Capo

Candy X Donna Short - Women's

The Capo Candy X Donna Shorts remind us that a good pair of cycling shorts should be as sweet as candy. They're based on Capo's top-end women's model, but Capo has imbued them with a bit of graphical flair courtesy of the brand's penchant for clean, bright palettes. Beneath that whimsy, though, the Candy X Donna Shorts are the nutritional equivalent of spinach. Or the propellant equivalent of rocket fuel. Or whatever other imagery you'd prefer as a metaphor for "high performance."

The shorts are constructed of high-gauge Lycra, a material with a firmly supportive heft that Capo credits with the benefits of compression kit. These include less fatigue due to reduced muscle oscillation and enhanced blood flow during periods of extended endurance exertion. The result of those properties is you'll have more rocket fuel (or spinach) in the tank for one last kick at the end of a race, and it shortens recovery time by reducing the amount of damage done. While we don't have the facilities to verify these claims through science, there is a noticeable difference between high- and medium-grade Lycra—it's kind of akin to the quality of construction between superhero costumes made for film in the '60s vs. today.

The Lycra is combined in an eight panel pattern that's built to fit in the saddle, so while it sacrifices some comfort while standing in line during the mid-ride coffee stop, the fit shines while you're in a pace line. It's finished with Capo's new Corsa SE EIT insert, which it produces in collaboration with the chamois giant Elastic Interface Technology. The chamois has a strategically variable foam topography with a medium form factor that adds just enough support without toppling over into throw-pillow bulk. It's covered in a soft, ventilated microfiber that fights funk while you fight to maintain position in the bunch.

Instead of the andro-centric bib design, the Candy X Donna Shorts feature a cross-over style waistband that maintains fit and coverage with less restriction when you're in the drops. The legs are finished with concise compression leg bands and reflective detailing helps keep you visible if you pedal home from your twilight crit series. As with all of Capo's kit, the Candy X is made in Italy—just like so many of the moments in cycling's history that inspire us in our own pursuits.