Does anyone have experience with Desoto and Kiwami shorts they can comment on the comparison of the two? In particular looking at getting the shorts right now, not a suit right now. I had been leaning towards Desoto but read a lot of good comments on Kiwami suits here.
Thanks for the input.
I have a few pairs of each. The Kiwami pad is much thinner then the pad in my Desoto Riviera tri short. I love my Kiwami for racing and my Desoto for longer training rides.
FYI- I bought 2 pairs of the Desoto short a year ago and the stitching on the pad is coming undone. I’ve only used the shorts 50-60 times so durability may be a concern. I love the shorts just wish they lasted a little longer.
I don’t know about Kiwami, but I know that De Soto has a 100% no questions money back customer satisfaction guarantee. Try them out , you can’t lose.
Send them back - they are the only ones in the business who will fix them no questions asked!
FYI - The Forza shorts have a thinner pad - I LOVE them!
Haven’t tried either for tri shorts. However, the 400 Mile bib shorts…wow is all I have to say. Best fitting short I’ve tried (never buy the same brand or model anymore as to seek out the finest of all). However, maybe if the sides of the pad were a little thinner where it folds over between the junk & leg (too thick when on a saddle)…it would be a little better as I get chaffed there. BUT the cut is the best & material is top notch. Looking forward to trying Kiwami but distribution really stinks in this area…then again, so does DeSoto. Wish stores would carry either of them, I have to mail order everything.
I don’t know about Kiwami, but I know that De Soto has a 100% no questions money back customer satisfaction guarantee. Try them out , you can’t lose.
Oh, wow. If that’s the case, I’ll reach out to them. Again, love love love the shorts just a little frustrated.
I have been in DeSotos for the past 6 years, many pairs of the 400 mile and Rivera. I have raced them in all distances including 3 IMs and they are perfect. They are made for triathlon. Last year I purchased a pair of the Kiwami and while I like them I don’t think I would race with them over Oly distance as they are a bit too thin in the pad. Also, within 10 rides the stitching came undone. I sent them back and Kiwami restitched them and returned them quickly. The Kiwami short is definitely well made but for me I still like the DeSoto Rivera best.
Kiwami are great …DESOTO is the BEST!!!
FYI- I bought 2 pairs of the Desoto short a year ago and the stitching on the pad is coming undone. I’ve only used the shorts 50-60 times so durability may be a concern. I love the shorts just wish they lasted a little longer.
“only” 50-60 times? Do you hand wash and line dry them as recommended? 50-60 times would be like 3 years of racing and longer brick workouts for me. I wouldn’t use a trisuit or short for every day training. But that’s just me. However, they should last longer than that.
Kiwami are great …DESOTO is the BEST!!!
^^This^^
Waiting to get my hands on the new Forza shorts w/ 4 pockets. Hate that they are so expensive but the old Forza pad was a “no questions asked that’s what I’m racing in and using for long distances.”
Send them to me, we will fix them for free.
Hello,
Emilio De Soto here. I want to personally invite you to try our product and form your own opinion. Please read our guarantee below, see if Kiwami will offer you the same guarantee, and then you can decide for yourself.
100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEE
De Soto Sport offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee on anything you buy from our website. If one of our products does not perform to your expectations within 30 days of the purchase date, return it for a replacement, or a refund. Anything you buy from one of our authorized retailers is guaranteed through the retailer. All exchanges and refunds must be done through the retailer. Their policy may be different so please ask before purchasing.
First, we take it as an honor to be compared with DeSoto gear. They sure make outstanding products.
That said, we are also very proud of our shorts: the padding is thinner than most tri shorts. But it’s a well calculated move we took after many tests. We think we found the perfect combination of comfort and performance.
Today, you’ll see athletes using our shorts on any distance including top pros in Kona 2013.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to send us an email.
I don’t know about Kiwami, but I know that De Soto has a 100% no questions money back customer satisfaction guarantee. Try them out , you can’t lose.
Guarantee aside, they are friendly to deal with. De Soto’s customer service model alone is enough to give them your business.
It’s too bad some of the other small business owners within our sport are too shortsighted and dumb to understand this concept.
FYI- I bought 2 pairs of the Desoto short a year ago and the stitching on the pad is coming undone. I’ve only used the shorts 50-60 times so durability may be a concern. I love the shorts just wish they lasted a little longer.
“only” 50-60 times? Do you hand wash and line dry them as recommended? 50-60 times would be like 3 years of racing and longer brick workouts for me. I wouldn’t use a trisuit or short for every day training. But that’s just me. However, they should last longer than that.
I use, and love De Soto shorts (Forza lo-cut), but the stitching has always been a weak point. It seems to come undone much faster than other shorts I have (ex. Castelli bibs). I’m not sure if it’s the method De Soto uses, or the compression fabric; but the stitching starts to unravel somewhere even after the first few uses.
Hey people, deal with Jay at Desoto Sports. He is a top notch guy who will go the extra mile to see that you are satisfied.
I own 400 mile bibs, tri shorts, tri top, skull cap… have never been disappointed by the fit, feel, function, durability, good looks of any of these products. I recommend
Send them to me, we will fix them for free.
Awesome! Can you PM me an address and I’ll get them out today.
I never tried Kiwami but I can tell you that I love every DeSoto product I own.
Yeah, the notion that De Soto is not durable is laughable. I have a pair of tri shorts from them that is probably 8 or 9 years old , been thru 100s of workouts ( including many pool swims despite their advice not too ) and they are still holding on. The only way I get rid of their trishorts is to lose them.