[nwberm]

My lightweight pants search was motivated by local conditions here in San Diego- usually warm and dry, with mean, scratchy plants.

For me, the winner was the Fox Flexair. Snug almost to the point of being tights, with plenty of freedom of movement and the lightest material. You can wear knee pads under them, but I don't often wear pads so that really isn't much of a concern for me.
Others that I've tried and been less enthusiastic about (but still wear) are Endura Humvees, Andean Trails, and even some Planet X pants. The Enduras are the best of the rest, with decent pockets and zippered vents. Plus, a snap-in liner. The Andean Trails and Planet X pants are OK, but just not as good as the Fox or the Endura.

I didn’t know about the FlexAir pants! I’m reading about these now. The first thing it says in the title is “max breathability.” Given what I was looking for, I definitely should have considered these rather than the Ranger pants.

Flexair Pants

Buy Flexair Pants at Fox Racing®

www.foxracing.com

 

[Dirt_M¢Girt]

Wrangler ATG Trail Jogger pants are the best I've found for me at any price. Belt loops, basic pockets, $40.

Not constructive criticism, but I wish these were included in comparisons to MTB specific pants.

same here! can't beat the fit and function for the price. Yes you forgo a few bells & whistles but you also save about $100 by not going for a bike specific pant.

 

[_CJ]

Wrangler ATG Trail Jogger pants are the best I've found for me at any price. Belt loops, basic pockets, $40.

Not constructive criticism, but I wish these were included in comparisons to MTB specific pants.

I've got a pair that I've worn for two seasons now, and they've been "okay". There could be more stretch and/or room in the legs/knees, but for the price, they work, and they've been durable enough.

I also bought a couple pairs of their shorts this year for $25/ea, and absolutely love them. Wear them every day on and off the bike. Wish they made the pants out of the same material.


.

 

[nwberm]

same here! can't beat the fit and function for the price. Yes you forgo a few bells & whistles but you also save about $100 by not going for a bike specific pant.

I'm curious about these now. Can anyone tell more about these pants, like what is the material they're made out of? Does the material allow air to pass through / breathe? Are the pockets zippered or are they like jeans pockets? How deep are the pockets? Are the pockets made out of a mesh material or the same material as the pant? Does the pant taper to a tight enough cuff that material wouldn't interfere with the chainring? Anything else you want to add? Sorry for all the questions.

 

[Humpy]

I've got a pair that I've worn for two seasons now, and they've been "okay". There could be more stretch and/or room in the legs/knees, but for the price, they work, and they've been durable enough.

I also bought a couple pairs of their shorts this year for $25/ea, and absolutely love them. Wear them every day on and off the bike. Wish they made the pants out of the same material.


.

To be fair, if I'm wearing any kind of trail pants, I'm not doing a whole lot of pedaling and I'm wearing pads. I'm probably at a lift assisted park or shuttling and like that less knee room helps hold pads in place and fabric isn't flapping in the wind or too stretchy. For purer "trail" riding I'm wearing shorts, with tights under if its cold and no pads. It's what is flexible and comfortable enough for me to pedal in.

Mountain biking has so many different scenarios and various riding conditions to prepare for that it's difficult to find what's ideal. We likely all have that giant bin a crap that seemed like a good idea but only ever got worn once. It's nice people take the time to make threads like this one.

 

[Suns_PSD]

I like this post. Thanks for doing it!

I might pick up a pair.

 

[_CJ]

I'm curious about these now. Can anyone tell more about these pants, like what is the material they're made out of? Does the material allow air to pass through / breathe? Are the pockets zippered or are they like jeans pockets? How deep are the pockets? Are the pockets made out of a mesh material or the same material as the pant? Does the pant taper to a tight enough cuff that material wouldn't interfere with the chainring? Anything else you want to add? Sorry for all the questions.

There are a few different offerings. I wear the Trail Jogger. The Cliff Side Utility may be what I was saying I wanted....a long version of the shorts I have.

https://www.wrangler.com/shop/men-outdoor-atg-by-wrangler

 

[Humpy]

I'm curious about these now. Can anyone tell more about these pants, like what is the material they're made out of? Does the material allow air to pass through / breathe? Are the pockets zippered or are they like jeans pockets? How deep are the pockets? Are the pockets made out of a mesh material or the same material as the pant? Does the pant taper to a tight enough cuff that material wouldn't interfere with the chainring? Anything else you want to add? Sorry for all the questions.

They are typical lightweight polyester material similar to Fox pants. I would say they are somewhat flexible and breathable, open mesh pockets that aren't very deep. One zippered back pocket. They are well tapered and won't get caught in chain. I remove the built in belt and elastic cuff adjusters.

