Keep your hands warm without resulting to bulky boxing glove alternatives. The Defend Pro Fire gloves are constructed from three-later softshell fabric and are DWR treated (Durable Water Repellent) with slim, fleece, waterproof palms. The cuffs are tailored long for both a secure fit and to weather sealing. Finger and thumbs feature conductive thread for smartphone/touchscreen device usability. Wind Fox Ranger Wind Pullover In terms of performance, the shape, cut and fit of the Rangers most closely compares to the Specialized Trail pants. Within each of the three categories (Water, Fire, Wind) there is a comprehensive range of apparel, from high-tech garments with fancy fabrics and an athletic cut through to simpler, classic pieces with a more casual look. The entire collection is designed so that you can – and should – mix and match between the three categories (Water, Fire, Wind) to assemble an outfit that best suits you and your riding environment. Cold but dry? Wet but mild? Windy AF? A typical UK woodland rider, for instance, may wish to prioritise wet weather protection and not be so concerned with cold temperatures or wind chill. True to Gore’s claims, the C5 Paclite trousers kept us dry during testing and didn’t wet through or leak during the post-ride hose-down. You might not be able to tell from the pictures but the Fox Ranger 3L Water Pant doesn’t have that typical nylon trouser construction, it’s more of a soft shell. The face fabric contains a high percentage of Spandex, which means it has a four-way stretch ability, is less noisy and, in our opinion, way more comfortable.

All waterproof fabrics are rated for waterproofness and anything over 10,000mm is pretty watertight in normal conditions. Breathability is also rated – look for the MVTR (Moisture Vapour Transmission Rate) figure. Above 20,000g/m²/24hr means good breathability. Fabric construction In the correct size (we’ll come on to that), the fit on these Fox Ranger 3L Water Pants is perfect and sculpts to the riding position well. The Troy Lee Designs Resist trousers are made of a stretchy, eco-friendly fabric that’s very breathable and copes well with rain, with taped seams to keep out water. Fit: I tested this pant in a medium. While it is the correct size based on iXS' charts, this pant just does not fit me. The waist is pretty generous, but when snugged all the way down with the two internal adjusters, while it "fits", it still feels oddly loose. Additionally, the waist of the pant sits too low: when pulled up to my waist, it induced unsightly man toe. And while I freely admit to having no butt, there's no way I could do enough squats to fill these pants out—there's far too much extra room in the seat for that. The internal waist adjusters work well, and although I find they are always more work to get adjusted than their external cousins, I find that once "set" they stay put better than the external ones. The lower legs of these pants are snug, too, but in a good way: they hug a kneepad and the calves tightly for a more aerodynamic, performance-oriented fit than any other offering in this test.The fabric is think with four-way stretch plus a DWR coating to ward off drizzle and splashes. Inside, a soft facing feels good against bare skin. Sizing is true to size with a generous cut but without being baggy, and waist adjusters allow you to customise the fit, plus belt loops mean you can add a belt if you want.. A tapered leg plus elasticated hems makes getting them on and off easy. In terms of waterproof resistance, we found Ridge is very effective against both splashes and sustained rain and keeps you bone dry inside, but the dull soft-shell fabric doesn’t quite bead water or shrug off muddy splashes as readily as a more traditional waterproof trouser, such as the 100% Hydromatic or Troy Lee Designs Resist, and can get heavier than some fabrics as a result. Although they coped with most conditions, the Resists did wet out at the front of the legs in prolonged downpours, but this never left us feeling cold at the end of a ride.

A fabric’s waterproof rating will demonstrate whether it’s able to stand up to drizzle or heavy downpours, and is measured by a material’s resistance to water before it leaks through, conducted under lab conditions. While the double loop lies almost perfectly flat and sits really close to the trousers, I found it fiddlier and less convenient to use. That said, once you’ve adjusted it to your preference, you can soon forget about it (unless you need to make some adjustments after a particularly big meal). Fox Ranger pants performance layer main body fabric that is waterproof, windproof, and breathable. To bump up the moisture protection, thesea) If we have sent you the incorrect bicycle, we will cover the cost of collection and delivery of the correct model. A ratchet strap provides reliable and secure waist adjustment and stops the trousers falling down once wet. They didn’t soak through during testing, keeping us totally dry after hours of torturous wet-weather riding, even once they were covered in mud. They fit true to size and, while there isn’t much stretch in the fabric, there was no excess tension around the crotch or hips. The large, calf-height zip makes it easy to take them off with shoes on. They’re light too, at 167g for our medium pair. Autumn and winter in the Coast Mountains of B.C. are challenging for gear. It's damp all the time, making it feel colder than it is. But once you get moving on the bike, the humidity and relatively warm conditions turn you into a sweaty mess. This has always been my challenge and I don’t even sweat much. I enjoy the 35-degree weather and grew up in very humid conditions.

On the flip side, the fit is fairly baggy, especially around the calves, where the material flaps in the wind. Adjusting the Velcro ankle cuffs doesn’t reduce the volume either. Some trousers are cut roomier in the knee, so they don’t tighten up as you pedal and also allow you to wear knee pads underneath. A few trousers even have reinforced material over the knee, so if you do skin your knees you’re less likely to put a hole in the material. Waterproofness While Rapha might be a brand more often associated with road cycling, its trail mountain bike range is impressive, and we found these offered comparable performance to the Troy Lee Skyline trousers during testing. Maintaining airflow, ventilation and sweat evaporation while keeping water out is the holy grail for any waterproof product and can be achieved by using high-tech breathable fabrics and strategically placed vents.All waterproof fabrics are rated for waterproofness and breathability using standardised lab tests. The waterproof rating involves placing a piece of fabric under a vertical pipe and it with water. Then measuring the height at which the water starts to leak through the fabric. Anything over 10,000mm (10 metres) is pretty watertight in normal conditions. If you’re looking for a waterproof riding trouser that offers meaningful extra warmth, Altura’s Ridge Thermal is a really effective solution. It’s warm and dry, so you can’t argue with the functionality and it’s also really stretchy and easy to move about in. Waterproof trousers will make wet-weather riding a much more pleasant experience. Ian Linton / Immediate Media

Fit: The Ion pants fit, but the cut was a bit awkward for me. The leg length was good, and the overall fit was okay; but I found that even with the waist cinched down all the way, the pants didn't stay up well . I should note that I don't have a whole lotta junk in the trunk, so this problem has cropped up before; it just depends on the pant. Also the cut of the fabric around the knee area causes the excess fabric to bunch above the kneepads, which felt funny, but didn't inhibit pedaling. For comparison's sake, I did try on the size small, and while the waist fit was better, they were too tight on my legs. One nice feature of the Shelter Pant is the lower leg zipper, which allows you to pull the pants on over shoes or to put on kneepads after you've put on your pants—something I've come to really like as I sometimes forget to grab knee pads before putting on my pants. The legs taper nicely, so they don’t flap around even when wet or muddy, but still leave enough room to wear knee pads underneath. Seams are an obvious weak point in any waterproof fabric, so they are often sealed and taped internally to try to stop water getting in.Reasons to buy: Lightweight and airy. Great fit and comfort. Well priced considering the quality, fit and performance. Women’s version also available