Cycling is varied, there’s no way of getting around it. From tarmac-driven roadies to trail-hungry MTB’ers, life on two wheels takes many different forms. Finding clothing that can handle it all – with the odd trip to the pub here and there – can be tricky, particularly if you’re after something that’ll hack different weathers and conditions. 

The Hummvee shorts were, according to creator Endura, originally designed for London-based cycle couriers after a pair of shorts that could offer comfort and versatility. They then proved to be quite the hit with mountain bikers, too, who appreciated the pocket-heavy design and durable materials. 

But that was a fair few years ago now and, as with most things, the cycling game moves pretty fast. The Hummvees remain a core part of Endura’s line-up these days, but can they still prove their worth on the trails and roads of 2023? We’ve been finding out. 

Sphere Score

The Endura Hummvees have that classic MTB look and feel nailed. They’re slightly longer in cut than you might expect, but what really shines through with these shorts is how comfortable and versatile they are. The material quality is excellent and deals well with encounters with branches and thorns, while the water-repellent finish – which is handily free from PFCs – does a good job of keeping the worst of the rain out. Plus, if they do get a bit muddy, it’s quite easy to swipe the grime away – though we’d probably just stick them in the wash. 

Coming in at £69.99 on Endura’s website, the Hummvees are well-priced considering the quality you’re getting. Plus, a clickable liner comes as standard – including a seat pad – so you’re getting two sets of shorts in one, in a sense. Simply on trend, we’d be tempted to ask for a slightly shorter fit as the Hummvees do feel quite ‘early 2000s’ baggy, but hey, it’s proven popular for decades so we can’t argue too much with the look. Speaking of which, there are loads of colours to choose from as well, so you don’t need to opt for the ‘Mushroom’ of our test shorts if you don’t want to. 

We reckon that the Hummvees might be a little bit too casual if you were heading to a pub or bar after your cycle but, fortunately, Endura does a chino-style pair with all the same features and click-in liner with seat pad but with a more polished appearance. For commuters, these may be a better option. Just remember – the Chinos don’t have as many pockets as these ‘regular’ Hummvees, so if outright carrying capacity is what you’re after then we’d stick with the OGs.

For

• Great material quality
• Loads of pockets
• Easy-to-access vents
• Included liner and seat pad

Against

• Fit might be a little long for some
• Liner can be accidentally popped out when adjusting shorts
• Belt can feel a little low-rent against the rest of the high-quality materials 

Tech specs

• £69.99
• Nylon material for enhanced durability
• PFC-free coating to help repel water
• ClickFast detachable liner with seat pad
• Hand pockets, cargo pockets and rear ‘map’ pockets
• Elasticated waist with adjustable belt included 

What are the Hummvees like to wear?

What are you after from a good set of cycling shorts? Well, comfort is a must, of course, and in that area, the Hummvees do well. They’re elasticated with plenty of stretch as a result, while the webbing belt included from the off is great for adjusting them to the size you need. It’s quite nice to have a proper button at the front, too, rather than a popper – something that can often be accidentally popped open. 

They offer loads of freedom of movement, too, so you needn’t worry about crouching down to change a tyre. That longer cut does mean that when you’re kneeling your knees are covered, so that can be a plus point, particularly if you’re over gravel. 

The seat pad which comes as part of the liner is really comfortable, too. Often, included liners can cut back on the amount of padding that you get, but it doesn’t seem to be the case with the Hummvees. As we’ve touched upon, the liner is easy to separate from the shorts and, on occasions, it seems like it’s a little bit too easy as you can un-pop them without meaning to when adjusting the shorts. That said, we’d rather it were too easy to do this than too hard. 

Pockets-wise, you’re spoiled for choice. You’ve got two hand pockets and two super-deep cargo pockets. Around the back, there are two large pockets. In fact, there are so many pockets that on occasions we lost some of the things we were riding with – you do need to remember just where you’ve put something otherwise you might be stuck looking for a little while. 

The Nylon material that the shorts are made from feels up to the task, too. We rode through some pretty scratchy bushes and hedgerows and the shorts looked no worse for the job. The water-repellent finish does mean that splashes and light downpours don’t trouble the Hummvees, but heavier downpours did overwhelm them a bit. Fortunately, all of the mud we rode through was kept at bay and, early on, you could easily swipe the mud off the shorts. Once things got a little heavier, the grime did tend to hang on to the shorts though. 

Zippable vents weren’t much needed during our particularly Autumnal testing period, but they’re going to come in very useful during the summertime. 

So should you buy them?

We’d say that the Hummvees would prove to be a wise investment. At a snip under £70, they’re certainly not bargain-basement in terms of price, but given that you get an included liner with a seat pad they seem like good value. There are some good colour choices, too, including a cool camo finish, though we’d quite like to see some brighter shades like red or orange. The zippable vents ensure that they can be used year-round, too.

Sure, they might be targeted at mountain bikers, but the Hummvees would also be a great choice for commuters after a reliable set of shorts, or even gravel riders wanting something a little more casual. This all-rounder appeal is what we appreciate about the Hummvees; they’re here for all types of riders.