Rapha Trail Shorts Women's Review

Rapha is known for its high-quality biking clothing, and the Trail Shorts are no exception. While being minimal in design, they are highly functional and supremely comfortable. These shorts are understated to the max but quickly became a favorite due to the quality construction, thoughtful details, and high-performing design. No wonder they are our pick for Editor's Choice.

Performance Comparison

Fit and Comfort

The Rapha Trail Shorts are made from four-way stretch nylon and elastane fabric that easily stretches to fit. The fabric is lightweight and breathable, offering a high level of comfort, especially while riding.

The Trail Shorts are offered in six sizes, from XXS to XL and we found them to fit true to size. In keeping with the minimalist look and feel, there is no waist adjustment mechanism at all, other than the natural stretch of the fabric. The waistband material offers plenty of stretch, however, to accommodate differences in waist size. On the pair we tested, we could easily make the waist at least an inch wider by pulling on it. This lack of bulk allows for high levels of breathability and a very comfortable feel under a pack. One note — the snap at the top of the fly does not function as a traditional snap but slides into place and locks in order to hold securely. It holds really well! So much so, if you forget to slide it open, you could potentially pull the whole mechanism out of the fabric before it would pop open.

At 13 1/2 inches, this is one of the longer inseams in our test. The length does not feel restrictive or excessive, but riders who prefer a shorter pair of shorts may not be pleased. However, our testers feel the length allows for great coverage from the sun and wind and the lightweight fabric is supple and breathable enough for warm weather riding, plus they play well with knee pads.

Pedal Friendliness

With four-way stretch, the Trail Shorts flex and stretch whether you are pedaling, crouching, bending, or standing. The svelte waist has no extra fabric bunching up under a pack, while the cut of the shorts ensures that they sit comfortably above the hip bones and don't slide down while you are moving. Most importantly, these shorts have a gusseted crotch which allows for greater movement and keeps the fabric from getting caught on the seat.

We had no issues with the leg material creeping up and the fabric and fit mean no loud swishy nylon is heard. In terms of pedal friendliness, these shorts will be a very best friend, receiving top marks in this category. These are the kind of shorts that work so perfectly you forget you are wearing them.

Protection

While the Trail Shorts are lightweight, the material is not flimsy or delicate. In several run-ins with pokey branches, fences, and other hazards, the shorts came out unscathed, with no indications of pulled thread or damage. Should you crash and tear the shorts, however, they do come with a handy patch kit and additional repairs may be performed by Rapha if the patch kit won't cut it.

The longer inseam offers protection from the sun and weather. We didn't get to wear these in stormy or wet conditions, but we tested with sprayed water and watched as it beaded up and rolled away. Rubbing water into the fabric also demonstrated that it didn't soak through to the inside of the leg, so we feel fairly confident that the Trail Shorts offer a high level of water resistance.

For riders that want to wear knee protection, these are wide enough at the leg opening to fit over knee pads and long enough to avoid the dreaded gap between shorts and pad.

Pockets

The Trail Shorts are equipped with two zippered pockets, symmetrically placed on the outer thighs. Roomy enough to hold a phone and snacks, they also have pockets inside the pockets. Rapha calls these “integrated phone sleeves” and if your phone does not have a case, you could definitely stash a phone securely here, though it seemed easier to have a phone in the main pocket area and use the smaller interior pocket for lip balm and snacks.

The pockets are sewn to the outside of the shorts which is a great design feature for mountain biking. It keeps the contents within the pockets from swinging around inside the leg material and holds everything close to the body. The zipper pulls are flexible plastic material which is easy to grab with gloves on. While there are fewer pockets on these shorts than many others in the test, two functional, well-placed pockets are really all that we need to carry essentials on shorter rides.

Style

Rapha's style tends to be classic and timeless— they are not known to offer wild patterns or bright colors — and their mountain bike line is no different. Monochrome is the name of the game with the Trail Shorts. Zippers, zipper pulls, and thread are all the same color as the fabric. Only the waistband snap and the logo offer any contrast. The effect is minimal, which is in keeping with the overall clean lines of the shorts as a whole. Nonetheless, the shorts have a casual appeal that would not look out of place at the bar or cafe for post-ride celebrations.

The legs are fairly long and have a subtle flattering taper. Not everyone will like the long-ish 13 1/2 inch inseam, but we like the protection and versatility that comes with a longer short. These are shorts that work with knee pads or without and will last for many seasons without going out of style.

Value

While these are the most expensive shorts in this test, the Trail Shorts are incredibly versatile and of notably high quality. Breathable enough to be worn in warm weather and water-resistant enough for wet days make them a do-everything mountain bike short. They are not cheap but they can do it all and we think they are worth the cost.

Conclusion