The 5-Pockets Shorts released by Yamatomichi were designed as shorts for hikers that are easy to wear in the mountains and in the city alike. While shorts are often considered a no-go for mountain hiking according to general mountaineering methodologies due to safety concerns, they created them based on the conviction that they could be comfortable and convenient to use, even while taking those risks into account.
And there is no doubt that they are incredibly useful for us cyclists as well. Let’s explore the reasons why.
When riding a bike, especially in this season, it is only natural to want to wear pants that are open and easy to move in, helped along by the heat.
First and foremost, what makes these shorts excellent is the large gusset in the inseam. Thanks to this, you won't feel any stress at all, whether you're getting on or off the bike or making vigorous movements while riding.
Then there is the placement of the pockets, which allow you to store valuables like smartphones, wallets, and keys, as well as energy snacks, whether you’re hiking or riding. Because they are effectively positioned to not hinder your movement, you won't even notice them while in the saddle.
The height and size of the pockets are truly perfect, so there is absolutely no need to worry about your smartphone falling out when you move your legs while pedaling.
Of course, the fabric was chosen with care as well.
Made from Taslan nylon (120g/㎡)—which is lightweight, durable, and has a texture similar to cotton—with a durable water-repellent finish, the material is not too light, has the sturdiness to account for the mountain hiking environment, and places a strong emphasis on quick-drying properties.
If you are sitting in the saddle for a long time, you might sweat or get stuffy, and at this time of year, you might even want to cool off in the water during a ride. Having quick-drying shorts that dry off immediately while riding if they happen to get wet is a very important point when choosing cycling apparel.
Thanks to a simple design that makes them easy to wear around town, they are items that are fully useful for hiking and cycling, as well as for going out in town or while traveling. If I were to compare them to a bicycle, they have the same reliability as a SURLY CROSS CHECK, which excels as a commuter or as a partner for weekend touring and rides.
If you want to use them for long-distance rides, just wear padded liner pants or racer shorts underneath. They are especially great for those who don't like the tight look of cycling jerseys during things like bike-and-train travel or touring, as these are easy to wear over racer shorts. I hope that more people will enjoy their rides in a relaxed style, pairing these with something like a quick-drying T-shirt or shirt.
We have all 4 colors in stock. It is my only regret that stock is already down to just M and L sizes before I could properly introduce them like this, but of course, here at Circles where 100% of the staff wears these shorts today, we have plenty of other recommended shorts to help you get through this summer comfortably, so please come to the shop and try them on! (Yamatomichi products are sold in-store only, so please come by to try them on and see for yourself.)
Because shorts are an indispensable piece of gear for cyclists in the summer, we will suggest the perfect gear that suits how you use them!