Madison Flux Women's Shorts

Madison's Flux women's shorts are an attractive and well featured pair for summer that are, for the most part, very comfortable. They are from Madison's mountain bike clothing range – hence the emphasis on sturdy construction – but their appearance means they should appeal to anyone who prefers a casual look and doesn't want a built-in pad.

The lightweight, stretchy material gives the legs a barely-there feel that makes them super-comfy to pedal in because there is no restriction of movement whatsoever. This is despite the shorts' 'M:TEC Bombproof' label, which references the double and triple stitching at the seams of the many panels these shorts are constructed from. However, after about six wears and washes, little bits of stitching have come undone in a couple of places, though it hasn't caused any loosening of the seams thanks to the back-up stitching. Madison gives a lifetime warranty against defective workmanship for the expected lifetime of the product and will replace like with like.

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Although it's not listed as a feature on the Madison website, the fabric has a water-repellent finish. Water and rain just rolls off the surface until the shorts get a proper soaking. The nylon/spandex mix is very fast-drying too, so getting caught in a shower isn't a huge problem. This makes the Flux shorts a good option for touring and commuting.

While they are classed as 'baggies' and designed to be worn alone or over a pair of padded shorts, they are quite a close-fitting cut, especially around the derriere. If you always wear Lycra underneath, I'd suggest going up a size, otherwise you'll be able to see the outline of the pad. Wearing a liner will compromise their breathability, but extends the Flux's use into colder weather.

The shorts have a low-rise waist at the front, so no digging in, and although the rear isn't particularly high it stays in place thanks to a combination of the stretch rear yoke and silicone gripper inside the waistband that grips your liner shorts or skin.

The waist also has chunky 4cm-wide elastic and super-thick Velcro adjusters to get the fit just right. However, there is a downside to this – it means the waistband is four layers thick (two layers of Velcro or the elastic, regular fabric and polyester mesh lining, with silicone at the back) at the sides and back, which makes it far too hot and sweaty. This is a real shame as the remainder of the Flux shorts are lightweight and fairly cool, but the hefty waist compromises their overall performance.

On the plus side, the shorts have a zip and pop stud fly – no annoying Velcro to snag on your pants or jersey – and laser cut ventilation holes on the legs, hips and rear yoke. However, the Madison label is glued to the mesh inside just where the rear vents are, rendering them ineffective.

The two zippered hand pockets are a good size, and there are two smaller ones on each hip. The left-hand one is a 'stealth' pocket with a hidden zip, decorated with the Flux signature flower motif.

Lastly, there's a handy hanging loop inside the rear waist. Being designed for off-road use, there are no reflective details.

> Read our guide to casual clothing for cycle commuting

This pair are 'dark teal' – they also come in 'phantom black' with contrast pink and blue details. While 60 quid might sound a bit steep, the price is in line with comparable shorts from other brands.

Verdict

Easy pedalling, fast-drying casual shorts with plenty of versatility but some niggles