ION Products Scrub_Amp Shorts 2017
Reviews / Shorts
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At a Glance
ION have an extensive range of mountain bike gear these days, with clothing for downhillers to XC race whippets and protection, bags and shoes to boot (excuse the pun) there is plenty to get excited about!
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Paze, Traze, Seek, Slash and Scrub (featured here) make up the range, each of them aimed at a slightly different end user. Varying from High Performance to Enduro to Freeride, there is something for everyone, but the Scrub_Amp shorts we have here are part of their jack-of-all-trades line which covers everything.
ION describes them as their 'Top notch shorts' and they feature a loose fit in a lightweight and flexible fabric. Two zip pockets keep your change safe, and there is even a neoprene inner pocket for a phone. Four-way stretch keeps it flexible, the laser cut holes in the crotch sound like one of James Bond's narrow escapes. Triple stitched seams prove ION are thinking about the lifespan of their clothing.
These Scrub_Amp shorts are also available in a women's version as is most of the ION range which is great to see.
On The Trail
The material is very soft and flexible as promised, and they are very comfy. The surf style fastening of the previous Scrub shorts has been replaced by a single popper and velcro, which is simple and functional but I do miss the obvious surf influence.
The triple stitching on the main seams is great to see, as this is one area where shorts can fail after a few months of winter abuse. Elsewhere the attention to detail really sets these apart from the herd, such as branded velcro waist tabs, and the laser cut venting on the inseam. Add this to the all round excellent tailoring and finishing and you have a very smart pair of shorts.
The downside of the fit for tall riders is the inseam, which is 14inches in the size large, so worth checking they work with your pads to avoid 'the gap'. If you need a longer inseam short then the Slash_Amp will keep you happy with a 15inch inseam and an articulated knee for pad compatibility. The waist, however, is perfect and true for a 34-inch waist but allows easy adjustment from the two velcro adjusters.
These are certainly a more summer weight short, but will cut the wind well other than the holes in the crotch which can feel a bit chilly if you aren't wearing liners!
These have washed and been worn heavily over the autumn and this spring yet still look fresh, with virtually no colour fade or evidence of stitching wearing out.
Overall
A fine example of a summer short made to exceptionally high standards, it's hard to fault either the build quality or the styling. Comfortable, durable and functional, at £99.99 they are not cheap, but these are an investment in a set of shorts that will last.
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By Ewen Turner
Ewen Turner is a self-confessed bike geek from Kendal in the Lake District of England. He runs a coaching and guiding business up there and has a plethora of knowledge about bikes with an analytical approach to testing. His passion for bicycles is infectious, and he’s a ripper on the trails who prefers to fit his working life around his time on the bike.
