DK Gravel Shorts I — Long Baggy MTB Shorts (1/2 Pants) with 7 Pockets & Side Vents
Adventure-ready baggy MTB shorts built for riders who carry gear.
The DK Gravel Shorts I 1/2 Pants are long-length, baggy mountain bike shorts loaded with 7 strategically placed pockets, side ventilation, and durable performance fabric — perfect for gravel, trail, enduro, and multi-day rides.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THEM
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Spacious storage with 7 dedicated pockets — carry tools, snacks, and essentials
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Side ventilation keeps airflow moving on warm climbs
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Durable, quick-dry fabric stands up to mud, sweat, and trail abrasion
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Relaxed baggy fit for comfort on long rides
KEY FEATURES
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7 multi-function pockets
Two side zip pockets, cargo stash pockets, rear pockets, and hidden stash slots keep your gear organized and accessible while you ride. -
Side ventilation panels
Strategically placed vents help improve airflow when the temperature rises. -
Durable trail fabric
Tough, abrasion-resistant shell with quick-dry performance keeps you comfortable on wet or rough terrain. -
Baggy 1/2 pants fit
Relaxed, longer cut provides coverage and confidence on rough trails and technical terrain.
COMFORT & UTILITY
These shorts are built for riders who carry gear and ride hard. The roomy, baggy fit and multi-pocket design make them ideal for technical singletrack, long gravel loops, and bikepacking adventures — giving you both storage and airflow without sacrificing trail performance.
FIT & SIZING
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Baggy fit with longer 1/2 pants cut
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Available sizes: Small – XXXL
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Designed for comfort and mobility over rough terrain
BEST FOR
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Mountain biking (trail, enduro, all-mountain)
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Gravel riding & mixed terrain
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Bikepacking & multi-day adventures
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Riders who want utility + comfort
DETAILS
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Baggy 1/2 length MTB shorts
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7 functional pockets for gear and tools
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Side ventilation for airflow
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Durable, quick-dry performance fabric
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Comfortable fit for long rides
DK Gravel Shorts I: Common Questions
What are the DK Gravel Shorts I and who are they built for?
The DK Gravel Shorts I are long-length 1/2 pants — extending past the knee in the same 3/4 profile as the DK Gravel Shorts II — built specifically for riders who carry a lot of gear on the trail or bike. The defining feature is seven dedicated pockets that give you more organized, accessible storage than any other short in the Urban Cycling Apparel lineup. Side ventilation panels address the heat management challenge that comes with the longer length in warm conditions. Durable quick-dry fabric handles the abrasion and moisture exposure of multi-hour trail, gravel, and enduro use. From $49 with optional padded undershorts available. The DK Gravel Shorts I are the right choice when storage capacity is the primary need — bikepacking days, self-supported gravel routes, and long trail rides where everything you need has to stay on your body.
What are all seven pockets and how are they organized?
The seven-pocket layout covers every storage need a self-supported rider encounters. Two open pockets provide quick-grab access for items you reach for frequently without needing secure closure — gels, lip balm, small snacks. Two zippered pockets provide secure closure for valuables — one features a soft phone lining that protects your screen from abrasion, which is a thoughtful detail for riders who do not carry a case. Three Velcro tab pockets add medium-security storage for items you want reasonably secured but do not need the friction of zipper hardware to access — nutrition bars, folded cash, a key. The total layout means you can carry a full day's nutrition, a phone, a key, a multi-tool, and a tube without a frame bag, hip pack, or backpack on rides where staying pack-free is preferable. The pocket placement across front, sides, and rear distributes weight evenly rather than loading all cargo to one zone.
Why does the DK Gravel Shorts I have side ventilation panels and how do they help on long climbs?