If most of the stuff you mentioned is important to you then these probably aren't for you. If you don't want or need most of the features marketed for MTB pants, then they are a great value.

 

[Suns_PSD]

Are the pants good enough to provide some shin protection from flat pedals, in place of shin guards? Or not really?

Thanks.

 

[SSINGA]

Thanks for the reviews and making me go shopping!

Has anyone tried the Backcounty house-brand Slickrock pant? Seems to have similar features to most others at a lower price point.

 

[Dirt_M¢Girt]

I'm curious about these now. Can anyone tell more about these pants, like what is the material they're made out of? Does the material allow air to pass through / breathe? Are the pockets zippered or are they like jeans pockets? How deep are the pockets? Are the pockets made out of a mesh material or the same material as the pant? Does the pant taper to a tight enough cuff that material wouldn't interfere with the chainring? Anything else you want to add? Sorry for all the questions.

the pants are a poly-blend with a lot of stretch. Traditional 5-pockets (like jeans), one of the back pockets is zipered the other is a velcro closure. Front pockets are a mesh material deep enough to safely cart a phone around. I've never lost my phone while riding in them. Belt loops with adjustable closure. They're fairly slim, taper near the bottom and have adjustable toggle closures at the ankle. They're fairly breathable but I'm not wearing them in super hot temps, only in the winter (though I wear them casually year round). I have never had an issue with them getting caught up in the chaining or interfering in any way. As a tall guy (6'5") the inseam of 34" is plenty long enough (I'd say they run a bit long).

 

[nwberm]

Specialized Demo Pro pants are also very good. They are what I wear for dh days because knee pads fit under them, usable pockets for phone, keys etc. They are my go to for winter trail riding as they are splash proof, water beads up and rolls off them, and there’s plenty of room for a layer or term thinner layers underneath. Hold up well in crashes and deal with machine washing perfectly. $130 retail, on sale for $49.99 right now in a few sizes.

Demo Pro Pants

When it comes time to hit a track wide open, you simply can't do any better than our Demo Pro Pants. We made them from a woven version of our lightweig...

www.specialized.com

These look like they would have been a good candidate to consider. Can't believe they're only $49.99. I like that the description says they have laser-perforated ventilation holes. I like that they have three zippered pockets. In terms of personal preferences, for me it's probably a point against them that the fit is described as "loose," the only color option is black, and that the waist adjustment is velcro. That's an amazing price, though!

Are the pants good enough to provide some shin protection from flat pedals, in place of shin guards? Or not really?

Thanks.

Not really. Any material between the skin and a pedal adds some protection over just bare skin, but I wouldn't say nearly enough to replace shin guards or to prevent flat pedals from exacting their revenge during a pedal slip.

 

[ocnLogan]

These look like they would have been a good candidate to consider. Can't believe they're only $49.99. I like that the description says they have laser-perforated ventilation holes. I like that they have three zippered pockets. In terms of personal preferences, for me it's probably a point against them that the fit is described as "loose," the only color option is black, and that the waist adjustment is velcro. That's an amazing price, though!



Not really. Any material between the skin and a pedal adds some protection over just bare skin, but I wouldn't say nearly enough to replace shin guards or to prevent flat pedals from exacting their revenge during a pedal slip.

Those Demo pro pants are the ones I mentioned earlier in the thread. The ones I said were comfy, but had the worst pockets I've ever seen on a pair of pants.

They are $39 from this site (which is where I ordered mine). The ordering experience was fine... but as mentioned, they sent me shorts with a chamois on accident at first (told me to keep it), and then I got the right pants... and then magically like 3 months later I got the right pants... again (without charge). So, YMMV. But this is the cheapest price I have found them for. I just sort of lucked into 2 pairs of pants, 1 pair of shorts, and a chamois for $40, which is a screaming deal.

Specialized Demo Pro Pants

When it comes time to hit a track wide open, you simply can't do any better than our Demo Pro Pants. - VaporRize woven fabrics are treated to be water-repellant, while remaining durable,...

www.bobcatbicycles.com

The front pockets are useless for me, as anything in them will bounce like crazy when you're riding (at least a phone, or car keys would). Would be great for a lift pass though. But for me, these pants would require me to wear a hip pack, if I wanted to carry car keys, and a phone at the same time (which I do every ride).

I haven't worn the pants on a ride yet, but maybe I'll do that soon now that weather is coming back, and report back.

 

[mikebikebend]

Thanks for the write up.

Have a few rides in on the Outdoor Research Freewheel pants, with pads, and quite like them. I'll put them a notch above my Endura M500s, but it's close.

