Rain or shine, we like to ride in mountain bike pants around here. They keep your pads clean, deflect a few of those nasty shin gashes, and some are warmer than the cutoff version so we can keep riding into the winter months.
Sturdy and durable material is key for a good set of mountain bike pants. Warm and thicker material with waterproof treatment and wind-blocking features make the best winter mountain bike pants and keep you protected and comfortable in harsh weather.
In the mountain bike pants we’ve tested here, we’ll share how well these pants breathe; how they fair against the ground, elements and washing machine; if they shed rain; and how they feel against the skin. All of these mountain bike pants are $100+, so we expect them to last a bit longer than cheap mountain bike pants.
- Best winter mountain bike pants: Endura MT500 Freezing Point
- Best waterproof mountain bike pants: Patagonia Dirt Roamer Storm Pants
- Most comfortable mountain bike pants: Rapha Trail Pants and DHaRCO Gravity Pants
- Best women’s mountain bike pants: Shredly Cascade
- Most protective MTB pants: Dakine Thrillium Heavyweight
- Cheap mountain bike pants: Wrangler ATG Synthetic
And then there’s fit. We prefer our pants to stay in place with minimal fuss! We’ll touch on the overall fit and waist-cinching system for each pair, as well as the skinny-jeans-factor where brands ride the line between making space for kneepads and keeping the material tight enough to not flap about and get caught on things.
We will also point out any unique features and flaws for each pair, including different ankle closures that can be helpful or hindersome, and how well the pocket-placement works while peddling.
Mountain bike pants compared
| PANT | PRICE | GENDER | COOL FEATURES | BEST FOR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7Mesh Glidepath Pants | $170 | Men’s and women’s | Lightweight with DWR | Shoulder seasons |
| Backcountry Slickrock Pants | $129 | Men’s and women’s | Lightweight, 4-way stretch | Trail riding, warm weather |
| Chrome Storm Rain Pants | $100 | Men’s cut only | Waterproof, Roomy legs | Commuting, All Seasons |
| Dakine Heavyweight Thrillium Pants | $180 | Men’s and women’s | Super durable fabric | Aggresive DH, Winter |
| DHaRCO Gravity Pants | $158 | Men’s and women’s | 4-way stretch | Overall comfort, All Seasons |
| Endura MT500 Freezing Point Trousers | $200 | Men’s cut only | Fleece lined | Winter, Freezing temps |
| Five Ten TrailX Pants | $90 | Men’s and women’s | 4-way stretch | Bike park and cool days |
| Fox Defend Fire Pants | $200 | Mens and women’s | Fleece lined, reinforced knees | Winter |
| GOREWEAR Fernflow Pants | $170 | Men’s | Side-zip vents | Long legs |
| Mons Royale Virage Pants | $190 | Men’s and women’s | Stretchy waistband, merino/polyester blend | Jogger style, all seasons |
| Patagonia Dirt Roamer Storm Pants | $299 | Men’s and women’s | Waterproof, adjustable waistband | Wet and cold weather |
| Pearl Izumi Elevate Pants | $170 | Men’s | Lightweight and vented | Summer bike park |
| POC Ardour All-Weather Pants | $280 | Men’s and women’s | Roomy legs | Moderate rain |
| POC Consort MTB Dungaree | $500 | Unisex | Large vents | Winter, Frigid wet rides |
| Race Face Conspiracy Pants | $180 | Men’s cut only | Good waterproofing | Wet riding or racing |
| Rapha Trail Pants | $180 | Men’s and women’s | Wide waist adjustment | Dialed comfort and fit |
| Showers Pass Skyline Pant | $175 | Men’s cut only | Reflective strips | Winter, Multisport use |
| Shredly Cascade Pant | $135 | Women’s cut only | Elastic waist | Multisport use, All Seasons |
| Specialized Trail Pants | $145 | Men’s cut only | Aerodynamic | Shoulder seasons |
| Wrangler ATG Synthetic | $30 | Men’s only | Waist and ankle cinchers | Value seekers |
7Mesh Glidepath Mountain Bike Pants
- Price: $170
- Available at JensonUSA.
