MTB Outerwear

[AK47bp]

I’ve scanned sprocket rockets but didn’t see any thread related to pants, shoes, jackets, shorts, etc. Being new to the sport there is a lot of shit out there


Summer is ending soon so looking for a good fall/winter MTB pant for the PNW.

The Patagonia Dirt Roamers looks great but at $300 they are expensive.

Anyone have and recommend / not recommend these?

https://www.patagonia.com/product/me...nts/25030.html


As a bonus they may be good for walking the dog in sideways rain as well

Thanks.

[east or bust]

I bought a pair of Specialized pants this spring when they were on sale and they’re damn near perfect for me.

I’ll check the model when I get home. Definitely not $300


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[jamal]

I have a couple pairs of pearl izumi pants- uh whatever their trail pants are (launch?) and then the amfib lite pants.

In the same size the amfib pants fit slimmer and are a little shorter, so I haven't really worn them. They're heavier and warmer, and I assume pretty water resistant. My other PI amfib stuff (a couple pairs of road bib tights and a softshell jacket) holds up really well in the wet for not being a full shell. The launch paints claim to be water resistant with "PI dry" but if it rains or you're in actually wet conditions they'll wind up soaked through. I still wear them a lot and they're nice in cool to cold conditions, and have useful side pockets. Pretty tapered fit - looser than I'd like in the thighs, tighter than I'd like around the calves, and as a tall person every pair of pants is too short.


I also got the PI neoshell jacket because I have an EP account and also had a warranty credit to use. It's nice and actually waterproof in heavy rain but also really expensive if you were to just go buy it normally. I actually haven't even ridden in it but wore it working at a race in the rain for a few days and stayed dry. Think it's more waterproof than my new patagonia touring shell, and lighter and more breathable.

To keep my feet dry and warm I have some pretty water resistant shoe covers that work well down into the high 30s and then shimano MW7 goretex boots for when it's really cold. I like them but they have a pretty narrow use case and I'm thinking about trying to find an in-between type shoe that's warmer but not a big boot.

[Andeh]

Are you looking for rain-proof fall riding pants, or just general fall pants? Because the rain-proof ones suck for anything but that, and normal ones suck in the rain. There's lots of good fall/winter/spring dry riding pants, but most rain riding pants suck.

I can say from experience that the Fox Ranger Water 3L pants are total garbage in the rain. Like, they wet out at the knees in pouring rain in the 4 blocks from my house to the trailhead. And things don't improve beyond that (especially in the ass, but the backs of the legs soak through horribly also). I tried wearing them numerous times doing trail work this last winter and they sucked every single time.

I was just gifted a pair of the Patagonia expensive waterproof ones, but haven't had a chance to try them yet.

I've found that simple hiking shoe / ankle gaiters do a pretty decent job at stopping water from filling up the shoes. I wear Impact Pros which are mostly synthetic on the outside, so as long as I've got something to deflect splashes / runoff away from the ankle, they don't get totally saturated. Having a boot dryer is critical for drying them out between rides (and is nice for skiing too).

[chicken feathers]

I got a pair of Endura mt500 Burner pants a year or two ago for shoulder season rides in CO.
Super impressed with the comfort and quality. They are ~ $130

[AK47bp]

Thanks for the replies so far. For colder weather dry riding I was just going to wear my FlyLow Preston shorts with a base layer pant underneath (sweat wicking like capilene or similar). It doesn’t get too cold here and I sweat a lot on the climbs.

A nice waterproof pant that is somewhat breathable is what I’m looking for.

[beaterdit]

I got a pair of Endura mt500 Burner pants a year or two ago for shoulder season rides in CO.
Super impressed with the comfort and quality. They are ~ $130

I like these pant a lot though the fit is a bit weird. I upsized due to length and the new ones are baggier than I'd like in the hip/thigh and still tighter than I'd like in the calf. Seems to be a theme. Overall they're very nice though and I still wear them a lot.

They'll deflect a light drizzle but not steady rain over time.

[jamal]

Yeah I assume the tight in the calves thing is common to keep the pants out of your chainring. And then the upper part has to be a little looser so you can still pedal. And then someone takes pictures on the group ride and you're like "man I look dumb in those pants."

