Check out Kettle Mountain Apparel Shorts here.
I’ve been through a good number of mountain bike shorts over the years, and the ones that stand out usually do a few things well: they stay out of the way of the saddle, they don’t look overly technical off the bike, and they hold up to actual trail use. The Skid Mark MTB Shorts from KETL Mtn. Apparel land pretty comfortably in that category. They come in a 12-inch inseam with a cut that’s slim through the leg but leaves enough room up top for knee pads, and it’s not hard to see why they show up regularly in the comments under KETL’s product videos as someone’s go-to pair.
Fabric-wise, these are a 96% nylon, 4% spandex blend that comes in around 156gsm, so they’re light without feeling flimsy. The stretch holds up reasonably well through pedaling and gets out of the way when you’re moving your knees and hips around, without bunching up behind the saddle. They’ve dried quickly in my experience, whether that’s from a hot afternoon lap or an unplanned creek crossing. The waistband is worth calling out too. Instead of a standard belt loop and buckle setup, KETL built in a G-hook and snap closure that lets you adjust the fit mid-ride without messing with a full belt. It’s a small detail, but it’s a useful one if you tend to fine-tune your fit throughout a ride.
Pockets are an area where MTB shorts vary a lot, and this is clearly a place KETL put some thought in. There are rear-facing zip pockets positioned so they don’t bounce around or dig into your lower back while pedaling, a pair of zippered thigh pockets sized for a phone, and mesh-lined front hand pockets for keys or a snack before and after the ride. Everything is mesh lined, which helps keep things breathable instead of turning into a sweaty pocket situation on a warm day. There’s also laser-cut ventilation near the crotch, which is a nice touch on hotter, sweatier climbs.
Sizing has run true to what I’d expect based on KETL’s chart, though it’s worth checking before you order since a few other riders have mentioned the fit running slightly generous in the larger sizes. I’m on the smaller end of a men’s large and that size worked fine for me, with enough room to layer a padded liner underneath if I want one. The higher back rise is a nice detail as well. I haven’t had issues with gapping when leaning forward over the bars, which has been a problem with some other shorts I’ve owned.
At $94, the Skid Mark shorts are priced in line with what you’d expect for a feature-heavy pair like this, and KETL backs them with free repairs for life, which adds some value if you put a lot of miles on them. They’re a reasonable middle ground if you want something that rides well on the trail but doesn’t look out of place off the bike afterward. They won’t be the right fit for every rider or every kind of riding, but for everyday trail use they’ve held up well and been comfortable enough that I keep reaching for them.
