7Mesh Farside Short review

7mesh pitch the Farside as a bike-packing, gravel and all-road adventure summer short. It proves to be an excellent option that is lightweight, comfortable and very well constructed. Although the price is high, the crash replacement policy does help make these a strong contender as a cross-country or gravel short when knee pads aren't required.

The construction is second to none. The 4-way stretch material provides a super comfortable fit. Along with the well-sized cut, these shorts have a barely-there feeling to them. There are many nice features such as a lined waistband, cinch straps, belt loops and laminated hems, which give top quality and a well-considered finish. The material manages moisture very well and dries quickly, never feeling clingy or sticky, making this ideal for hot summer rides. They are even casual enough to blend in when hot summer rides which inevitably end at the pub.

There are two open-topped pockets that are plenty deep enough to ensure nothing falls out. There's another zipped pocket on the underside of the thigh, which is big enough to fit a phone and well placed to not be obstructive whilst pedalling.

Sizing is spot on, with the medium size fitting in all the right places as expected. They are perhaps a little less roomy than preferred around the thighs, but the stretchy material means they are never uncomfortable. These shorts excel when out for casual exploration rides, whether it be light trail riding or gravel. I found the Farside shorts too short to wear comfortably with kneepads as the seam measures just 10.5". However, this length makes them ideal for a relaxing cruise to the pub or some gravel action.

Retailing at £100, these are by no means cheap, but the quality and features you get are, in my opinion, worth the money. Other similar options include Endura's Singletrack Lite short for £70, which have a similar construction but aren't as all-out lightweight as the Farside. Or, Troy Lee Designs Skyline Shell short for £75, which again shows the same intentions but has a less casual look.

The only drawback with a lightweight short is perhaps the ability to shrug off crashes. Although I haven't been able to test this aspect, I'd imagine they won't survive anything more than a light tumble. 7mesh do offer a crash replacement which can help put your mind at ease. These shorts are available in black, dark blue or "brickwork" orange to accommodate hip sizes from 36" to 46".

These Farside shorts are not designed for heavy trail duties; they are too short to be worn with knee pads and too thin to take a hard knock. However, 7mesh aim these at lighter duties, and for those, they really do excel. The clever features and attention to finishing detail, along with crash replacement, make these slightly pricey shorts an excellent option for hot summer riding.