[Roxtar]

Bought a pair of Club Ride Fat Jacks last season and really liked them.
Cheap, comfortable, not too warm, and very apres ride friendly:
https://www.clubrideapparel.com/coll...39418021445703

[XtrPickels]

I don't have any specific recommendations because in Colorado it's often dry dry dry.

However, as someone who was deep in the apparel development game, don't trust the hubris of any company who thinks their waterproof-breathable "breaths" well enough to not need vents. Neoshell is maybe the only exception, but it still can't keep up with high-output activity AND word on the street is that it's being discontinued as a product.

For the most part companies are using 1 of 3 technologies
1. A microporous (e.g. Gore-tex) membrane. These transfer moisture well enough through tiny pores but they don't stretch. Most of these fabrics are limited by a thin polyurethane coating applied that protect the membrane. This forces water vapor to condense to transfer through the PU, then vaporize again to transfer through the micro-pores in the membrane. eVent gets around this with a different coating that does not force the water to condense - the vapor can move straight through the membrane. These microporous membranes are great at keeping you dry from the outside and OK at keeping you dry from the inside

2. An Electrospun (E.g. Polartec / TNF Futurelight) these are like a hedge or a birdsnest. Individual - microscopic - fibers are laid down. Make this thin and it's ultra-breathable but not very waterproof. Make this thick and it's waterproof, but not nearly as breathable. This is essentially the only technology that allows an appreciable amount of airflow (in terms of cubic feet per minute) through the membrane which is why it performs the best in aerobic activities. However, if you sit in a puddle you might get wet. Again, companies balance "breathability" against waterproofness so it's hard compare one garment to another. Oh yeah, these can stretch... a little bit.
These are good at keeping you dry from the outside and from the inside

3. Polyurethane (PU) Membranes are the only ones that stretch. They're also pretty darn cheap. These two properties make them very common. On paper they can move A LOT of moisture (depending on the test), but that is liquid water and not vapor like electrospun or eVent membranes which means on body their performance does not match the "30k breathable" that companies love to put on the tags. This isn't so bad if its in tights, but it sucks if it's in a jacket. These are great at keeping you dry from the outside and suck at keeping you dry from the inside.

Companies that use Gore (7mesh, GORE, Rapha, RAB, etc.) eVent (no one?), or Polartec (Fox, PEARL iZUMi) are going to tell you that they do. If they don't then you can assume they're using a PU membrane. Once you know that, look at the other features of the garment because the membrane is not necessarily going to be the selling factor between two different pieces.

SOURCE--> I did a project like this but with all the different membranes (we just didn't make a video about it).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_42Uc03d6WU&t=1s

[AK47bp]

Wow. This place never ceases to amaze me. Thanks Xtrpickles.

[east or bust]

I bought a pair of Specialized pants this spring when they were on sale and they’re damn near perfect for me.

I’ll check the model when I get home. Definitely not $300


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They're the demo pro pants. Got them for $78 on Jenson.

Not sure if they're really a cold weather pant per say, but I run hot enough that any long pant is usually enough for me.

[chaka]

I've had decent luck with Showers Pass Skyline pants. A hybrid mix of 'waterproof' hardshell (thighs) and softshell (knees) fabric with very breathable stretch panels on the side. If it is fully pouring they will obviously wet out after awhile, but for drizzle, heavy mist, occasional shower, I find them to be a decent compromise. I use em mostly for commuting the winter and some mtb in PNW. Fit is slim on the leg which I like, I hate baggy ass pants.

[Andeh]

I will say that for a MTB rain jacket, the Specialized Neoshell is excellent. That doesn't come as a surprise to me because when I had a Rab Neoshell for ski touring, that was excellent too. It did a good job moving warm sweaty air out and keeping rain from coming in. It's not 100% dry in either direction, but was good enough that whenever I got home with a rainy ride/dig, my jersey was no more wet from water/sweat than it would have been in similar temps had it not been raining.

[Dumbest Known Time]

XTR do you have much experience with the Gore Shakedry fabrics? The roadies here in Portland swear by it.

Edit: AK I should mention, if you're anywhere near a city with an Evo location they're running 50% off instore bike clothes or helmets. The Portland location had quite a few pairs of the fancy Patagucci waterproof pants available.

[jackattack]

I don't even know what it's like to MTB in the wet. I bet it's refreshing as fuck.

[XtrPickels]

XTR do you have much experience with the Gore Shakedry fabrics? The roadies here in Portland swear by it.

