The Canyons are designed primarily as mountain bike shorts, with Pearl Izumi's specialist mountain bike chamois pad, and are aimed at warmer weather spring and summer use, being fairly short in length (7' inseam) and light of fabric. The fabric of the outer short is a lightweight stretchy polyester while the detachable liners are a mesh fabric with synthetic female specific chamois and leg grippers. The outer shorts have a flat shaped waistband with belt loops, fitted with adjustment tabs on the inside to tailor the fit to your requirements exactly. They fasten with a zipped fly with one button inside and two press studs outside. The outer shorts also have two side pockets and a pocket on one leg with flap closure.
Taking into account that these are aimed at mountain bikers, they are perfectly comfortable on all bikes with a more upright riding position. You'd not want to use them for out and out sportier road riding, but that's not really a surprise and not what they are intended for.
The pad is fine for about town use, or relaxed rides, and even long touring days, while the length of the shorts and laid back looks of the outer make them a doubly good option for summer casual wear and touring. When riding the outers didn't flap about or get bunched up, and the fabric had enough stretch that there was no feeling of binding on the thigh muscles.
The waistband was incredibly comfortable, with the adjustment making it easy to tailor the fit to suit. Why more casual styled shorts don't come with this kind of adjustment tab I don't know, as it's a really great idea. They stood up well to warmer temperatures, both outer and liner wicking moisture quickly and effectively and drying fast. Some sort of zipped pocket, perhaps instead of the pocket with flap (or a zipped section inside that one) would have been ideal as there was nowhere to put keys or the like, but that wasn't a serious problem.
They look like proper shorts, yet they're comfortable enough for upright riding.
road.cc test report
Make and model: Pearl Izumi Canyon Shorts
Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
Aimed at mountain bikers for summer use
Good for anyone on a bike with a more upright riding position, for casual use, cafe rides and even touring.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
100% polyester
Outer shorts stretch lightweight fabric
Removable liner shorts stretch mesh fabric
Synthetic 3d MTB chamois
2 side pockets
1 thigh pocket with flap fastening
Internal waist adjustment
Machine washable at 30
Available in sizes XS-XXL
Rate the product for quality of construction:
9/10
Well made using good quality fabrics.
Rate the product for performance:
9/10
Rate the product for durability:
8/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
9/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
9/10
Provided you're not using them in too sporty a position, extremely comfortable, even for long days in the saddle
Rate the product for value:
9/10
Good value for money as they are so versatile. You'll wear them a lot during the warmer months.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Spot on for casual summer riding.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Style, stretch fabric, waist adjustment.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Nothing.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.
Would you consider buying the product? Definitely.
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.
Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?
Good value for money, relaxed casual style and decent levels of comfort.
Age: 37 Height: 1.65m Weight: 67kg
I usually ride: My best bike is:
I've been riding for: 10-20 years I ride: Most days I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, touring, general fitness riding, mtb,
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