iXS Carve Hip-Hugger Women Shorts in review - Understated comfort and high performance

Yoga feeling on the bike? At first glance, it doesn’t look like there’s much to the Carve Hip-Hugger Women Shorts and the waistband reminds us of comfortable yoga pants. Could that be the decisive advantage and is less really more in this case? We tested the iXS shorts for 3 months.

**iXS** Carve Hip-Hugger | **Tester** Susanne | **Test duration** 3 months | **Size** XL (230 g) | **Price** € 119.00 | Manufacturer’s website

Admittedly, anyone who likes products with lots of extras such as pockets, hooks, eyelets and bling-bling is likely to overlook the iXS shorts. iXS got rid of all buttons and Velcro, ensuring a secure fit with the elastic high-rise waistband. The Hip-Hugger shorts remind us of yoga pants, especially around the waist, and they’re just as comfortable. They fit snugly, hugging your body perfectly along the small of your back and allowing you to move around unrestricted on the bike. They never feel too tight, nor do they pinch or slip. The comfort and fit are supported by the X-Stretch material, which is a 4-way stretch fabric made from recycled PET and elastane fibres. And the fibres aren’t just super stretchy, but also ecologically sustainable. At the very end, the material gets an anti-odour treatment, which minimises the growth of bacteria and fungi, thus helping keep the shorts clean and smelling fresh. The Carve Hip-Hugger Shorts were specially developed for female mountain bikers and meet all the requirements we have for MTB shorts. So, there’s more to them than meets the eye, but they’re no bargain at € 119.99 either.

Namaste – the high rise waistband reminds us of yoga pants and is super comfortable to wear

The design is sporty and low-key, yet the shorts have all the functions and pockets that you would want from a modern mountain bike kit. There is a large pocket with a zip on the right and a smaller one diagonally on the left on the leg, which also closes with a zip – ideal for a lift ticket. The shorts are available in black, graphite and everglade – a muted turquoise – and sizes range from 34 to 44.

Plenty of space for the essentials with pockets big enough to fit a large smartphone

Ideal for a lift ticket! Thanks to the zippered pocket on the trouser leg, you’ll always have it right there.

The Hip-Hugger shorts are thin enough to allow you to slip a pair of rain pants or trousers over them should the weather change suddenly. For this, iXS opted against the use of chamois. If you prefer riding with pads, you can combine them with padded inner shorts or bibs.

The shorts fit like a second skin, though without padding around the saddle

The shorts end just above the knees when standing and leave enough room to accommodate knee pads

The iXS Hip-Hugger shorts feature a discreet and simple design while still being high on functionality. They’re ideal for use on the trail and long all-day rides. We were completely won over by the snug fit and high-rise waistband and there aren’t any features you’ll be wishing for on the trail despite their minimalistic approach. The stretchy and ecologically sustainable material leaves nothing to be desired. So, off to the next bike yoga session!

Tops

comfortable, high-rise elastic waistband
modern, sporty look
made from recycled PET fibres

Flops

price

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Words: Susanne Feddersen Photos: Thomas Weiß