Let's clear something up from the word go: the best waterproof cycling trousers are not just for winter riding. They are a perfect addition to your waterproof cycling kit year-round, and they certainly are not just for commuters and mountain bikers either.
The best waterproof cycling pants are close to essential, espically if your bike isn't equipped with mounts for the best bike fenders. Designed to slip over your trousers, jeans, or cycling shorts, they’ll keep you dry when it rains and also provide some added protection against the wind.
There are two distinct categories of waterproof trousers there are the traditional slip over, rustly boil in the bag fully waterproof options. Then, there is the more casual softshell approach, which feature some DWR coatings and protect, which some would call splash or showerproof options.
We’ve reviewed both in this guide, but of the six top-rated, the traditionally fully waterproof cycling pants stand out, such as our best overall: the Gorewear Endure GORE-TEX pants. The Endure pants offer a near softshell fit and high levels of waterproofing with very few drawbacks.
I have lived in the Pacific 'Northwet' now for 15 years. While I love where I live, it is fair to say it can be rather wet from October through to April and on the odd occasion in between to keep us on our toes and the foliage green. In that time, I have been constantly pursuing a decent pair of waterproof cycling pants.
I know, I know—rain pants are supposedly for commuters and mountain bikers. But hear me out: when it rains here, it really pours. Sometimes, I just want that extra layer. And yes, I’ve tried several of those high-tech bib tights with their fancy coatings, promising some the ultimate combo, but they just don't cut it when it comes to PNW rain.
So, I am left with pants, and I think I have found a winner. The Gorewear Endure GORE-TEX pants are by far the best contenders. They’re not an Assos or Velocio bib tight, but they’ve earned a spot in my rainy-day kit list.
While the fit is 'loose,' they aren't too baggy for a drop-bar bike. Ideally, they would be more form-fitting, and perhaps a vent wouldn't go amiss. However, in general, I’ve been quite happy with them. I’ve worn them in everything from downpours to hail and even snow, on muddy trails and filthy road rides, without a hiccup or issues with overheating.
Unfortunately, the Paclite material, like so many, does contain “forever chemicals” and is being phased out by Gorewear. It will be replaced with the Lupra GORE-TEX Pants, which are identical in style and fit but feature the new ePE membrane, which is PFAS-free.
So, if you can still get your hands on them, it’s worth it. They have already been produced, and the damage is done, so the environmentally responsible thing to do is to use them.
Material : Waterproof-breathable Artex Hardshell 3L ripstop fabric
Waterproof finish : Seam taped for wind and waterproofness
Waistband: Elasticated waistband
Ankle: Cinch straps keep pant legs away from chain and crank
Size: X-Small to XX-Large
Reasons to buy
+
Very, very waterproof - could wear in a monsoon
+
Good adjustability from numerous straps and Velcro fittings
Reasons to avoid
-
Not made from particularly breathable material
The Showers Pass Transit Pants are a fantastic waterproof option with a relaxed fit, as they’re designed to be worn over the top of other clothes. The elasticated waistband is comfortable and even features Velcro fastenings for suspenders/braces - if you're into that!
They're impressively waterproof and kept our legs completely dry through a couple of downpours when riding.
These trousers do not have pockets. The cinch straps around the calf proved extra useful as they kept our tester safe from splash off the road and there are ankle zips to make getting them on and off over shoes a little easier.
The heavy-duty fabric does mean that they're not particularly breathable though and we ended up damp from sweat when worn on dry days.
Very comfortable, especially in lower temperatures
Reasons to avoid
-
DWR will need re-coating
-
Not overtrousers
Scottish brand Endura knows a thing or two about foul weather, and its Hummvee II water-resistant trousers are designed exactly to deal with it.
Constructed using Ripstop fabric for durability, these cycling trousers are a great option for anyone looking for water protection across a host of different terrains.
Capable of shrugging off mud and rain, these water-resistant trousers come with an environmentally friendly PFC-Free durable water repellent (DWR) finish, although that will need re-spraying from time to time with one of the best waterproof treatments.
