The Kitsbow Mescal Ventilated is the recently updated version of our previous Editors' Choice Award for trail and cross country riding, the Kitsbow A/M Ventilated, and the new version maintains that top step on the podium. Attention to detail and very thoughtful design make these shorts the best fitting and pedal friendly in our test selection. These shorts have a tailored functional performance fit and user-friendly features that improve your experience out on the trail. These shorts are high end, as their price tag suggests, but they have the quality craftsmanship, materials, and performance to match. The slimmer and shorter fit of these shorts won't likely be the first choice of the gravity oriented crowd, but anyone who values quality, comfort, and on-trail performance should check out the Mescal Ventilated.
Kitsbow Mescal Ventilated Review
Cons: Expensive, short inseam
Manufacturer: Kitsbow
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Mescal Ventilated is a compelling upgrade of our previous Editors' Choice Award winner, the Kitsbow A/M Ventilated, and has yet again emerged as our Editors' Choice Award winner. Kitsbow has also managed to bring the price of the shorts down by $65 to a much easier to swallow $155. Other than the dramatic reduction in price, the primary changes in their design are to the waist adjustments and closures; the shorts still boast the same breathable and quick-drying material, tailored performance fit, quality craftsmanship, and pedal friendliness as the previous version. Our testers loved the Mescal Ventilated shorts — read on to find out why.
Performance Comparison
Style
Like the previous version, the Mescal Ventilated has a slimmer and more tailored fit and a shorter inseam that hangs just to the top of the knee. They've got relatively subtle styling and a nondescript look that doesn't give away the fact they are a high-end mountain bike short. There are two small embroidered logos, one on each thigh, and mesh ventilation panels on the back of each leg by the knee. These shorts are stylish enough to wear around town, but they don't have as casual a look as the Dakine Syncline, nor do they have a moto-inspired look like the 100% Airmatic.
Recent trends in mountain biking, notably enduro racing, has helped the moto-inspired styles from the downhill side of the sport infiltrate into everyday trail riding style. Kitsbow's design aesthetic steers clear of that throughout their entire line, with subdued colors and contoured fits that favor function over fashion, but still look good. If you prefer a more understated look as opposed to a flashy style, then Kitsbow has got you covered. The Mescal is available in two colors as of now, Black, and Gunmetal Grey (tested).
Features
Kitsbow has put a lot of thought into the design of the Mescal shorts, and that is evident in the wealth of user-friendly features. Clearly, they have paid attention to detail and created features that are truly functional and enhance the riding experience. The Mescal was our highest scoring product in the rating metric, tied with the Specialized Enduro Pro.
The Mescal shorts have two zippered pockets, one on each side by the hip. These aren't your typical hand pockets. Instead, these have zippers that are oriented vertically, and the pocket is reverse loaded, towards the back of the shorts. The inside of the pocket is mesh and can hold items up to about the size of an iPhone 6. These pockets hold items securely against the hip in a position that doesn't conflict with your pedal stroke in any way. If you are prone to crashing and landing on your hip, then you probably won't want to use these pockets to hold much of anything. The pockets can also be used to vent the shorts when not being used to carry anything. While the pocket design is functional and pedal friendly, carrying capacity is limited compared to shorts like the Zoic Ether or the 100% Airmatic with their much larger but less functional pockets.
The waist adjustment and closure design of the Mescal shorts is unique and thoughtfully designed. The closure consists of a zipper fly with a flip locking zipper for added security, as well as a tiny low-profile button that is offset to the left. This closure design is low profile, and there are no bulky buttons or snaps to add pressure or discomfort to the waist. The waist adjustment of the shorts is also pretty unique, with a length of webbing that extends across the front of the shorts attached to a cam-locking alloy slip hook that fits into a small webbing loop on the left side of the waistband. This system offers three full inches of adjustment, is located on the outside of the waistband, is easy to adjust on the fly — it just plain works well. The Patagonia Dirt Craft shorts have a similar slip hook waist adjustment, although theirs is on both sides, but the Kitsbow system is slightly more user-friendly.
Durability
The shorts are impeccably finished with excellent quality control. In fact, the first test pair we received was recalled for a suspected manufacturing defect in one of the seams. That's right, our mountain bike shorts were recalled. That's some serious customer service and commitment to quality that you don't expect from any company that produces mountain bike clothing. We sent our test pair back and were sent another brand new pair.
The shorts are constructed from a lightweight 4-way stretch softshell fabric that is treated with a DWR (durable water repellent) finish that helps to shed water and prevent absorption. This fabric is soft but sturdy and has held up well to the hundreds of miles of abuse we've given them. The material also cleans up well, with no signs of staining in the seat or elsewhere, even after muddy spring rides. While we feel the materials used on the Mescal shorts are durable and will stand up to years of use, we do feel that heavier weight fabrics like those used on the Troy Lee Ruckus do offer more in the way of durability and protection.
The other elements of the shorts, like the zippers and waist adjustment, are top quality, with industry standard YKK zippers on the pockets and fly and beefy alloy slip hook. Kitsbow also backs their products with a Lifecycle Guarantee, and they will repair or replace your gear if it doesn't stand up to your abuse. They also have a 30-day free return policy in the event you aren't happy with your purchase.