Long-length shorts trap significantly more body heat than standard shorts because the fabric covers more leg surface area — the side ventilation panels are the DK Gravel Shorts I's solution to this. The panels are positioned at the outer thigh where heat buildup is greatest and where airflow from forward motion is most available during riding. On sustained gravel climbs — the kind you encounter on Arkansas backroads or on routes like the Arkansas Graveler where long steady grades are followed by fast descents — having active ventilation in the leg panels keeps your core temperature regulated across the full effort range. The vents require no action from the rider; they are structural openings in the fabric that work passively as you move rather than requiring a zipper mechanism to activate. This makes them more reliable on long days when you simply want to ride rather than manage your kit.
Are these shorts suitable for bikepacking?
Yes — the seven-pocket system and long length make the DK Gravel Shorts I one of the most bikepacking-appropriate pieces in the Urban Cycling Apparel lineup. Bikepacking prioritizes minimizing external bag weight and volume while keeping essentials accessible from the rider's body. A seven-pocket short eliminates the need for a hip pack on shorter days and reduces frame bag reliance on moderate-distance routes where a handlebar bag and small seat bag handle overnight gear. The Velcro and zipper closures keep pocket contents secure through the repeated vibration and movement of unpaved surfaces across multi-hour days, and the soft-lined phone pocket protects your navigation device without a dedicated case. The quick-dry fabric is also important for bikepacking — shorts that soak up rain or sweat and stay wet for hours are miserable on consecutive riding days where drying time is limited.
How do I choose between the DK Gravel Shorts I and the DK Gravel Shorts II?
Both are long 3/4-length shorts at the same $49 price point, but they are optimized for different priorities. The DK Gravel Shorts I is the maximum-storage option — seven pockets and side vents are its defining advantages, making it the better choice for long self-supported rides, bikepacking, and any situation where carrying more on your body matters. The DK Gravel Shorts II trades storage depth (four pockets vs. seven) for reflective thigh elements that improve low-light visibility — making it the better choice for commuting, early morning or evening trail rides, or any use where being seen by vehicle traffic is a genuine safety consideration. If your primary riding is long trail or gravel days in daylight where storage is king, the Shorts I is the right pick. If you ride in low-light conditions or want reflective safety features, the Shorts II addresses that need the Shorts I does not.
Do the DK Gravel Shorts I work with padded undershorts and how do I add chamois comfort?
Yes — the DK Gravel Shorts I can be worn with padded undershorts for chamois comfort on longer rides where time in the saddle becomes a factor. The optional G-Tex padded undershorts fit under the outer shell and provide an antibacterial, ergonomically designed chamois pad that wicks moisture and reduces saddle fatigue on multi-hour efforts. For shorter trail sessions and casual rides, the outer shell alone works without a liner. For rides over 90 minutes on technical terrain or rough gravel, adding the padded liner significantly improves saddle comfort and reduces friction in the under-thigh zone over sustained efforts. Reviewers who own multiple pairs specifically cite the padded undershorts as a factor in repeated purchases — the combination of the seven-pocket storage system and chamois comfort on extended rides is what makes the DK Gravel Shorts I a repeat-buy product. Urban Cycling Apparel ships from Webb City, Missouri.
United StatesGood looking pants with plenty of pockets. Cell phone pocket has soft lining. Zipper close keeps keys in too. I also like the pad in under shorts I have 3 pair of them and they are comfortable for hours in the saddle.
United StatesGreat product and customer service
I had a defective pair of shorts that ripped a few rides in. I emailed them asking for a replacement pair. They told me it was past the date I could return them but sent a new pair anyways and an extra pair of the padded underwear. I have worn them almost every ride since and haven't had a problem. Thanks!
CanadaNice shorts
Great fit and durable quality. Shipping was fast.
United StatesGreat gear!
Good looking, comfortable, rugged for the more interesting quests in the Pacific Northwest and quick drying for an urban assault on the local micro brewery at trail’s end!
United StatesWell-Designed and Well-Made
I’ve been very pleased with the Gravel Shorts, they have the comfort and cargo-carrying capacity that I need.