Royal Racing Cutter Shirt & Domain Shorts – Review

The more casual end of Royal Racing’s range has been part of the riding wardrobe for some time now…

We took a first look at the Cutter Shirt and Domain Shorts back in December, and since then they have been getting plenty of stick on and off the bike.

Cutter Shirt

Lumber-fashion has been cool since before John Cowan was flipping his Kona and a number of bike clothing companies are piling on the bandwagon with checked shirts a plenty. The cool kids have been rocking check for a while now, and the smart ones are on the hunt for something a bit more technical than heavy brushed cotton. A couple of years ago Royal’s catalogue hinted at the Cutter, CRC updated their webber, and I was poised with my mouse to get a rocking looking top – something to keep the autumnal chill off when I was in the woods, and keep me looking badass down the local. Sadly the samples came back and were just not quite there, the fabric was too shiny and not the look they were after. Full credit to Royal Racing for not putting out a bit of gear they weren’t totally happy with, and we had to wait a year for the Cutter to make it to the real world.

A mid weight cotton with a DWR coating, press studs, and a light hood make up the meat of the shirt. The cut is roomy without being baggy, and the cuffs have enough room when open to roll up the sleeves if it gets warm. The hood isn’t much use for riding, but comes in handy off the bike mooching round town or starting bar fights. The press studs are detailed to look like buttons, but more durable for a shirt that’s going to get pulled on and off regularly. They also have minute “Royal Racing” detailing, a nice touch. My dad swears by a breast pocket for international travel – a good place to keep a passport and boarding pass. The rest of us ignore him but this shirt would keep him happy, two pockets on the chest provide either fashion and styling or paternal appeasement.

What’s this shirt for? Clearly not racer boys looking to be up at the split. The Royal boyos say this is a top for those days when you are digging and riding in the woods. I really like the cut and styling of the top, and as a mid layer for spring/autumnal riding it’s great. The DWR coating is not super waterproof but it does make it a bit better than a thick cotton top. There’s no getting away from the fact that this isn’t the most technical of tops, but for razzing about the woods and popping to the pub on the way home it’s superb. If you want a bit of lumber pimp in your life, this is the boy. A firm favourite in the Ride.io wardrobe.

RRP – £69.99

Domain Shorts

Royal pair the Cutter with a retro styled pair of shorts. The Domain are styled and cut to look like baggy jeans, refreshing for older farts in an era of wearing your sister’s jeans. The style extends to a couple of big back pockets and “normal” pockets. None of these have zip closures, but all of them are ample in size. I was concerned that the back pockets might catch on the saddle but these concerns are as yet un-founded.

The fabric is a synthetic feeling, heavy weight material, with a perforated lining. The material is waterproofed and extremely durable. I’ve smashed them into the floor on a few occasions and they have stayed very much in one piece. The cut is generous, coming well over the knee and with plenty of room for big bulky pads underneath, but without feeling like it’s overly flappy. The waterproof coating keeps the downstairs bits nice and dry. After a few rides the fabric did wet-out and allow some dampness through, but didn’t become clingy or overly heavy. It is also practical to just pressure wash off the filth without wrecking the shorts. Belt loops, pocket trim and waist closures are all detailed and despite some hefty abuse the stitching has held up well. A great pair of shorts for DH use in filthy weather.

RRP – £79.99

Also featured in the pictures are the superb Drift shorts and Blasted Check ¾ length Jersey (Check them out here), and sneaking in but as yet unreviewed are the brilliant looking Matrix Shorts, all by Royal Racing.

Modelling by Charliehorse Davies and Dr O’Donovan of CUMT