It wasn’t that long ago that mountain bike pants were mostly reserved for very cold weather and/or lift/shuttle-accessed gravity riding. But there is now a much wider spectrum of options on the market, from very lightweight and breathable ones to fully waterproof wet weather options, and a whole range in between. We’ve been testing a whole bunch of pants across a broad spectrum of use cases — so read on to find the right pair for you.
And for even more options, check out our prior roundup from 2022 — many of the pants covered in there are still current models.
Fabric: n/a
Size Tested: Men’s Medium
Measured Weight: 508 g
Measured Inseam Length: 71 cm / 28’’
Pocket Layout: Two hand pockets (zippered); small lumbar pocket (zippered)
MSRP: $200
Reviewer: David Golay (6’, 165 lb / 183 cm, 74.9 kg)
The POC Resistance Pro DH pants are, as their name suggests, a particularly burly, relatively water resistant (though definitely not waterproof) option for riding in cooler weather and/or when shuttling or riding chairlifts when maximum breathability isn’t such a priority. I wore the Resistance Pro DH for a bunch of bike park days this summer, where they held up great, but I’m actually most excited about them as option for cool and damp weather, when I want something warmer and more water resistant than a lot of the really lightweight, breathable options here, but not to the point that I’m ready to jump to a fully waterproof option. If I’m pedaling in them, the Resistance Pro DH feels most comfortable in temperatures in the 45 to 55° F (7.2 to 12.8° C) range; for lift-served use, I’m happy wearing them when things are quite a bit warmer than that.
The main panels of the Resistance Pro DH are made from a very burly material with light four-way stretch; a thicker, burlier (but surprisingly stretchy) material from Cordura is used for the knee panels and to add a bit of extra stretch along the outside of the upper leg. The lower leg features zippers that run from the cuff to just below the knee, which make the Resistance Pro DH easy to take on and off over shoes if needed, and makes it pretty easy to take knee pads on and off while wearing the pants (particularly if you have pads that feature a closure system so you don’t have to take your shoes off first). The cuffs also feature a two-position snap for tweaking the size of the ankle opening. And despite not using waterproof materials, the seams in the seat and back of the upper legs are taped to bolster water resistance in the areas most subjected to tire spray.
The Resistance Pro DH pants feature a small zippered key pocket on the back of the waistband, and two of the biggest hand pockets I’ve ever encountered on riding pants (also zippered, with large vertical openings). The hand pockets are constructed from a lightweight mesh, and extend almost all the way to the top of the knee — they’re truly massive. In fact, they’re so big that it takes a little care to not get your foot stuck in them when putting the pants on — the lower part of the pocket is only sewn to the main body of the pants in one corner, creating a loop that you can accidentally put your foot into. It’s not a big deal now that I know to pay attention to it, but caught me by surprise the first time or two I put them on. The fly uses a conventional zipper plus two snaps and a velcro panel at the waist; a pair of elasticized velcro adjusters at the front of the hips handle the waistband adjustment.
I’ve never been tempted to even come close to filling the pockets, and wouldn’t mind if they were smaller, but despite their massive size, they carry pretty well even if they aren’t full. Particularly when carrying something like a phone, it ends up sitting lower / closer to the knee than on most pants, but it’s held on top of your thigh fairly effectively and I haven’t minded the positioning at all.
I really like the Resistance Pro DH pants’ design and features, but the fit isn’t ideal for me. The waist runs pretty big relative to their nominal size, and the inseam is notably short. I think POC’s sizing chart is pretty accurate as far as the waist goes — they list the Medium that I’ve tested as having a 32-34’’ waist, which checks out. But that’s big for a Medium pant and bigger than is ideal for my build. I’m able to cinch the waist adjusters down well enough to work, but they bunch up a bit in doing so. That said, I’m not that tempted to size down to the Small given the fit everywhere else — I wouldn’t want the seat much tighter and would like a longer inseam than the Medium.
Overall, I’m still pretty happy wearing the Resistance Pro DH, and of course, other folks with different body proportions will get along with the fit better than I happen to. If you’re after a very burly, slightly warmer-than-average option with decent water resistance and much, much better breathability than truly waterproof options, and the fit works for you, the Resistance Pro DH is worth a look.
