Pearl Izumi Summit Shell Shorts Review

The pared-down Summit Shell Shorts are a great option for those that forgo bells and whistles for practical attire on long and demanding days in the saddle. These shorts can't carry much in the pockets, they offer little in the way of protection, and there aren't many features. But they are quite comfortable, ventilate well, fit even better, and look smart on and off the trail.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

The Summit Shell shorts offer users one of the more comfortable rides in the class thanks to their well-placed ventilation along the inseam of the legs. The recycled polyester and spandex blended cloth the shorts are cut from offers great stretch to prevent tension and binding while peddling. And, much to our liking, the material is gentle on the skin, even in high-motion areas. Further showing attention to such design details, the leg openings are welded to prevent chafing during the pedal stroke.

Whereas some pedal-focused shorts miss the mark on the waist design, the Summit Shell keeps things simple with a buttonless closure, quarter-wrap waist adjustment, and a low-profile buckle. While the waistband lacks the soft, wicking microfiber material found on other shorts, the Summit Shell's thin waistband remains comfortable and goes entirely unnoticed. The overall fit is athletic and accommodating to those with bigger legs, while the seat of the shorts fits a chamois nicely.

Fit and Pedal Friendliness

While overall comfort is important, a mountain bike shorts' fit and pedal friendliness are also crucial. Fit and pedal friendliness depend greatly on the cut or articulation of the waist and legs of the shorts. The Summit Shell's cut is trim and athletic though the legs are relatively long with an inseam of 12 ½" and a leg opening of 10 ¼". The waist adjustment belt also allows the rider to make small alterations on-the-fly to keep the shorts up on the hip and the crotch fitting snugly to prevent sagging and snagging on the saddle.

Overall, the Summit Shell is a pedal-friendly short. The slight articulation of the waistband and the stretch material allows the legs to move freely during the pedal stroke. The welded seams at the leg opening allow the short to slide more smoothly over the skin and doesn't irritate or chafe on long rides. The light weight of the material as well as the perforations on the legs also help to keep you cool while you're grinding up a long climb. In terms of fit, we like the waist adjustment belt, but its quarter-wrap design pulls only to one side. This design is not a problem for minor adjustments. Yet, it could become one for those on the small side of the sizing. Fortunately, these shorts come in even waist sizes between 28 and 44, so most riders should be able to get a size that is close to their waist measurement. We prefer this type of sizing because it takes some of the guesswork out of finding the right fit.

Features

The Summit Shell is a very simplistic short. While its lack of features may not appeal to some, we think the lack of excessive features in a functional short is a sign of good design. That said, there are some features that we wish were included. Specifically, we would have liked to see at least one larger pocket so that we could comfortably ride with a phone in an easily accessible spot. While the placement of a pocket on the back of the thigh is far better than one on the front for pedaling purposes, the pocket's tight fit made a phone noticeable against the leg while riding and, thus, less desirable to use. These shorts also lack hand pockets. The absence of hand pockets isn't a big deal for riding but is certainly annoying when out and about running errands where quick access to keys and the like is an appreciated convenience.

Durability

The shorts we select for testing are high-quality. That is to say, they will likely last several seasons before biting the dust. Yet, the Summit Shell is a very lightweight short. The material and the thread used to stitch it together are thin, and the zippers are small gauge. We do not mean to imply that the construction is shoddy. Rather, the shorts may not withstand abuse like a short made from beefier materials.

The Summit Shell is a well-built short. The stitching is doubled up in high-wear areas and “serged” or welded to prevent fraying. The zippers are high-quality YKK brand, and the adjustment belt and buckle are as sturdy as can be. But, the whole design speaks to comfort and breathability over ruggedness.

Style

Plainly put, the Summit Shell has style. The clean, athletic fit looks snappy without drawing attention. The logo placement is inconspicuous and the logo size is small. The length is just right to prevent egregious pad gaps while not looking like clam diggers when walking down the street. Our only complaint – admittedly a minor one – is that the short currently only comes in three colors: phantom (tested), ocean blue, and pale olive palm. While the color options are not vast, they all seem to go well with the cut of the shorts.

Protection

The Summit Shell Short offers riders relatively good protection in that the legs are on the longer side and thus expose less skin to the sun, in the event of a fall, or from minor brushes with trailside bushes and the like. The material is quite lightweight, however, and will provide little defense in the case of a serious crash or from sharp sticks on the side of the trail. That said, we prefer models like the Summit Shell with leg openings wide enough to fit over knee pads, as this limits the exposure of a likely contact point when the tires turnover.

Should I Buy the Pearl Izumi Summit Shell Short?

The Summit Shell is one of the better lightweight, pedal-friendly, breathable models we have tested. They fit right, look sharp, and are comfy, too. If you're looking for a minimalist short for any length of ride, these are a good option to consider, and the price is pretty reasonable too.

What Other Mountain Bike Shorts Should I Consider?

If you want a more robust model for enduro ripping, have a look at the Endura MT500 Spray Shorts. This model boasts heavy-duty 4-way stretch nylon with closings and stitching to match. If you'd like a short that splits the difference between the two, check out the 7mesh Glidepath. The Glidepath offers protection, style, and pedal-friendliness with a robust material and a DWR coating.