Casual enough to look good off the bike, these cycling trousers also have a seam-free seat, which means that you can ride them without cycling shorts, although they aren't designed to be worn over your non-cycling gear, unlike the Altura Nightvision 3 waterproof cycling trousers, meaning that should you choose to commute in them, you'll need a change of clothes once you get to your end destination.
The Hummvee IIs are compatible with Endura's own Clickfast padded shorts liner and have a Velcro-style ankle closure. We found that this tending to be a bit hit-and-miss over time after it became clogged with muck, making the closure less effective.
The Hummvees feature several pockets, including zipped hand pockets for off-the-bike usability, handy cargo pockets and a large map pocket.
These aren't the most waterproof option that money can buy, but the Hummvee range is notoriously durable and these trousers are no different - there are a lot of reasons that these multi-use cycling trousers could be all you need.
The stretch of the material gives a good fit and allows lots of movement
+
Features and material means they suit lots of activities
+
Good sized, well placed pockets
+
Small pack size to stash as extra layer
Reasons to avoid
-
Cut and seams around crotch and rear aren’t flattering
-
No reinforced areas where wear is higher
-
Press stud waist fastening is small and fiddly
Designed for general outdoor activities, Rapha's Men's Explore Pants don't aim to be fit for just cycling. They're made from a stretchy nylon fabric which gives excellent freedom of movement. The lightweight material is abrasion resistant and DWR treated too so it's water repellent. Plus, the shorter leg length and ankle adjustment means you can keep them away from muddy shoes and filthy chains. As they're not cycling-specific there's not any reinforcement to high-wear areas like the crotch so they won't stand up to regular riding as well as other more dedicated trousers.
There are good-sized zipped pockets on the thigh and deep ones at the front although these aren't so useful on the bike.
We thought that the sizing was small compared to Rapha's other trousers and shorts. We also found the cut of the trousers meant they hung a little awkwardly around the crotch and bum. There's a choice of three colorways and six sizes but no women's version.
Not easy to get on over shoes due to interior gaiter
Altura's Nightvision is the original go-to range to be seen on a bike at night. The large reflective detailing should help make the wearer stand out in low light levels, with beams of light reflecting off the panels across the legs.
Unlike the Endura Hummvee II cycling trousers, these waterproof and windproof cycling trousers pull on over your existing clothing, so they are a great option to have stowed away in your commuting luggage should the weather take a turn for the worse while on the bike or at work.
The Nightvision Women's Overtrousers that we tested don't seem to offer much in terms of tailoring for the female form; expect a very generous fit from these. They will accommodate bulky trousers without issue but petite women will be drowned.
Breathability and waterproofing are both good, keeping you dry in light to moderate rain without causing you to drastically overheat.
If you want a trouser that pulls on over the top of shoes, these aren't the best option; they have an interior gaiter that gets in the way. The gaiter has benefits though; the Nightvisions are good at keeping the cold air out on wintery days.
Two pockets for quick access mean that the trousers are great for not having to open to the elements when trying to get keys/work passes out. However, these are not the best of designs in epic storms; the rain does find its way in.
Altura’s Grid Softshell Pants certainly give off tracksuit bottom vibes – and they do offer a similar degree of versatility, being highly usable for non-cycling activities such as walking, wearing over shorts as well as their more bread-and-butter commuting purposes.
Made from a DWR-coated polyester, the Altura Grid Softshell Pants are lined with a grid-fleece that is designed to trap heat – and they did an excellent job at that. The Softshell pants also have a decent amount of stretch to them, further boosting the comfort both on and off the bike.
As well as being warm and comfortable, we found that the Softshell Pants did indeed offer some protection from light drizzle. In heavy rain, it took about three miles before the fabric ultimately wetted out – although it’s worth noting that some water did seep in through the untaped seams before that point.
