The Fasthouse Crossline 2.0 is a lightweight baggy mountain bike short, with a price tag that places it at the premium end of the category. With stiff competition from benchmark shorts like the Endura Singletrack Lite, does its performance, fabric quality and construction justify its high price? And as it’s just an outer unpadded garment it will need a suitable MTB liner short to boost comfort, especially on longer rides.

This mountain bike short uses a detailed cut with multiple fabric panels and a diagonal seam that goes from the buttocks to the front of the thigh, not unlike shorts from another moto-originated brand, Troy Lee Designs.

• Best mountain bike shorts: reviewed and rated by experts

Both myself at 5ft 9in and model Chris, at 6ft 4in, found Fasthouse’s fit and cut excellent, and there’s plenty of room for muscly thighs and buttocks without being baggy on the waist; something I find an issue with the majority of MTB shorts.

The moto-inspired graphics may not be to everyone’s taste but the fit should please most

The way the slightly textured fabric is articulated makes it feel invisible when pedalling, and there’s zero creep or wriggling at the waist thanks to a broad waistband and dual Velcro tabs at the side of the hips. These boast the perfect amount of stretch, and good grab on the hook and loop fasteners.

The Crossline 2.0 short has a sorted cut, well placed fabric panels and a neat waist adjusters

Fasthouse’s polyester blend uses a wicking Coolmax fabric with a finish to shed moisture and 5% spandex for a bit of extra give. There’s not as much four-way stretchiness going on as rival shorts like Endura’s Singletrack Lite, but it doesn’t matter because the tailoring is so good. The Crossline 2.0 feels totally unobtrusive and also holds a really good shape on the thighs while riding and when off the bike.

• Best mountain bike trousers/pants: regular and waterproof

For something as simple as a mountain bike short, you’d imagine it’d be easy to get it dead right, but loads of products have poor waist fit, adjustment and fasteners. Many shorts also sit badly and flap around when you’re not riding, or have flared out hems that are too baggy at the knee in an attempt to accommodate knee pads, but none of that is not the case here. Fasthouse keeps it simple with the overall shape, but helps the short move with well-positioned panels and the fabric doesn’t get snagged or pulled too easily when brushing vegetation.

The leg length is ideal for a trail short and not too baggy. Fits well, with or without knee pads