strategically placed Cordura in the Defend 3L Water Pants adds protection against brush, while the pants use a You should always keep proof of postage and we advise you to use a ‘signed for service’ when returning goods. Seventeen years after first having to adjust to the pronounced seasonal change, I still struggle with the initial shift to autumn and winter, and not only when it comes to riding. Heaps of people are fond of autumn but for a few close friends and me, it can bring the mood down. In spring, everything is in bloom, the forest smells fresh and there’s a buzz of energy. Come the summer months people are smiling and stoked to be outdoors more, soaking up as much vitamin D as possible – as if trying to store extra in preparation for winter. I'm addicted to that glorious glowing orange ball of light.

Get the size right and the Fox Ranger trousers have a sculpted fit that suits the riding position well. Ian Linton / Immediate Media In terms of performance, the shape, cut and fit of the Rangers most closely compares to the Specialized Trail pants. Sizes: 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40in | Waterproof rating: 10k | Breathability rating: 10k | Rating: 10/10 a) If we have sent you the incorrect bicycle, we will cover the cost of collection and delivery of the correct model.Within each of the three categories (Water, Fire, Wind) there is a comprehensive range of apparel, from high-tech garments with fancy fabrics and an athletic cut through to simpler, classic pieces with a more casual look. The entire collection is designed so that you can – and should – mix and match between the three categories (Water, Fire, Wind) to assemble an outfit that best suits you and your riding environment. Cold but dry? Wet but mild? Windy AF? A typical UK woodland rider, for instance, may wish to prioritise wet weather protection and not be so concerned with cold temperatures or wind chill. through the worst trail conditions, they are constructed with a fully seam-sealed interior and use a lightweight, They’re not rustly and the fabric is a little warmer than some on cold rides, while zipped thigh vents help on warmer rides. layer main body fabric that is waterproof, windproof, and breathable. To bump up the moisture protection, these

If you’re looking for a waterproof riding trouser that offers meaningful extra warmth, Altura’s Ridge Thermal is a really effective solution. It’s warm and dry, so you can’t argue with the functionality and it’s also really stretchy and easy to move about in. They fit true to size and, while there isn’t much stretch in the fabric, there was no excess tension around the crotch or hips. The large, calf-height zip makes it easy to take them off with shoes on. They’re light too, at 167g for our medium pair. The Troy Lee Designs Resist trousers are made of a stretchy, eco-friendly fabric that’s very breathable and copes well with rain, with taped seams to keep out water. A fabric’s waterproof rating will demonstrate whether it’s able to stand up to drizzle or heavy downpours, and is measured by a material’s resistance to water before it leaks through, conducted under lab conditions.Waterproof trousers will make wet-weather riding a much more pleasant experience. Ian Linton / Immediate Media The legs taper nicely, so they don’t flap around even when wet or muddy, but still leave enough room to wear knee pads underneath.

Choosing performance bike outerwear can be confusing and full of jargon, which is why Fox organises its outerwear range into clear and understandable categories, using three overarching category names: Water, Fire and Wind. Even without explaining any further, it’s easy to work out what each category focuses on. Water is for rainy and wet weather. Fire is for cold temperatures. Wind is for, yep… you guessed it, windy conditions. Manufacturers describe their garments as having three two or layers but what does this mean? A two-layer fabric is made up of an outer face fabric bonded to the waterproof membrane, usually with a mesh liner hanging inside. On a 2.5 layer, the mesh liner is replaced with a micro (or half) layer, which is either bonded or printed onto the membrane. A three-layer garment has the membrane sandwiched between two Nylon layers. Vents True to Gore’s claims, the C5 Paclite trousers kept us dry during testing and didn’t wet through or leak during the post-ride hose-down. While the double loop lies almost perfectly flat and sits really close to the trousers, I found it fiddlier and less convenient to use. That said, once you’ve adjusted it to your preference, you can soon forget about it (unless you need to make some adjustments after a particularly big meal). Fox Ranger pants performancepants feature a DWR finish to shed moisture, dirt, and trail debris. When you're flying down the trail, the