De Soto Femme Carrera Tri Short (WCTS3)

Fits exactly like it did 20 years ago when I started doing triathlons. Tight in all the right places and not tight in all the unflattering places. I am so happy they have brought the original fit back!!!

I am a mountain biker and struggle with saddle soreness after a long ride. I have been using the De Soto Femme 400 Mile Shorts. Those have generous padding and are fantastic for all day riding. But I was looking for something more minimalist for shorter rides. These Femme Carrera Tri Shorts 2021 are just the ticket!These shorts feel great against the body, they have fleece padding on the inside that is seamless which eliminates rubbing. The fleece also wicks away sweat and makes for a very comfortable ride. The shorts themselves are excellent quality. They have great finishing and the seams have been sewn with care. These have great features like a functional drawstring so you can get a customized fit. The leg cuffs sit very comfortably and they don't ride up. They also have pockets! I haven't had any issues with these stretching out and they retain their shape really well.I am so happy to see that these are made in the USA, I go out of my way to support companies who choose to manufacture domestically.Something important to note is that De Soto sizing does not correlate with standard dress sizing. I am glad I paid extra attention to the size chart before placing my order. For reference, I am 5'5" tall 110 lbs with a straight body shape and short torso with long limbs. I am a size 0 or XS in street clothing. According to my measurements, I fall within the size "Small" range for De Soto. I ordered the small and it fits great!The only gripe I have about these shorts is that I wish they were higher rise. I wear high-rise jeans and workout leggings so, by contrast, these felt very low for me.

The overall fit of these tri shorts is excellent. The waist is slightly loose, but I can tighten it to my liking using the drawstring. I was a little worried about the chamois in these shorts, because it feels sort of like microfleece. However, they are very comfortable, and they do not bunch during running. They fit true to size and come up about an inch above my mid-thigh (I got a medium; I am 5' 4'' , 130 lbs). The material feels durable and like it will last a long time. The quality of construction is fantastic, and the inside is free of seams that could cause chafing. I also like that there are two pockets on each side of the shorts for gels. I'll be using these shorts for training and racing!