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Patagonia Dirt Craft Review

A versatile pair of mountain bike shorts that can serve dual duty for hiking or climbing
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patagonia dirt craft mountain bike short review
Price:  $169 List
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Manufacturer:   www.patagonia.com
By Jeremy Benson ⋅   ⋅  Jan 3, 2023
74
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#14 of 17
  • Comfort - 20% 8.0
  • Fit and Pedal Friendliness - 20% 7.0
  • Features - 20% 7.0
  • Durability - 20% 8.0
  • Style - 10% 8.0
  • Protection - 10% 6.0

Our Verdict

The Patagonia Dirt Craft mountain bike shorts combine a casual hiking short look with technical features to enhance your riding experience. The versatility of these shorts is unmatched with a design that makes them as good for hiking and climbing as biking. This design ethos led to lower scores in our testing, due to the compromises made to make them so versatile. The 2-way stretch nylon shell is paired with a thick chamois liner short. Ample pockets for storage and a slick hook and loop waist adjustment system show that Patagonia knows what mountain bikers are looking for in a reliable pair of trail shorts. A shorter inseam length enhances the versatility of the short for off-the-bike activities but reduces leg coverage and knee pad compatibility.
REASONS TO BUY
Versatile
Adjustable waist
Chamois liner included
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Short inseam
Limited waist articulation
Editor's note: The Dirt craft review was updated on January 3, 2023, with new pricing information, color options, and product-to-product comparisons.

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Bottom Line Mountain bike shorts with a dual personality, for the rider who sees more value in versatility than specificityWith a smart look, high-quality construction, and useful features, this model is the best we've testedThese minimalistic, well-ventilated shorts are a godsend for those heading out on big rides on hot daysComfortable and lightweight with a performance-oriented fit and minimalist designSimple and effective trail riding shorts that are comfortable and pedal-friendly
Rating Categories Patagonia Dirt Craft Troy Lee Designs Sk... Pearl Izumi Summit... Patagonia Dirt Roamer Specialized Trail S...
Comfort (20%)
8.0
8.5
8.5
9.0
8.0
Fit and Pedal Friendliness (20%)
7.0
8.5
9.0
9.0
8.0
Features (20%)
7.0
8.0
7.0
6.0
8.0
Durability (20%)
8.0
8.0
7.0
8.0
7.0
Style (10%)
8.0
8.5
8.0
8.0
8.0
Protection (10%)
6.0
8.0
7.0
6.0
7.0
Specs Patagonia Dirt Craft Troy Lee Designs Sk... Pearl Izumi Summit... Patagonia Dirt Roamer Specialized Trail S...
Shell Fabric Nylon/spandex plain weave with a DWR (durable water repellent) finish 87% polyester and 13% spandex with 4-way stretch “Aero Tech” micro ripstop panels 87% recycled polyester, 13% spandex 4-way stretch 90 denier 86% recycled polyester/14% spandex with a DWR VaporRize woven fabric
Inseam Measurement (med or 32" waist) 11.5 13.5 12.5 12.5 13.5
Number of pockets 3 2 2 2 2
Weight (grams) 190 grams 291 grams 165 grams 164 grams 224 grams
Weight (ounces) 6.7 oz 10.25 oz 5.85 oz 5.8 oz 7.9 oz

Our Analysis and Test Results

Price and Color Updates
Patagonia recently increased the price of the Dirt Craft to $169. The color we tested is no longer offered, instead, they come in wavy blue, black, plume gray, and basin green. January 2023

Patagonia is ubiquitous in outdoor clothing, producing everything from wetsuits to alpine climbing technical wear. We are excited to see them take on mountain bike clothing with products like Dirt Craft and Dirt Roamer shorts. In classic Patagonia style, they have produced a pair of mountain bike shorts whose versatility goes beyond the bike. The casual style and short inseam length make the Dirt Craft shorts adept for mountain biking use and other pursuits such as hiking or a day of sport climbing. We like the versatility and suspect that for the minimalist dual-sport athlete, the draw of a multi-use garment will be a selling point.

Performance Comparison


patagonia dirt craft mountain bike short review - the dirt craft are a solid option for trail riders who are looking...
The Dirt Craft are a solid option for trail riders who are looking for a versatile short with timeless style.
Credit: Laura Casner

Comfort


These shorts feel great off the bike for hiking or cruising around town. On the bike, they offer a relatively high level of comfort, but the less stretchy material used in their construction can feel a little restrictive. The fabric is not nearly as soft against the skin as some other models we tested, though we never found it to feel abrasive. Ventilation is minimal with no mesh vents or other ventilation openings, so despite the lightweight fabric, these shorts can get rather hot on warm days. The DWR treated fabric is quick drying, however. The Dirt Craft shorts do come with a chamois liner. The pad is one of the softest and pillowy-est we tested, which makes it comfortable for long periods in the saddle.

