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Deep Dive:
Based in the Bavarian Alps, the apparel brand Maloja has been making outdoor clothing since 2004. With roots in Nordic sports, Maloja endorses a mindset that sharing outdoor experiences with friends can make moments even more special. Alongside clothing designed for cycling, yoga and climbing, their trail running collection fits right in.
First, a couple caveats. The naming convention for Maloja apparel is somewhat awkward to American ears and eyes, with Euro-centric names and either an M or W at the end of every piece (depending on whether it’s for men or women). Also, the clothing we tested does not have female counterparts, although the company has a full range of women’s apparel with similar fabric and design elements.
Men’s LagsM Shorts
The LagsM shorts are made from a 90% polyester / 10% spandex, four-way stretch material. The integrated liner is a soft boxer brief style that provides light compression. Moisture was quickly wicked away by the technical fabric, and mesh fabric on the inner thighs of the outer layer kept air circulating throughout each run. Even on longer, warmer runs, the shorts were capable of staying cool and dry – this was especially apparent on a hot 20-miler this spring in Auburn, CA.
LagsM shorts, front
LagsM shorts, rear
Inner liner with outer shell
The three-pocket layout on the LagsM shorts is practical with two, smaller side-pockets that have perfectly placed thumb-loops which allow easy access for items on-the-go, including gel packets and car keys. Located below the elastic waistband, these pockets stay surprisingly secure for not having zippers. The larger elastic pocket on the rear feels similar to a lightweight shell, and has the capacity to hold a few more smaller items.
While the LagsM shorts check a lot of boxes for high mileage use, they are well built with quality material, ride comfortably and manage moisture well. However, the high price point is a definite outlier in this category in comparison to other well-established shorts on the market.
Men’s MarlunM Shirt
Maloja’s AirStretch fabric used in the MarlunM shirt is lightweight, highly breathable, comfortable against the skin and quite thin – in fact, the checkerboard weave is partially transparent. Modesty issues aside, the material is not only very light and breathable but also maintains a tightly woven surface and doesn’t snag easily despite the open appearance. The fabric also has a good amount of stretch (94% polyester, 6% spandex) and dries quickly. One detail in particular stuck out: partially taped shoulder seams. These can reduce friction from a pack or vest, but they also add a little something to the overall aesthetic.
Breathable open weave mesh
Accent logo
Because of the Euro styling, sizing for both the shirt and shorts was a mixed bag for our testers. Maloja does have a disclaimer about sizing on their site, advising consumers to upsize on their “regular” and “slim-fit” items. Both garments we tested fell into these categories, so our testers upsized accordingly. With the shorts, the larger size was spot-on. The shirt, on the other hand, ended up being roomier than we expected, as the slightly oversized shoulders and hemline would have provided an accurate fit without an upsize.
Quick Summary:
Maloja’s lightweight men’s shirt and shorts are a functional combo for long miles on warm days. The shorts have a comfortable boxer brief liner and functional storage options, but come with a hefty price tag. The shirt has a generous overall fit, the fabric is extremely lightweight and highly breathable, and it’s also versatile as a base layer in cooler conditions.
The Maloja men’s LagsM shorts and MarlunM shirt are available at malojaclothing.com.
Specs and Features:
LagsM Shorts
- Main panel construction: Running Stretch poly/spandex
- Liner: light compression boxer with elastic side pockets
- Inseam: 6.5”
- Elastic waistband with drawstring
- Large elastic, mesh pocket on back of waistband
- Mesh gusseted crotch
- Reflective piping on the rear of leg
- MSRP $139
MarlunM Shirt
- Fabric: 4-way Air Stretch poly/spandex
- Rounded neck
- Slightly overcut shoulders and waistband
- Ultrasonic taped seams
- Rounded hem, reflective transfer on back, print on front
- MSRP $89