Submitted by
Jared Mosher
a Cross Country Rider
from Rio Ranho Date Reviewed: March 1, 2005
Favorite Trail:
sandia foothills
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$111.00
Purchased At:
direct from ANGIE
Strengths:
they an take a serious beating
Weaknesses:
since im tall and skinny they could be a little longer
Similar Products Used:
to many
Bike Setup:
trek 4500 w/ SPD and
Bottom Line:
The first day i got these I wanted to try them out so I took them and my bike to one of my frequent spots and was hauling down a hill when I lost it and flew over my handlebars and had a nasty dismount which if I was wearing some other products I've tried they would have been shredded. To get to the point these just had a little bit of dust and come catus needles OH did I mention hte best customer service anywhere
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Submitted by
Ed
a
from Texas Date Reviewed: December 26, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
These pants a good.
Weaknesses:
Every time I buy something from Angie the shipping bag is ripped open, but all the contents are there and in perfect condition. Maybe this is subtle marketing, showing what will happen to your skin if you don't wear her stuff? I don't know?
Bottom Line:
These pants are not heavy. These pants are not warm. These pants are good protection. These pants are of great design and well made. Angie is honest in her measurements - the size is exactly the size she says it is. Good product.
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Submitted by
Yiyang Gao
a Weekend Warrior
from Shanghai , China Date Reviewed: December 16, 2004
Favorite Trail:
all
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$80.00
Purchased At:
corerat.com
Strengths:
the pants fit and look cool on and off my bike, even make me look cooler! mesh strips ventilate well, the crotch part is comfy.
Weaknesses:
add zip-off legs?
Similar Products Used:
no other biking pants fit like Corerat!
Bike Setup:
Heckler freeriding setup, GT ruckus urban kit
Bottom Line:
Finally I got a pair of DH pants that fit my extra long legs! Learning from other reviews, I decided to give it a try though the shipping fee to China was so high. When I got the package I realized it's a right decision! The craftsmanship is outstanding, the material is well selected, and the black with yellow strips are so cool! But it's was on my bike that I learned its strength. The mesh liner inside keeps my skin comfort and cool. The roomy space is more than enough for wearing leg armors. The long cuffs make the pants look good off the bike as well. Nobody would notice it's a biking pants unless I tell them. I really love them and should summit a real report after some more time with the pants.
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Submitted by
steve odonnell
a
from fall river, ma usa Date Reviewed: October 27, 2004
Favorite Trail:
break neck(freetown state forest)
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
direct from core rat
Strengths:
the material that these pants are made of is great. very durable. comfortable mesh inside. the boxer cut seams are the best.they even have velcro inside for hip pads which are also nice. i have used them 10 times usually in temps around 40 degrees. the velcro straps at the bottom of the legs is nice keeps the pants away from the chain.
Weaknesses:
none that i can see
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
trek fuel 70
Bottom Line:
the pants are great!!!
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Submitted by
Paul
a Weekend Warrior
from Philadelphia, PA, USA Date Reviewed: March 31, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Wissahickon
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
Core Rat Direct
Strengths:
Superior design and construction. The best materials available. Awesome customer service.
Weaknesses:
None
Bottom Line:
Custom tailored to fit my stumpy body and in the mail to me overnight. The pants are awesome, the design and construction are the best quality that I have seen out there. I dealt directly with Angie who is a pleasure. It is nice to deal with someone who not only cares about her product but also is enthusiastic and responsible. I cannot say enough about the awesome work ethic and customer service that was displayed. I am not a down hill racer but I wipe out all of the time on rocks and roots and like the protection this product gives.
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Submitted by
Scott
a Downhiller
from Saskatoon Date Reviewed: November 6, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$55.00
Purchased At:
Bought On-line for $89.00 Canadian
Strengths:
Excellent fit and exceptional stitching, looks real good too!
Weaknesses:
Could use belt loops for those of us who fall in between sizes for optimal waistline fit
Similar Products Used:
Roach
Bike Setup:
Although it has nothing to do with the pants, I ride an '03 Norco 4by. Freeriding and dirt-jumping good times.