Fabric: 155 gsm 100% polyester main fabric; waistband is 230 gsm 79% recycled polyester / 21% spandex
Size Tested: 32
Measured Weight: 277 g
Measured Inseam Length: 78 cm / 30.7’’
Pocket Layout: Two thigh pockets (zippered); one pocket on right seat (zippered)
MSRP: $180
Reviewers: David Golay (6’, 165 lb / 183 cm, 74.9 kg) & Luke Koppa (5’8”, 155 lbs / 173 cm, 70 kg)
David Golay: Curious Creatures is a newer company, focused on making riding apparel that’s more casual-looking than much of what’s out there, and the Sun Dog pant (which is available in both men’s and women’s versions) is the first piece of theirs that I’ve tried.
Perhaps the Sun Dog’s most notable attribute is just how comfortable they are. The material used for almost all of the pants is very soft and very pliable with moderate four-way stretch, and the waistband uses a much stretchier material with an elastic drawstring to cinch things down. There’s no fly or any other waist opening, but the drawstring is stretchy enough to just tie off and leave alone, rather than needing to redo it each time you take the pants on and off.
The ankle is slit to make it easier to put the Sun Dog on over shoes or mess with knee pads without needing to take the pants off. A pair of snaps offer two different options for the width of the ankle opening, and there’s an extra reinforcement panel on the inside of the ankle. A pair of average-sized zippered thigh pockets and a third zippered one on the right seat cover the storage options.
I wouldn’t mind a little longer inseam on the Sun Dog (which is also true of most options here, to be fair) but they fit me quite well overall. The fit isn’t super slim, but they’re trim enough to not feel unduly loose or baggy on me (particularly with the ankle opening on the smaller setting). The pocket arrangement works well, they’re super breathable and dry quickly when they get wet, and the fabric truly stands out for being especially soft and comfortable against the skin.
The only tweak I would like to see is the addition of a heaver, more reinforced panels on the knees. I tore a ~1.5’’ long hole in one knee with a pretty mellow, low-speed crash (on hard and somewhat rocky ground, to be fair) and I think a tougher fabric panel over the knees would have staved off damage. It was easy to fix with a basic iron-on patch and has held up without incident for a few months since then so it’s far from the end of the world.
But again, the biggest strength of the Sun Dog pants is just how comfortable they are. Between the very soft, highly breathable fabric and stretchy waistband arrangement, they’re among the most comfortable pants I’ve tried for warmer weather in particular.
Luke Koppa: I’ll quickly chime in here since I also spent a lot of time in the Sun Dog pant. In short, I agree with pretty much everything David said. I really like these pants. They’re super comfortable and breathe well enough that I don’t hesitate to wear them for most of the summer and fall riding in Crested Butte (where it rarely gets over 80°F / 27°C).
I haven’t crashed in them and haven’t had any durability issues; the one area where I see room for improvement is the ankle / calf opening. It’s just slightly too small for me to get knee pads on / off without taking off the pants and exposing everyone to my pasty thighs. It’s also only closed via the snaps at the ankle opening, which means the slit can bellow out when you’re wearing the pants. This hasn’t been a notable issue while riding (it tends to bunch away from the pedals and chainring, not toward them), but it does make for a less streamlined silhouette.
Fabric: 88% nylon / 12% elastane (main); 85% nylon / 15% elastane (contrast panels)
Size Tested: Men’s Medium
Measured Weight: 262 g
Measured Inseam Length: 77 cm / 30.3’’
Pocket Layout: Two thigh pockets (zippered)
MSRP: $150 (currently on sale for $112)
Reviewer: David Golay (6’, 165 lb / 183 cm, 74.9 kg)
The Rapha Trail Lightweight pants are another very light, breathable option best suited for warmer weather. They’re similar to the Curious Creatures Sun Dog (above) in that respect but differ quite a bit in their design details and fit.
The fabric used in the Trail Lightweight pants isn’t quite as soft and comfy as that of the Sun Dog, but is, if anything, a small notch lighter and more breathable yet. It’s also quite stretchy. The Lightweight Trail pants also use a pair of cam lock adjusters on the hips to handle the waist adjustment, which work well but are a little bulkier and more prone to rubbing than the elastic waistband on the Sun Dogs.
