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I've long fancied giving these a go for really wet muddy days. What would you recommend?
Royal Racing Storm.
Weird looking cut until your are in a riding position and then they just work. Regularly on sale as well for around £80.
I found the weather has to be properly grim to make waterproof trousers worth while so went for a full waterproof onesie those conditions.
Game changer when the weather is cold and grim even if you do look like an mtb teletubbie. Great for uplifts etc too too but can be a bit on the warms side for when it’s not cold.
I went through this search recently and after trying lots of different pairs on ended up with these https://www.outdoorclothing.co.uk//mens-c4/trousers-c1006/mens-dte-3-layer-waterproof-trouser-p20478/s67099
They’ve been pretty good so far.
The Endura MT500 were probably a better fit but I’d read plenty of reports that said they’re not very waterproof. The Madison’s have kept me about 95% dry on some REALLY wet days.
I’m not alone in finding the fit of the Royal Storms weird so you need to try first . I always got on well with Madison DTE stuff but the trousers gave up after 6 weeks . Currently trying Troy Lee Resist they can be had for around £90 the rrp is just ridiculous 🙄
I've found that anything really waterproof just boils you, so I've ended up preferring lighter weight DWR trousers with long waterproof socks + knee warmers underneath.
You get a bit damp, but you stay warm, and more importantly clean, underneath.
They were a revelation from me when I bought those PSA half price Altura trousers - £34. In the warmer weather just those over bib shorts have been fine, and they fall nicely over my winter boots. With a jacket as well I emerge mud free and completely dry.
I’m not sure if your supposed to do this but I haven’t washed mine yet - I hang them to dry next to the bikes and before the next ride easily brush the prior mud off which leaves them clean, and I assume the waterproofing less damaged.
I wish I’d bought them sooner tbh, they are a game changer for winter riding.
@Kryton57 yeah I have no idea why I’ve never had them until now, the joy of peeling them off and being completely dry and clean underneath is brilliant.
Not sure I've ever been wetter than I was today, Have ordered some Trpy Lee Resist pants, can't come soon enough
Don't know if they still do them but Endura used to do some 3/4 lengths. I normally think 3/4 length is a ridiculous idea but for an outer layer it means they're easily packable, like a light jacket, and easy to get on, meaning you can wear them only when you need them and they keep the worst of the weather out.
I tried a few on - TLD Resist fitted best and seemed well made. So far they have been great.
endura mt500 seem to be working for me well at the moment
Endura MT500 spray have proven to be totally brilliant so far. I stay clean, dry and comfy. I cannot fault them except perhaps for the ankle zips which are not as loose as I'd prefer but do an exceedingly good job of keeping mud and grit out of the zipper.
I definitely recommend them.
I’ve got the Showers Pass waterproofs!
Great fit for the chunky of shape, like moi. Braces keep them high on the waist, and they fall over the front of my boots.
Combined with Shimano Goretex shoes and an E-vent jacket, they keep me really dry but not too sweaty.
Royal Storm fit was awful for me. Now using Fox Ranger 3L as get on well with the fit, so far so good. Also often on sale.
Fox Ranger 3L. Very good but I do run a long rear mudguard.
Royal Storm here, sizing is a mare. Their large shorts come up big on me but I can just about getaway with them. The large storm pants are tight around the waist and arse. Nearly went medium because of the shorts, should have gone XL. They have been great however, just need to shift some weight off the belly 😀. Bit then the shorts won't fit come spring!
Patagonia dirt roamer here, load of money but I got mine in some silly sale a couple years ago. I tried fox ranger something and Troy Lee resist. Nothing kept me as dry as the Patagonia ones. 2 years old, been washed multiple times. Water beads on them like they are still new.
Ultimately I wanted to find a pair of waterproofs that I didn’t need to replace every year. The cheaper ones always worked for me for half the winter then started failing
Big fan of the Troy Lee Resist, seemed very waterproof despite trying really really hard in shitty weather, love that whilst they are 10k/10k they also have vents that you can unzip and reseal and keep the water out but let any excess heat or required breezes in.
James
I’ve got two sets of waterproof trousers. One for when it’s wet and one for when it’s muddy. The wet days are the Endura MT500. Excellent but £££. The muddy days are Decathlon Rockrider. Around £40 when I bought mine. DWR - best proofing below the knee and super comfy. They just keep the muddy off. Like Kryton57 says - I don’t wash them just hose them down.
I also fine trousers over winter boots is the best strategy for keeping my feet dry
Altura Esker - they look tight at the bottom and feel that way as you push your foot through, but are bizarrely and cleverly stretchy to narrow at the ankle and over your boots, mine are OK with light knee pads (Scott Evo's) under for example. A clever cut with stretch in the right placed IMO. Follow that link and look at the picture of the guy in the Yellow jacket staring at his phone - thats a very good indication of the fit.
Edit: On sale at Cycle Solutions:
As much as I hate spending money on clothing that's going to be used in rubbish conditions, I bought a pair of TLD Resist trousers last winter, and they are probably the best bit of clothing I've bought in recent years.
