Test: Three years ago they came onto the market, the "cycling shorts without a diaper feeling": With the One12, SQlab presented a bib for racing cyclists and ambitious mountain bikers, whose greatest merit was to show that you can't with a thinner, special seat cushion just as good, but possibly even better over long distances than with thick pads. We had a test report on this that turned out to be quite positive. And of course we also leaned on the sequel to find out: Is it even better or should it have been left as it was?
We also tested the predecessor and were convinced:
Clothing: Test: SQlab racing trousers SQ-Short One12 – is less more?
SQlab's One12 racer pants are the result of a collaboration with the sportswear manufacturer Protective. The pants come from him, the pad from the bustling Ergo specialists from Munich. What are the special features of the SQ-Short One12 and how does the community development perform in practice? We tested that...
In 2022, SQlab is presenting a further development, the One12R.
The differences start with the manufacturer partnership. At that time, SQlab was the manufacturer of the pads and Protective supplied the pants, but now the Upper Bavarian sports clothing company Maloja is signing for the collaboration – by the way, in its portfolio you can also find pants from the collaboration with SQlab.
Data SQlab One12R:
- High performance fabric with elastic straps
- Integrated lasered leg ends
- compression fabric
- Pants main material: 71% nylon, 29% elastane
- Thick seat pads: 4 mm in the sit bone area, otherwise thinner
- Weight: 129 grams
- Colour: Black
- RRP: € 269,95
SQlab One12R – the features
Picked up: the bib is actually a touch of nothing. If the One200, which is still available for just under 12 euros, was quite little material, the "R" variant is a touch of nothing. This is not only due to the extremely thin main fabric, the pillow has also apparently decreased. The thickness is now given as "maximum 4 millimeters". Not to forget: the now integrated cuffs. More on that later.
Another novelty: the individual panels of the pants are no longer sewn together using the flatlock stitching process, which already creates particularly thin seams. And "sewn" doesn't really apply, because we have welded joints here. The ultrasonically welded edges of the tracks are actually noticeably flatter and are said to be particularly flexible. Only the pad and the straps are traditionally positioned with a needle and thread.
Another significant difference: There are no separately sewn leg ends. Instead of such cuffs, the trouser material simply runs out at the bottom. This works because the trousers have a tight cut throughout and are extremely elastic. A cuff is still visible, because if you look closely, you will see that the SQlab logo is lasered about ten centimeters wide at the ends of the pants material and thus stands out easily. The back section, which ends in the two straps at the top, is also made of a very thin, highly elastic mesh-like material. It is significantly thinner than the One12 model.
Tight fit
Tightening: The R variant is very tight. SQlab speaks of a compression fabric, and you can definitely perceive a certain pleasant tightness. According to the Munich ergo specialists, the fit of the pants is adapted to the posture during competitions, i.e. the aerodynamically bent upper body. This also explains why the essential measurement for determining the pant size is not necessarily the other bib size, but the measured hip circumference of the pilot. Speaking of which: There is currently no women's cut for the One12R.
As with the basic version, the seat cushion is a bit bulky when you put it on for the first time. However, it feels less than the original pad. Or am I used to it already? In any case, the trousers fit perfectly on the body, provided they are the right size. The classic, separate leg ends of the older version tended to temporarily lose their elasticity if they were stretched too much. You can hardly imagine that here, if only because of the continuous compression fabric.
Hard core for crisp sitting
Back to the pad: it should be three-layered, thin and avoid pressure points. SQlab also advertises that due to its firm fit and firm material, it doesn't tend to be pushed inwards sideways like others, where it would then form creases. With this feature, the bottom was still fit on distances of more than 150 kilometers, actually more than with the traditional Buxe with thicker padding. In addition, there was a “leather saddle effect” on the R: the seat cushion increasingly adapts to the shape of the buttocks, or better yet, that of the seat bones, so that on the third ride you feel like you’ve actually grown together with your bike.
Environmentally friendly protection against mustiness
The seat pad and pants are quick-drying and the pad is also surprisingly breathable. Even when it's hot, once you've dismounted, you don't walk around like you're wearing wet diapers. And luckily you can't smell the bib even after two long rides. Frequent washing is still advisable, of course, to keep the material breathable and supple.
The pants are certified according to Öko-Tex Standard 100; all components have been tested and classified as harmless to health.
Longer life expectancy due to repair options
You can expect a certain longevity from the material of trousers in the upper price range. The OneR should definitely meet this expectation. However, this also depends on careful handling: if you want to sit somewhere other than on the bicycle saddle, you should inspect the seat well beforehand. Sit on a weathered tree trunk during the break? Better not: the pants material is so thin that holes or tears could quickly appear. So be careful when sitting down!
Incidentally, SQlab offers a repair service in the event of damage. Send in the product and if the errors turn out to be sensibly remediable, they will be repaired.