The Glidepath Pant from Squamish-based apparel brand 7Mesh comes in women’s and men’s cuts with six sizes for $170. It’s DWR coated from hip to toe, which helps keep the trail spray off your legs. A pair of hand pockets on either hip is nice for chillin’, and there are adjacent zippered pouches to hold your phone and whatnot.
There are cinch straps on either side of the waist, and belt loops all around if you need the extra security. The material is stretchy enough to wrap around large kneepads and to move instead of tearing on impact.
Our writer and ripping trail tester Anne-Marije Rook tested these mountain bike pants, and she had largely good things to report.
“The pant version of 7 Mesh’s popular Glidepath mountain bike short does not disappoint. The material is practically weightless and offers all-day comfort with 4-way stretch, articulated knees, and a jogger-like taper and cuffs at the ankles.
“I feared that the thin material wouldn’t stand a chance against snags and scuffs but they’ve held up surprisingly well, and even offer some light water resistance. The generous four pockets — two zipped, two open hand-pockets — offer plenty of options for any quick-access items and a snap belt keeps everything in place.
They’re not as water-resistant as one would need here in the Pacific NorthWET but even so, these pants are so comfy that they’ve become my go-to pants in everything except a downpour.”
The shell of these pants is lighter than many of the others tested, and as a result, it breathes quite well. These are not the warmest pants, and they feel great if you keep moving on the ride, or if temps are above 50° F.
The zippered pockets are in the perfect spot to keep your gear from bouncing around, and there’s ample space to hold as much gear as most folks want to put in their pockets. The overall fit is rather slim, with very little material to catch on the saddle or passing branches.
If you don’t plan to ride in active rainstorms and you like a svelte and subtle fit these pants have it covered.
Backcountry Slickrock Pants
- Material: 85% recycled nylon/15% spandex, 4-way stretch, DWR treatment
- Fit: Slim
- Pockets: 2
- Use: downcountry, gravel, trail
- Price: $129
- Buy from Backcountry (men’s also available)
These may look like a basic pair of black mountain bike pants but they offer a lot for their $129 price tag. First, to be clear these aren’t thermal winter mountain bike pants, and you could certainly wear them riding year-round. The fabric is lightweight and extremely stretchy, with a close fit in the hips and thighs but not tight when pedaling on a bike.
The high rise is surprisingly comfortable and there is a waist adjuster/faux belt if needed. The ankles are tapered with a wide elastic band and can be loosened by a zipper. Besides my standard request to all clothing companies to make a petite length, I really couldn’t ask for anything more from a pair of women’s mountain bike pants.
Chrome Storm Rain MTB Pants
- Price: $100
- Available at Chrome Industries.
The Chrome Storm Rain Pants is clearly designed to slide over your jeans on the way to work or over kneepads in the dirt.
Their elastic drawstring waist is easy to get on and off, and there are ankle zippers to help tighten them over rain boots or whatever you wear to ride to the grocer. Two zippered pockets will hold more goods than the drawstring can hold up, so don’t overload them with heavy tools if you don’t want to yank them up regularly.
The three-layer waterproof construction keeps water out admirably and should manage dirt naps for a few seasons. Storm Rain Pants can be had in four sizes for $100.
For my body type, these don’t work as mountain bike pants. The legs are far too long on my usual size small, leaving a pile of fabric bunched at the ankles. The crotch is also way too deep and it regularly gets snagged on the saddle and pulls the pants down.
Likely these features make these perfect pants for wearing over jeans on a commute, but on the trail, they are not the trousers I would choose.
If you’re notably tall and thin these might be the perfect pants to keep your legs and pads dry, but for anyone with closer-to-average leg and waist measurements, they will be far too long.
Dakine Thrillium Heavyweight Mountain Bike Pants
- Price: $180
- Available at Amazon.
Heavy is not a word we often use positively in cycling. The Thrillium Heavyweight Pant from Dakine is just that — heavy.