Regarding the fit, Altura’s Grid Softshell Pants are long enough for full coverage with no flapping around the ankles. The drawstring waist is high enough for decent coverage of the small of the back and is simple to secure.
To evaluate and understand which are the best waterproof cycling pants, the Cycling Weekly testers had the unfortunate task of getting out and riding regularly in the rain and bad weather to evaluate their waterproofness, breathability, and comfort.
While it is hard to replicate the exact same conditions each time, we try to eliminate as many variables as possible. These garments are generally new and fresh out of the packet, in theory offering their best performance. Aside from the weather, which, unfortunately, we have no control over, we try to do all the usual things: similar routes, terrain, and a mix of with fenders and without.
Of course, fit is subjective, but trousers and bikes haven't always had a harmonious relationship, so we pay close attention to this area. We look for the ease of putting on the trousers, how they fit around the knee, ankle and overall. These things generally focus on the flexibility and how easy it is to move on the bike.
Features like additional reflectivity, packability, and cargo capabilities are somewhat secondary to fit.
We would normally perform several rides in a pair of pants; ideally, this would include a wash at some point during testing. If the test is long enough, this could also include a re-proof.
Put to test in truly wet places throughout the UK and PNW
(Image credit: Anne-Marije Rook)
How to choose the best waterproof cycling pant for you
What cut and fit is best for waterproof pants / trousers?
The best waterproof bicycle pants/trousers will generally have a fairly relaxed fit and prioritise keeping the water out. While you might find some casual fit options that can be worn on and off the bike, many are pull-over designs that you can wear over other trousers or shorts and remove after your ride. You'll also find that many are unisex, which might pose fit issues for many women.
While most overtrousers are marketed as rainy-weather garments, they can also be a great additional layer in extremely cold conditions. Keeping your hardworking leg muscles warm in the depths of winter is invaluable.
You’ll be bent over rather than standing upright when you're riding a bike. It's, therefore, useful to have a cut higher at the back than at the front, so you’ve got adequate rear-end coverage, with plenty of overlap with your upper half clothing to stop rain from getting in from above and spray from below.
It’s also a good idea to look for waterproof pants/trousers that are wide enough at the knees not to get in the way as you pedal but tight enough at the ankle not to get caught in your gears. Leg length adjustment is useful to help keep the ends of your trousers out of the way.
Do waterproof cycling pants stay waterproof?
This all depends on the fabric they are made from and what surface treatment they have been given. You'll find that most durable water-repellent treatments will wash off after a while and you will need to re-apply a DWR treatment to rejuvenate their waterproofing.
It’s easy to get hot when you’re cycling. Since you’ll usually be wearing a waterproof top as well as your waterproof cycling trousers, that means that you can easily get sweaty, particularly if it’s warm and humid or when your heart rate rises, like when climbing.
A pair of the best waterproof cycling trousers made of breathable fabric will better let sweat out, helping to keep you more comfortable as you ride. However, there is always a trade-off. Is it safe to say that at some point, you will get warm and sweaty in waterproof trousers? It will almost certainly be less than the rain will get you.
(Image credit: Future)
How important are sealed seams?
The most waterproof pants are seam-sealed, with waterproof tape applied over the seams to prevent water ingress through the stitching. Water entry through the seams can occur in prolonged downpours, with the extra pressure from your forward movement helping the water force its way in.
The most expensive waterproof trousers will balance both needs. If you're going cheaper, consider whether you want something that will keep you dry but that will quickly heat up if you press on the pace or whether you'd prefer the risk of getting a little wet if it means your skin feels more comfortable.
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Paul started writing for Cycling Weekly in 2015, covering cycling tech, new bikes and product testing. Since then, he’s reviewed hundreds of bikes and thousands of other pieces of cycling equipment for the magazine and the Cycling Weekly website.
He’s been cycling for a lot longer than that though and his travels by bike have taken him all around Europe and to California. He’s been riding gravel since before gravel bikes existed too, riding a cyclocross bike through the Chilterns and along the South Downs.
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