Pearl’s new Versa shorts are aimed at riders who are keen to rock the casual look, but not at the expense of performance, thanks to their lightweight and slightly stretchy Elite fabric. The cut is very flattering, with a flat, flyless panel in the front allowing the short to sit smoothly when seated or standing.
Twin nylon side buckles give adjustment, and they’re both simple to use and effective. The shorts feature twin zipped, mesh-backed leg vents, and a zip pocket on the rear of the right thigh. We’re not sure about the pocket position; it never felt quite right pedalling with stuff in it. We’d prefer some standard hip pockets next time.
The padded Elite 3D chamois is the usual high quality contoured affair, flat-stitched into position, though some testers felt the legs were a bit short. It was as comfortable as a liner short can be, and had the good manners to remain in position. Now to the downsides: apart from the price, at 26.5cm long the outer short could use another few inches in length. On blazing hot days this is fine, but most times we’d like them longer.