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is I haven't got a better designed or constructed (with the exception of wanting belt loops - but that's just personal pref.) pair of pants. Period. They're new right now but based on initial quality and past experience, I can't see them wearing out anytime soon. Not like my roach stuff from this summer with the poor stitching that left threads hanging and loose seams opening all over hell after about 10 wash and wears. Who should buy it? Anyone wanting quality pants at a great price. That means you!
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Submitted by
JIM
a Weekend Warrior
from Red Wing, Minnesota Date Reviewed: October 16, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Memorial Park
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$75.00
Purchased At:
Direct from Core Rat
Strengths:
Light, flexible, very very tough, looks great. Added feature for hip pads which I have needed on more than one occasion.
Weaknesses:
Could use a full belt; has side draws and clips only. Waist slides down after jumps, etc.
These pants are outstanding. Very rugged and warm for Northern climates. I've washed out many times; even clipped a tree and went flying. Between the thick nylon and the hip pads, I come up smiling and go on my way. I've landed on rocks, sticks and gravel. Not only to the pants save my hide, but you can't even tell they've been whacked. Very high quality stuff. If you want to save your skin, look cool and stay warm, buy these.
Nice job Angie!
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Submitted by
oosvn
a Downhiller
from USA Date Reviewed: April 19, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$75.00
Purchased At:
direct
Strengths:
good fit , comfortable , room for pads , sizing chart on web site is very helpful , strong construction , light weight .
Weaknesses:
elastic waist band needs to be stronger
Similar Products Used:
none , first DH pants
Bottom Line:
These pants would be great if the elastic waist band was stronger , even when the adjustment straps are pulled tight they feel loose in the back and creep down . I'm happy with the pants , but may inquire about custimizing my next pair .
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Submitted by
Brian
a
from Seattle Date Reviewed: March 12, 2003
Favorite Trail:
the unmarked trail behind the water tower at Whistler...
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$90.00
Purchased At:
Vancouver
Strengths:
I really love these pants. A friend recommended and let me try the DH pant and jacket. Both are great products. I find them very comfortable and very tough. I commute to work every day, rain or shine and the DH pant has saved my skin from road rash on several occasions when I should have known better. The material fairs very well against abrasion in this respect; gravel, pavement, mud and snoquialmie pass; I've fallen on all of them and the material holds up great. The inner liner allows for excellent wicking - so overheating down always leave the insides of your pants all "nasty". The adjustable waist band is secure, even after two years of heavy use. I've not used the hip pad insert, but it seems like a great idea. The pockets are great, two big front pockets and a velcro rear.
Weaknesses:
The only downside? Is the time I wore them in Moab, in the sun. This product really is for the northwest climate.
Azonic DS2, Hayes, Marzocchi Z1, 34:19 gear on a Phil Wood hub.
Bottom Line:
Really, I cant find a better pant for more money either.... Perhaps the Fox DH pants are as good, but, they are a bit to flashy. I've done wore out my old pants and since Ive lost a few pounds, I ordered my next pair. I am very sold on the corerat line. The quality is super, Thank you Angie!
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Submitted by
mark
a Cross Country Rider
from macomb,illinois,usa Date Reviewed: March 6, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$68.00
Purchased At:
corerat.com
Strengths:
feel right when riding , great protections from earth,wind the dreaded thorn bush.my pads fit under fine.pocket for town use. look great.
these are one of the best purchases you can make in your clothing line. Here in the heart of america we ride year round. I asked for them (v-day gift from the greatest woman that still want me around after 7 years)for winter riding.The weather in winter is unpredictable. My first ride with these pant hooked me. 15 degress F and a wind chill of -5 I was toasty warm. I build trail for the city park and had these babies deep into wild roses with no blood to show.I'm no downhiller but do push the limits of the truth.I've mountian biked for 16 plus years and I'm not a gracefull lander or navigator,so I have my share of tara firma time and frozen ground is unforgiving.These pant take a spankin'!!!! 5 rides and 3 days trail work no complants.When you're here in the middle of nowhere your bike and gear has to be reliable.thanks angie!
