Cycling outfitter Kitsbow has just announced an update to its acclaimed Haskell mountain bike short. The new rendition improves on the Haskell short’s options, material composition, and overall utility. One thing that Kitsbow hasn’t changed? Each garment will be sustainably produced by “Kitsbow artisans” at the brand’s North Carolina factory.
Production of the updated Haskell Short is slated for August 2021, but customers can pre-order up to two pairs starting now. Owing to the original Haskell short’s success and (literally) hands-on manufacturing process, interested parties are encouraged to place their orders stat.
Let’s find out what makes the revised mountain bike short especially special.
Updated Kitsbow Haskell Short Specs
This time around, Kitsbow will offer the MTB fan-favorite short in 8-inch and 11-inch inseam lengths. Also fresh on deck are a “comfortably fitted but not tight” fit, plus improved fabric durability and tactility.
The rest is in the details:
- Wide crotch gusset for rider comfort
- Snag-free YKK zipper
- 2 deep front pockets, 2 snap-closure rear pockets
- Subtle reflective embellishments on side seams for improved visibility at night
- Stout belt loops
- Smooth-fit front snap closure
- Water-repellant finish
Customers can choose between three colorways: Black Olive, Dry Grey, or Wild Oak.
Kitsbow #Trailcycled Ethics
The shorts are hand-hewn and made-to-order, in keeping with Kitsbow’s commitment to lean manufacturing. The brand is so dedicated to no-waste ethics that it’s coined its own term of art for the method — #trailcycled.
The trail cycling ethos means that the apparel it produces doesn’t go to the company’s backstock supply — because there is no backstock at Kitsbow. And since its artisan pool is finite, all orders are treated on a first-come, first fulfilled basis. From a broader industry scope, the brand’s ‘made-to-order’ sustainability model is relatively discreet and a notable contrast to fast fashion practices that have long saturated apparel markets.
Pricing and Pre-Ordering
The new Haskell Short MSRPs at $195.
As Kitsbow CEO David Billstrom puts it, “We’re making every garment to your size, color preference, and length; and then delivering them. The trade-off is that we serve each order as it arrives, so you’ll need to get in line right now.”