How to Choose the Right Pair of MTB Bike Pants
Just like you need the right bike to conquer the challenging mountain trails, you also need a good pair of MTB pants. In fact, MTB pants are a great replacement for biking shorts, as they won’t only keep you warm during the colder season, but they will also protect your legs from mud and dirt from wet mountain trails
If you decided to upgrade your biking gear with the right pair of pants, have in mind that with the wide variety of choices on the market, choosing can truly become a daunting task. Here’s a couple of the most important considerations that might make your biking experience better.
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Types of MTB Pants
Before you decide to hit your favourite biking equipment store and explore MTB bike pants options for your next adventure, it’s of great importance to get to know the different types. Hence, we can split them into three general categories:
Downhill MTB Pants
Downhill, or commonly referred to as freeride pants, are the “sturdiest” and the most robust type you’ll come across. These pants are typically made from rough fabrics so they can withstand the rough conditions of downhill racing. However, this doesn’t mean that they aren’t comfortable, as most of them feature stretch panels to make the pedalling easier.
Trail MTB Pants
On the other hand, trail MTB pants are designed for climbing and descending, and this is why they’re typically lighter than downhill ones. Even though they’re still made of rough and hardwearing fabrics, they’re more focused on a good performance. On top of that, many of the models feature waterproof and spray-resistant rear panels and fabric coatings to offer additional protection from wet trails.
Waterproof MTB Pants
Just like the name implies, the waterproof design is completely resistant to water and any type of moisture, and it makes for the perfect choice when conquering mountain trails in rainy and wet conditions. However, keep in mind that many mountain bikers recommend picking a high-end model, as it’ll provide you with a more stretchable and comfortable feel and let your skin breathe.
Pick the Right Fabric
When it comes to picking the right MTB bike pants fabric, there are a couple of aspects you should pay attention to.
First of all, stretch fabrics are among the most recommended options, as they’ll allow you to move freely while maintaining the most efficient slim fit. Extra stretch panels in the key areas are recommended too to improve your overall comfort while biking.
At the same time, a good pair of MTB riding pants will be made from tough fabrics to withstand rigorous bike riding and racing. Keep in mind that if your pants fail under the impact of snagging or tumbling, they’re not of the recommended quality. To avoid this, it’s best to pick fabrics such as Cordura, Spandex and quality polyesters.
Also, breathable fabrics with venting systems are among the most important considerations to let the sweat escape, since they allow your skin breathe and help keep you cool. Have in mind that the thicker the fabric, such as the ones in downhill pants, the less breathable they are. Hence, trail pants make for a better choice when breathability is among your top priorities.
Finally, mountain biking is commonly accompanied by moist conditions, and it’s important to pick a waterproof pair of MTB pants. To do so, make sure that you pick something that features a waterproof membrane in the coating and taped seams for maximal protection.
However, this doesn’t mean that you have to wear fully waterproof pants when it isn’t raining hard. A pair that features waterproof rear panels and a water-repelling coating might be perfectly fine to protect you from water and mud sprays all year round.
Get the Right Fit
When it comes to picking the right fit, have in mind that form-fitting MTB cycling pants make for the best choice. If you’re wondering why, it’s because anything that isn’t form-fitting won’t keep your knee pads in place and fail to prevent the pants from flapping in the wind or catching on your saddle. Articulated knee construction is also a good option to help the pants fit you better when being in a riding position.
And since all of us have different body types, adjustable models are always recommended for the best fit. Depending on the stretch of the fabric, some pants may feature convenient Velcro tabs, snaps and zips around the ankle to adjust them snugly and avoid snagging on the bike. When it comes to the waist area, pants with ratchet-style buckles, Boa fasteners, Velcro tabs and different hooks and loops are great to adjust the pants to your body type.
Extra Features to Consider
Finally, MTB bike pants should always be made to fit you comfortably and help you defeat the harshest mountain conditions. For this purpose, a couple of extra features might be more than welcome.
For instance, many mountain bikers prefer extra padding or abrasion-resistant coatings around the knee, hip and shin area, while others find mesh liners better. Except for this, zipped pockets are very convenient to store your riding essentials or personal belongings safely. When not in use, they can also serve as vents to let your sweat escape more efficiently.
However, keep in mind that these features are made to work to your benefit, not against it. If they don’t create a point of difference for you, but they come at cost of fit or comfort, make sure you skip them. At the end of the day, different bikers have different preferences, and it’s best to pick something that will lead you to success. Now that you found out about the most important considerations, it’s time to hit your favourite biking store and get yourself a pair for your next biking adventure.
