My Altura attack 3/4’s are getting near the end of their life, they are in their 3rd winter of off road commuting so they get a lot of use and they’ve been very good. However I wear them mostly to deal with the puddles and wet mud rather than rain so I reckon I’ll replace them with one of the above. Priority is that they are hard wearing as I’ll be using them every day for several months of the year. I also want the best coverage of my knees when I’m riding as they don’t like the cold. I don’t need to fit pads underneath so that’s not an issue.

So if anyone has experience of either I’d be grateful to hear it.

I have the MT500 3/4 and really like them. The bum is waterproof but the front is really light and thin, so it may not be warm enough for you.

I have however washed them a few times and the bum isn’t what it was, so i treated it with nikwax, i have yet to see if it’s back to normal.

MT500 are really good the matching top is good we get them as uniform and mine gets used for riding as well as work really light and waterproof in parts

altura semi 3/4s are the best cycling shorts i’ve ever had. Endura’s always seemed too short for me, so if you’re skinny and long legged (prev. Altura fit you?) go for Altura.
i can get knee pads under my semi-dry’s… just.
i wear them a lot, no problems. pocket zip has gone on my attacks but the semis have been fine. fwiw i rate semidrys better in rain too since the waterproof ones get horribly clingy once the DWR goes and won’t dry.
haven’t actually tried MT500 though so maybe Endura have improved.

Thanks all, It sounds like both options are good. I’ll probably go for the Alturas if they are longer. Smiff do they size up the same as the Attacks? Mine Attacks are small but I still need to have the waist adjusters at their smallest. I’m not too worried about the warmth of the shorts, I find as long as my knees are actually covered then they are fine and when it gets properly cold I’ll be wearing full length bib tights underneath.

I found the semi dry large was a fair bit smaller than the attack large. I looked like a 70’s porn star in them. Sadly couldn’t get another xl pair last winter but happy with the mt500’s I got in there place although I’ve not worn them enough to know about durability.

😮
no one’s told me i look like a 70s porn star. even with the moustache.
yeah semi-drys are tighter in the leg than attacks, if you’re tight with small attacks maybe go up medium? i did buy all mine 2 years ago so not sure if they’re still sized the same.. when they fail i’ll def. be buying more Alturas.
they are tight, but i like ’em tight 😉

Thanks guys, I have the full on 70’s porn star moustache so I’ll stick with the small, I have room for a friend in the small Attacks so they should be fine. All I’ve got to do now is find someone with them in stock. A preliminary search hasn’t shown them in stock with any retailers I’ve used in the past.

hmm see what you mean, several shops with only XX/XL.
others have all sizes to order so hopefully they still exist? hmm!

http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?q=altura+semidry+3/4&hl=en&cr=countryUK|countryGB&safe=off&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&bpcl=35277026&biw=1374&bih=899&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=3219342726366460305&sa=X&ei=hGd9UPONHefW0QW2vYBg&ved=0CFEQ8wIwAQ#scoring=tps

got mine from merlin, no longer do ’em.. looks like may be discontinued? or a seasonal thing? sh*t.

looks like may be discontinued? or a seasonal thing?

As in it’s autumn just when everyone will want them so lets not have any. To be fair maybe they all sold out during the lovely summer we’ve just had. I have found them online but they are small retailers so I won’t order without a call to make sure they really are in stock.

Smiff the fit in the leg should be no problem but how does the waist measurement compare between the semi dry’s and the attacks? The sizing guides make me a medium but I have the waist adjusters on my attacks at their tightest.

Thanks

i find waist good for both Altura shorts in small. ok Attack is fractionally looser, about 1cm?, never noticed till i put them together now. i’m about 30″ jeans btw. (Endura always had to be done up tight, the Altura fit so well (read: 70s porn star) i can ride with them undone and they stay up 🙂

so if medium Attack is slightly big for you, medium semi-dry should be ideal – assuming they haven’t changed sizing!

hope they carry on making them, the best i’ve found. agree with OP i like my knees covered always.

edit2:
if anyone has massive Chris Hoy thighs don’t get Alturas, you will look ridiculous and probably not be able to move.

+1 MT500s very good shorts.

Thanks smiff, I’ll go with the small as that’s what I have in the Attacks and I’m also a 30 in trousers.

smiff they are in stock in small at Discount Cycles Direct. I e mailed to check that they actually had them on their shelves and they confirmed they did. They do have a policy of only delivering to the billing address which is a pain but it seems they may be the only option at the moment.

cheers might buy a spare pair then 🙂

hope they fit ok!

I sent an e mail to DSD saying it was a bit of a pain having them delivered to my home address and they phoned me within 10 minutes and asked me where I would like them delivered. That’s pretty impressive.