Howies introduced the Charger shorts last year and after their sell-out success they’ve been updated for 2015.
The cut is at the more fitted end of the spectrum and the legs end just below the knee. They’ll easily accommodate knee pads, and with or without pads in place, pedalling feels free and easy. Two Velcro adjusters neatly tucked into the waist band ensure a great fit.
Made from a mid-weight four-way stretch material which is pretty rugged, Howies' Chargers can take a good dose of rough treatment on the trail. The DWR coating means the shorts shrug off muck and water thrown up from the trail, but on foul weather days we found that mud can cling to the seat area and weigh them down a little.
Two mesh-lined zipped vents at the front allow air through on hotter days and there are two zipped hand pockets too. No liner is included despite the relatively high price.