These burly winter mountain bike pants weigh twice what some others do in this test, and they feel designed for a motocross race. Unfortunately, all that thick warmth is in no way waterproof.
They are held in place with a sturdy trident buckle, and the adjuster locks in place so you won’t have to worry about them falling off as the rain adds weight.
The zippered hip pockets are as large as my size-large hands need, and they hold things in a fairly comfortable position. If your phone is too large it will hit your hip bone with each pedal stroke, which is common with front hip pockets. My iPhone 11 is a little too large for comfort. A third pocket on the left thigh is large enough for a granola bar and keys.
Riders will be able to fit whatever size kneepads they like under these pants, as the fit is quite baggy. Despite all of that added nylon the crotch isn’t baggy, and I haven’t had any issues with these clutching the saddle.
There’s heaps of room for warm layers underneath in my usual size small, and while the fabric doesn’t stretch there is enough of it to move with you. There are holes in the upper-butt fabric to allow for some airflow, which is good because the heavy material is otherwise quite hot.
Folks searching for a looser fit will be stoked on these pants. Dakine definitely thought about the sprinter’s thighs when designing these pants.
DHaRCO Gravity Pants
- Material: 95% nylon/5% spandex, 4-way stretch, water-resistant
- Fit: Slim
- Pockets: 3
- Use: trail, bike park, gravity
- Price: $158
- Available at Backcountry – Men’s and Women’s
We have reviewed the DHaRCO Gravity Pants in the past and wanted to include them here to share some updates and this men’s galactic colorway and ladies’ leopard print. They still come in a women’s and men’s cut in five sizes and a bunch of colors for $158.
The waist is widely adjustable with a pair of velcro straps, and the sizing is such that I don’t have a pile of extra velcro to manage as I do with some other pants. The two leg pockets offer just enough storage to bring the trail necessities along without overweighting your legs.
There’s also a pocket on the lumbar that a friend of mine calls the “butt warmer” because it’s a good place to keep your food warm without smashing it in a hip pocket.
Singletracks contributor, Chris Schieffer, reviewed these pants recently and had the following accolades to share.
“Inspired by performance, functionality, and contemporary designs, the DHaRCO Gravity Pant is no exception; it really ups the ante in women’s MTB apparel. The four-way stretch, quick-drying, breathable, water-resistant material provides all the protection necessary for DH laps, yet it is versatile enough to pedal in during the cold weather of the fall and winter months.
The gravity pant is made of slightly thicker material than other women’s pants (read: warmer); with an articulated cut, three pockets for essentials, waterproof zippers, and room for knee pads. If you happen to take a digger in these pants, your skin should be saved.”
These are some notably cozy trousers that fit exactly the way I like for racy MTB pants. There’s just enough room for knee pads, with zero extra flap to catch on things or slow me down in the wind. The knees are reinforced to make them last longer than some, and the material is well stretchy to move with your body.
Thanks to their fit and overall feel, this pair is my personal go-to for long adventure days or rips in the bike park.
DHaRCO has functionality covered with these pants, and if you want to stand out from the crowd they have also dialed the aesthetic up a notch. You can get them in black if that’s preferable.
Endura MT500 Freezing Point MTB Trousers
- Material: Nylon/Polyester/Elastane, 4-way stretch, DWR finish
- Insulation: PrimaLoft GOLD insulation
- Fit: Regular
- Pockets: 2
- Use: winter, trail, all-mountain
- Price: $200
- Available at Amazon, Jenson USA and Performance Bike
Endura’s MT500 Freezing Point Trousers match the Freezing Point jacket’s intent. On cold, and lightly moisturized days, the mountain bike pants make it possible to enjoy riding.
The Freezing Point trousers are made with Primaloft Gold Active Insulation panels on the front over the quadriceps and on the rear, there are waterproof spray panels, and the rest of the pants are coated with a C0 DWR water repellant.
The trousers are made with a moveable material and lined with fleece. There are two zippered pockets, abrasion-resistant ankles, an externally adjustable waist guard, and zippered vents along the sides of the upper thighs.
