A few months ago, I was given a pair of black Prolix Shorts and a lilac Charm Jersey, and was asked to provide feedback. As an avid mountain biker who rides year-round in all sorts of conditions. I wore the outfit several times, starting back in late February when I was still riding in snow.
Although these garments are designed for summer use, they layer up nicely. I throw the shorts on over my riding capris and wear my merino wool hoodie underneath the shirt.
Prolix Shorts
Made of polyester and spandex, the fabric is light, repels water, and feels lovely to the touch. It doesn’t snag on branches, is tougher than I expected, and has resisted its encounters with rocks and roots. On one wet rainy ride I returned covered in mud, and the shorts sat around for a few days until I got around to doing laundry. I was skeptical they’d come clean, but they did.
They look pretty sweet and are cut for the ride position, so they don’t creep down when you lean forward. The length is perfect and comes down over the knee. I very much like the purple side zippers because they add a fun touch of colour and match my Charm T-shirt and the trim on my 5-10 shoes. (Hey, I ride with the Dirt Divas, and this kind of stuff matters.) I’m actually thinking of getting the long-sleeved Spark for this winter and some purple ski socks (they’re the best for winter riding) to complete my outfit.
Charm Jersey, Prolix Shorts
The side pockets double as air-vents on hot days, but I haven’t really used them as such, partly because I’m scared of catching them on stray branches, but mainly because that’s where I store my power jujubes. One thing I’ve noticed is that the Velcro from my faithful old Khyber knee pads catches on the pockets’ mesh lining. I’d suggest either moving the pockets up or shortening the pocket bag to avoid this.
My only beef with the shorts is the absence of adjustments. There’s no belt loops, draw cord, or straps, and no way to tighten the waist. I have the smallest size available(4) and they’re baggy around my waist and tend to slide down a couple of inches. It’s not really an issue when I’m riding XC trails, but it does become a problem when I’m riding down something steep, want to get behind my seat, and can feel the crotch of the shorts catch on my saddle. Anyone who’s experienced this knows how scary and unnerving it can be.
The shorts close with a small-gauge, hidden zipper on the side. I like the idea, as it avoids bulk around the belly area. The zipper does however, tend to catch where it intersects with the stitching. Not a showstopper, but can be annoying.
Charm Short-Sleeved Jersey
I’ll be brutally honest here: when I first saw the jersey, it made me think of something from a department store. Why? I can’t really say. Maybe it was the round neckline and the ruching on the back. Regardless, I tried it on and was pleasantly surprised. You just can’t judge a piece of clothing until you try it on.
The Charm feels nice on the skin. It’s cut to move with your body and doesn’t expose your lower back when you’re crouched down and leaning forward. It’s made from recycled polyester (a nice bonus) and, having gotten it pretty wet from sweat these last few weeks, I can attest to its quick-drying abilities.
A nice feature (Johanna, the designer, has a knack for thinking of details) is the wipe patch sewn on the inside. It comes in handy in muddy conditions.
Overall, I’m quite happy with my outfit and would recommend both the shorts and the jersey to any gal looking for clothes that look good and perform well.
Filed under: Cycling, From Our Staff, Gear, Gear Testing
