Fox Racing Ranger Riding Short

Fox Racing Ranger shorts are composed of a tough outer shell and an inner liner designed for comfort. The exterior fabric has 2-way stretch which helps alleviate any binding or pressure points while riding. This high tech weave is also highly resistant to abrasions and tears. That little bit of extra stretch can prevent the fabric from getting hung up on branches or other pointy things out on the trails. The material does not absorb a lot of water either so they will never feel heavy when you are water logged from rain, creek crossings or buckets of sweat.

The waist has a snap closure and a belt with a clever metal hook that slips into sewn webbing loops. There are several loops spaced about one inch apart so you can fine tune the fit. I was skeptical of this at first, but now I think it is pure genius! Infinite adjustment buckles are prone to slipping. This hook locks into one spot and doesn't budge. It takes a bit more fiddling to get it undone, but that is a good trade-off for them staying put while belted up.

Fox Racing also makes a cargo version with side pockets, but I prefer this style with only the two hand pockets on the front. Larger cargo pockets are nice, but I usually empty them while riding to keep things from bouncing around. I prefer this slim, streamlined fit with only hand pockets. A small zippered back pocket might be a welcome addition, but again I would probably keep that empty while riding too.

When it comes to the liner, I prefer a thinner, less contoured experience than offered here. The EVO chamois is thick foam that has been molded and welded to supposedly match the shape of the pressure points on your rear end. This giant blue cozy definitely has all the bases covered and has a shockingly plush feel when you first put them on. Speaking of the chamois, who decided to put a Fox head logo on the inside of shorts? Not sure if the pathway to paradise is a great location for marketing.

I prefer a more traditional chamois, but I recognize that this comes down to your own personal preference. If you like thick and sculpted, you will like this liner. Regardless of how you feel, the good news is that the outer and inner shorts are two separate pieces so you can mix and match with other liners as you like. I will suit up with the thick, blue foam for epic rides and generally use a thinner liner for quick adventures.

Overall, I really like the fit and shape of these when you are riding. Like all well designed equipment, you don't notice these at all because they are doing a great job. Four stars... excellent!