Specialized Trail Cargo Shorts Women's Review

Our testers are pretty discerning when it comes to mountain bike shorts, and the Specialized Trail Cargo Short quickly became a favorite. When these shorts landed in our laps we had questions. They are so lightweight, will they actually be durable? We rode through the prickliest bushes around and they survived without a mark, pull, or snag. Would the material stain and hold up to Central Oregon dirt? We rode in the heat and dust and they looked totally fresh at the end. The pockets are functional and we think they look great, too. Truly, these are an excellent pair of shorts that won us over and became our favorite for all-around use. The Trail Cargo is our top choice when it comes to riding on warmer days and when we don't need as much protection.

Performance Comparison

Fit and Comfort

The Specialized Trail Cargo Shorts are one of the best-fitting pairs of shorts that we tested. They come in 6 sizes, from XS to XXL, so most riders should be able to get a dialed-in fit without having to rely on a waist adjustment system to hold their shorts up. However, this model also has low profile webbing pull tabs on both sides to make micro-adjustments for the perfect fit. You simply pull the tabs to tighten and lift up on the rings to loosen them up. These adjusters add minimal bulk to the waist, meaning they look more flattering, but more importantly, there isn't a lot of extra material to hold sweat or bunch up under a pack strap. The attention to detail here really impressed us, as the rings are placed just inside fabric tabs on the waistline for a clean look that also keeps them from being pulled accidentally.

While we found the sizing chart to be accurate, the cut of the legs may be a bit slim for some riders. If you have particularly powerful thighs, consider sizing up.

The fabric is a mixture of polyester and spandex and has subtle 4-way stretch — it moves with your body without feeling like it may slip down. The inside label is printed on a grippy, silicone material that also helps to hold the shorts in place. The waistband itself is very soft and feels comfortable next to the skin. The shell fabric is relatively lightweight and breathable, but we appreciated the addition of small perforations on the insides of the thighs. This provides ventilation where you tend to build up heat and makes these shorts an excellent choice for summer riding.

Pedal Friendliness

Fabric that stretches in all directions will almost always make for a comfortable ride on the bike. It allows for movement when pedaling, bending, crouching, and climbing. The Trail Cargo fabric features a four-way stretch that moves without feeling sloppy. In fact, we hardly noticed our shorts at all and focused instead on riding, the ultimate goal in a pair of shorts.

While the material is soft on the outside, it features a smoother backing next to the leg that allows it to slide smoothly on top of the thighs while pedaling. This keeps the legs from creeping up or binding, especially when you are pedaling in the saddle.

Protection

The Trail Cargo shorts are fairly lightweight, making them a perfect choice for summer rides. We put them through all the same tests, riding through scratchy bitterbrush bushes and other grabby vegetation, and saw no indication of wear or snagging. Fortunately, we didn't have the opportunity to test them in a crash situation, but a lighter weight short such as these may not offer as much protection when you hit the rocks. Overall, however, we are impressed with the durability of this model.

The fabric is called VaporRize and claims to be water repellent. We tested primarily during an unusually dry spring and were unable to test waterproofness in real conditions, but we did splash some water on the fabric and watched it soak in. It dried quickly and by no means did the fabric feel soggy, but these probably wouldn't be our top choice if rain is in the forecast.

The inseam is 11 1/2 inches, which provides ample protection against the sun and is just long enough to work with knee pads.

Pockets

We are big fans of the pockets on the Trail Cargo Short. There are two zippered pockets, placed asymmetrically, which we found to be quite functional. The larger zippered pocket on the right side provides easy access to a smartphone while holding it securely against the thigh. The smaller pocket on the lower left leg holds snacks, lip balm, or keys, keeping these objects away from the body. Importantly, the pockets are sewn onto the fabric of the shorts so their contents don't swing around while you ride.

The Trail Caro also features hand pockets, which are great for holding things while you are getting ready to ride or for casual use. We never recommend storing anything in an unsecured pocket while riding, and the placement of these means anything stashed in here would be quite uncomfortable while pedaling. A consequence of the gusseted fly is that using the hand pockets makes the fly pop open. The mesh provides modesty, but regardless, we found this to be a bit awkward.

Style

While the Trail Cargo shorts are only available in smoke or black, our testers appreciated the high quality, attention to detail, and subdued looks. The asymmetrical stitching and thoughtful design make this a stylish, if understated, short.

The waistband closes with a sturdy metal button but there is no zipper or velcro tab holding the fly closed. There is a mesh gusset here, which provides ventilation as well as visual protection, but it would be nice to have this secured down flat.

There are other shorts with fun and flashy patterns, and we wouldn't mind seeing this pair with some bolder color options, but overall, we found them to be quite flattering and easy to wear anywhere pre or post-ride.

Value

Priced at the higher end of the spectrum of the shorts in this test, the Trail Cargo Short feels like a high-quality product and performs really well. We believe that comfort and performance make for the best riding day possible and are well worth the money spent.

Conclusion