FLYLOW PRESTON SHORT & SHAW SHIRT REVIEW

Review by Nic Hall

After proving they could make solid ski gear at affordable prices, Flylow has been quietly expanding their offerings and building a larger presence in the mountain bike sector. We have reviewed a few of their jackets in the past and have always been impressed with their highly functional pieces with low-key styling. We got our hands on their latest kit: the Preston Short and Shaw Shirt and took them for some spring e-MTB laps. Read on to learn about our findings.

THE LAB
The Shaw shirt is a looser fitting tech T that offers some unique features. The stretchy 155GSM fabric consists of 92% Polyester and 8% Spandex; offers UPF30+ protection; and is treated with Polygiene to keep smelly bacteria to a minimum after multiple uses. All the stitch lines are designed to work with a hip or backpack without rubbing; and a lens cloth is stitched into the hem for easy access when you forget your glasses wipe. You can pick it up for $75 from Flylow in a choice of 6 colorways, and it is available in a long sleeve too if you want a little extra coverage.

The Preston short is designed to be a versatile, multi directional stretch short that can pull duty on the bike as easily as an after-ride swim, thanks to its quick drying 273 GSM fabric consisting of 97% Nylon and 3% Spandex. It has a longer 12.5” inseam; zippered side pocket; mesh hand pockets; and high levels of breathability. The fabric also offers UPF50+ protection to keep your skin below safe on the sunny days it is designed for. It is available in orange, green, and black, all of which are fairly subdued. They retail for $80usd direct from Flylow.

THE DIRT
The Preston short is very comfortable and is something I would wear on or off the bike. The cut is just about perfect to cover knee pads but not too long to catch when bending your knee. Unfortunately, the waist is non-adjustable, and the fit is fairly large – I usually wear a men’s medium or 31”, and the Flylow medium barely stays on. Wearing a belt remedied this, but it’s something I’d like to avoid, so adjust accordingly. The zippered pocket is large enough for the biggest of phones and the breathability of the fabric is on par with the lightest shorts we have worn.

The Shaw shirt fits better than the shorts and feels more true to size. I weigh 165lbs and am 5’ 11” and the large is on the baggier size but still comfortable for everyday use, though you could easily size down thanks to the stretchy fabric keeping movement free. After a few days of repeated use on the Oregon coast, the shirt never developed any funk after letting it dry between rides – that Polygiene treatment really keeps the stink at bay as advertised. The sleeve is perfect if you want to conceal light elbow pads without being too baggy over bare arms. The lens wipe is a nice touch and makes the shirt that much more functional for everyday rides.

The Wolf’s Last Word

If you like a subdued kit that can pull duty just about anywhere, Flylow has some solid options. The Preston short and Shaw shirt are just a few of the items they carry but represent the brand well: Highly functional pieces at decent prices that will hold up for the long run. Just make sure you order the right size as their fitment is a bit large.

Price: $80-shorts | $75 – shirt
Website: Flylowgear.com