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Here you can find the test results of the rain trousers from Bontrager, Gore Bike Wear, Löffler, Pearl Izumi, Protective, Sugoi, Sweet Protection and Vaude:
You can buy a large selection of MTB rain trousers from these online shops at favourable prices:
Bontrager Evoke Stormshell Short
Price/Info 129,99 Euro www.bontrager.com
Weight¹ (L)/sizes 343 gram/XS-XXL
Equipment Waist/thigh adjustment, 2 front pockets, back pocket
Valuation
Fit (30 %) 8 out of 10 points
Rain cover (40 %) 8 out of 10 points
Pack size (15 %) 4 out of 10 points
Equipment (15 %) 8 out of 10 points
Conclusion Robust model with classic shorts cut; pulled up far at the back; stretchy material is very comfortable to wear and always stays in position thanks to good adjustment; good rain protection, seam in the seat area
BIKE judgement² very good
Gore Bike Wear Power Trail GT AS Shorts (BIKE tip: test winner)
Price/Info 149,95 Euro www.goreapparel.de
Weight¹ (L)/sizes 145 gram/S-XXL
Equipment Rubberised, width-adjustable waistband, reflective
Valuation
Fit (30 %) 9 out of 10 points
Rain cover (40 %) 10 out of 10 points
Pack size (15 %) 10 out of 10 points
Equipment (15 %) 7 out of 10 points
Conclusion Excellently cut rain trousers without any gimmicks; the raised waistband stays well in place, the asymmetrical legs reach down to the knees and are barely noticeable when pedalling. A well-deserved test win.
BIKE judgement² super
Löffler men's bike shorts GTX Active
Price/Info 139,95 Euro www.loeffler.at
Weight¹ (L)/sizes 161 grams/46-56
Equipment waistband and OS adjustment, reinforced seat area, reflective
Valuation
Fit (30 %) 7 out of 10 points
Rain cover (40 %) 8 out of 10 points
Pack size (15 %) 8 out of 10 points
Equipment (15 %) 7 out of 10 points
Conclusion Short and sporty, tight-fitting trousers; slightly constricting for thicker thighs during pedalling and twists as a result; wide, reinforced seat area; one seam let some water through
BIKE judgement² good
Pearl Izumi MTB WxB Shorts
Price/Info 99,95 Euro www.paul-lange.de
Weight¹ (L)/sizes 156 gram/S-XL
Equipment Adjustable waist size, reflective
Valuation
Fit (30 %) 7 out of 10 points
Rain cover (40 %) 9 out of 10 points
Pack size (15 %) 10 out of 10 points
Equipment (15 %) 4 out of 10 points
Conclusion The lightweight Pearl Izumi is very comfortable to wear; thanks to the wide adjustment range at the waistband, it is also suitable for wearing over the top; thigh section fits well even without adjustment option; no reinforcement in the seat area
BIKE judgement² very good
Protective Rain Short Pant
Price/Info 79,95 Euro www.thalersports.de
Weight¹ (L)/sizes 231 gram/XS-XXXL
Equipment Waist and thigh adjustment, reinforced seat area, reflex
Valuation
Fit (30 %) 6 out of 10 points
Rain cover (40 %) 7 out of 10 points
Pack size (15 %) 8 out of 10 points
Equipment (15 %) 8 out of 10 points
Conclusion The wide-cut Protective trousers are the only ones to reach well above the knees; due to the wide cut, they are more suitable for wearing over; leg cuffs rub when pedalling; slight water ingress at the back of the trousers
BIKE judgement² good
Sugoi RPM-X Waterproof Short
Price/Info 89,90 Euro www.sugoi.com
Weight¹ (L)/sizes 153 gram/S-XXL
Equipment Waist and thigh adjustment, reinforced seat area
Valuation
Fit (30 %) 6 out of 10 points
Rain cover (40 %) 9 out of 10 points
Pack size (15 %) 10 out of 10 points
Equipment (15 %) 4 out of 10 points
Conclusion Comfortably cut, rather short trousers with good waterproofing and decent rain protection; drawstring at the waistband does not hold reliably; reinforcement in the seat area is clearly too narrow
BIKE judgement² very good
Sweet Protection Mudride Shorts
Price/Info 149 Euro www.sweetprotection.com
Weight¹ (L)/sizes 363 gram/S-XL
Equipment waistband and OS adjustment, reinforced seat area, 3 pockets, ventilation
Valuation
Fit (30 %) 7 out of 10 points
Rain cover (40 %) 10 out of 10 points
Pack size (15 %) 4 out of 10 points
Equipment (15 %) 9 out of 10 points
Conclusion Very robust, but somewhat bulky; wears like a classic enduro short, reaches just above the knee and is well compatible with pads; waistband sits quite low, lots of movement when pedalling; ventilation at the rear OS not very effective
BIKE judgement² very good
Vaude Me Tremalzo Rain Shorts (BIKE tip: price/performance)
Price/Info 80 Euro www.vaude.com
Weight¹ (L)/sizes 112 gram/S-XXXL
Equipment waistband and OS adjustment, reinforced seat area, pannier
Valuation
Fit (30 %) 9 out of 10 points
Rain cover (40 %) 10 out of 10 points
Pack size (15 %) 10 out of 10 points
Equipment (15 %) 6 out of 10 points
Conclusion Loose-cut trousers that don't constrict when pedalling; good waistband and thigh adjustment; reliable rain protection and very small pack size; quick-drying material that sticks a little to bare skin
BIKE judgement² very good
¹BIKE measured values
²The BIKE judgement is independent of price. BIKE judgements: super, very good, good, satisfactory, with weaknesses, unsatisfactory.
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Stefan Frey
Editor
