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review
Underwear
Polaris LS Pro undershortsPolaris LS Pro undershorts

Polaris LS Pro undershorts

7
by Shaun Audane
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Jul 13, 2009

0
£34.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Work well with baggy shorts or 3/4s, but pricey and a tad sweaty
Weight: 
0g
Contact: 
www.polaris-apparel.co.uk
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Perfect beneath ¾ courier knickers or mtb baggy shorts, Polaris LS pro liners are a considerable improvement over most OEM inserts thanks to superb cut and good quality pad but the polyester based fabric induced feelings of damp faster than more sophisticated materials.

Cut marginally longer in the thigh than most, the Pro undershorts provide unrestricted movement while the tactile Silicon grippers and elasticated waist keep them perfectly positioned despite sustained effort and look much shaper beneath unlined Lycra training tights. The thin, perforated panels are quite revealing but just modest enough to be worn sans shorts in a pinch and a real boon for indoor training in the privacy of garage or living room.

However, the polyester derived Airbase fabric lacks the wicking prowess of more expensive fibres. Mercifully, the medium density Coolmax pad employs silver technology-a clever anti bacterial that combats odour. Pad density was spot on, providing just the right levels of support and insulation from road and trail shock while not sticking out like the proverbial sore thumb underneath civvies.

Undeniably competent, comfortable undershorts complementing both the cycling and civilian wardrobes, they're a little pricey for polyester derived materials. Only superb cut and rapid drying times present any notable advantage over cheaper rivals.

Verdict

Ideal beneath ¾ courier knickers or mtb baggy shorts but pricey given they're polyester based.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Polaris LS Pro undershorts

Size tested: L

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

As the name denotes, they're a high end undershort with longer cut and coolmax pad for day long comfort beneath mtb baggies, unlined Lycra tights and courier knickers.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Coolmax gender specific pad featuring silver (anti bacterial)technology for improved freshness and odour control. Airbase polyester based panels with Silicon leg grippers and flat elasticated waist keep them gently but firmly in place.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10

Generally very well made.

Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10

Wicking prowess isn't equal to fit.

Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
7/10
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
7/10
Rate the product for value:
 
6/10

The upper end of what I would consider reasonable given they're derrived from polyester.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Extremely comfortable thanks to generous length, padding strikes an equally impressive balance between density and comfort. They're probably the best I've used beneath 3/4 knickers but felt damp around the crotch sooner than expected.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Fit

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Pricing

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Possibly

Would you recommend the product to a friend? With some reservations

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 35  Height: 1m 81  Weight: 70 kilos

I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset  My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,

Undershorts
Shorts liner
Polaris LS Pro undershorts
Shaun Audane

Shaun Audane is a freelance writer/product tester with over twenty-eight years riding experience, the last twelve (120,000 miles) spent putting bikes and kit through their paces for a variety of publications. Previous generations of his family worked at manufacturing's sharp end, thus Shaun can weld, has a sound understanding of frame building practice and a preference for steel or titanium framesets.
Citing Richard Ballantine and an Au pair as his earliest cycling influences, he is presently writing a cycling book with particular focus upon women, families and disabled audiences (Having been a registered care manager and coached children at Herne Hill Velodrome in earlier careers)

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