member tested
PRoductreviews
Aerostich Merino Riding “under” Shorts
and Cotton Riding Shorts What to wear under there! By Ron Davis #111820
FOR THOSE COMMITTED TO WEAR- ing protective riding pants or suits through the summer, staying com- fortable can really pose some chal- lenges, particularly if you’re in the saddle all day, particularly if you’re an older rider. The shrinking gluteous maximus and expanding waistline that unfortunately often come with the territory of advancing age put increasing pressure on our “swim- ming suit areas,” and, young or old, heat and perspiration down there constitute the formula for a great case of the dreaded “monkey butt.” Aerostich’s solution to these issues is a selection of shorts spe- cifically made for riders of the ATGATT persuasion. The first, Merino Riding
Shorts, are not made by Aerostich (though they are American- made), but are described in their catalogue as their best solution for extended riding, hot or cold. Merino wool has a reputation for wicking moisture away from the body more effectively than synthetics, acting as kind of a personal dehumidifier for your nether parts. The eight panels of this material come together as form- fitting, stretchy bike shorts very simi- lar to those worn by tri-athletes, and they feature thick padding in the crotch. Once I slipped these on, I instantly liked the feel of them—nice support with a luxurious layer of inch thick padding that could make a hard stock seat softer—but my wife laughed. With a build that will never be described as “ripped,” but possibly
28 BMW OWNERS NEWS September 2015
as “rippled,” I’d feel a little self-conscious trotting around in these at a convenience store or a campground.
foreign wars, and authentic Native Ameri- can effigy mounds. On the way there, the generous padding of the shorts gave me some real relief from “dead butt syndrome” and despite their snug fit, the shorts did not get clammy as the temperature rose into the 80’s. With my wife’s reaction in mind, I was reluctant to treat the other visitors to The High Ground to the image of me in skin tight shorts, so I left my riding pants on for a quick sandwich and walking tour of the dis- plays and remained comfortable. Merino Riding Shorts are only offered in black and are available in three sizes (M, L, and XL). On the way home, I tried another
Aerostich solution, their Mid-Weight Cotton Riding shorts. I had already worn these shorts around home a lit-
tle, and each cycle through the wash- ing machine had made the shorts softer and softer. Like other Aerostich-pro-
duced gear I’ve worn, these 100 percent cotton twill shorts are well made from
quality materials; I’m betting they will last a long time. Concurring with my wife’s
Merino: Aerostich claims their Merino Riding Shorts are their best solution for fighting heat and providing comfort under protective gear.
I wore the Merino Riding Shorts under
Aerostich Darien pants on a mid-July jaunt to “The High Ground” near Neillsville, Wisconsin, a familiar waypoint for motor- cyclists I’d recommend to anyone venturing through northern Wisconsin. The High Ground (
thehighground.org) features spectacular vistas from a towering glacial moraine, poignant tributes to veterans of
appraisal though, these shorts are not exactly a fashion statement. They’re baggy and are held up by an elastic waist band and a sewn-in strap belt cinched by a polycar- bonate buckle. The shorts lack back pock- ets, but have smallish ones in front. However, they are quite comfy, breathe well, and are easily good-looking enough to wear hiking or around the campground. Aerostich recommends wearing them commando style for maximum breathabil- ity, and I haven’t tried that, though I could see wearing the Merino shorts under them. The cotton riding shorts can be ordered in
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140