The Backcountry Empire is a durable and comfortable pair of mountain bike shorts that offer excellent stretch and loads of pockets. The inseam is long enough to protect on typical rides. While they have some nice styling, overall, they left us scratching our heads at the details. They are a little warm for hot days and the tiny perforations that offer ventilation also sacrifice some of the protection on colder, wetter rides.
The shorts are on the heavy side and feature a very bulky and overbuilt waistline. They are also one of the more expensive models in the test.Backcountry Empire - Women's Review
Durable and waterproof shorts that have some curious features
Price: $100 List | $54.97 at Backcountry
Pros: Durable, waterproof, four-way stretch
Cons: Bulky waistline, expensive, odd pocket access
Manufacturer: Backcountry
Cons: Bulky waistline, expensive, odd pocket access
Manufacturer: Backcountry
By Laurel Hunter ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ Nov 20, 2019
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Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Backcountry Empire - Women's | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  | |||
| Price | $100 List $54.97 at Backcountry | $110 List Check Price at Backcountry | $68.99 at Evo Compare at 3 sellers | $87.65 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $74.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Durable, waterproof, four-way stretch | Great fit, smart waist adjustment, usable pockets, lightweight, comfortable | Lightweight, four-way stretch, excellent fit, breathable, super comfortable | Durable material, 13-inch inseam works well with kneepads, comfortable | Lightweight, breathable, many pockets, affordable |
| Cons | Bulky waistline, expensive, odd pocket access | Not waterproof, slim fit may not work for all riders | Not as protective for burly terrain | Not the most breathable, a little heavy | Not water resistant, runs large, velcro waist adjusters |
| Bottom Line | Durable and waterproof shorts that have some curious features | Really comfortable and lightweight shorts that fit well, have great pockets, and look good on and off the bike | One of the best fitting shorts we have ever tested, with a minimalist design, lightweight, and a high level of comfort | For all day, big rides in technical terrain the Airmatic is protective, comfortable, and durable | A very functional pair of mountain bike shorts that are lightweight and super affordable |
| Rating Categories | Backcountry Empire... | Specialized Trail C... | Patagonia Dirt Roamer | 100% Airmatic - Wom... | Zoic Navaeh |
| Fit and Comfort (30%) | |||||
| Pedal Friendliness (30%) | |||||
| Protection (20%) | |||||
| Pockets (10%) | |||||
| Style (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Backcountry Empire... | Specialized Trail C... | Patagonia Dirt Roamer | 100% Airmatic - Wom... | Zoic Navaeh |
| Shell Fabric | 88% nylon, 12% spandex | Vaporize woven fabric | 90-denier 87% recycled polyester/13% spandex | Polyester, elastane | 86% polyester, 14% spandex |
| Lining Main Fabric | None | None | Sold seperately | None | None |
| Chamois | None | None | Sold seperately | None | None |
| Inseam Measurement | 11.5 in | 11.5 in | 11.75 in | 13 in | 11 in |
| Number of pockets | 4 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
Show full specification detailsHide full specification details
Our Analysis and Test Results
Color Update
Backcountry still makes the Women's Empire shorts, although the cooler we tested is no longer available. They now come only in Black. -May 2022
Backcountry still makes the Women's Empire shorts, although the cooler we tested is no longer available. They now come only in Black. -May 2022
Backcountry has been selling outdoor gear and clothing for decades and is slowly building up its own line of outdoor clothing. Their Empire short has some excellent features, as well as some that had us scratching our heads.
Performance Comparison
A very capable pair of mountain bike shorts, but heavy and bulky in some areas.
Credit: Laurel Hunter
Fit and comfort
Made from a fabric that combines a healthy dose of spandex with polyester, these shorts offer excellent stretch and a good level of comfort, though the material is heavier than many we tested. This heaviness also means that the shorts are a little warm for summer riding or warm days. On the bottom panel on the front of the legs are tiny perforations that allow for ventilation. Heat tends to build up behind the legs or on the inner thigh, so we found this placement odd. We were not able to coincide any rides with cold weather, but from experience, we have found that it is the tops of the thighs that get the coldest in wind and rain, so we have some concerns about having actual holes where weather is most likely to get in.
The Empire fits true to the sizing chart and uses a very heavy duty velcro tab system for fine-tuning the waist adjustment. Indeed, the waist seems overbuilt. The waistband material is already doubled-up in thickness, so this extra burly velcro layer means that you have a considerable amount of fabric around your waist that is soaking up sweat. There is even extra velcro next to the snap that is a backup plan for snap failure. However, all this velcro means your socks are sticking to your shorts in the wash.
While still being comfortable, these shorts lack some of the technical finesse that elevates comfort levels on a mountain bike ride.
Burly velcro tabs add a lot of extra weight to an already beefy waist.
Credit: Laurel Hunter
Protection
The heavy-duty fabric that makes these shorts run warm does function to add some protection from grabbing tree branches and pokey plants. And if you happen to find yourself making friends with rocks on the trail, we have no doubt these are durable enough to offer up protection.
As mentioned above, the holes on the front of the legs will allow cold air and water to hit the skin above the knees, though this issue will be weather dependant. The 11 1/2-inch inseam is plenty long to protect from harmful UV and most trail hazards, though a bit short to work seamlessly with knee pads.
Tiny holes in the legs allow for ventilation but do not discriminate against wind and rain, so check the weather before heading out on your ride.
Credit: Laurel Hunter
Pedal Friendliness
With four-way stretch working in every direction, these shorts move really well on the bike, no matter the body position. The contoured waistband stays flat and the extra silicone dots on the inside of the waistband ensure that it doesn't slip down.
We pedaled up and shredded down to test these shorts in every type of position. They have four-way stretch that moves well as you ride.
Credit: Laurel Hunter
Pockets
The Empire short is equipped with four pockets, two hand pockets on the waistline that are deep and stretchy and two zippered pockets on the outside of the thighs. The outside of the thigh is the best place to store bulky items while riding so that they don't interfere with riding. There is an art to a great pocket, however, and we found that having the zipper running the length of the pocket on the long side meant that it was hard to get items in and out without everything falling out.
These pockets include a small gusset to expand on the bottom of the pocket, which came in handy for doubling up on energy gels and keys, or for carrying bulkier items.
Pocket zippers along the long edge mean you better make sure they are zipped!
Credit: Laurel Hunter
Style
There are some nice details on the Empire to give it some feminine flair, including the shape of the legs, which taper slightly at the knee and have notched sides. While we question the technical decision to put holes in the front of the shorts, we like the way they add a different texture and detail to the overall look.
As for color options, the Empire is offered in basic black as well as a few other neutral colors.
The notched leg adds a bit of style.
Credit: Laurel Hunter
Value
The Empire is a very functional mountain bike short. However, it is one of the most expensive shorts that we tested and has a lot of odd details. It is not a terrible value, but for the price, there are other models that offer more technical features.
Conclusion
Backcountry has made a durable and comfortable pair of mountain bike shorts. They are on the heavy side, especially in the waistband, and lack some of the technical finesse that we appreciate in other mountain bike shorts in the test.
— Laurel Hunter
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