Though the Freezing Point trousers pack a lot of heat, they have a slim and tapered fit so that they don’t feel too pouchy. I joked that I looked Randy from A Christmas Story when I first wore the suit on a ride, but mostly because I’ve never worn something with this much insulation on a bike.
My impressions on the pants are similar to the jacket: they’ll hold up well on the dryer, cold days and provide an ideal amount of warmth for temperatures between 25° – 35°. They aren’t the best pants out there for really wet snow.
The pants feel durable, especially with abrasion-resistant ankles, and they are slim to avoid interference with cranks and chains. The venting on the trousers is a nice touch for some air conditioning when you’re pedaling hard on chilly days.
See also: These MTB Jackets Will Keep You Riding Through Winter
Five Ten TrailX Pants
- Price: $90
- Buy from Adidas.
The new Five Ten TrailX mountain bike pants are just right for fall riding. They’re lightweight yet still provide a bit of protection from the weather and the gnar, and they feel pretty great too.
The four-way stretch fabric and shaped knees make it easy to move on the bike, and the hook-and-loop waist cinchers are handy for dialing in the fit. Perhaps my favorite feature is the three position hem strap which keeps the pant legs out of the drivetrain and locked down against the wind. The TrailX pants aren’t really insulated so most will find they are not warm enough for winter riding. However, they could work for summer alpine rides where they offer protection from the sun’s rays and the pointiest trail bits. I’m 6’3″ and the inseam is perhaps a tad short, but it’s not a deal breaker with this style of riding pant.
Fox Defend Fire Pants
- Price: $199.95
- Available at Amazon – Men’s and Women’s
The Fox Defend Fire pants are a choice piece of kit for two main reasons. First, the luxurious fleece lining will keep you warm on even the coldest rides. If I’m planning on pedaling, I would easily rate these things down into the teens. For shuttle runs, they’ll be just fine down to 20°F or colder with some layering. The second advantage? The camo is absolutely awesome, and it’s proven to improve your riding skills by at least 20%.
A tapered leg keeps the pants out of your chainring, and the knees are pre-curved for uninhibited pedaling. The pants fit easily over the company’s low-profile Enduro Pro knee pads, and there’s an easily-accessible pocket on the left thigh for a phone or snack. If you decided to forgo insurance on your new cellphone, there’s another pocket on the back of the right leg that might offer a little more protection in the event of a crash.
- Cordura™ seat and knee panels offer durability
- DWR finish sheds water and mud
- Fleece lining for comfort, warmth, and mobility
- Ratcheting closure
- Tapered leg with elastic cuff
- Inseam: 31.25″
If most of your riding buddies are middle schoolers, the ratcheting waistband will keep you from getting pants’ed in the parking lot, and it’s also secure while riding. I’m still not sure if a ratchet is necessary to do a job that snap buttons have been doing for decades, but lots of other pants on the market use the same closure. I guess I’ve just never shredded my pants off. Someday, perhaps.
In my opinion, the only downside to the Defend Fire is the cost. Retailing for $200, these things ain’t cheap. Fortunately, if you do decide to send that purchase, the durable softshell fabric and strategically located Cordura gives the impression you’ll be able to hand these down to your kids some day.
As long as I have these pants, I’ll be eagerly anticipating cold weather to reach for them.
GOREWEAR Fernflow Pants
- Price: $170
- Buy from GOREWEAR.
It’s taken me a few seasons but I’ve finally found a pair of mountain bike pants I love. For starters the GOREWEAR Fernflow pants (size medium US) fit better than most, with plenty of length and just the right amount of material for my long, skinny legs. Zippered hand pockets make for convenient storage while two zippered vents on the thighs make it easy to regulate temperatures during the ride.
The GOREWEAR Fernflow pants aren’t really insulated so I’ve been wearing them on rides where the temperature is at least a little above freezing. Built-in, adjustable waist cinchers dial in the fit, and there’s a wide band of silicon to prevent them from sliding down your chamois shorts underneath. The tapered legs are drivetrain friendly with snaps and a zipper that makes them easy to take on or off, or roll them up, depending on the weather.