The shorts come in even waist sizes between 28 and 40, and the waist adjustment system offers several inches of adjustment. We found them to run true to size

patagonia dirt craft mountain bike short review - we found the fit to be trim and performance-oriented, but the 2-way...
We found the fit to be trim and performance-oriented, but the 2-way stretch fabric felt a little restrictive to the pedal stroke compared to stretchier materials.
Credit: Laura Casner

Fit and Pedal Friendliness


The Dirt Craft shorts have a relatively trim fit that is well tailored and athletic. The cut is somewhat comparable to a hiking short with a bit less articulation in the waist than most purpose-built riding shorts. The lack of articulation leads to a slight amount of fabric bunching at the front of the shorts near the hip joint and makes pedaling feel marginally less efficient. The fabric is stretchy, but the 2-way stretch only allows expansion on the vertical plane as opposed to the 4-way stretch fabric that has more give in all directions.

patagonia dirt craft mountain bike short review - the hem of the shorts is significantly longer in the front than the...
The hem of the shorts is significantly longer in the front than the back.

The hem of the shorts has been designed with pedaling in mind with the front of the shorts hanging slightly lower than the back. When pedaling, the shorts rise a bit above the knee and do not inhibit the pedal stroke. The rise of the hem at the back of the knee also ensures that they don't rub on the back of your leg.

patagonia dirt craft mountain bike short review - the hook and ladder waist adjustment system is found on both sides...
The hook and ladder waist adjustment system is found on both sides of the shorts and it offers several inches of incremental adjustment.

Features


Patagonia has done a good job balancing a short with dual purposes with the right features to make the short functional for most mountain bikers. The two open, unsecured jean style pockets on the front of the shorts and the left thigh zippered pocket provide enough storage for a cell phone and some food. The waist adjustment system is a simple and sturdy hook and loop design.

patagonia dirt craft mountain bike short review - the zippered thigh pocket loads towards the back for easy access on...
The zippered thigh pocket loads towards the back for easy access on the bike and easily fits an iPhone 11 with room to spare.

On the Dirt Craft shorts the waist adjustment is located on both sides of the waistband. These low-profile hook and ladder adjustments allow for several inches of incremental adjustment. They are anchored to the waistband with an elastic strap hidden in the fabric of the shorts. This provides a bit more range on each of the loop positions as there is a bit of stretch built into the system. A traditional button and YKK zipper keep the shorts in place. The Dirt Craft also has nylon straps with small snap buttons to attach the included chamois to the shorts, so everything stays in place. We used them during testing but found they were not really necessary. The liner and shorts can also be used independently of each other.

patagonia dirt craft mountain bike short review - the liner shorts attach to the outer shorts with a short nylon strap...
The liner shorts attach to the outer shorts with a short nylon strap with snaps. They are easily removable and can be used independently.

Durability


The DWR-infused nylon/spandex shell of the Dirt Craft shorts held up well during testing with no fading or staining. The DWR coating does do a solid job of preventing the shorts from becoming soaked on wet rides and seems to repel mud so that it doesn't become impregnated in the fabric. All of the stitching is double and exposed, but the layout of the seams prevents unnecessary wear when pedaling. Overall, the construction and materials are more than adequate for trail riding, but we would seek out a pair of shorts with a more heavy duty fabric for gravity-style riding.

patagonia dirt craft mountain bike short review - these shorts have a subtle looks that work well on and off the bike...
These shorts have a subtle looks that work well on and off the bike or any other outdoor activity.

Style


If no one told you otherwise, you would likely mistake these shorts for any other pair of hiking shorts that Patagonia produces. The fit is slim and lacks the articulation of most other purpose-built mountain biking shorts. The short 11.5" inseam ensures that these shorts will not be mistaken for a downhill moto-inspired short. We like the casual look that does not scream "I race enduro!", but the look will appeal to some more than others. Overall, we think the style is subdued and can easily crossover from the trail to other activities, including throwing back a cold one post-ride.

patagonia dirt craft mountain bike short review - these shorts offer adequate coverage and protection for everyday...
These shorts offer adequate coverage and protection for everyday trail riding and they work well enough with low profile knee pads.
Credit: Laura Casner

Protection


The 11.5" inseam of the Dirt Craft is on the shorter end of the spectrum. A shorter inseam equals less leg coverage, so these shorts would not be our go-to for downhill use. We found that the short length also limited the functionality of the shorts for use with kneepads. The leg cuffs tend to rise up a bit above the knee and the opening isn't very large, although we found them to work fine with low-profile knee pads. The thin fabric also does not offer much protection from abrasion in the event of a crash.

patagonia dirt craft mountain bike short review - the versatility and the included liner short add to the value of...
The versatility and the included liner short add to the value of these shorts.

Should You Buy The Patagonia Dirt Craft Shorts?


The Dirt Craft shorts from Patagonia are a solid pair of mountain bike shorts. We feel they are well suited to everyday trail riding with a slim, performance fit. The design emphasis seems to lean a bit more towards multi-sport versatility than dedicated biking use. With that said, the shorts are well made and do have features like an adjustable waist and a chamois liner that show that use on the bike was far from an afterthought. These are a great option for the rider seeking a rugged pair of trail riding shorts with casual styling.

What Other Mountain Bike Shorts Should You Consider?


If you want something similar that is lighter, more breathable, and more pedal-friendly, the Patagonia Dirt Roamer is a great option that will save you a few bucks too. For significantly less money, the Specialized Trail Short is a comfortable, lightweight, and affordable option that gets the job done for trail rides of any length.

patagonia dirt craft mountain bike short review - the dirt craft shorts are a quality pair of versatile mountain bike...
The Dirt Craft shorts are a quality pair of versatile mountain bike shorts from a well-respected brand.
Credit: Laura Casner

Jeremy Benson