The Summit shorts are Altura's top of the range summer baggies, and they're clearly designed with warm conditions in mind. The outer shell is lightweight, with stretch panels around the inside of the legs. Altura has included distinctive mesh vent panels in the front of the legs, with extra vents at the seams on either side.
The Summit shorts have an entirely adequate three pockets, two open ones at the sides and a zippered one around the back. Many shorts on the market have more, but we're not sure why. One minor niggle is that the side pockets openings are mainly horizontal and positioned a little to the front - good for preventing stuff falling out, but they're a little tricky to stick a gloved hand into and the mesh liner tends to come out with whatever you've stored in there.
A standard zip and popper at the front hold the shorts up, while elastic at the back of the waistband can be tensioned with Velcro tabs at the sides to tune the fit. Leg length is fairly standard just-above-the-knee.
Inside is a detachable padded liner, with a fairly thin but well-shaped pad, comfy broad waistband and leg grippers. It's full Lycra rather than mesh, but it's substantially shorter than the outer shorts so you get a cooling breeze around your legs.
Altura Summit shorts are available in five sizes from S to XXL and three colours - as well as the grey/orange shown here, there's brown or black, both with grey vents and trim.
Ups and downs
Light but robust, look good, sensible price
Slightly inaccessible front pockets, serious mile-eaters will want a more substantially padded liner
Verdict
The Altura Summit shorts are solid performers, with all the features you need and none of the ones you don't. And they're keenly priced too.
Ratings
