The Specialized RBX Adventure Over-Shorts are good quality touring/adventure shorts that are ideal for riding and general larking about. They're comfy on the bike, neutrally styled off it, and work well with Lycra.
These shorts are a fairly classic length and style: with an 11in inseam they sit just above the knee, and they're constructed from a twill-weave cotton/nylon fabric that has 8% Spandex in the mix for a bit of stretch.
There's a seat panel that stops all the seams meeting where you're sitting on the saddle, and the leg hems are welded rather than sewn so they don't catch or rub on your legs when riding.
There are loops for a belt, four pockets in the usual layout, and a zipped valuables pocket at the front too.
A strip of reflective is added inside each leg which you can expose by turning up the hem.
There's nothing ground-breaking here, but the shorts are very nicely made, and they're comfortable on the bike. Sometimes you don't want the Lycra look, but you do want the comfort of a proper pad, and these shorts work really well over a lightweight pair of bibs; in fact I found them to work especially well with some shorts designed for indoor training. They don't bunch up or rub and they're comfortable for a good few hours in the saddle.
All the pockets are decent, though both front and back could be improved in my opinion. The front pockets use a mesh inner which I've always found to be less durable than a full fabric inner, although it does offer a bit more venting. The rear pockets are plenty wide, but for me could do with being a touch deeper.
All that being said, I didn't really have any issues during testing. There's enough space for your phone and your wallet if you're off to the shops, and you can lob snacks in them for longer rides if you want to.
The twill fabric has lasted well during testing, and they're easy to care for, coming up like new from a standard 40°C wash.
At £75 they're not cheap: Endura's excellent Hummvee shorts are £60, and they come with a padded liner included. You can pay much more, though: Chrome's Folsom shorts, for example, are £120. The RBX Adventure Over-Shorts feel like a good quality garment that'll get plenty of use, so you'll get your money's worth.
> Buyer’s Guide: The best casual cycling commuter wear
All in all, these have become one of my favourite pairs for general use, and I've worn them out on the bike plenty too. If you're looking for a pair of shorts to add to the wardrobe for both on- and off-bike use then you could do a lot worse than these.
Verdict
Good quality baggy shorts that work well with bibs; comfy and neutrally styled, they're good on and off the bike
road.cc test report
Make and model: Specialized RBX Adventure Over-Shorts
Size tested: Large/36in
Tell us what the product is for
Specialized says, "Style is in the eye of the beholder, and all who behold the new RBX ADV Over-shorts will fall in love with their style – the twill weave fabric is tough and stylish while the 11' inseam (size 34 waist) falls just above the knee for a casual, athletic look."
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Specialized lists:
Twill-weave fabric is durable and casual-looking, providing a technical advantage on any Adventure.
Two rear pockets, two front pockets and a secure front pocket provide ample room for carrying all your cargo on the ride.
11" inseam (size 34 waist) falls above the knee, allowing plenty of room to run pads.
Fabric Content: 50% Cotton, 42% Nylon, 8% Spandex
Good quality fabric, durable stitched seams, welded hems, reinforcement stitching on pocket corners: all good.
Very comfy on and off the bike, work well with Lycra underneath.
Main fabric isn't heavy but it is resistant to snags. Mesh pocket liners would likely be the first thing to go.
They're cut well for riding and not riding.
I was wearing a 36, they fitted well, they were better with a belt off the bike. I'm normally between a 34 and a 36 depending on the current pies-to-miles ratio. A 34 might have been a bit snug right now 
Pitched about right.
Nice and comfy on and off the bike.
Decent value – a little more than some, a lot less than others; £75 is a fair whack for a pair of shorts but you'll get plenty of wear out of them.
How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?
Washed on 40° cycle with no problems.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Very well.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Comfy, neutral styling, well made.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
The pockets weren't quite there for me.
How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?
Endura's Hummvees are £60 with a liner; Chrome's Folsoms are £120 without. They're middle of the market.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Use this box to explain your overall score
They're really good casual shorts that you can ride a long way in, in comfort. They're not perfect, and £75 is a fair whack, but overall they're very good.
About the tester
Age: 47
I usually ride: whatever I'm testing... My best bike is: Kinesis Tripster ATR, Merida Scultura, Dward Design fixed
I've been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo cross, commuting, touring, club rides, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mtb, Mountain Bike Bog Snorkelling, track
Good quality baggy shorts that work well with bibs; comfy and neutrally styled, they're good on and off the bike