3/4 Baggies for commuting?

RufusA

With winter rapidly approaching I need to keep my knees warm!

Can anyone recommend a 3/4 pair of baggy shorts, suitable for commuting with pockets in sensible places, and that doesn't make me look like army surplus, hard core mountain biker or lycra queen.

It needs to be windproof, reasonably waterproof (and fast drying), cover the knees, and ideally be all one muted colour with cargo pockets.

Something like the Endura Humvee 3/4's, but without the questionable build quality.

TIA - Rufus.

boncey

I got some from Next; half-price in the sale too.

I can't comment on how they stack up against all your criteria as I have only worn them 2 or 3 times (and not in the rain yet).
But they look OK and have about 8 pockets.

John the Monkey

boncey wrote:

I got some from Next; half-price in the sale too.

I can't comment on how they stack up against all your criteria as I have only worn them 2 or 3 times (and not in the rain yet).
But they look OK and have about 8 pockets.

Pocket position seems to be the key, I reckon. The plus of cycle specific stuff (or certainly with the Altura shorts I have) is that stuff in the pockets lies comfortably once you're on the bike.

My Alturas aren't 3/4s, but I'm very pleased with them and if that quality is consistent across the range (and assuming they do 3/4 shorts) would have no hesitation in recommending them.

richardast

I've got 3 pairs of Endura Humvees (2 x 3/4 length and 1 x shorts) and have found them to be excellent. Surprised to hear otherwise.
Plus they come with the inners.

RufusA

Thanks Richard - good to see the Endura recommendation. The reason I mentioned quality was reviews on crc:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Revi ... delID=9356

... Zip has bust at top, one segment loose...
...front zip failed...
...arse keeps ripping out of them....
... outer short completely came away on the ass. Stitching didn't fail the material did....
etc.

None of which sounded too good!

Might have a look to see if Altura do a 3/4 otherwise I'll take a chance on the Humvees knowing CRC will help if things go wrong!

Rufus.

John the Monkey

RufusA wrote:

Might have a look to see if Altura do a 3/4 otherwise I'll take a chance on the Humvees knowing CRC will help if things go wrong!

They do - they're called "Boulder"shorts.

RhysD

I have a pair of the Humvee 3/4 and a pair of the shorts, and would recommend them too.

Gambatte

Got Humvee 3/4s last xmas.

No probs, commuted in them this a.m.

Got some bib tights from decathlon for later in the year tho' (£10.45 a pair!)

mekonta

I recently got a pair of the Endura Humvee's and will have to wait and see on quality, but they certainly don't look to have poor construction. Am so far very happy with them. Only note I have is the cut seems quite generous. I'm 6' and 11st and got medium, but wishing I got small as the waist is fairly loose still and a little baggy around the arse.

Other alternatives are the Rapha fixie shorst, if your budget streches to that. And Chrome in the US do a similar 3/4 short that looks great. With the exchange rate you get a good price on the shorts - but might get stung a bit for shipping...

Monty888

I've got a pair of Humvees too. I've been commuting in them all summer and they're wearing well. It's urban camouflage, don't you know? 3/4s are much more inconspicous than lyrca.

That said, I reckon tights are they way to go in winter. No point in having warm thighs and blackened, frost-bitten flesh on your calves. Overshoes don't really match with 3/4s either.

Watch the sizing on the Humvees. It's a bit over-generous. I have to wear my pair with a belt.

Fuzz Monkey Five

I've got teh 3/4 ALtursa - very good for cycling in during autumn - winter when its windy and cold - and I cycle along teh sea front !! But £40 quite pricey, I just got pair 0f 3/4 shorts from Next sale last week, at £15 they are just as useful for cycling in.