Stio Women’s OPR Short (9″)

Review by Erin Trail

The Women’s line of OPR shorts from Stio are a stylish and functional option for both casual riding and casual wear.

Technical Features

• Four-way stretch provides optimal range of motion
• Water-repellent finish resists water and reduces dry time
• Perforated paneling at back waistband, hand pockets and inseam for ventilation
• Action gusset for range of motion
• Integrated belt with adjustable hook and webbing loops at waistband to customize fit
• Custom Stio® snap with T-lock closure and zippered fly
• Ergonomic fit with contoured waist for comfort on bike
• Drop-in back pocket with snap closure
• Drop-in hand pockets
• YKK® zippered thigh pocket

The Stio Women’s OPR Short are a slim fitting shorts that are full of features to be a functional and stylish short for mountain biking.  I found that the shorts run true to size, even with a chamois layered under the shorts.

The fabric of the Stio Women’s OPR Short is medium-light with a good amount of stretch.  The perforated areas are located along the hip pocket lining, the rear waistband, and the inner thigh, allowing the short to not feel hot while wearing them, even while wearing a chamois.

I got the 9″ inseam length for testing.  I’ve found it to be the ideal length for me: not too long and not too short. These shorts are a great length for when you don’t want to wear kneepads.  The styling of the Stio Women’s OPR Short is appropriate to wear both on and off the trail, as well.

The front pockets are a great length to drop in bigger items, like a phone or snack wrappers.  The angle of the entry allows for a natural hand and wrist position. The side zipper drop in pocket features a horizontal zipper at the top of the pocket, which I prefer over the men’s version that has a vertical zipper.  The pocket easily fits in a cell phone or a small wallet.  The rear pocket has a flap that’s secured with a snap.  The men’s version uses a zipper, which I wish was offered in the women’s version, as I think that zippers are more secure.

Detailed Testing

I’ve been wearing the Stio Women’s OPR Short for both mountain biking and for wearing as casual wear.

As casual wear, the Stio Women’s OPR Short are great.  They’re styled in a way where they don’t scream “technical athletic apparel” for when you want to go incognito.  I particularly love wearing these shorts as I travel through airports.  The side zipper pocket is the perfect place to quickly and securely stash your phone and ID as you go through security.

I really enjoyed wearing the Stio Women’s OPR Short while mountain biking. The shorts, being slightly form fitting, didn’t impede my movement or catch on anything.  While being form fitting, I had plenty of room to wear a chamois as a base layer.  The fabric was plenty stretchy and breathed well, even on a 90 degree afternoon.  I only used the side zipper pocket during my ride, as a way to quickly and securely stash gel wrappers.  The pocket was easy to get into and re-zip as I rode along.  The shorts were also plenty comfortable and didn’t chafe or rub me the wrong way.

Closing Thoughts

The Stio Women’s OPR Short are a great option for both on trail and off trail activities.  These shorts offer several roomy pockets, appropriate for a variety of uses.  The slim fit of the shorts also makes them a nice option for casual social wearing.

The Stio Women’s OPR Short are available in 9-inch and 11-inch inseam lengths, in 4 different colorways, and range in women’s sizes 0 to 16.

Erin Trail

Trail Boss of Stoke