Scott Trail Storm WP shorts review

The Scott Trail Storm WP shorts feature a stretchy triple-layer fabric to keep the worst of the rain and spray from getting you wet and cold on the bike.

The cut is relatively snug, which works well on the bike in my experience.

The shorts feature Scott’s unique daisy-chain and clip waistband to keep everything in place.

Scott Trail Storm WP shorts details and specification

Scott uses its DRYOsphere 3L fabric for these shorts. It has a 10k waterproof and 10k breathability rating, which while not exemplary, does mark it out as a fully waterproof and breathable fabric.

Generally, below 10k waterproofing would indicate a water resistant, rather than waterproof, fabric though it’s not uncommon to see 20k waterproofing ratings and up to 30k breathability ratings.

The fabric has a little stretch to it, to help it fit over knee pads, and to reduce the chance of it feeling restrictive while you’re pedalling.

All the seams are taped, to help improve performance and longevity.

The waist is elasticated, with a daisy-chain loop and hook system to fine-tune the fit.

The waistband’s fly is held together by a pair of poppers and a zip.

There are pockets over each thigh. They’re closed with a relatively chunky looking zip, which has long tags on, so you can open the pockets easily while wearing a pair of mountain bike gloves.

Despite not looking like traditional waterproof versions, the zips are said to repel water.

Scott Trail Storm WP shorts performance

I really liked the feeling of the material. It has a soft finish, that’s comfortable next to the skin, and avoids feeling too clammy when wet.

The smooth hems slide nicely over knee pads, too, so there’s no annoying catch and tug as you spin the cranks. The fabric has a slight bit of stretch, which further aids comfort when pedalling.

The cut of the shorts is moderately snug. This leaves little fabric swishing about under your thighs, and helps keep them feeling light when they’re wetting out - more flappy shorts can feel cumbersome when damp.

While not the highest at the back, there’s ample lower-back protection from spray.

The elasticated waist ensures you can cinch up the waist so it doesn’t fall down, with the hook and loop waist adjustment easy to use. It doesn’t loosen with time, either, another plus point.

However, I found the low-profile waist poppers tricky to do up with gloves on, and the short fly isn’t the most convenient for comfort breaks.

Conversely, the two pockets have chunky, glove-friendly zips and pulls, so it’s easy to pull them open and grab your phone or snacks even in chilly conditions.

Despite not looking like a traditional weather-proof zip (with a rubbery flap over the zip’s teeth), during my testing I found these some of the most impervious to water, so my belongings tended to stay dry in heavy rain.

All’s not perfect, though. I feel that the location of the pockets, were they moved a little further out around the thigh, would be improved.

With a big phone inside, there’s a little tugging on the top of the thigh when pedalling.

The entrance into the pocket is also a touch small, especially when you’re wearing more insulated gloves.

How do the Scott Trail Storm WP shorts compare to the 100% Hydromatic Shorts?

Both pairs of shorts have a tighter cut around the thigh, which reduces the feeling of clamminess when they’re wet, and the amount the fabric flaps in the wind.

Scott’s offerings are suited to those who don’t want a long-in-the-leg cut, or who have shorter legs, and they’re shorter overall.

Both pairs of shorts feature materials that give the same waterproofing and breathability, but I preferred the feel of Scott’s material next to the skin.

While the 100% shorts’ Boa dial is a fancy addition, overall I found the poppered fly, and hook and loop closure of the Scott shorts easier to live with.

Scott Trail Storm WP shorts bottom line

If you’re looking for a pair of slim-cut waterproof mountain bike shorts that perhaps aren't the longest in the leg, Scott’s Trail Storm shorts are well worth a look.

The construction is good, material comfortable and light, and the cut avoids an overly flappy feel when soaked.

Construction quality appears good, and there are a number of touches, such as the pocket zips, that I really liked.