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At £60 the Blackline Exile MTB Trousers have good VFM and - for the most part - perform well in form and function.
I hate trousers/shorts with velcro strap waist adjustment, which is a shame otherwise they look pretty decent and the price seems fair.
#bringbacknormalbeltloops
Got a ratchet as well though. I don’t like Velcro adjusters either, but for these I’d consider setting them once and stitching them in place
Not got the trousers but all the other Blackline clothing I have is superb, as is the customer service (pre-ordered some of the shorts when they were announced and when they dropped, they were in pre-production dark green which are lovely but not the black that everyone was expecting. Green shorts sent out and they were followed up with the black pair FOC when they landed a couple of months later - chucked in a free LS top as well!).
Is the ex-Nukeproof thing correct too? I think that was an assumption but pretty sure I was told there was no link. On the topic of Nukeproof, I absolutely love my NP Blackline trousers and will get some non-NP Blackline trousers this autumn...
As for the reviewer knocking the trousers for being too warm during one of the hottest summers for decades, thats what shorts are for surely?
This review suffers from the normal STW clothing review problems. They are great if you are tall and thin like Ben. I am neither how do the clothes fit if you are short and fat? do they do different leg lengths etc?
A little bit of extra information might make a lot of difference.
I have the old nukeproof version, they are years old now, and have lasted incredibly well. Can honestly say the velcro adjusters are a non issue, I adjusted them once and haven't given them a other thought. Brilliant value kit, these.
I loved the Nukeproof ones, my problem is I went from being a fatty to not being one and they fall down now. Might have to give these a try as all my riding trousers are way too big now and other brands are too expensive
I really wanted to like the Nukeproof ones but, being 6'2" with 34" legs, I was far too tall for them. Sent them back.
Shame as they felt lovely.
Hi Aran here, I tested these trousers. I am not as tall and thin as Benji and they fit nicely. Lots of spare room in the thigh area too if needed.
This review suffers from the normal STW clothing review problems. They are great if you are tall and thin like Ben. I am neither how do the clothes fit if you are short and fat? do they do different leg lengths etc?
A little bit of extra information might make a lot of difference.
You're right - every clothing test should include a test of every available size tested by a variety of people of different height/weight/builds so we can be told that 28" waist trousers don't fit people with 34" waists.
Why can't they just put proper belt loops on trousers. Velcro deteriorates and as for a plastic ratchet, surely that the plastic ratchet mechanism could cut into your skin in the event of a spill.
so we can be told that 28" waist trousers don't fit people with 34" waists.
Unless they are made by Endura
Another grumpy so-and-so here with the disdain for ratchet closures.
There is quite literally nothing wrong with a normal button and zip. I've got some very expensive mountaineering trousers that have regular fly that are used for much more demanding stuff than this, why do MTB trousers feel the need to be so "technical" looking? I'm not sure there is a whole lot of benefit to it other than looking fancy.
Belt loops are so handy, and there are loads of stretchy, comfy belts out there that don't dig in or constrict if you need one. Could be a really strong press-stud if buttons are annoying and not cool enough.
My Endura Humvee trousers have the comfiest waist in the entire world for riding with just a button and zip (shame about the rest of the trousers). It's easily repairable too, can just sew on another button if it breaks off.
It's a weird & niche soapbox but I'm not getting off it. I'm not even out of my 30s yet and I have strong combative opinions on trouser waistbands, god knows what I will be like when I am 50.
On the flip side, I find them totally fine. Certainly nothing that would prevent me buying some riding trousers/shorts. Would rather them than a seperate belt TBH.
I've never once thought 'I wish I was wearing a belt' whilst riding my bike