The Trail Lightweight pants feature a zippered fly with two snaps for the upper closure and a pair of asymmetric zippered thigh pockets. The right one is maybe best described as a cross between a conventional hand pocket and a thigh one; it’s positioned higher and more toward the front of the pants than the left one, and uses a diagonally oriented zipper that starts higher on the outside of the pant and moves downward as it wraps around toward the front. The left pocket is a more conventional thigh phone pocket with a vertical zippered opening, and it’s positioned a little lower and farther to the outside of the thigh than the right one. Both are of fairly average size — big enough for a mid-sized phone with a case, but not much more than that — and carry well without bouncing around much.
The Lightweight Trail pants have reinforced panels at the inside of the ankle openings, which are partially elasticized to snug them down. My only gripe with the fit of the Lightweight Trail pants is that the lower leg is pretty loose relative to the rest of the pants. They’re fairly slim-fitting through the seat and thighs on me, but the lower legs are baggier than they need to be. The biggest downside is that there’s just more material down there to soak up water and flop around than there needs to be (for my legs, anyway) and I don’t find the look that fit produces to be the most flattering.
Fabric 1: 85% nylon / 15% elastane. Fabric 2: 100% nylon
Size Tested: Medium
Measured Weight: 406 g
Measured Inseam Length: 82.5 cm / 32.5’’
Pocket Layout: Two zippered hand pockets; one zippered phone pocket
MSRP: $139
Reviewer: Simon Stewart (6’, 170 lb / 183 cm, 77.1 kg)
First off, Endura calls them trousers, and being from the same side of the pond as Endura, I’m already on board based on that alone. My first pair of MTB trousers — and I still wear them — were the original Endura SingleTrack Trouser.
For the current iteration of their SingleTrack Trouser II, Endura built on the solid first generation by adding panels of stretch fabric, articulated knees to improve on bike fit, and zippered pockets and vents.
The SingleTrack Trouser II is on the heavier and burlier side, offering a good bit of protection and warmth. Surprisingly, I have yet to crash in them so I can’t comment on how they’ll hold up there, but my guess is that they will do really well.
The fit is roomy through the legs and seat, but it’s pretty tight around the waist, even with the velcro waist adjusters all the way out. Endura’s size chart lists a waist range of 33” – 35” for the size Medium. Given that I’m nearly always a 33” or 34” waist size in most trousers, I was expecting to have to use the velcro adjusters to snug them up, but that is definitely not the case, and I kind of have to suck my belly in to get the snaps to close. And because they are already roomy, I wouldn’t even consider sizing up to the size Large, so it looks like I’m going to have to cut down on beer for the time being.
I typically run knee pads underneath the SingleTrack Touser II, and there is plenty of room, plus the articulation of the knee joint area is quite good when wearing pads.
Unlike Zack and David who routinely test MTB clothing in the rain up in the PNW, I don’t get the chance to subject clothing to as much wet weather. However, we do get some pretty terrible weather up at high elevations in Colorado, and the Singletrack II Trousers are not particularly water resistant, but they are also not positioned as such in Endura’s MTB pant lineup — there are better options for wet weather.
Overall the SingleTrack II Trousers are well made and offer a heavier weight, tougher take on an everyday MTB pant. They have more warmth and protection than lightweight options, without sacrificing too much breathability.
Fabric: 70% nylon / 20% polyester / 10% elastane
Size Tested: Medium
Measured Weight: 264 g
Measured Inseam Length: 31.5
Pocket Layout: Two zippered front pockets
MSRP: $149
Reviewer: Simon Stewart (6’, 170 lb / 183 cm, 77.1 kg)
The MT500 Burner Lite is light and stretchy with lots of ventilation. It’s obvious right away this is a pant designed for warmer climates.
The MT500 Burner Lite has a slimmer fit than the Endura SingleTrack Trouser II, and like the SingleTrack Trouser II, the waist is on the tight side. It seems Endura MTB pants consistently run a little smaller in the waist so it’s a good thing to keep in mind when considering sizing. The MT500 Burner Lite also has an inch shorter inseam, so they’re a little shorter than I like, but for a warmer-weather pant, that makes sense.
With just two zippered front pockets, the MT500 Burner Lite leans towards a more minimalistic style, but the pockets are well-positioned and deep enough for my needs. There are substantial vents behind the knees and a few on the front below the knee.
The MT500 Burner Lite is a comfortable, breathable warm weather pant, but I’m more inclined to wear shorts in the conditions they are designed for and usually only reach for MTB pants in colder weather. If you’re a diehard pant wearer, then the MT500 Burner Lites are a good option for when it’s too hot for heavier-weight pants.
