As one of the pioneers of baggy mountain biking shorts, Zoic has always stood apart from the rest. Their blend of style and function at an affordable price means a lot in today’s economy. With many MTB shorts coming in well North of $100, the top-shelf Zoic Ether Premium shorts come in at $99 with features that will make more expensive shorts jealous. After three months of use, the Smurf blue Ether Premium shorts continue to be my shorts of choice.
Zoic Ether Premium Features:
- Detachable RPL Premium Liner with Italian made Cytech chamois pad
- Anatomically contoured Elastic Interface Technology chamois with 4-way stretch and advanced moisture wicking properties
- Fusion inseam gusset provides superior range of motion and eliminates seat hang-ups
- Vents in all the right places to keep you cool
- Integrated Air Flow mesh ventilation panels below back waistband and down legs
- 2 leg zip pockets with contrast color zippers unique to the Ether Premium
- 2 front hand pockets and 2 leg zip pockets
- Tech Pocket – special pocket placement for your cell phone or music player
- Locking zippers with logo tabs stay shut while you ride
- Tagless labels eliminate itching and irritation
- Microfiber sunglass wipe secured with elastic strap attached inside of pocket to keep your vision clear
- Taped seams provide an ultra smooth, non-chafing, durable surface
- 12″ inseam
- MSRP: $99
Zoic Ether Premium Baggy Shorts Review
As a top-end pair of baggies, the Zoic Ether Premium comes in with more bells-and-whistles than I’ve ever had. I’ll start off with the pockets. While some may say they are overkill, it sure is nice to have a plethora of pockets to choose from. A couple of gel packets on one leg and my iPhone on the other is all I need. Everything stays secure and comfortable in the saddle.
You see, that’s what’s so great about the pockets in the Ether Premium — they are built to carry stuff WHILE you ride. The placement of the lower leg pockets allow items to sit comfortably on the side of your thigh. Frankly, I don’t even notice them as I ride with my iPhone tracking every Strava segment.
Continuing onto the fit. I like the overall size of the Ether Premium shorts. They offer a comfortable fit without being overly baggy (for reference, I wore a Large and I’m 5’11” – 175 lbs). I’d say these are certainly a trail-friendly cut with ample ventilation to keep things under control — even when the temps soar into the upper 90’s.
The waistband is built for all-day comfort and the full zip fly is convenient when needing to use the bathroom. I will say that the sunglass cleaning cloth is a little over-the-top and the fabrics could be a little lighter weight, but those all go unnoticed once you hit the dirt.
As far as the removable chamois goes, it’s not the squishiest or the most technically advanced on the market, but the RPL liner gets the job done and provides just the right amount of comfort for long rides. Moving around in the saddle and standing/sitting, I always found a comfortable home and the shorts never snagged.
The fabric is durable and can take a solid beating. A few protruding branches and crashes later and they still look as good as new.
Good Ether Premium
- Love the usable pockets — especially the side pockets for my iPhone while riding
- Bulletproof durability
- Nice, lightweight chamois
- Very comfortable in the saddle and on post-ride activities
- Excellent breathability
Bad Ether Premium
- Could be a little lighter weight
- Built-in glasses cleaning cloth is a little overkill
- Velcro waistband closures can get caught on jerseys
Bottom Line: Zoic Ether Premium MTB Shorts
For the money, it’s hard to overlook the Ether Premium. They have a ton of great features and the trail-worthy fit and styling make them an easy choice as your next baggies.
Buy Now: Visit Zoic.com
