7Mesh’s Slab shorts bring a range of updates to the brand’s lightweight enduro shorts. It’s a simple garment with beautiful high-quality construction and a fit that’s ideal for those quick after-work blasts around the local trail. Though they’re a bit too short, perhaps a bit too minimal and they come at a price, how do they fare among the best mountain bike shorts?
- 10 pieces of essential mountain bike clothing for beginners
- Royal Racing Quantum Shorts review
- What's best for cycling, synthetic or merino base layers?
7Mesh Men’s Slab Short – Technical details
The Slab shorts are made up of an 85% nylon and 15% elastane, four-way stretch blend with a DWR coating for good measure. They’re then put together with ultrasonic taped seams and there’s a luxurious ultra-suede hook-and-ladder waist adjuster.
> Buy now: 7 Mesh Slab shorts from eBay for £89.78
Keeping the Slab’s aesthetic as minimal as it gets, the shorts come with a single zipped pocket that’s just big enough to store a phone and keys. The shorts are then finished off with a reflective logo.
7Mesh Men’s Slab Short – Fit
I usually wear a 32in waist short and I opted to go for the medium-sized Slab. These shorts are cut with 7Mesh’s Trim Fit, which is said to sit slightly off of the body while offering some room for layering.
The medium fits around the waist very well but I am thankful for the adjustable waist. To keep the shorts secure, I like to cinch the waist up a bit. Trying to slip the metal hook into the loop can be a little tricky, especially with gloves on but it’s a minimal and comfortable method of adjustment that I’ve come to like.
7Mesh Men’s Slab Short – Performance
There’s no getting away from the Slab’s overall comfort. It’s second to none thanks to the fabric’s lightweight and excellent fit. The hook and ladder waistband adjustment is totally unnoticeable, too.
I like to wear the Slab on my post-work local blasts or gravel rides where I’m not worried about knee protection. That’s mainly because while the brand says the shorts can play nicely with the best mountain bike knee pads, they’re a little too short, resulting in an unsightly kneepad gap. Not only is there a bit of gap, but the shorts can bunch on top of a kneepad’s cap. In the grand scheme of things, this is a small issue and one bound by trail fashion but if you’re always riding with pads, you may want to look towards 7Mesh’s longer offerings.
The minimalist design of the Slab is another point that limits these shorts to my quick local rides as the single pocket isn’t enough to carry anything more than a phone and a key. Of course, carrying a bag quickly solves this if you were to pedal out for a longer excursion.
Though it limits the shorts a little, their simplicity is what makes the Slab so charming and comfortable. There’s never been a time on the bike where I’ve felt uncomfortable and to be honest, it’s felt as if I wasn’t wearing shorts at all. Outright luxurious comfort is what you’re paying for in the end.
7Mesh Men’s Slab – Verdict
At £120, the 7Mesh Men's Slab are an expensive pair of shorts, especially when they’re this minimal but these are some of the comfiest options on the market.
There are plenty of shorts available that offer much more for considerably less than the asking price. PNW Component’s Shuttle shorts are one of them. At £73, they come littered with pockets and get a DWR coating. While comfortable, they’re not quite as comfy as the Slab.
Even Rapha’s Trail Shorts are cheaper at £110 and carry more pockets and a super comfortable build. But like the Slab, they’re rather short.
While the 7Mesh Men’s Slab Short doesn’t offer much in terms of features, you’re getting a luxuriously built pair of shorts with incredible comfort. Though, the lacking features can limit the shorts’ usability. Add another pocket and a bit more length, and these will be permanently bound to my body.