Stio Women’s OPR Short – 11.5

Lightweight, durable everyday shorts.

After fit, the feature I care about most in pair of shorts is storage capacity. Whether I’m on the trail, traveling, or running errands around town, I need functional pockets because I carry a lot of stuff, and I seem to collect stuff as I go through my day. Still, I’m not a huge fan of cargo shorts for outdoor activities because they can get quite heavy and bulky. Stio’s 11.5” long Women’s OPR Short offers a sleeker, lightweight alternative with four useful pockets.

The Stio Women’s OPR Short – 11.5  has two deep front pockets made of lightweight mesh. The mesh fabric feels very thin, but has held up well over time. No holes. Most often, I use one front pocket for my iPhone (in its case) and the other for my bike lock key, a nutrition bar or small bag of nuts, and the receipts I tend to collect throughout a day. The mesh pockets also help the short dry quickly, which is handy since I sweat a lot when I’m hiking, biking, or even wandering around town. 

I appreciate that the Stio Women’s OPR Short – 11.5 has a rear pocket because many women’s activewear shorts forego rear pockets on shorts used for cycling. This pocket is smaller and flatter than the front pockets, and covered with a fabric flap that snaps shut. When traveling, it’s where my passport lives. Even after many miles riding around Malmö, Sweden, the pocket never popped open. (I wish the short had two rear pockets because 1) symmetry and 2) more pockets = always better.)

My favorite pocket is a narrow, deep zippered mesh pocket on the left side of the short. It’s long enough for my phone, but I use it for my wallet. I like knowing that my money and credit cards are safe and secure.

High Performing Fabric

The Stio Women’s OPR Short – 11.5 is made out of a 90% nylon/10% spandex blend Schoeller® fabric that has a PFC-free DWR coating. The four-way stretch fabric and gusseted inseam allow total freedom of movement, which is nice when I’m on the bike. I’ve never felt any binding or pulling on the fabric. I like the fine weave material because it feels soft on my skin, and it’s very lightweight. I’ve tested technical shorts in the past that felt scratchy on my skin. This short is super comfortable. 

I’m impressed by how well the fabric has performed on my travels. I have been walking and biking every day, and my shorts still look good. However, I have noticed pilling in the gusseted inseam panel from all the cycling I’ve been doing. I feel like this panel should be more durable and resistant to this type of abrasion. Other than that noticeable wear area, the shorts still look new. The seams are double-stitched, the hem is bonded rather than stitched for a clean look and chafe-free fit, and the shorts have held their shape well. My shorts are a bit on the loose side. They can be worn over cycling shorts. 

I was bit intrigued and also a bit baffled by the waistband on the Stio Women’s OPR Short – 11.5. It has a built-in belt that allows me to adjust the fit, and that’s a positive, but I sometimes wish I could simply wear a belt because I don’t like having to take the time to place the hooks into the slots. Also, the snap on the waistband isn’t a snap. It’s more of a hook, so it also takes time to coordinate the ends into a locked position. I’m sure many cyclists love this style because the waistband can’t pop open during a ride, but I find it frustrating because it’s different than my other shorts. 

There are perforated panels in the inseam, on the back of the waist, and above the pockets for breathability. I do not like heat, so this lightweight short has been ideal for summer and for travel, keeping me comfortable and helping me keep my valuables close and secure. 

Bottom Line

Overall, I have been very happy with the Stio Women’s OPR Short – 11.5 because it’s durable, comfortable, and functional. It’s also looks good with my tops, and it’s been quite versatile for travel, allowing me to carry my essentials and commute by bike in comfort. It packs much smaller than my cotton gym shorts. 

I’m a fan of low-rise activewear, so I appreciate how this short fit me. Maybe it is a mid-rise short, but it felt like a low-rise cut in the front and was quite comfortable, thanks to the soft, wide waistband. I also think the fabric has some odor-resistant properties because I can go days in between washings. 

I love the longer inseam because I prefer a more Bermuda-style short. I found the shorts to run a wee bit big, but that is probably by design to allow room for bike shorts underneath.

Sizes: 0-16 in 9” or 11.5” inseam. Available in four colors: Sediment, Boundless, Rustic Rose, and Raven.

$129 on sale now for less at Stio.com