My boys are 8 and 11, just starting to get into more proper mountain biking and I don't want it just to be a fair weather thing.
Nice weather is easy, they wear baggy shorts over padded liners. But what do people's children wear on their legs when it's cold and wet, for rides longer than a couple of hours with at least big puddles if not proper mud?
Waterproof trousers are always going to be far too baggy. Tights don't seem an option and loose wet lycra is probably worse than bare legs.
I'm wondering if their exists a good narrowish, stretchy, water- or windproof option for children?
They're a medium build 8 and a skinny 11, both average heights for their ages.
Bought a pair of troy lee designs sprint youth for my lad when he was around 8 he pretty much wore them all year round for nearly two years.
He's skinny also so whilst the 24" waist still actually fits! They got to short and just purchased some Fox defend youth (these are very popular at his MTB club).
Both options are expensive for kids clothes but they will last for ages.
You can also find them on BMX racing FB groups for sale.
Thanks. They are a bit pricey, at about £90 each. Look good though. I imagine there's not much market for used ones, as they'll get knackered as quickly as they grow out of them.
Little Riders make some biking trousers. Not sure if they’re wet weather trousers or more DH/Enduro style ones. Little Rider pants
Otherwise you’re looking at some kind of roadie winter tights, normal waterproofs or MX trousers.
Depends what your budget is, how good you are with ebay and FB marketplace and how far they’re going to pedal.
I've seen the LRC ones before. Their stuff seems to be more about the DH/MX look, rather than functionality. They don't really say much about any features, just that they allow kids to "look cool and feel fast", and are made of "technical material".
I've seen that Endura do a junior MT500 for about £40, which looks really interesting. Anyone tried them?
@gingerflash what sizes are you looking for. I have a few pairs that I need to move on.
One pair of Fly Racing pants, black size 26
One pair of Fox 360, I think in size 26 also, these are camo.
One pair of Fox 180, I think size 24, black and white.
All in good condition.
Try BMX Trader UK ( Race bikes only) on FB for stuff coming up for sale now the season has ended.
Last year I had some softshell trousers from decathlon for our lad (a tall 5 year old). I think he's now a bit tall for the pair he has previously been wearing so I've been thinking about getting their slightly larger version to try out.
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/kids-hiking-softshell-trousers-mh550-7-15-years-black/_/R-p-325331
Probably not going to be quite as good as dedicated pair of bike trousers but hopefully good enough to keep him going through winter for the 1-2 hour rides we head out on every couple of weeks.
Thanks. Those decathlon trousers look pretty good. We could do with some new winter weight walking trousers too soo...
I guess the only trouble is that if I take her to Decathlon, MrsF will come out with two inflatable kayaks.
How about a pair of these under the baggies?
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/kids-warm-football-tights-keepdry-100/_/R-p-304853?mc=8524060&c=BLACK
At least you have a younger child to hand down the bigger trousers to. So you could potentially spend more and get better ones for him (assuming you can convince the younger that his cheaper ones are as good, LOL)
Ours used to use either kids Rin Hills or an Altura lookalike, but that's a few years ago now.
Then they became fair weather bikers
Now not even bikers
Winter running tights (Decathlon or Sports Direct) over summer chamois liners and under summer shorts.
Or alternatively skiing base layers worn the same way
The sizes go low enough to be tight enough.
Just reporting back on this.
The Endura MT500 pants are excellent. Really good fit, high at the back, narrow in the ankle, water-resistant, have survived quite a few crashes without damage, and the boys love them.
Recommended.
Mine all use the HUP stuff form Kids Racing, you say lycra isn't the best, but their winter kits are made from Roubaix style fleece backed material that does a bloody good job of keeping them warm and dry'ish.
It's relatively pricey, but really well made and as our youngest of 3 is now using the stuff we bought for the eldest 4 years later after it being used by the middle one and it's all in better nick than my gear.
Mine had kids Ron Hills or Altura lookalikes.