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Submitted by
Andrew Gosline
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver, BC, Canada Date Reviewed: February 10, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Upper Oil Can, Mt. Fromme
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$60.00
Purchased At:
www.corerat.com
Strengths:
price, look, feel, comfort
Weaknesses:
can't think of any
Similar Products Used:
Roack DH pants
Bike Setup:
2001 Cove Stiffee FR, Z1 Freeride, Hayes 8", Raceface-BB-crank-headset-bars-stem, rhyno lites and highrollers.
Bottom Line:
A very nice pant at a very nice price. I'm not a downhiller, more an intermediate freerider, so I can't comment on the performance of these pants for downhill racing. However, I have used the pants with their hip pad inserts for 4 shore rides so far, and loved every minute of it. They're comfortable, strong, and the hip pads provide a little more cushion for your ass when you bail (which is always appreciated:)
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Submitted by
Trey
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston Date Reviewed: November 14, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$75.00
Purchased At:
Direct from CoreRat
Strengths:
Great chilly weather pants - much warmer than I would have expected. Windproof, solid fabric. Terrific design. Roomy enough to move in and wear chamois shorts under, but close enough not to snag on everything.
Weaknesses:
My only complaint is that the leg is a bit wide at the calf and rubs on the front derailleur. The ankle strap doesn't adjust that part of the pant and I find myself floating my heel out unconsciously to keep out of the chain.
Similar Products Used:
Adidas wind pants, tights, etc.
Bike Setup:
Beat down old stumpjumper
Bottom Line:
I love these pants. I use them mainly for commuting (not their intended purpose), and they keep me warm and dry and I don't have to prance around the office in tights until I quit sweating enough to shower. As I mentioned, I do float my heel out a bit to keep them out of the chain, but they were designed to go over downhillers' armor and not for urban commuters, so it's a compromise to intended function and not a design flaw. They're on sale now - buy some. I'm gonna buy some more.
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Submitted by
Don
a
from NH Date Reviewed: September 29, 2002
Favorite Trail:
all
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$76.00
Purchased At:
direct
Strengths:
Workmanship, choice of materials, fit.
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
AXO
Bike Setup:
RM6
Bottom Line:
No surprise here. I bought two pairs of battle shorts last year which I've used for downhilling (with the hip pads)and general trail riding. I love those and am just as happy with the DH pants. I'm prpbably going to get a second pair just for autumn riding. Core Rat is great to deal with as well. No fuss and quick delivery.
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Submitted by
Keefe Ward
a Downhiller
from Dover, NJ Date Reviewed: April 17, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Mahlon D
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$89.00
Purchased At:
Core Rat
Strengths:
Light weight, Well vented and well made. Great service. Weak Canidian dollar.
Weaknesses:
May be a bit light weight for pure DH. Works great though for all around pant.
Similar Products Used:
Azonic DH Short (Heavy duty)
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Bullit (all around bike)
Bottom Line:
Ordered large at 1st but was way too long and bunched at weenie area, even though waist was correct. Re-ordered medium and bunching went away and they still fit fine due to strechy waist style. Perfect for all around use and work good with my Danise pads underneath.
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Submitted by
Zach MacGilchrist
a Weekend Warrior
from BC, Canada Date Reviewed: March 22, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
core rat
Strengths:
Great design, Tough materials, good fit and keeps me warm and dry.
Weaknesses:
....makes swishing noise when I walk...?
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
Kona Munimula
Bottom Line:
KICK ASS PANTS... Get some today. My GF ordered me a pair direct from Angie and had them two days later, and they were customised just for me (extra long) I also have the battle shorts and bullit vest, keep up the great work Angie!!!
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Submitted by
Zane
a Downhiller
from Kernville, CA Date Reviewed: February 17, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Cannel Trail
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Direct from Angie
Strengths:
Good solid design A more subtle look, not over the top like the Fox stuff Very durable
Weaknesses:
Haven't found any yet
Similar Products Used:
Fox moto style pant Jeans Cargo pants
Bike Setup:
A Joker setup for "freeride" type stuff. I also use them when riding around on the trials bike.
Bottom Line:
Go get a pair, you won't regret it.
