Cube Blackline Waterproof Shorts – Packable Waterproofing For Your Bum

Vicky puts the Cube Blackline Waterproof Shorts through their paces in the gritty and wet Calder Valley.

These Cube Blackline Waterproof Shorts are a lightweight, packable waterproof short, made out of Primetronic material with fully taped seams and a reinforced saddle. The subtly branded black shorts feature a small amount or reflective piping and a single, mesh lined pocket on the left hand side (not pockets plural as claimed on the website). 

Arriving in their own drinks can size stuff sack, it’s obvious that these are not heavy duty shorts. My initial impressions of the thin material were that they probably weren’t going to hold up to a winter of grinding mud paste/saddle interaction, which we all know is common to riding in the UK. The lightweight nature of the shorts meant that throwing them in a bag on the off-chance that it might rain was a no-brainer. In my case, this rarely happened. Being too daft to run a rear mudguard, I generally start rides already in the shorts to avoid the dreaded spray of mud that’s a rite of passage for any bike ride. As the shorts are more towards the lightweight end of the scale, this means that whipping them off when you get to the pub and revelling in your dry bum underneath is a definite option. It’s safe to say, this is one option I’ve used many times. The material avoids the crinkly noise associated with some thicker shorts. I struggled to notice any difference from normal shorts, more similar to the sound for tyres on hard pack then a crisp packet rustle. 

After about three months of winter riding around the Calder valley, including recent thunderstorm dodging, these shorts are still fully waterproof. I’ll admit this came as a surprise as, in all this time, they have been treated to the occasional hose down in the garden and that’s it. I’m pleasantly surprised at how robust the lightweight fabric has been, there have been no tears from brambles or the occasional rocky tumble. The reinforced saddle area is showing signs of wear but nothing as bad as cheaper alternatives I’ve previously had.

Adjustment is taken care of by two tabs on either side, giving you a good couple of inches of clinching power. The tabs for adjustment, even when tightened to the maximum, remain firmly attached keeping my dignity intact and holding up the shorts even when soaking wet. The shorts also feature draw cords at the bottom of the legs, these aren’t a feature I’ve had cause to use, I’m guessing they would stop water splashing up your legs but when worn with knee pads this is less of a problem. Another positive of these shorts is their high waist, the elastic at the back helps to keep it flush to your skin. I wore these shorts over my normal riding shorts as well as just over undershorts, I definitely preferred wearing them over the top of shorts. I found that when wet, the thin material did get a bit clingy and the only thing breathable about them is the holes in either end. I think I would probably have worn them more on their own if I’d picked a smaller size – they’re unisex, which in reality means they’re men’s sizing. So while a 76cm waist in women’s sizing would be a Large for Cube shorts, it’s a Small for men’s shorts. These are actually sized for a man with 88cm waist – lesson learnt! 

My only gripe with the shorts is that they were shorter than I would like in a pair of shorts, even in the Large size I tested. I found that they finished an inch or so above my knee pad which often resulted in water running off them into the top of the pads.

Cube Blackline Waterproof Shorts Overall

Overall these shorts are a clear winner if you want a step up from the basic plastic bag style shorts but aren’t ready to commit a pricier pair, or, if you need something that packs away for emergencies.  

Review Info