawn,
Thank you for your review, we really appreciate all the feedback. It helps us improve our clothes for the future. Thanks again. Rory Harmse"
I say, thanks Rory and Loeka for making cute stuff and venturing into this market. I do truly love the fabrics and the styling. Loeka is well on its way...
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Loeka update
It was pointed out to me that these are freeride shorts, and they will perform differently than cross country shorts.
Since I took 'em on an XC ride, next time I'll take 'em on a freeride. As soon as my ride gets back from the mechanic, you'll hear back on how they perform in their intended game.
Loeka Tech Shell Short - Digger
While cruising the Sea Otter Classic booths this past spring, my eye was caught by Loeka. The fabrics and design were unique and attractive. I stopped to have a chat with Rory, the owner, about how to find Loeka products, based in Canada, near me. Alas, there are no brick and mortar retailers in Nor Cal, but there are some U.S. online retailers. I eventually chose to risk not being able to try them on, and order from Freeride Foundation because not only are these women retailers, they are active in racing and promoting women's cycling.
First Impression: beautiful chocolate color with nice pink, but not too pink, contrast stitching. The polyester woven fabric is really soft, and feels good on the skin. Cute rear pockets with flap closures and a subtle logo on the left.
Overall Fit: According to their size chart, I'd wear a small. I can't help but wonder in what other universe I'd wear a small. It seems that many of the women's baggies producers have taken the movement toward vanity sizing to an extreme. I could not trust that I was a small, so I ordered a medium and a small. The small fit my waist, but was tight on the upper thighs and lower butt. I'd say the size chart is accurate if you do not have a large ass, like mine. The medium was big all over, but especially in the front waist. The waist size adjustment system is two pieces of black webbing that secure with a buckle in the front, and are about half the width of the waist band. Although this "belt" passes through two belt loops, it rides up above the waist band and cuts into the belly, leaving the waist gaping below. This will not happen if the waist fits exactly, or close to it, but that never happens to me in any garment because my hips and rear far exceed my waist.
Technical Performance: I took the medium out on a cross country ride on a warm evening, putting them over my favorite chamois, as recommended.Very comfortable and very wicking. Alas, they were a bit big, and friction did occur between the shell and my liner. The inner thighs rode up as I pedaled on climbs. I had a hard time sliding freely on my saddle. At the end of the ride, my girlfriend declared, "Those are too big for you. Give them to me!" which I think speaks to both the crazy sizing and the attractiveness of the design.
The Nutshell
Love, love, love
- wicking
- great feeling fabric
- attractive color
Things I'd like to see:
- side waist adjustment system, or an integrated belt that matches the width of the waist band
- a size small-and-a-half OR the big booty version
Overall score: 8 out of 10... because the bizarre sizing and lack of a comfortable waist adjustment system.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Swobo Update
Ah, I love a vendor who responds with such charm:
"Thanks for saying all of the very kind words about the shorts.
They were so compelling in fact, they made me want to be a lady.
Ill link your blog in the next day or so on howtoavoidthebummerlife.com
so the world knows were not just a boys club.
Again, many thanks,
Stevil"
And, please Mr. Stevil, stay manly. We girls like it like that.