The Dakine Boundary Short Is Bike Park Durable and Coffee Shop Smart
Price: $90
Style: Mountain
Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
Inseam: 13-in
Colors: Midnight (blue), Fir (green)
The right shorts for: Someone who rides in hot conditions and doesn’t need large pockets
The Dakine Boundary proves that mountain bike shorts don’t have to be baggy and pocket-heavy to be trail-worthy. These shorts have a tailored cut that lets them sit close to the leg and ensures they don’t get caught on overgrown brush, yet are roomy enough for a comfortable fit. A pocket on the side can hold smaller items, such as a phone or tool, but the close fit isn’t suited to anything bulky. I mainly wore these shorts on days when I used a pack or lift access so I could keep bigger items in my bag or locker. Off the trail, the Boundary works well as an overshort for commuting in bibs, and the slim fit blends well at the after party.
Construction, Fit, and Fabric
This shell of a short is made from four-way-stretch, heathered polyester and gets a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) treatment. The mesh-like, lightweight fabric felt airy and kept me cool on humid East Coast days and on hot and dry ones in northern California. Despite the close fit, the shorts never felt restrictive, and the 13-inch inseam stopped these shorts just above my knee, leaving me with enough room to wear G-Form Pro-X knee pads. I typically wear a 34-inch waist; the size large I tested fit perfect. Two snaps on the front never popped open during rides, and two adjustment straps on the side let me fine-tune fit. I cinched them slightly and the shorts didn’t bunch. An angled, zippered side pocket on the right leg is great for storing small items that you need to access quickly (a key, some cash, ID).
If you already have a favorite chamois to pair with the Boundary, great. If you don’t, check out the compatible Dakine Liner Bike Short ($40), which has loops on the waistband for easy integration.
Wear Them Anywhere, Anytime
Nowhere does it say that the Boundary Bike Short must be worn while shredding. After all, one look and it’s easy to see that these shorts can blend in most anywhere the general public hangs out. I like to wear them over bibs for short commutes, during which I often stop to grab coffee on my way to work or bread on my way home. The low-profile pocket is roomy enough for my wallet and zippers shut to keep it from slipping out, and the DWR treatment keeps light rain from soaking the fabric. The tailored cut and minimalist design also lends them to totally bike-free situations, as well.
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