Apples-to-oranges, but the Patagonia Dirt Roamer STORM is killer if one needs waterproof pants. Often can find last year's colors on deal.

Also, you cannot put a pocket anywhere on a pair of pants or shorts that wouldn't bother me if it had something in it.

 

[Humpy]

Also, you cannot put a pocket anywhere on a pair of pants or shorts that wouldn't bother me if it had something in it.

Yeah, I don't want any velcro or zippers or extra pockets. The only thing I use a pocket for is to sometimes stash a candy bar wrapper. Car keys stay with the car so I can't ever lose them.

If I'm not carrying any sort of pack, which is most often, I use a minimalist running belt for my phone and a credit card.

 

[nwberm]

Also, you cannot put a pocket anywhere on a pair of pants or shorts that wouldn't bother me if it had something in it.

Yeah, I don't want any velcro or zippers or extra pockets. The only thing I use a pocket for is to sometimes stash a candy bar wrapper. Car keys stay with the car so I can't ever lose them.

If I'm not carrying any sort of pack, which is most often, I use a minimalist running belt for my phone and a credit card.

I am curious, if pants have pockets, are you happy to just leave them empty and not use the pockets? Or are you saying you specifically seek out pants that don't have pockets? Or something else?

 

[jester6578]

To split the cost difference a bit: I was surprised at how much I like the Zoic Edge mtb pants. I ordered them on sale (~$65, iirc) along with several other name brand pants and they were the ones I ended up keeping. They aren't the lightest, but they fit well, move well, and were 1/2 the price of some of the others. As a side benefit, they don't look out of place if I'm just walking around before/after a ride.

 

[mikebikebend]

I am curious, if pants have pockets, are you happy to just leave them empty and not use the pockets? Or are you saying you specifically seek out pants that don't have pockets? Or something else?

Ideally a pocket that is really a vent. The pockets themselves don't bother me.

 

[Humpy]

I am curious, if pants have pockets, are you happy to just leave them empty and not use the pockets? Or are you saying you specifically seek out pants that don't have pockets? Or something else?

Probably sounds insane, I seek out simplicity and function over form so fewer "features" is usually what I'm after. I don't need pockets when riding my bike so I prefer not to have them and will shop accordingly.

It's like a T shirt with a pocket. Da fuq you going to put in there other than a pack of Camels. A real man folds them in the sleeve anyways.

MTB pants and shorts like to have pockets in strange places, I can't find them even if I remember they are there, I don't want to mess with another zipper that usually takes two hands, it's stressful dammit.

 

[ocnLogan]

Those Demo pro pants are the ones I mentioned earlier in the thread. The ones I said were comfy, but had the worst pockets I've ever seen on a pair of pants.

They are $39 from this site (which is where I ordered mine). The ordering experience was fine... but as mentioned, they sent me shorts with a chamois on accident at first (told me to keep it), and then I got the right pants... and then magically like 3 months later I got the right pants... again (without charge). So, YMMV. But this is the cheapest price I have found them for. I just sort of lucked into 2 pairs of pants, 1 pair of shorts, and a chamois for $40, which is a screaming deal.

Specialized Demo Pro Pants

When it comes time to hit a track wide open, you simply can't do any better than our Demo Pro Pants. - VaporRize woven fabrics are treated to be water-repellant, while remaining durable,...

www.bobcatbicycles.com

The front pockets are useless for me, as anything in them will bounce like crazy when you're riding (at least a phone, or car keys would). Would be great for a lift pass though. But for me, these pants would require me to wear a hip pack, if I wanted to carry car keys, and a phone at the same time (which I do every ride).

I haven't worn the pants on a ride yet, but maybe I'll do that soon now that weather is coming back, and report back.

As promised:

Went on a ride tonight. Temp was about 54f when I left home and it had recently rained. Thought this might be the right time to try out the Demo Pro pants.

Pants are very comfortable to wear, the venting in the groin area is noticeable (so I wouldn't call these a cold weather pair of pants). The conditions weren't as wet as I thought they might be given the amount of rain we had before I left home, but while I was out it started raining pretty good, but the train still didn't quite get to the "truely wet" sort of stuff we have in the winter here.

The pants held up... "ok" in the water. They didn't get super soaked quickly (like a pair of sponge like freeriders would), but despite claiming to have some sort of DWR on them... I wouldn't call them particularly water resistant either.

And the pockets are as annoying as I thought. I usually keep my car keys left pocket, and phone right pocket, even while riding (as with all my other shorts/pants, I can't even notice they are there, as they seem to carry very well). But I had to store my phone/keys in separate compartments in my hip pack. Small inconvenience, but I reached for it like 5x just between the time I put them on, and the time I left the house. YMMV of course.