Patagonia Endless Ride Liner Shorts

The Patagonia Women’s Endless Ride Liner Shorts are a straightforward padded liner designed specifically for mountain biking. My personal litmus test when it comes to outdoor gear is whether or not I notice it when I’m out on the trail. I want my gear to fade into the background so I can focus on riding. This liner passes with flying colors. It stays in place, provides unrestricted movement, and vents moisture—keeping me comfortable while my body gets worked (...scraped, bruised) and enjoys some time to play.

Testing Conditions: I tested the Patagonia women’s Endless Ride Liner Shorts as a member of the Trailspace Review Corps. I primarily wore them mountain biking in and around the White Mountains of northern New Hampshire and the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont from June through October 2018. Temperatures during testing ranged from about 50 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. I also wore them on a mountain biking vacation to Bentonville, Arkansas, and Asheville, North Carolina. This was a fall vacation, so temperatures during riding were around 50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Fit & Comfort: Size options range from women's XS-XL. The liner fits true to size. I usually wear a women’s small (25" waist, 35" hip) and the size small fits perfectly. The liner incorporates a 3-layer premium Italian chamois pad designed to keep you comfortable on your seat over long rides. The padding is a bit rigid, which feels great while riding. However, as I’m not a fan of feeling as though I’m wearing a diaper, I tended to change out of the liner post-ride. 

                       Front view of padding (above) and back view of padding (below)

The short itself is made from a nylon/spandex blend (79% nylon, 21% spandex) with mesh panels (73% nylon, 27% spandex) along the side of the hip and around the legs. The result is a liner that stretches and moves with you as you ride.

                            Front view—spandex in blue/gray and mesh in pink/purple

Breathability & Moisture: I’ve owned other short liners that didn’t vent well. The result is a buildup of moisture in all the wrong places, causing irritation and the need to invest in powders and other such products.

I’ve ridden in Endless Ride liners in temperatures up to 95 degrees Fahrenheit for an average of 15 miles per day of single track. Over this range of miles, I never experienced any chafing or irritation. I also wore them for two days in a row on an 80+ mile bike packing adventure. On day two I noticed some chafing and my derriere was certainly sore. However, I don’t blame the liners entirely as I was on essentially a new bike seat without giving my body much time to adjust before the trip. 

The mesh panels support breathability. They run the length of both hips and encircle the lower part of the leg openings. 

Layering: The Endless Ride liner is designed to fit with the Patagonia Dirt Craft and Dirt Roamer bike shorts, with loops placed in such a way that they can be secured to snaps sewn into the shorts. I also tested the Dirt Roamer bike shorts (review coming soon!) and can attest that they fit well over this liner. I don’t use the snap/loop feature as I find the short and liner stay in place without it. But, the feature is there if you need it. 

                               Loops for securing to shorts. One on each side near hip.

I’ve also paired the Endless Ride liner with two pairs of Club Ride bike shorts that I own and found them to work well together. So, if you don’t own Patagonia bike shorts don’t be deterred. 

The liner has a 7 ¾" inseam. They’re just long enough to sit securely without riding up on my legs, and are not so long as to stick out the leg opening of my bike shorts. 

Abrasion: I’ve read other reviews online that referenced the padding riding up and chafing delicate parts of the body, but I didn’t have this experience at all. On a few biking adventures this summer and fall I ended up having to hike my bike on some overgrown sections of trail and even when walking a fair distance I didn’t have any issues with the liner moving out of place. 

Function: The liner incorporates an elastic waistband sewn into the nylon/spandex material. This feature is great for me as my hips are wider than my waist, so the waistband helps the liner to stay in place. I also appreciate how the waistband folds into a V at the front. It prevents the sensation of feeling as though I’m wearing a girdle while I ride. 

                                            Elastic waistband with V in the front

Silicone leg grips encircle the leg openings to help hold the liner in place. They’re a great feature that is somehow both grippy and soft against my skin. They haven’t shown any sign of breakdown over the time I’ve used them.

                                                      Silicone leg grips

Construction & Durability: Overall the Endless Ride liner has held up quite well over the time I’ve spent testing. The seat padding has maintained its form and continues to provide adequate cushion. There are no signs of pilling or fraying. Thanks, I’m sure, to the spandex material integrated throughout the liner, it’s maintained its shape, offering the same fit and comfort as my first gear testing ride in them.

I machine wash the liner in warm or cold water and line dry. They dry fairly quickly, although be sure to check the padding as it takes longer to dry than the rest of the liner. I’ve noticed no signs of wear associated with laundering and no unpleasant odors. 

The Endless Ride liner retails for just under $80. While that seems pricey, I’m continuously reminded that quality mountain biking apparel is fairly expensive (at least it is to me). You can certainly find less expensive liners out there, but many that are quite comparable. Personally, I feel they’re worth the price. 

Overall Impressions: I’ve enjoyed logging some miles wearing the Endless Ride liner over the past few months. They've demonstrated great breathability and comfort, and have held up to consistent use without showing any obvious signs of wear. I honestly can’t think of anything negative to say about them, aside from, like any padded liner, they’re not the most comfortable item to wear post-ride. Bring a change of clothes and you’ll be good to go!

Thanks to the folks at Patagonia and Trailspace for the opportunity to test and review the Endless Ride Liner Shorts!