100% Celium Riding Short

The mountain bike apparel catalog of 100% has been growing steadily over the past few years, and now features a good selection of items for anything from trail riding to DH. The Celium range is the company’s high-end all-mountain offering, positioned above the Airmatic line we tested last year. Made for all kinds of mountain biking activities in general, we’ve been putting Celium to the test over the past couple of months to see how it stacks up on the trail. Read on to find out.

100% Celium Short Highlights

• Lightweight polyester/elastane 4-way stretch construction
• Fully welded seams for maximum riding comfort
• Cohesive shock cord adjustable waist closure for optimal fit
• Hidden snap closure offers a clean look
• Zippered pockets for security of essentials
• Inseam & back laser perforation for increased airflow
• Sizes: 28-38
• MSRP: $129 USD ($169 with liner)

100% Celium Jersey Highlights

• Polyester/Elastane quick-dry and anti-microbial jersey
• Flat-locked stitching for seamless comfort
• Laser cut venting at back promotes airflow
• Drop tail provides full coverage in riding position
• Internal goggle wipe
• Sizes: S-XL
• MSRP: $69 USD

Initial Impressions

100% is a racing inspired company, and it shows throughout their entire line-up. The Celium range is very lightweight, and both the jersey and the short feature a tight cut with minimal extra features. There are a number of color combinations to choose from, ranging from subtle to loud, with modern styling that has its own identity. The fabric used is elastic and soft to the touch, with a somewhat “glossy” surface that is almost swimwear-like in its texture.

Despite the relatively short list of features, both items are well made with some nice touches in the construction. The bonded seams and laser cut ventilation holes are aesthetically pleasing as well as functional, while the hidden snap closure and the internal one-hand-operation waist adjusters on the short contribute to an overall clean look. The short offers two mid-sized pockets, while the jersey sports a hidden goggle wipe to keep your eyewear clean on those warm and dusty summer days.

On the graphics side, the jersey is fully sublimated with just the small logo on the arm being glued on. The short has a screen-printed logo patch and an externally bonded border around the pockets, while the jersey is finished off with a soft internal strip around the neck area for improved comfort.

On The Trail

The Celium gear is made specifically for mountain biking, and as with all 100% apparel, the company’s racing roots shine through in the close cut and the choice of flexible fabrics. Both the jersey and the short run true to size, with the waist adjusters offering enough range to help fine tune the fit of the short should your burrito and burger consumption spiral out of control.

On the trail, the Celium gear knows to make itself forgotten. The cut works well on the bike, and the light weight of the materials means you never feel particularly restricted in action. If you like to wear lots of body armor you might want to consider sizing up, but there is enough room for a pair of kneepads or a slim protective vest if that is your jam. Chances are, if you need a lot of armor you might need a beefier wardrobe as well, since the Celium stuff wasn’t designed for taking frequent dirtnaps. The fabrics are tough enough to deal with the odd encounter with Mother Nature’s more abrasive side, but if you spend a lot of time sliding around on the dirt you’ll be better served by something a little sturdier.

When it comes to storage, the Celium short offers up the strict minimum with just the two pockets. There is an extra internal pocket in one of the main pockets, which helps organize stuff a bit better, but if you require pack mule levels of haulage in your short you’ll need to look elsewhere. Neither of the pockets are water resistant, so keep that in mind too if you like to carry your phone on your body.

Things That Could Be Improved

The Celium short and jersey breathe well enough, and they feel pretty light in use, but they do have a tendency to get clingy when wet. If it’s really warm and/or humid where you ride, these will work better in the transition seasons.

One of the pockets sits in a bit of an awkward spot, making it less suitable for heavy or bulky items.

The waist adjuster tends to slip a bit during the ride.

Long Term Durability

We have had this outfit out on the trails for about two months now, and there are only small signs of wear on shorts. One seam has started to peel up a bit at edge, but certainly no drama. As previously mentioned, the fabrics are quite thin, so Celium won’t be the best choice if you crash a lot or ride in areas with heavy, thorny vegetation. The graphics are still vivid, and both the short and the jersey look fresh after many wash cycles.

What’s The Bottom Line?

As our sport matures, more and more riders are looking for less cumbersome riding apparel. With lightweight materials and modern construction techniques, the Celium line is right in time. From XC to enduro, the slim cut allows for good freedom of movement without unnecessary bagginess, while the vivid graphics look sharp and will stay fresh for a full season of riding. Riders in hot and humid geographies may find the jersey a bit clingy when it gets sweaty, but others should appreciate its soft comfort and good ventilation.

More information at: www.ride100percent.com.

About The Reviewer

Johan Hjord - Age: 45 // Years Riding MTB: 13 // Weight: 190-pounds (86kg) // Height: 6'0" (1.84m)

Johan loves bikes, which strangely doesn’t make him any better at riding them. After many years spent practicing falling off cliffs with his snowboard, he took up mountain biking in 2005. Ever since, he’s mostly been riding bikes with too much suspension travel to cover up his many flaws as a rider. His 190-pound body weight coupled with unique skill for poor line choice and clumsy landings make him an expert on durability - if parts survive Johan, they’re pretty much okay for anybody. Johan rides flat pedals with a riding style that he describes as "none" (when in actuality he rips!). Having found most trail features to be not to his liking, Johan uses much of his spare time building his own. Johan’s other accomplishments include surviving this far and helping keep the Vital Media Machine’s stoke dial firmly on 11.

Photos by Nils Hjord and Johan Hjord