Kitsbow Tsali cycling short

Kate Agathon

The Kitsbow Tsali cycling short (MSRP $125) is the most comfortable cycling short I’ve ever worn. Perhaps they feel so comfortable because they fit so well.

 

Over the years, I’ve worn so many brands and styles of cycling shorts. Some I’ve liked, some I didn’t. But never have I worn cycling shorts that I’d describe as comfortable.

 

Unlike other shorts, there wasn’t a “breaking in” phase. Moreover, I felt like they were more closely designed for my middle-aged body type.

 

Despite the stretchy bands around the bottoms of the legs (I was worried they would lead to chafing, or dig in), they felt great on the initial try on.

 

Admittedly, when the Tsali cycling shorts arrived in the mail, I was skeptical based on the appearance. First of all, they looked too small. The stretchy bands around the leg bottoms looked constrictive. They looked kinda weird off the hanger. No way are these a size medium, I told myself. Will they even fit?

Tsali Cycling Short

 

I was wrong.

 

As soon as I put them on, I was delighted. They fit so well. Like they were made for my body type and not for someone 10 years younger who weighs 30 pounds less.

 

Nothing felt scrunched in, nothing spilled over, nothing needed to be adjusted.

 

The best way I can describe this experience is like finding a bra that looks great, fits well, and is comfortable. In both cases, comfort wasn’t sacrificed for function or style.

 

Until I tried the Tsali short, I don’t think I understood how a pair of proper fitting bike shorts designed for my body type were crucial to comfort. Duh. The concept works for bras and jeans, why shouldn’t it for bike shorts?

 

The waistband itself was designed with comfort in mind: the front does away with ill-placed seams and stitching, and the back is cut higher. Meanwhile, strategically placed silicone gripper beads along the liner’s outer side hem keeps the shorts in place (no more tugging!).

 

I’ve used the Tsali Cycling Short mountain biking, road biking, and on my Wahoo KICKR indoor smart trainer. Every time, the shorts were comfortable to wear.

 

Key features:

 

• Italian-made, multi-density chamois Cytech EIT (Elastic Interface Technology) with carbon yarn meant to expedite dry time and increase the pad’s anti-microbial properties.

 

• Lightweight compression fabric chosen for durability, breathability, and moisture-wicking properties.

 

Available in two colors (Black and Gunmetal Grey), Tsali Cycling Shorts are custom made to order in North Carolina and are shipped the day they are made.

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Kate Agathon

Dr. Of Stoke

Freelance writer, bicyclist, outdoor recreation enthusiast, social justice advocate, and mom to her furbaby, Utah the Adventure Dog.

 

A Colorado native, Kate considers the outdoors her mother ship. She brings her passion for bicycling, the environment, and issues of diversity to her writing. Her primary outdoor recreation activities are mountain biking, fat biking, snowshoeing, camping, peak bagging Colorado’s 14ers, road cycling, and Nordic skiing. After suffering two major knee injuries within four years, Kate hopes to return to alpine skiing next season.

 

Kate earned a bachelor’s degree in History from Colorado State University and later an MSEd and Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Purdue University. In addition to her education, Kate’s background serving on the Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Committee and experience working for non-profits and bicycle sales well position her to bring depth and understanding to the complex changes currently taking place in the outdoor recreation industry.

We also heard she has a (slight) obsession for blue heelers.