The one drawback to these pants is they’ve forced me to do laundry more than once a week so I can wear them over and over again all winter.
Mons Royale Virage Pants
- Price: $190
- Available at evo (women’s style also available)
The Mons Royale Virage pants have quickly become a springtime favorite. Starting a long ride in the morning when it’s only 45° out, though it’ll be 65° later? Pull up the Virages. For a black pair of mountain bike pants, the fabric is thin, breathable, and super homey. There’s a stretchy waist band in the rear of the pants and it adjusts easily without feeling like there’s too much pressure. The knees are roomy enough for a pair of knee pads and they are casual enough to wear into an aprés joint without changing. Mons Royale gear isn’t what I’d call affordable and $190 is pricey for a pair of mountain bike pants, but they are supremely comfy and breathable.
Patagonia Dirt Roamer Storm Pants
- MSRP: $299
- Available at Patagonia and other online retailers
The Patagonia Dirt Roamer Storm Pants are designed for MTB riders who aren’t afraid of the cold, wet, rainy winter weather conditions. These women’s mountain bike pants are very lightweight, breathable, and are designed to keep you riding through the wettest of conditions. They are fully waterproof to keep rain, snow, and cold temperatures out, while also providing breathability and a comfortable fit utilizing their H2No fabrics.
The Dirt Roamers feature an MTB-specific OppoSet® waistband that allows for a fine-tuned fit without getting in the way of hip packs. It is a sleek design on the right of the button clasp, almost unnoticeable at first glance. The waist adjuster can be pulled to make the fit snugger, and there is a small clasp to pull in order to release and relax the waistband.
The material is midweight and very breathable and it’s made with 100% recycled Nylon. There’s a soft-knit backer to eliminate clamminess against the skin, that also keeps legs cool and helps control body temperature.
Patagonia states that these pants are fully waterproof with a 3-layer H2No® Performance shell that blocks weather while remaining breathable. I went ahead and did a water repelling test of my own. The pants did amazingly well shielding water, not only keeping my legs dry and warm, but also protecting my iPhone XR that I stored in one of the waterproof zippered thigh pockets. Both pockets are deep enough to fit an iPhone XR and are designed to go toward the back of the leg to keep items out of the way while pedaling.
A nice feature is the (almost) knee-high zipper that lets you open up the ankle openings and be able to pull the pants on and off without removing shoes or knee pads. Or, you can unzip the ankle cuffs for maximum ventilation!
Overall these are very flexible and allow for unhindered movement, making them a great choice for all-day winter riding.
The Dirt Roamer pants are almost perfect; the only thing that was off for me was the sizing. I followed the sizing guide which led me to get a large, which ended up being way too big and loose on me. These pants fall under their regular fit -“Neither slim nor oversized. Regular-fitting technical garments may be worn over heavier midlayers.”
Pearl Izumi Elevate Pants
- Price: $170
- Buy from Pearl Izumi.
The Pearl Izumi Elevate pants are some of the lightest, most breathable we’ve tried, making them a great choice for summer bike park sessions or poison oak protection in the backcountry. In addition to the lightweight material, there are large, laser-cut ventilation holes along the inner thigh to keep things cool.
The tapered legs end in elastic cuffs to stay clear of chainlines and the shaped knees are pre-bent for the perfect pedal position. An integrated nylon belt makes waist adjustments quick and easy, though it should be noted the belt doesn’t go all the way around the waist. Zippered hand pockets double as storage space.
POC Ardour All-Weather Pants
- Price: $280
- Available at POC Sports
POC Ardour All-Weather Pants are big and baggy and angry with the rain.
Like a lot of the less stretchy rain pants, they have additional fabric to allow your legs to move about on the bike. That means there’s plenty of room between you and the pants for kneepads and layers.
