Issue #021, Review -

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:

Die Rückseite ist hoch geschnitten, innen mit Microfleece-Einsätzen versehen und mit einer Gesäßtasche ausgestattet.
The backside of the O’Neal Stormrider Shorts is pitched quite high, endowed with microfleece-insertion and a back pocket.

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.

Ausgestattet mit praktischen Klettverschlusstaschen konnten Gel, Tool oder Handy bequem verstaut werden.
Equipped with practical velcro pockets, gels, tool, phone and lift ticket can be stowed conveniently.

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)!

Mit dem halbumlaufenden Klettband kann die Bundweite je nach Hüftumfang noch eingestellt werden, damit auch nichts rutscht.
With the velcro strap, you can adjust the waist size to prevent the pants slipping down.

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.

Reißverschlusstasche an der Vorderseite, Gürtelschnallen und zwei Druckknöpfe am Hosenbund. Alles da was man braucht.
Zipper pockets at the front, belt loops and two push buttons at the waistband.

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