Stio Women’s OPR Short Review: The Anti-Overbuilt MTB Short
They nailed it with the material and the cut—lightweight, comfortable, and easy to ride in
Words by Michele Underwood | Photos by Stio
The material on the Stio Women’s OPR Short feels softer and more comfortable than most MTB shorts without losing structure.
Most mountain bike shorts feel overbuilt. These don’t.
By overbuilt, I mean too much going on—thick fabric, extra panels, and a heavier feel than you actually need for most trail riding. They can look fine standing still, but once you’re on the bike, you start to notice it. The stiffness, the weight, the way they don’t quite move with you.
I have one pair from another brand that you can literally hear with every pedal stroke. That constant swoosh of fabric against my legs is hard to ignore, and it’s the reason I don’t wear them on rides where I’m recording.
If you’ve tried a few pairs and none of them quite worked—too stiff, too bulky, or just off in the fit—you’re not alone. I’ve worn plenty that felt that way after just a few minutes of riding.
The Stio Women’s OPR Short is one of the few that got it right. They nailed it with the material and the cut, and that’s what makes the difference. They’re comfortable, easy to ride in from the first mile, and nothing about them feels overdone.
I have four colorways in these, which says everything.
My latest pair showed up right before Moab, and that’s where it really clicked—these are the shorts I reach for when I ride.
Why MTB Shorts Are So Hard to Get Right
Finding the right women’s mountain bike shorts is harder than it should be. I’m in a Facebook group called Mountain Biking Ladies, and this topic comes up often.
I’ve tried a handful that looked great at first, but once I started riding, something felt off. The waist didn’t sit right, the fabric felt stiff, or they just didn’t move the way I needed them to. Some were too baggy, others felt too structured, and neither really worked once I was on the bike.
And the worst is when the fabric is off. It’s not comfortable, it’s loud, and you notice it with every pedal stroke.
What to Look For in Women’s Mountain Bike Shorts
Riding slickrock in Moab in the Stio Women’s OPR Short.
When you’re trying to find a good pair of mountain bike shorts, it usually comes down to a few things.
The material should feel light and flexible, especially if you’re riding in warmer weather. Heavy or stiff fabric can make a short feel restrictive fast. The cut matters just as much. If it doesn’t sit right at the waist or move with you while you’re pedaling, you’re going to notice it the entire ride.
Length is more personal. Some riders want a shorter short that feels lighter and cooler, while others prefer more coverage on the bike. There’s no right answer there—it just has to feel right for how you ride.
Why the Stio Women’s OPR Short Works
This is where these stand out.
They don’t try to overdo anything. The material is lightweight and flexible, so it moves with you instead of feeling stiff or heavy. The cut sits right without needing to be adjusted mid-ride, which is something I notice immediately with other shorts.
The fabric is probably my favorite part. It’s soft without losing structure, which is harder to find in mountain bike shorts than it should be. Some softer shorts start to feel too casual once you’re riding, while heavier fabrics feel stiff and loud. These sit right in the middle.
And I’m not the only one who notices that. Once you start paying attention to fabric on the bike, it’s one of the first things that stands out—and one of the main reasons certain shorts never get worn again.
They’re also quiet, which sounds like a small thing until you’ve ridden in shorts that aren’t. Once you notice that constant fabric noise, it’s hard to ignore.
All of it adds up to a short that feels comfortable from the start and stays that way for the whole ride.
Fit, Sizing, and Length Options
Fit is where a lot of women’s mountain bike shorts fall short, especially once you’re actually riding.
The Stio Women’s OPR Short keeps it simple, but offering two different lengths makes a difference. Some riders want a shorter short for a lighter feel, especially in the heat, while others prefer a bit more coverage on the bike.
The Stio Women’s OPR Short comes in two lengths, 9” and 11.5”, giving riders options depending on how they like their shorts to fit on the bike.
Having that option makes it easier to find something that feels right without compromising comfort. Both lengths keep the same lightweight feel and movement, so it really comes down to preference.
Are These Comfortable Enough for Long Rides?
Mountain biking gear that feels comfortable all day matters even more on longer rides.
Yes.
Comfort is what makes or breaks a ride, especially on longer days. If you’re adjusting your shorts, noticing the fabric, or thinking about how they fit, it takes you out of it.
These don’t do that. They feel light, they move well, and once you’re riding, you don’t think about them again.
Why the Stio OPR Short Is Worth a Try
If you’ve tried a few different mountain bike shorts and still haven’t found one that feels right, this is where the Stio Women’s OPR Short stands out.
A lot of shorts miss in small ways that add up—fabric that feels stiff once you start riding, a waistband that shifts, or a fit that just never quite settles in. You can usually tell within the first few minutes if something is off.
These don’t have that moment.
They feel comfortable right away, and they stay that way for the whole ride. The material is light and moves with you, and the cut sits where it should without needing to be adjusted. Nothing feels overdone, and nothing gets in the way.
If you’re still looking for a pair of women’s mountain bike shorts that just feel good on the bike, these are worth trying. Not because they’re doing something complicated, but because they got the simple things right.
A Brand Worth Paying Attention To
If you’re not familiar with Stio, this short is a good introduction to their approach to gear.
They’re based in Jackson, Wyoming, and that influence shows up in how they design things. There’s a focus on material, fit, and simplicity rather than overbuilding, which is exactly why the Stio Women’s OPR Short works so well here.
I wrote more about the brand and why it stands out in a separate piece:
Who These Are For
These are for riders who care about how things feel on the bike.
If you’ve struggled to find women’s mountain bike shorts that aren’t stiff, bulky, or awkward in the fit, these are going to feel like a reset. They’re especially good for trail riding, where comfort and movement matter more than anything else.
Who They’re Not For
If you’re riding park or downhill and want something heavier with more protection, these probably aren’t it.
They’re also not for anyone who prefers a super loose or oversized short. These are more streamlined and simple by design.
Are the Stio OPR Shorts Worth It?
Yes. I love mine, and I can’t imagine you won’t like them too.
The Stio Women’s OPR Short strips away everything that makes other mountain bike shorts feel overbuilt and replaces it with something that just works.
You put them on, go ride, and don’t think about them again.
I have four colorways in these now, and my latest pair showed up right before Moab. After a few rides out there, it pretty much confirmed it—these are the shorts I reach for when I ride.
Michele Underwood writes Overland Girl, where she shares the gear she uses on real trips—from the Northwoods of Wisconsin to desert rides in the West. She values quality and craftsmanship and believes in buying less, but buying better. The gear she recommends is gear she uses herself.Some links on Overland Girl may be affiliate links. If you purchase through them, Michele may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.