The hip pockets are somewhat small, and I have had trouble positioning my phone so it doesn’t hit my hip with every pedal revolution. Both ankle cuffs are nice and tight, creating a nice bond with the top of my high-top winter shoes to keep the puddles at bay.
These mountain bike pants are relatively thick and baggy, maintaining a good distance between your skin and the material. They have soaked through a few times, though it took a Bellingham size downpour to do it.
The upper legs eventually let water through, which may not be such a huge deal of you have a pair of wool knickers on underneath. The lower legs seem fairly water proof, and held up to the elements better than the thighs.
Like the Dakine Trillium pants above, the Ardour All-Weather Pants are a great option for larger-legged riders who want a little extra space inside.
POC Consort MTB Dungaree
- Price: $500
- Available at POC Sports
The POC Consort MTB Dungaree overalls take all of the waterproofness of the pants above and turn it up a bit.
The upper flaps increase material overlap with your jacket to ensure the earth stays outside your clothes and you remain as dry as possible. The shoulder straps can be cinched to keep the crotch at your favorite height, and there’s a strap across the back to tighten the whole shebang in place.
There are long vents in the legs to cool off and let air through when needed. Just remember to check that you have something on underneath. Consort Dungarees come in this sandy color and black in six different sizes for $500.
The leg area in these pants is similar to the non-coverall version, and the waterproofness seems even better. I have yet to soak through these, and I will definitely be pairing them with my favorite rain jackets for the wettest shreds.
I have a pair of waterproof high-top MTB shoes, and with these and a good jacket there are few storms that will keep me inside. Even when it was below 40° F and pouring I felt fine with these and a load of other waterproof kit on. While these are expensive, they truly do allow you to ride when other pants cant.
If you never wanna pull up your pants or get your legs wet on the bike again, these are for you.
Race Face Conspiracy Mountain Bike Pants
- Price: $180
- Available at JensonUSA
There’s a clear theme in rain pants here. Race Face Conspiracy Pants are baggier in the legs to allow for movement without making the material stretchy, as that flex would let water in.
They are simple and clean like most of the Race Face kit we’ve tested, with a pair of hip pockets that could each fit a phone or snack inside. The waist shuts with an adjustable ratchet belt like the Fox closure, and the ankles are just open enough to let your feel slide through without the need for elastic.
The Conspiracy Pants are available in five sizes for $180.
A good ol’ Race Face racy theme rings through these pants, and they are as comfortable to pedal in as they are simple and well designed. The high lumbar keeps your butt covered, and they haven’t yet leaked through on sloppy soup rides. All of the seams are sturdy and have remained solid despite the washing machine.
Waterproof seekers who want a clean look will dig these MTB pants.
Rapha Trail Pants
- Price: $180
- Available at REI
Like the DHaRCO pants above, the Rapha Trail Pants offer a dialed fit that was clearly designed by mountain biker who likes to party on the trail.
The fit couldn’t get much better, and the stretchy fabric feels great against your skin. These mountain biking pants are so cozy I wear them like sweats when I’m reading on the couch.
The thigh pockets are well placed to keep your gear secure and away form your hip bones and there are two hand pockets to keep your fingers warm while waiting for friends. The waist tightens with a locked clasp to keep then precisely as tight as you like.
Women’s and men’s Rapha Trail Pants come in a variety of colors in six sizes for $180.
Whether racing or riding, these pants provide the protection and warmth you want from MTB leg dressing, and they do ti with a fabric that feels better than most. The tough DWR coated fabric is sufficient for trail-spray, though I would choose something else for a rain ride.
Folks who want a really good feeling pant in a variety of colors will likely appreciate this pair.
Showers Pass Skyline Pant
- Price: $175
- Available at Showers Pass
The Showers Pass Skyline Pant seems more designed for road cycling than MTB, but they work well for both.
The tighter elastic material is more aerodynamic than most MTB pants, but it’s no tighter than the tailored trousers most World Cup DH racers are stuffing themselves into. If you have small legs like mine these pants will still have some give.