Fabric: 162 gsm 85% recycled nylon / 15% elastane (main); 205 gsm 69% recycled nylon / 19% recycled polyester / 12% elastane (reinforcements)
Size Tested: Men’s Medium
Measured Weight: 299 g
Measured Inseam Length: 76 cm / 29.9’’
Pocket Layout: Two hand pockets (open); two thigh pockets (zippered)
MSRP: $199
Reviewer: David Golay (6’, 165 lb / 183 cm, 74.9 kg)
The skibotn flex1 pants have quickly become one of my favorite options for a mid-weight, do-it-all Trail pant — despite one significant flaw. We’ll get there in a minute, but let’s start with the good parts.
First off is the fit. I (once again) could use a little longer inseam, but it’s plenty workable for me, and just about everything else about the fit of the skibotn flex1 pants is pretty dialed for me. They hit a nice middle ground between not being ultra-slim without being excessively baggy (I’d put them on the more trim side but not super tight) and unlike a lot of relatively trim-fitting bike pants, they don’t feel snug in the seat for me.
The fabric used for the bulk of the pants is a notch burlier and warmer than either the Rapha Trail Lightweight or Curious Creatures Sun Dog pants, but still breathes well enough that I’m happy wearing the skibotn flex1 pants in warm weather, and they do a particularly good job of not soaking up a whole lot of water and feeling super sodden and heavy if worn in the wet. The ankle opening is non-adjustable but features a stretchy panel on the back to make them easy to take on and off while still being pretty snug once you’re in them (similar to the wrist arrangement on the Velocio Trail Access jacket and anorak, which I still love) and the waist adjustment is handled by a pair of velcro adjusters on the hips, and I don’t have to crank down on them to the point of bunching up like I often do on pants that fit me well otherwise. There’s a conventional zippered fly with two snaps for the closure at the waist.
The hand pockets are open but fairly deep, and carry a phone securely enough for me to be fine putting one there — which is good, because my one big complaint with the skibotn flex1 pants is the positioning of the zippered thigh pockets. They’re quite high on the pants and fairly far to the outside, so whatever you put in them feels like it’s right on the most prominent, exposed part of your hip, waiting to get broken and/or injure you if you fall on it. They’re also too close to the moving parts of the hip joint, and having anything as bulky as a phone in them isn’t the most comfortable.
So I’ve given up on using those pockets, but I still like the skibotn flex1 pants anyway. They fit me very well (another inch of inseam would make them perfect); the material used for the bulk of the pants hits a nice middle ground of being a touch burlier and warmer than the really lightweight options here while still breathing quite well; the ankle opening is especially well designed; and the waist adjuster is comfortable and effective. If you can look past the placement of the thigh pockets, they’re excellent.
Fabric: 86% polyester / 14% spandex
Size Tested: 32
Measured Weight: 236 g
Measured Inseam Length: 81.9 cm / 32.25’’
Pocket Layout: Two thigh pockets (zippered)
MSRP: $145 USD
Reviewer: Zack Henderson (6’, 165 lbs / 183 cm, 74.8 kg)
I already gave away my admiration for these pants in our September edition of Stuff We Like, but Pearl Izumi’s Summit pants are just about the best lightweight pants I’ve had the pleasure of wearing.
Like most Pearl Izumi pants, the waist closure uses an adjustable hook and loop arrangement, with an aluminum hook that should stand the test of time. The sizing seems spot on for my slim build, and I particularly appreciate the longer-than-average inseam length, which provides adequate ankle coverage even while seated on the bike. If anything, the fit is a bit baggy for my typical preferences, but the fabric doesn’t get in the way of riding — it mostly just feels like it flaps around in the wind a bit more, though that slight looseness contributes to the airy feel.
Of course, that top-notch breathability comes with some compromises. Despite a DWR coating, they don’t hold up for more than a minute or two even in a light drizzle, and while they do dry very fast, the ultra-light fabric gets fairly flappy when waterlogged. The supple fabric also means that the pockets aren’t the most structured, and denser items like phones will bounce a bit. And while they’ve held up well in a couple of crashes, I highly doubt that the fabric would survive a good slide in rocky conditions.
For folks who only want pants for truly inclement or cold weather, there are plenty of other burlier options on the market. For folks like me who prefer to wear pants as often as possible, even into the warmer months, the Pearl Izumi Summit is a standout option.
