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<\/a><\/p>\nIn mid-2015 I missioned to get myself a pair of Troy Lee Designs Skylines as they had been redesigned with appealing changes. The earlier generation of Skylines were cited as being too short, with an annoying bunched up elastic waistband, and coloured piping around the deep pockets. Additionally, they included belt loops, which I can only assume were in case one drastically lost weight from quitting chocolate. Pffft. While TLD were certainly moving away from butterflies and heaps of pink, the shorts looked more suited to the needs of a 5 year old boy verse a pair of durable, aesthetically pleasing shred threads.<\/p>\n
The 2015 generation of shorts, although not perfect, are a serious step up from 2014. They are available in pure black (Yes! Finally!), bright coral (aka orangey pink) or the rather wild Speeda colour way, which has a leopard print pattern in a blue-green-yellow colour gradient. While the Speedas are rad, the black shorts are a win as they go with just about any top\u2026 and for ladies, this is kind of important even if we don\u2019t want to admit it.<\/p>\n
<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nTechnically, the shorts borrow from the TLD Women\u2019s Moto (DH shorts) by using ribbed spandex around the groin area and just above the butt into the hips. In my opinion this is genius move, as the shorts are flexible for all kinds of leg movements and tend to mould to whatever body shape is currently filling them. This is a bonus when you\u2019re not sure what size is right for you, as they probably stretch up a full size. So whether you\u2019re a 10\/34 or a 12\/36, the Medium (TLD 5\/6) will fit you and it will actually look flattering.<\/p>\n
The shorts are made from two-way stretch fabric, so these are high-end flexible shorts that are light and dry quickly if you want to rinse them and wear them the next day. A clever addition in 2015 are the meshed ventilation strips that run down the back of the knee area to the bottom of the shorts, which means legs are kept cool while riding. Other brands build the mesh into pockets that can be unzipped for ventilation, but the TLD system means your sweaty legs receive constant fresh air without irritating dangly zips. <\/p>\n
<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nThe fly area closing system uses two press-studs, which in my experience have never popped open while riding. Instead of a zip there is an aerated Lycra panel with a strip of Velcro. This is nice as the fly area stays flat, but I always find it a pain when you\u2019re taking the shorts on and off as the Lycra panel tends to get stuck to the aggressive side of the Velcro and teasing it apart agitates the material. But that said it is hidden and not easily seen. One other downfall is that the material above the press studs hangs downwards like a dog with a lame floppy ear. Again, it\u2019s not really seen as my riding top normally covers it, but it\u2019s a bit of an oversight, and I\u2019ve noticed it in all the pictures I\u2019ve seen online. <\/p>\n
<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nPockets are a big deal with riding shorts, and TLD have slimmed and trimmed the shorts down to include a zipped small stash pocket on the left hip, a zipped flat side pocket and a zipped stash pocket on the back. It\u2019s ideal for a car key, a multi-tool and an energy bar, while the largest pocket easily fits an S5 Mini should you need it.<\/p>\n