Oakley Seeker ’75 MTB Short review: Retro styling and lightweight breathability will appeal to fans of old-school mountain biking…
Oakley Seeker ’75 MTB Short
BUY IT NOW:
$100 / £85, oakley.com
Pros:
- Lightweight breathability
- Eye-catching retro design
- Water-repellent coating
Cons:
- No zipped pockets
- Padding not included
Comfort: 4/5
Design: 4/5
Style: 5/5
OVERALL: 4/5
Scorching summer days require a different approach to mountain biking, which is when the minimalist breathability of the Oakley Seeker shorts come into their own. I liked this short best for hot, long-distance days, paired with a padded bibshort. It would be an ideal choice for summer Alpine adventures too.
Oakley Seeker ’75 MTB Short features
Oakley has gone for high performance with the Seeker. The things I liked include the lightweight fabric, which features a DWR water-repellent coating, as well as stretchy, breathable inner thigh panels. This combo shed mud and moisture when needed, while keeping me cool on sweaty climbs.
Try this workout for cyclists
While it does have two capacious front pockets, they’re not zipped, so I only really trusted them for carrying mission non-essentials. That mattered less than it might have done because I used these for rides when I wore a backpack.
I tested the punchy red colourway with vintage-inspired ’75 print and Oakley logo, which did lend my riding a certain swagger – until I stacked it into a tree, that is. In terms of fit, the waistband is raised at the back, which, when combined with the adjustable web belt, meant I could secure them in place for a good riding position.
Oakley Seeker ’75 MTB Short performance
I grabbed the Oakley Seekers on days when I wanted to lighten my load and maximise breathability, while still being able to take on summer showers and splattery trails. The lack of secure pockets was a bit of letdown, but then again nothing fell out of them and I did enjoy the unsubtle styling.