Fabric: 100% recycled polyester
Size Tested: 32
Measured Weight: 294 g
Measured Inseam Length: 80 cm / 31.5’’
Pocket Layout: Two thigh pockets (zippered)
MSRP: $185 USD
Reviewer: Zack Henderson (6’, 165 lbs / 183 cm, 74.8 kg)
These are the only waterproof pants that I own, and while waterproofness comes with plenty of compromises, the Pearl Izumi Summit 3L WxB pants stand out for their value and performance in inclement weather.
Firstly, the fit is great — slim without feeling restrictive, and with elasticated cuffs that are still easy to slip on and off. The fabric is stretchy by waterproof standards, but still relatively stiff compared to non-waterproof options, so a bit of extra room to move is appreciated. The inseam length could be a little longer to prevent the dreaded sock gap in wet weather, and it measures up a good bit shorter than Pearl Izumi’s claimed 33 inches, but it’s close enough to what I’d want — especially when paired with mid- or high-top waterproof kicks like my preferred Shimano GF8 GTX flat pedal shoes. The waist closure is an adjustable hook and loop setup like the Summit pants mentioned above, which I’m a fan of for its wide adjustment range.
At 294 grams, the Summit 3L WxB pants really aren’t that much heavier than most mid- to lightweight mountain bike pants, but the three-layer waterproof fabric does make them feel a bit more substantial. While Pearl Izumi doesn’t publish the waterproofness or breathability metrics for their WxB fabric, I give the material high marks for its balance of breathability, softness, and water resistance — while it will eventually wet out, it doesn’t seem to steam up as quickly as burlier hardshell materials that I’ve used with various jackets.
I generally run hot, and living in the Pacific Northwest, it’s often not that cold when it’s raining. Waterproof pants admittedly have a fairly limited use case given that I usually prioritize breathability over weather resistance. So while it takes a pretty solid downpour for me to reach for the Summit 3L WxB pants, they have done an admirable job of helping me stay comfortable during some very grim winter days in the woods. If I’m planning for a high output ride I might skip them for something more breathable with the expectation that I’ll get wet, but they’re constantly in the rotation for rainy days on the e-bike. I also love them for rainy days of lift-accessed riding.
Fabric: 64% polyamide Cordura, 26% polyamide, 10% elastane (body); 88% polyamide, 12% elastane (knee panels)
Size Tested: Medium
Measured Weight: 307 g
Measured Inseam Length: 82.6 cm / 32.5’’
Pocket Layout: Two hand pockets (zippered); small rear waistband pocket (zippered)
MSRP: $185 USD
Reviewer: Zack Henderson (6’, 165 lbs / 183 cm, 74.8 kg)
The POC Rhythm Resistance aren’t the lightest or the most breathable, but their blend of exceptional comfort and durability has kept them in my pants rotation for over two years now, and I don’t plan on giving them up any time soon.
From a fit perspective, the Rhythm Resistance pants definitely err on the slimmer side of things, with a fairly snug fit through the thigh and calf. They work pretty much perfectly for my build and fit preferences, but I could imagine some folks with thicker thighs or calves finding them a little bit restrictive. The waistband is mostly one big strip of elastic material, and it’s incredibly comfortable — its ample stretch means that it moves with you, but also holds tight once the zippered fly and button closure are done up.
The Rhythm Resistance pants aren’t heavy by any stretch, but their lack of ventilation and selective placement of Cordura-reinforced panels around the knees and thighs means that they do feel a bit burlier than average. The strategic use of the lighter and burlier fabrics paired with the just-right (for me) fit means that the Rhythm Resistance pants largely disappear in use, feeling both reassuringly solid and form-fitting.
The one shortcoming of the Rhythm Resistance pants is the pockets. I would vastly prefer thigh pockets to hand pockets, as thigh pockets do a better job of carrying bulky items like phones and such with minimal bunching or bouncing. While the small pocket just below the waistband is nice for carrying a bike park pass, it’s of little use for much else.
The substantial-feeling build means that the Rhythm Resistance pants typically stay in my closet through the summer unless I’m headed to the bike park, but they are a fixture in my spring and fall riding wardrobe. The $200 USD asking price is a bit steep, but given the quality construction and dialed fit, I’ll be picking up another pair when (if ever) this current pair wears out.
Useful roundup guys, thanks. How about adding a couple of lines to each review to say which ones do or don’t contain PFCs, PFAS and the other toxic chemicals often found in outdoor wear? Thanks.