With the Skyline short, Troy Lee Designs presents a ladies' short with a get-it-done attitude. The four-way stretch and breathable material are quite comfortable, and the longer inseam offers good protection with and without kneepads. It has curiously placed though functional and good-sized, zippered pockets.
The waist adjustment system is bulky and unflattering and we found that the fabric is not the most durable. These shorts are also not the most stylish or feminine. But, they are more affordable than most shorts in our review and have some great features.Troy Lee Designs Skyline - Women's Review
An affordable choice for riders who are looking for a versatile pair of shorts to get the job done
Photo: Backcountry
Price: $80 List | $75.95 at Amazon
Pros: Four-way stretch material, breathable, secure thigh pocket
Cons: Bulky and unflattering waist adjustment system, suspect durability
Manufacturer: Troy Lee Designs
Cons: Bulky and unflattering waist adjustment system, suspect durability
Manufacturer: Troy Lee Designs
By Laurel Hunter ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ May 20, 2019
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Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Troy Lee Designs Skyline - Women's | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  |  | |||
| Price | $75.95 at Amazon | $69.99 at Competitive Cyclist | $99.00 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $54.99 at Competitive Cyclist | $89.00 at Competitive Cyclist Compare at 2 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Four-way stretch material, breathable, secure thigh pocket | Feminine fit, burly material, glide patches for smooth pedaling, easy cinching at the waist, zippered pockets | Lightweight, four-way stretch, excellent fit, breathable, super comfortable | Lightweight, comfortable, flattering fit, perfectly placed zip pocket, four-way stretch | Durable material, 13-inch inseam works well with kneepads, comfortable |
| Cons | Bulky and unflattering waist adjustment system, suspect durability | Not the lightest weight | Not as protective for burly terrain | Not the best protection | Not the most breathable, a little heavy |
| Bottom Line | The Skyline is comfortable and breathable and offers decent protection at an affordable price | Ready to charge while also being comfortable, flattering, and stylish | Lightweight, breathable, and with ample stretch, the Dirt Roamer has plenty of comfort for big days on the bike | Now with more stretch, the Avery is sleeker and more comfortable than ever | The Airmatic is comfortable, durable, and protective -- the perfect short for big days and technical riding |
| Rating Categories | Skyline | Yeti Cycles Norrie 2.0 | Dirt Roamer | Yeti Cycles Avery | 100% Airmatic - Women's |
| Fit And Comfort (30%) | |||||
| Pedal Friendliness (30%) | |||||
| Protection (20%) | |||||
| Pockets (10%) | |||||
| Style (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Skyline | Yeti Cycles Norrie... | Dirt Roamer | Yeti Cycles Avery | 100% Airmatic -... |
| Shell Fabric | 87% nylon, 13% spandex | Stretch polyester with DWR | 90-denier 87% recycled polyester/13% spandex | Stretch polyester | Polyester, elastane |
| Lining Main Fabric | None | None | Sold seperately | None | None |
| Chamois | None | None | Sold seperately | None | None |
| Inseam Measurement | 12 in | 12 in | 11.75 in | 11 in | 13 in |
| Number of pockets | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
The newest version of the Troy Lee Skyline has a longer inseam for better overall protection that works well with kneepads. The fabric is mega-stretchy, making it a super comfortable pair of shorts. It still has some work to do in the style department, but for technical riding on hot days, these are a great option.
Performance Comparison
Breathable and comfortable, the Skyline got us to the skyline!
Photo: Laurel Hunter
Fit and Comfort
The latest version of the Skyline is made with super stretchy and soft material that accommodates most body types. We could not locate a useful fit guide for their women's shorts on Troy Lee's website, so we ordered a size small and it fit pretty well.
Our major gripe with the Skyline is the super bulky external Velcro waistband adjusters. They are easy to adjust on the fly, but the rubber tabs have sharp points that snagged on shirts and bushes. And the extra fabric that gathered in the back didn't really do much for our style. There are more creative and low-profile solutions for fit adjustment.
Pedal Friendliness
Four-way stretch in the Skyline was much appreciated for pedaling, crouching, and bending. It flexed in every direction that we moved on the bike and never held us back. The silicone grippers on the waistline ensure that the shorts do not slip down while riding.
The Skyline uses Coolmax fabric throughout the shorts, and we definitely noticed good breathability on hot days. Additionally, there is a breathable mesh back panel for those extra sweaty rides.
The 12-inch inseam works well with kneepads and offers great protection from branches.
Photo: Laurel Hunter
Protection
Protection in mountain bike shorts can mean weather protection, a barrier from pokey bushes and brush, and also from the occasional spill off the bike. Fortunately, we didn't have any crashing mishaps during our testing period, but we rode through some pretty tight, brushy trails and the Skyline did a solid job of protecting us from scratches. It has a 12-inch inseam that pairs well with kneepads for additional coverage. We did notice some micro-snags in the fabric which did not affect performance but might indicate a lack of durability over time.
While it didn't interfere with riding, it just felt weird having a phone on the back of our thigh...
Photo: Laurel Hunter
Pockets
Unique among the shorts we tested, the Skyline has a phone-sized zippered pocket on the *back of the thigh*. It's breathable and functional but felt a little bizarre. Still, we are fans of having access to our stuff, and while the placement was strange, at least it didn't inhibit pedaling. We couldn't find a good use for the zippered waistline pocket on the Skyline. It's mesh-lined and deep, but the placement makes it awkward for use.
Style
The look of the new Skyline is heaps better than the old version, but this short still strikes us as more functional than stylish. If the waist fits perfectly with no need to adjust, it has a nice clean look with minimal flair. However, the bubbling waistline fabric when we cinched in the waist just didn't seem to have anywhere to go. It bunched up in back, and it didn't look good.
If style matters, make sure to try these on and adjust the waist to fit. The extra fabric will also hold sweat.
Value
These shorts are not a high price and will more than get the job done. We have some concern about durability, as we found minor snags after riding through some tight bushes, but they are breathable and comfortable and work well with kneepads. As such, they are a decent value.
Conclusion
The Skyline is a great example of function over form. While not the most exciting looking pair of shorts in the test, we were impressed by its stretchy panels, breathable fabric, and good length.
— Laurel Hunter