Oakley Seeker ’75 MTB Shorts are bursting with retro appeal

Old-school styling will appeal to fans of mountain biking trends from years gone by, but there’s nothing outdated about the material used.

If you’re fashion-conscious, cycling gear can sometimes be a tricky marketplace to navigate, given the unorthodox bibshort look or tight-fitting jerseys that some riders opt for. However, there is a place in the cycling world for effective clothing with a more casual appearance. In fact, the Oakley Seeker ’75 MTB shorts could be seen as outright streetwear. In this review, I’ll reveal whether there’s genuine sporting substance underneath the appealing outer shell, and therefore whether these Oakley MTBs are worthy of a place among the best cycling shorts.

Scorching summer days require a different approach to mountain biking, which is when the minimalist breathability of the Oakley Seeker shorts come into their own. I liked this short best for hot, long-distance days, paired with a padded bibshort. It would be an ideal choice for summer Alpine adventures too.

Oakley Seeker ’75 MTB Short features

Oakley has gone for high performance with the Seeker. The things I liked include the lightweight fabric, which features a DWR water-repellent coating, as well as stretchy, breathable inner thigh panels. This combo shed mud and moisture when needed, while keeping me cool on sweaty climbs.

While it does have two capacious front pockets, they’re not zipped, so I only really trusted them for carrying mission non-essentials. That mattered less than it might have done because I used these for rides when I wore a backpack.

I tested the punchy red colorway with vintage-inspired ’75 print and Oakley logo, which did lend my riding a certain swagger – until I stacked it into a tree, that is. In terms of fit, the waistband is raised at the back, which, when combined with the adjustable web belt, meant I could secure them in place for a good riding position.

Oakley Seeker ’75 MTB Short performance

I grabbed the Oakley Seekers on days when I wanted to lighten my load and maximize breathability, while still being able to take on summer showers and splattery trails. The lack of secure pockets was a bit of letdown, but then again nothing fell out of them and I did enjoy the unsubtle styling.

What other MTB shorts are worth considering?

If you’re sold on the look of MTB cycling shorts, it’s worth having a look at a few different options to find a pair with the attributes that matter most to you. One example that I’d recommend you consider is the Endura MTB Humvee. Sure, they might not be as eye-catching as Oakley’s Seeker design, but they do still look good in an understated sort of way. More importantly than that, Endura shorts offer a bit more in terms of functionality too. Namely, you get pockets with zips and even a detachable liner, which I found to be very comfortable.

Alternatively, there’s Chapeau Gravel Shorts. Although still in the realm of baggy as far as cycling shorts go, the Chapeaus offer a more flattering fit without being problematically restrictive.

If, however, you’re the sort of cyclist who really gets up to a decent speed, or perhaps are someone who even rides competitively, you might be better off trying bibshorts instead or underneath your MTBs. These will be even less restrictive due to their lack of traditional waistband, meaning you can breath more freely and even benefit from incremental gains in flexibility.

Features	4-way stretch fabric, 2 pockets, water-repellent treatment
Colors	Red line, hummus, black
Sizes	28-40in