Protection
Form follows function for the design of the Mescal shorts, and their function is pedaling efficiency and all-day comfort. These shorts are not designed for downhilling, and therefore they don't offer the coverage and protection that riders might be looking for that purpose. Their lightweight, slim fit, and short inseam works especially well for their intended purpose but may leave some riders wanting.
The shorts have a shorter inseam which makes them great for pedaling efficiency and comfort, but leaves more of the leg exposed in the event of a crash or encounters with trailside hazards. The combination of the shorter inseam and the slim fit and smaller leg openings also makes these shorts less compatible with knee pads. They will work with some of the lower profile styles, but thick or bulky models are a no-go as they tend to hang up on top of them in an uncomfortable and awkward kinda way. If you're a more gravity oriented rider who is interested in a short that offers more in the way of protection, then we suggest checking out the Pearl Izumi Elevate or the Troy Lee Ruckus.
Fit and Pedal Friendliness
The fit of the Mescal shorts is designed with pedaling efficiency in mind. The shorts have a shorter inseam and a slimmer, more performance oriented fit than most of the competition. If you are a cross-country, trail, or all-mountain rider who enjoys the climbs just as much as the descents, then the Mescal has the fit and pedal friendliness you're looking for. The Club Ride Crush shorts are the same length as the Mescal, sharing the 2nd shortest fit behind the Patagonia Dirt Craft.
The Mescal is a serious performance oriented piece of mountain bike apparel. Every aspect of their design seems to be intended to improve your riding experience, and the fit is no exception.
The shorts have been designed to contour ergonomically to the rider in the seated pedaling position. The slim fit also helps to reduce drag or catching on trailside obstacles as there is little excess material. The shorter inseam puts the hem just at the top of the knee when standing and a bit above when pedaling, providing a friction-free and unrestricted pedal stroke. The back of the hem of the shorts is even contoured up slightly to reduce the likelihood of the shorts making contact with the back of your knee while pedaling.
The 4-way stretch fabric also provides adequate give for virtually unrestricted freedom of movement. Other shorts in our test section, like the Race Face Trigger and the 100% Airmatic offer excellent pedal friendliness due to the softness of their fabrics, but their fit isn't quite as dialed as the Mescal. They come in sizes XS through XXL, and they fit true to size. They have a pretty slim fit, and Kitsbow recommends sizing up if you are interested in a looser fit.
Comfort
It is important to note that the Mescal Ventilated short does not come stock with a chamois liner. Kitsbow does make liners, including their Ventilated Cycling liner which is optimized to work with the Mescal Ventilated shorts. These liner shorts are $155, which is very pricey, but considering the quality of their outer shorts, we can only assume they are a great product, although we haven't tested them.
The 4-way stretch soft-shell fabric of these shorts feels good on the skin, and all of the seams have been designed to lay flat and go virtually unnoticed. The hem of the shorts has a welded seam that sits exceptionally flat above the knee to avoid any chafing while pedaling. Testers liked the feel of the fabric and thought it was an excellent middle ground between the super soft material of shorts like the 100% Airmatic and the burly fabric of the Troy Lee Ruckus. This fabric also proved to be quick drying, treated with a DWR to prevent water absorption in the first place, and drying fast enough never to feel soaked and heavy.
The waist adjustment system has been designed to reduce bulk and pressure on the abdomen, and they have a done a good job of it. The zipper and seam of the fly sit very flat, and the alloy slip hook that secures the belt across the front is offset to the left and generally goes unnoticed, even with a pack strap on top of it. Kitsbow has integrated numerous vents into the design of these shorts in the form of stretch mesh panels located on the back of each leg by the knee and the lower back below the waistline. The placement of these vents isn't incredibly effective, in our opinion, but it certainly helps to circulate some air around these shorts. The pockets are also lined with mesh and can be used for ventilation assuming you aren't using them to hold anything.
Best Applications
The Mescal shorts are ideal for trail, all mountain, and cross country style riding, and riders who like a more contoured functional performance fit. These would be our first choice for all-day epics or virtually any ride that involves significant amounts of pedaling. We wouldn't reach for these if we were doing shuttle laps, going to the bike park, or riding chairlifts all day, but for pretty much any other ride we would.
Value
With a price tag of $155, the Mescal shorts are the most expensive in our test selection, yet they cost $65 less than the A/M version we tested last year with no apparent sacrifices in design or quality. We feel that these shorts are a good value, simply because they are the best shorts we tested, with a thoughtful design, quality materials and construction, a great comfortable fit, and incredible pedaling efficiency. If you want the best mountain bike shorts on the market, you'll pay a premium to get them, but we feel these shorts are worth the price.
Conclusion
The Kitsbow Mescal Ventilated shorts are the winner of our Editors' Choice award because they are the best shorts in our test, hands down. The incredible design, fit, comfort, performance, pedaling efficiency, and quality craftsmanship come together to create the total package, and dare we say the perfect baggy short for trail and cross country style riding. They aren't the best choice for gravity oriented riders, and the fit probably won't be for everyone, but if you're looking for a high performance short in a casual-looking package, then look no further.
— Jeremy Benson