The 'Durable Cotton' fabric is a robust, medium-weight material; with an abrasion-resistant finish, and a level of strength that certainly stands up to some serious wear. Despite the robustness, the fabric is soft against the skin, and most importantly it is comfortable to ride in; helped significantly by the four-way stretch it possesses. The fabric is also treated with a DWR coating, which repels water, dirt and grime. There's little doubt that this is one of the best-suited materials for outdoor pursuits. The Cigarette Cut shorts are designed for optimal comfort whilst riding. They have a lower cut waist at the front, to avoid the fabric and your belt digging in whilst you're in the riding position. They have a higher cut waist on the back, to provide greater coverage and reduce the chance of that chilly gap! The waistband itself is low-stretch, so unlike the rest of the shorts, it doesn't move as you move; reducing the chance of them falling down. Swrve have also used their gusseted seamless crotch design on these, so there's no uncomfortable chafing seams. It's these little modifications, which make these shorts significantly more comfortable for on-the-bike wear. *some wear and tear but plenty of life left.