If it wasn't for being given a couple jackets over the past year, I'd probably also get the Descent jacket to complete the pair.
I’ve just checked , out of all the replies it’s a 100% for TROUSERS not that stupid P word 👍👍👍👍👍👍
Thanks for the feedback. Reckon I'm going to go for the Madison and the Alturas.
Totally agree with the washing or not as the case may be for waterproof kit. IME the first time you wash it is the last time it ever beads the same regardless of detergent or reproofing agent/ ruble drying etc.
Another vote for the Troy Lee Resist pants, paid £80 for my pants, best pants I've ever owned.
Great fit, especially with a long inseam. Come up big on the waist as per most reviews, I'm wearing a 34" and using most of the ratchet adjustment, I'm a solid 34 and sometimes a 36 in other brands.
I see what you've done there Dave..
Yeah, it was subtle. He just seemed so excited by it!
Doh ! 😁
(Sorry for the naming, but it’s what they are called!)
I have the Fox 3L Ranger water pants too, and have so far found them remarkably good. They are a little short in the leg for me, but then I’m huge, so pfft.
I would love Patagonia as above, or 7Mesh Thunderpants, but of all cycling clothing surely water proof trousers are disposable items that are going to get absolutely trashed in a couple of a seasons, so the investment just doesn’t stack up.
Second season for the Waterpants, and still doing good service, so i’m please. I like the clicky waist adjuster too.
Recently purchased some Royal Storm trousers after a particularly wet + muddy night ride where I was as wearing some Madison 4 season trousers. I was soaked to the skin but 2 riding mates in the Storm trousers were still dry at the end.
It was recommended that I size up, so I went for large target than my normal medium, they fit well on the legs, waist is a bit snug but ok.
I’ve used the RR storms
Fox 3L
And Raceface agents
Raceface have been the best by far
Storms had the tape lift after 6 months
The Fox were a weird fit and wouldn’t work with thicker knee pads
Raceface we’re just the perfect cut and fit,sat over my boots so less water ran in down them
I’ve now bought a Endura Onesie
See how that goes
This thread has been enough to give me the push to buy the Troy Lee Resist trousers. Been getting on really well with the Endura onesie but find it a little too warm for anything around 5 degrees, love the fit of the Sprint pants so hopefully they arent too different.
Leatt allmtn 5.0 for me. Only used a handful of times so no comment about longevity but do a great job of keeping water out and outwith the areas covered by my bulky kneepads, feel breathable. Horrendous rrp but picked mine up for £80 in a sale.
Tried to try on a pair of the TLD Resists, couldn't get them over my feet.
Had a pair of ranger 3L's for a year now, worn the ass out of them, they keep most of the water out for a couple of hour ride. The fit is very tight on the legs, but loose on the waist, so getting knee pads underneath is impossible.
I'm using a set of the Eyra Aquatrail trousers at the moment. Only had a couple of rides in them but both have been properly muddy and they've stood up to it very well. Only issue I've had is them being a tiny bit long in the leg for a chunky shortarse like me, but not to the point of it being a hinderance once I've got shoes on.
I bought the pricier version of Decathlons trousers. The material is like a baggy, water resistant roubaix. Thigh/hip is covered by a cordura style panel so they've not succumbed to damage yet either.
Temperature regulation seems a bit hit and miss as there's little ventilation. You're either chilly when it drops far below zero, or far too warm if you wear leggings under them. The cheaper version without the brushed inner lining might be a more versatile option with leggings underneath. On the upside they look a bit less special than baggies over bib-longs, and you can swap straight into jeans after a ride.
I’m more in the cheap and disposable camp. Mud and backside-saddle interface won’t make for a long lasting trouser IME. Cheap Altura commuter style can be had for £20-£30 and no great pain when they inevitably rip/get worn away/lose effectiveness.
@pringle80
Was that the newest Leatt trousers?? £200+ for them so £80 is a steal
Not the 2023 (v23) version that has only just been released, think they are rated 30k waterproof 30k breathability. Mine are the v22 model with 30k waterproof 23k breathability, though think the rrp was north of £200 also. Website I found them on only had xxl left in stock, which actually suits as they fit great at the legs and have adjusters to cinch the waist right in. If I had gone for my normal size would have no chance of wearing kneepads and would be lucky to get them over my thighs and chunky ass!
SirHC
Tried to try on a pair of the TLD Resists, couldn’t get them over my feet.
Argh. Mine just arrived, they did just about go on over my feet with a struggle, but they're way too tight, just as hard to take them off. Not a battle I want to repeat covered in mud in a carpark, and they won't go over the tops of my trailcross boots, which is the bigger issue. Shame, as the fit is perfect otherwise.
The search continues.
Resist's are quite tight, but they stretch.
I suspect one of the reasons I like mine so much, is that they're tight enough to stay in place and not flap in the wind while not restricting movement.
Worst thing is the grippy inside wants to rip hair out of my calves when putting them on, but once on, there's no issue.
Another vote for Patagonia Dirt Roamer. Expensive but have seen me through 2 winters so far riding in utter filth with zero wear or issues.