Fox Racing Ranger Review

The Ranger has been a mainstay in Fox Racing's line of mountain bike shorts for years. The latest iteration keeps with its tradition of blending affordability with performance. These reasonably priced shorts are made from a durable stretch ripstop fabric, with a slimmer, pedal-focused fit and a functional, low-profile waist adjustment system. The casual styling looks good on and off the bike, but the prominent logo and pockets limited the style a bit.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

Testers found the overall comfort of the Ranger shorts to be quite good. Whether pedaling uphill for miles or ripping a long downhill, they faded into the background and generally went unnoticed. We believe this is ideal, as you shouldn't need to think about your shorts as you focus on the task at hand.

The primary factor contributing to the Ranger's comfort is its well-designed fit. These shorts come in even waist sizes 28-44, so you can be sure to get a pair that should be very close to your typical waist size. The integrated ¾ inch flat wedding belt provides a secure fastening around the circumference of the waist and keeps the waist hem reasonably low-profile. We had some concerns about the raised profile of the belt's cinch buckle, but it proved unobtrusive on rides where we used hip packs to carry supplies. The waistband is articulated, low in the front and higher in the back, and doesn't put any pressure on the lower abdomen when seated. The inside of the waistband is also lined with a TruDri moisture-wicking fabric that dries quickly and feels soft against the skin.

The 2-way stretch ripstop fabric of the shell isn't the softest material, although we had no complaints about the feel on the skin. Likewise, the stitching at the hem of the leg opening sits flat and never caused any irritation or abrasion, even on longer rides. The fit is on the slimmer side of the spectrum, so people with large quads may find them to feel a little restrictive and need to size up. These shorts do not feature any ventilation, though we didn't find them stifling while testing in moderate temperatures. However, the limited ventilation of these shorts is something that riders in especially hot climates may want to consider.

Fit and Pedal Friendliness

While they look somewhat casual and loose-fitting off the bike, the Ranger shorts have an athletic, performance-oriented fit that we found to be pedal-friendly. These shorts' design and fit feel impressively dialed on and off the bike. We found that they stayed in place well and didn't slip down or self-adjust while riding. While they aren't the most pedal-friendly shorts we tested, they weren't all that far off. Our chief complaint in the pedal department is the position of the pockets high on the front of the thigh. Even with a smaller phone, this design decision proved to be less than ideal, as we were aware of the phone's presence at the top of each pedal stroke.

Our 32-inch waist test pair fit true to size, and the webbing belt system is easy to use on the fly and offers plenty of waistband adjustment. The waistband has just the right amount of articulation and doesn't put any pressure on the lower abdomen when seated. The 12-inch inseam rises well above the knee when pedaling and does not conflict with the pedal stroke in any way. The seam of the hem above the knee is not welded like a high-end short, but the stitched seam never gave us any issues, even on longer trail rides. We tend to prefer softer 4-way stretch fabrics, but the 2-way stretch material was surprisingly unrestrictive given that it stretches in the horizontal axis. With a relatively slim fit, there is little excess material around the legs to create drag or flap around in the wind. The crotch is also cut nice and high, which helps prevent snagging on the saddle on descents.

Features

The Ranger shorts are fairly minimalist in design and suffered as a result in our features evaluation. These shorts have two small, zippered hand pockets with sewn-in mesh linings high on the front of the thighs. While the pockets keep their contents from jostling around by backloading against the thigh, this security comes at the cost of consistent pressure against the leg. We found this to be a poor design, and we took to putting anything larger than a Buff in our bag.

The waist adjustment system is tried and true technology that held steady throughout our testing. We would prefer a lower-profile adjustment mechanism, but the placement of the buckle just inside the right hip made on-the-fly alterations easy, and it stayed out of the way of hip straps even while seated. Unlike this model's previous iteration, this waist adjustment lacks elasticity. Yet, testers found that the rigidity was not uncomfortable, preferring the consistency that the webbing provided.

Durability

After riding in the Ranger shorts for several weeks, we don't have any complaints about their durability. The craftsmanship appears to be top-notch, and the materials used in their construction feel robust enough to handle several seasons of abuse. We particularly like that the designers eliminated the zipper at the opening of the short, as this is often a point of failure. However, this places the strain of the waist closure on a single snap.

The 2-way stretch ripstop material has a slightly heavier-duty feel than some of the lighter-weight fabrics used by some competitors. Our test pair show no signs of premature wear, despite repeated brush-ups against sharp bushes and a minor crash or two. The major seams are all double-stitched and finished with a "serged" stitch to prevent fraying. We did not observe any loosening or pulling of threads visible, even in the high friction areas like the seat.

Style

In recent years, Fox has moved away from its flashy, moto-inspired aesthetic to a simpler, cleaner, and more casual look. However, the new Ranger gives a nod to its roots with an oversized logo placed prominently above the left knee. Given the short's solid colorway, trim fit, and otherwise muted tones, they would have served well as a do-it-all casual short. However, the size and location of the logo will likely religate the Ranger as trail-only attire for most people.

On the bike, these shorts have a slimmer, performance fit with a shorter, 12-inch inseam. They rise well above the knee when pedaling and have more of a trail-riding look and feel. The leg openings are on the smaller side, but we found them to work relatively well with lower-profile knee pads, though taller testers will be subject to a pad-gap. Off the bike, these shorts look clean and casual, with the cuff falling right to the top of the knee when standing. Lacking the bulkiness or excessive bagginess of gravity-oriented shorts, the Ranger would not be out of place at the bar or a grocery store were it not for the bold logo giving them away as mountain bike shorts. The Ranger has solid color options: black (tested), dark indigo, olive green, dirt, and moc.

Protection

The Ranger shorts offer ample protection for everyday trail riding though they are far from the most protective shorts we tested. We feel they are best suited for riders seeking affordable shorts for trail riding. Gravity enthusiasts will be better off looking at shorts with a longer inseam and a beefier material.

The ripstop material used in constructing these shorts feels robust and capable of withstanding encounters with trailside bushes and tumbles across the ground. While we would describe the material as mid-weight and on the heavier side of the trail short category, the shorter length limits the protection of the lower thigh and knee provided by baggier, gravity-oriented models.

Should I Buy the Fox Racing Ranger Shorts?

The simple answer is yes – particularly if you are looking for a simple, inexpensive pair of shorts to beat up on the trail. However, if you are looking for a pair of shorts with more features, these may not be a good fit. Notably absent in their design is a good pocket for a phone. We were also lukewarm about the big logo on the cuff of these otherwise nice-looking shorts.

What Other Mountain Bike Shorts Should I Consider?

Another great budget-friendly option is the Specialized Trail Short. If you are looking for better features and a design that doesn't scream "mountain biker," have a look at the 7mesh Glidepath. This model boasts both features and style in equal proportions. Prefer something super lightweight, highly breathable, and stylish? The Patagonia Dirt Roamer will cost you a little more, but it is one of our favorite light, pedal-friendly models.