The PNW Shuttle shorts are a part of the brand's fresh Fall Trail collection. Without beating around the bush, they tick every box required to certify a top-notch mountain bike short. The fit is spot on, they’re comfortable and they come sorted with plenty of well thought out pockets. They’re rather good bang for your buck too.
- 10 pieces of essential mountain bike clothing for beginners
- Rapha women's trail shorts review
- Buyer's guide to winter kit - stay comfortable and cosy on the bike this winter
PNW has designed the Shuttle shorts specifically for on-bike comfort. With that in mind, they’re made using an abrasion-resistant four-way stretch fabric. Then, around the waist, you’ll find a pair of adjusters on either side.
Moving down the short, there are two hand pockets along with two thigh pockets. The best bit, I think, is that the pouch part of the thigh pockets is firmly attached to the main fabric inside. That means that regardless of how heavy you’re loading them, the pockets won’t flap about simply because they’re not free to. They’re zipped too and plenty big enough for sizeable smartphones.
The Shuttle’s fit is really impressive. I fit a medium size short and often they’re either a little too slim, or too baggy around the waist but the Shuttle shorts are right on the money. PNW state the waist measurement of the medium as 30-32". With that, I’ve not felt the need to mess with the adjusters, something I’m sometimes reaching for on other shorts.
I’ve no complaints with their length either. The Shuttle shorts are built purposely with a long 13" inseam and a contoured hem at the front of the knee with one goal, to prevent knee gap. That, they certainly do.
PNW has been careful not to make them too baggy. With shorts like the Alpinestars ALPS 8.0, their gross bagginess can leave a heft of material to flap about but the Shuttle strikes a great balance between super fitting, and baggy. This leaves enough room and fabric to move around in, without surplus ripe for snagging on foliage, or the nose of your saddle.
As mentioned before, these come as part of PNW’s Fall Trail range, and as such, they get a very useful DWR coating. This allows the shorts to be used in damp conditions where they’re more than capable of protecting you from spray. They've held up without issue after a bunch of washes too.
Value and verdict
With a price tag just north of £73, the Shuttle shorts are rather respectable for the cash. However, there are Madison’s Men’s 4-Season DWR Shorts. They’re £75 and a bit more winter-focussed with specific waterproof panels.
Other options include Endura’s MT500 Spray shorts at £80 that look pretty similar to the Shuttles and there are Nukeproof’s Blackline Race shorts at £90. The only thing that really sets Nukeproof’s offering apart is UV protection.
It’s tough not to get passionate about PNW’s Shuttle shorts simply because they’re everything I look for in a good pair of trail shorts. Their pockets are well placed and designed, the DWR coating is seriously useful, the fit couldn’t be better and they’re mighty comfortable. For the brand's first shot at apparel, it's nailed it with the Shuttle short.