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Submitted by
Barry
a Cross Country Rider
from Las Vegas, NV Date Reviewed: December 28, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Gooseberry Mesa, Utah
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Direct from Angie
Strengths:
Great fit Great Service Very Practical Design
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
Shorts and my skin
Bike Setup:
Gary Fisher, mostly stock
Bottom Line:
These pants are great, wish I'd had them sooner. I cross train on road bikes and they're good for that also in the winter. The crotch is definitely different, but only in a good way. Makes you wonder why others haven't copied. I've been using them with a pair of regular 'ol biking shorts underneath. No good crashes yet with them, so I can't talk about that. I plan on ordering a pair of the Battle Shorts for summer. It was nice to talk directly to the owner, herself, when ordering, and delivery was super fast. They look good, too. (with Yiddish accent - "So what's not to like?"
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Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Bay Shore Date Reviewed: July 29, 2001
Favorite Trail:
most undiscovered ones...
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$90.00
Purchased At:
Angie, direct f/core rat
Strengths:
Well designed and made, the seamless crotch design felt strange at first, but now all my street pants feel defective after wearing Angie's pants. And the choice of black side panels is a plus when riding incognito. pockets galore, too
Maybe all male bottom end apparel should be designed this way...
Weaknesses:
Still having trouble making the male part of the belt buckle stay put (not fall off and get lost), especially when no tension is on it, and also in the washer, but I'm 99% sure I'm doing something wrong. I don't think I've heard of that happening when reading reviews of her shorts, so there you go...
Similar Products Used:
regular old warm-up pants
Bike Setup:
Trek 6700, time atacs, adidas el moro mids (review coming soon, awesome shoes), cane creek seat post, specialized airlock tubes...
Bottom Line:
I've had these pants about one month, tried them out yesterday and couldn't be happier. They're roomy enough to were chamois underneath, but that might defeat the purpose of the crotch design. I fell a number of times 'cause of the move to clipless pedals, the pants were none the worse for it. Angie nailed it, nuthin' else like 'em anywhere. Angie, when Core Rat goes public, let me kmow first!!!
Five flaming shish-ca-bobs...
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Submitted by
Rod Angler
a
from NOLA Date Reviewed: February 3, 2001
Favorite Trail:
hooper
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$90.00
Purchased At:
direct
Strengths:
Abrasion Proof 500 Denier Cordura. Fully mesh lined, straight leg cut with velcro cuff adjustments. Cut long, so it's the right length when you're on your bike Roomy for freedom of movement. Deep front pockets,single rear pocket with velcro closure Elastisized waist with a self contained adjustable belt. Durable poly mesh ventilated sides. "No seams where it counts" boxer cut crotch, and this is an excellent feature and design detail!
Weaknesses:
Very few weaknesses. The velcro closure around ankle is good, keeps pant leg out of cranks, but the strap is a bit long, so I'll trim it. Angle of strap needs a bit of refinement, tends to bunch a bit. Good feature overall, however.
Pants seem to be a bit too water resistant, so they tend to retain more moisture than I like. They'll probably breathe better with a few washings as the coating on inside of Cordura wears.
Make a slight chuffing sound as you pedal... notice this on pavement, not on trail. That's Cordura.
Similar Products Used:
Looked at Fox pants, but they are so "over the top" and look so totally "Billboard", I just couldn't.
Bike Setup:
yes indeed, it is.
Bottom Line:
Great cut, and great fit surprisingly. They actually look good, like the pic shows. Simple, you can have black mesh vents on the black cordura if you like understated, or add color to the vents for some acceptable snap that isn't over the top.
Don't look excessively baggy, they just look like they fit ... like good jeans, which functionally is good too, no flapping or flopping around.
Love the vented legs. Great pockets. Good price. Angie seems committed to product design, improvement, and customer service.
I haven't fallen in them yet, but they would appear to be of durable enough construction that they should hold up well.
The are outer pants, no chamois. I wear lycra cycling shorts under, works great in cool months, and you don't look like Rudolph Nuryev, Mikhail Barishnykov, or worse, Peter Pan.
$ 89.00
Overall Rating:
