The Lab: O’Neal Stormrider Shorts long-term review
Our global test team has been pushing products to the very limit on the world’s toughest trails. In The Lab, durability is rewarded and weaknesses have nowhere to hide. The O’Neal Stormrider shorts were used by Jim for cooler day rides under most unfavourable conditions. Find out how resistant the pants are and read Jim’s review:
Jim has been running these shorts more often than a lot of his race kit over the course of two winters and through the cooler months of two summers too. They are made from very tough and hard-wearing heavy-duty fabric and really have lasted incredibly well, especially considering how shitty they have got during the winter. Only a couple of bits of thread in the corner of some pockets are starting to come away.
All of the six pockets are fully usable, except the lower zipped one now has a zip that doesn’t fasten. All the pockets have been very useful for storage of gels, trail snacks, phone, tools, etc., and the massive velcro straps with large contact area have made for great adjustments of the waist band for his increasing and decreasing waistline (dependent on what part of the season it is)!
The colour has held its ground well and stains seem to wash out well. Jim would put these down as some of the most comfortable and dependable shorts he has owned to date. Now available in two different colour combinations.
Tester: Jim Buchanan
Test duration: 2 years
Weight: 560 g
Price: € 99,95
Further information you can get on the O’Neil website.
Words and photos: Jim Buchanan