Check Out: Late summer gear from Race Face, Foehn & Abit – Pinkbike

Low-profile is the name of the game with the Indy pants because the features are kept to a minimum. Two zippered thigh pockets hold a large phone and the waist is closed by a third zipper which is then covered by a commonly used ratchet buckle. All seams are unobtrusive, the athletic cut leaves enough space for large-volume knee pads. There are laser-cut vents along the inner thigh and behind the knee to allow air to flow in and out.

Mustard stains from sandwich breaks while riding aren’t a problem if your pants are the same color, but don’t rely on the DWR coating to set them apart from the other blacks and grays that Indy bottoms come in.

The stretchy polyester blend is less prone to tearing than cotton and doesn’t leave a dusty, sweat-stained back. A relaxed fit should suit the most leisurely rider, and the style of the screen-printed logos doesn’t scream “athlete” or “training” either. There is a wiper for ski goggles or goggles in the waist hem which seems to have found its way onto all of Race Face’s latest jerseys.

Long torso riders may find these jerseys on the shorter side, but that goes without saying with this style of top. Under the front hem you’ll still find the Commit jerseys’ goggle wiper, which definitely comes in handy whether you’re wearing goggles or glasses, or need to clean your GPS.

There are no straps on this sleeve-style pad, so they rely on silicone strips on the top and bottom cuffs, as well as a built-in elastic strap across the calf. I found the fit a bit tight on the thigh for a size L, but they haven’t had a chance to shrink or go through the wash yet either. There are six sizes to choose from, which also come in a clayey brown colorway.

To encourage ventilation, two small vents under each arm allow air to flow. A nice touch added to the waist hem is a relief cut with a taped seam that prevents the shirt from standing up and riding down on your shorts. Minimal logos and two neutral colors, black and gray, go with any pair of pants or shorts, whether it’s athletic or casual wear.

The construction is top-notch, with pockets that make sense: two express, regular handbags, two lower leg pockets with YKK zips for a phone or snack, and a wooden zip for credit cards. Another zip and two snaps fasten the fly, while an integrated belt keeps them secure but sits high on the waist. The leg is quite long and slightly roomier than most MTB shorts these days. For sizing reference, I had to switch to a 30″ pair where I normally find myself in a 32″ or medium pair and they still felt larger than normal.

For all the design that went into the Tobin shorts, Foehn chose the materials with care. Without too harsh a greenwash, they receive a 1% For The Planet label and Bluesign certified material and are finished with a PFC-free DWR treatment.

At 73 kg/160 lbs and 177 cm/5’9″, I usually have a 32″ waist and large knee pads, so I went for the “athletic fit” with short legs. These were a little baggy for me so I also tried the slim/tall 32s which ran long as expected but fit the hips much better.

In addition to the wide range of sizes, the shorts themselves are quite basic. A 4-way stretch 90% nylon, 10% elastane fabric feels lighter compared to the rest of the market, yet is a durable piece of gear for long days of adventure or pedaling in the saddle. There is no velcro to wear out or snaps to open on descents. A cam closure adjusts the waist and a simple jean-style button keeps everything closed. Four YKK zippered pockets keep all valuables on board; two on the thigh and two more just below that act as vents when opened.

As a token of his dedication and love for trails, Justin states, “My promise to you is that I will use the success of Abit Gear to continue to support nonprofits like Evergreen that fight to develop trails and protect our great open spaces . “