I have worn these skiing, road riding, and mountain biking, and they work well for all three. Surely you could also wear them to play pickle ball in a pinch. They move well with your body, and the material is surprisingly breathable for how heavy and warm it can be.
These pants are not truly waterproof, but they keep a lot of the water out and the fabric dries relatively quickly. They are definitely warm enough for a 40° F pedal if you keep moving, and the seams are well placed so they’re not annoying while doing so. A few reflective stripes in the right places will help you be seen on the way to and from the trailhead.
The Skyline pants are ideal for folks who want to enjoy a bunch of cold weather endurance sports with the same trousers.
Shredly Women’s Cascade Mountain Bike Pants
- Price: $138
- Available at Backcountry
As the temperatures begin to fall, it’s nice to have at least one pair of warm and comfy pants to ride in.
Some MTB-specific pants are constructed with rigid fabric, designed to take a beating in the event of a crash. The Cascade fabric is not rigid or ultra thick but it does the trick to prevent cuts and scrapes with the best of them.
The Shredly Cascade pant is “jogger-style,” made specifically for pedaling on your mountain bike, but also for those who want to double down on function.
The lightweight, soft, durable, four-way stretch, quick-dry fabric is a dream come true for multi-discipline athletes in the crowd. The relaxed fit, coupled with articulated knees, elastic ankle cinches, and a yoga-style waistband are perfect for pedaling as well as hiking, climbing, going to the gym, and just casually wearing around town.
If you happen to have the “pleasure” of being caught in a rainstorm with these, they do a nice job of repelling water and not sticking directly to the skin.
The fit of these MTB pants is perfect. The gusset doesn’t hang so low that it catches on the saddle while descending, and there are no annoying snaps, velcro adjusters, buckles, or inside waist cinchers to pinch your midsection when in a seated climb.
The articulated back panel accommodates even the most bulky chamois and somehow creates the illusion of having a really nice butt. The pant also boasts two large mesh hand pockets for breathability and air flow, as well as zippered hip pockets to carry essentials like keys, chapstick, large phones, you name it.
Did I mention all the amazing print choices? True to Shredly style, the Cascade mountain bike pant comes in a variety of colors and patterns, all of which are easily paired with the ultra-soft, solid color long sleeve tops.
Specialized Trail Pants
- Price: $145
- Available at Specialized and other retailers.
Back to the lighter weight racy side, the Specialized Trail Pants are a straight ahead tight pair of leg coverings to keep the cold out.
The material stretches all over the dang place, and it’s as comfortable as nearly anything in this roundup. There is a pair of zippered pockets, on the hips, and a large phone fits but barely clears my hip bones while pedaling.
The ankle cuffs are decidedly tight, and if you have large feet they can be hard to get on and off. The upside is that they grab tightly to the top of your shoes for a solid loam-guard. The waist cinches shut with a ratchet strap, similar to the other racy-looking models.
Specialized Trail Pants are available in women’s and men’s cuts, in a range of sizes and colors, for $145.
These MTB pants are wicked comfortable, which seems to be the story with most of the tighter race cut trousers. There is plenty of space for kneepads as long as they are the thinner pedal-oriented sort. These pants work fine when the trail is wet, and the sky isn’t, and I would happily pedal in them down to 50° F.
Specialized Trail pants are a great option for shoulder season or summer riding, provided your feet fit through the ankle cuffs.
Wrangler ATX Synthetic Jogger
- Price: $29.99
- Buy from Target.
The Wrangler ATX Synthetic Jogger pants aren’t designed specifically for mountain biking, but we (and our friends) have found they work great. The active cut, synthetic fabric, and features like built-in waist and ankle cinchers make them a great choice for fall and spring trail riding. Another big reason these budget mountain bike pants caught on so quickly among our friends — aside from the price — is that they look pretty damn good. The colors are on trend for men’s MTB apparel (black, gray) and they aren’t boxy rectangles that flap in the wind. Sadly for the ladies, Wrangler does not offer women’s sizes or styles.
Read a complete review of the Wrangler ATX Synthetic Jogger pants.
