swrve is a small company producing big products, based in Los Angeles where its founders Muriel and Matt live, work and cycle. swrve came into existence after Muriel and Matt's long search for affordable, stylish, yet functional cycling shorts yielded no results. It's little surprise that their shorts design, which has been honed by experience on and off bicycles, has become the cornerstone of the swrve line. Designed for men and women, they have been cut to perform perfectly when riding and stylishly when not. Features include a seamless gussetted crotch for comfort, articulated knees for better fit on a bike or barstool, low waist in front, high waist at the back, two 6” zippered back pockets, a mobile phone pocket on the side to stay connected, and a stylish trim fit for everyday use.

The shorts are cut from a variety of materials for year-round use and activities. The schoeller fabrics, with their realworld resistance to water and ability to deal with perspiration, are great for all sorts of activities: from mountainbiking, downhill stuff and, with their 4-way stretch and close fit, are even pretty handy when rockclimbing. But first and foremost these shorts are practical in any fabric. They have strong, deep pockets that will keep secure the essential stuff most cycling gear fails to give a second thought to: wallet, loose change, keys, phone, gum and anything else that may regularly find its way onto your person.

Swrve's lightweight WWR shorts are well suited to our British summer climate, built tough and with a good resistance to the elements. A good choice for urban riding and short commutes where lycra could be seen as a bit keen and a little 'inappropriate' at pub stops.

I know the Americans call these knickers but I am not an American and these look nothing like my under crackers. They're long shorts which cover the knee and yet expose the calf, so they aren't really 3/4 lengths either, maybe they should be called a 2/3 trouser? Anyway, what we have here are some slim fitting short trousers made from a 92% Nylon, 8% Lycra mix which claim to be water and wind repellent (WWR).

In reality the material gets wet quite easily, not like the Surface Liquistretch trousers where it rolled off like water on a ducks back. But the thin fabric dries quickly and doesn't lose its shape when completely sodden which greatly reduces chaffing and drag in these damp situations. Although the material is thin and has a synthetic, technical aesthetic, its smooth texture has proved to be tough during the past few months of testing. The stretch in the fabric along with a slim yet sympathetic cycling cut, with articulated knees, allow your pins to move freely. The back of the shorts are two ply, by allowing one layer of material to slide over another greatly reduces wear and also friction on sweaty pants. Interestingly there is a diamond shaped crotch panel, right in the seat of the shorts where they meet the saddle which is only single ply, presumably leaving the material more stretchy which works for comfort around the family unit!

Two pockets at the front keep and two zippered pockets at the rear gives you room for storage plus a handy pocket on the right between the front and rear pocket to slip your mobile phone into, unless you have an iphone or another phone which is quite wide, but us mortals who haven't yet caught up with the smart phone movement can use this easy access phone pouch where your phone won't dig into your groin.

The waistband is low at the front to keep out of the way of your paunch while the back is a little higher to keep your dignity when hunched over the bars, pounding the streets. Belt loops are there to keep these strides secured to your hips and prevent any de-bagging tom foolery.

After a several months riding in these the stitching is showing signs of wear, just like the Surface trousers had and the material has developed some stains from doing bike mechanics which the Rapha shorts whereas the Rapha shorts seem to shrug mechanicing muck off, but on the whole there is still enough life in them to see another summer. They aren't in the same league as the Rapha fixed or 3/4 but then they are only half the price and they perform well. What you get is a stylish, functional pair of long shorts which are cut well for urban riding, commuting and pub excursions. They are also available in black.

Verdict

A stylish, functional pair of long shorts which are cut well for urban riding, commuting and pub excursions. They are also available in black. 8/10

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