Edit: AK I should mention, if you're anywhere near a city with an Evo location they're running 50% off instore bike clothes or helmets. The Portland location had quite a few pairs of the fancy Patagucci waterproof pants available.

Yes - I tested it in my Envrironmental Windtunnel test. It performed as well if not slightly better than the typical Gore product and it doesn't have a face fabric that 'wet's out" which is nice.

However, I had temperature and humidity sensors applied inside and outside of all the jackets to measure the vapor-pressure resistance (which is how I quantified the performance of the membrane). When I took that sensor off the ShakeDry jacket, it tore the membrane off the base fabric, so they're about as fragile as can be.

[XtrPickels]

I don't even know what it's like to MTB in the wet. I bet it's refreshing as fuck.

During this project I spent 3 days in Washington riding different prototypes with the MODUS Sports Group (the guys behind Trans-Cascadia Enduro). It was super-fun, but I was really happy to get back to Colorado. When it's wet, it stays wet. When it rains here, the sun comes out and everything dries up. That's pretty nice.

[jackattack]

During this project I spent 3 days in Washington riding different prototypes with the MODUS Sports Group (the guys behind Trans-Cascadia Enduro). It was super-fun, but I was really happy to get back to Colorado. When it's wet, it stays wet. When it rains here, the sun comes out and everything dries up. That's pretty nice.

I should venture over to the wet side sometime but I lack the time and motivation.

[dannynoonan]

I’ve scanned sprocket rockets but didn’t see any thread related to pants, shoes, jackets, shorts, etc. Being new to the sport there is a lot of shit out there


Summer is ending soon so looking for a good fall/winter MTB pant for the PNW.

The Patagonia Dirt Roamers looks great but at $300 they are expensive.

Anyone have and recommend / not recommend these?

https://www.patagonia.com/product/me...nts/25030.html


As a bonus they may be good for walking the dog in sideways rain as well

Thanks.

My review: I have used those dirt roamers for I think two winters in pnw, they are really good at keeping dry. They seem durable. They suck ass at pocket placement tho, there are no traditional front/hip pockets like in the spot where basically all pants have them. Like where you'd rest your hands in normally.

Instead, these pants have pockets way down on the side of your thigh. So if you put a phone in there, it's flopping against your hamstring on every pedal stroke ... It kind of drives me nuts.

If you have plenty of other gear/shit storage options on you, they are awesome. If you like to put your keys and phone in your pants pocket, they suck.

[Dumbest Known Time]

During this project I spent 3 days in Washington riding different prototypes with the MODUS Sports Group (the guys behind Trans-Cascadia Enduro). It was super-fun, but I was really happy to get back to Colorado. When it's wet, it stays wet. When it rains here, the sun comes out and everything dries up. That's pretty nice.

Yeah I've never taken the plunge on the shake-dry stuff because of durability concerns. Thanks for the info!

I'm not convinced there is a foolproof solution to layering for winter riding in the PNW. It's a pick your poison of getting wet from precip from the outside or sweat from the inside. Waterproof pants + gaiters + waterproof socks/shoes combined with a shoftshell top I think splits the difference nicely. And packing three pairs of gloves.

[AK47bp]

All I know is I did my first Tiger Mtn summit in pouring rain in June and was shivering and waterlogged by the time I made it back to the lot. If I could at least keep half my body somewhat dry I’d be happy. Extra gloves and dry shirt in the pack.

No layer works forever, in the cold November rain….

[chaka]

agree with dumbest known time. there is no 'dry' solution for true PNW wet riding. focus on 'warm' (feet and hands being critical)

[nickwm21]

I have struggled like many of you finding the right pants for PNW wet riding. I’ve been searching for something hybrid like those showers pass pants Chaka posted but with slightly different placement: hard shell at ankles (6” from cuff all around), shins (bottom of knee down), & arse (waist to top of the back of knee). Essentially, where my grey, fox ranger riding pants turn brown and soaked after a winter ride.

It’s similar to the soft shell touring ski pants dilemma… but different placement of hardshell.


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[davjr96]

Wild (and expensive when not on sale) suggestion: Waterproof shorts

I have a pair of these https://7mesh.com/products/mens-revo-short as well as the Patagonia pants. These shorts are long enough on me that they go down to my calf. I find stay 75% as dry as when I am wearing pants but don't get sweaty because there is way more airflow. Not a solution for all people of course but could work for some.