Ridden & Rated: 10 of the Best New Women's Riding Pants

‘Tis the season for riding pants, at least in the northern hemisphere. If you haven't looked around on the trails lately, people riding in pants is the new normal—especially anywhere with a chill in the air. Yes, I know some of you have been rocking pants for mountain biking since before I was born—tights, softshells, hardshells, jeans, you name it! People have been wearing them for mountain biking since day one. But nowadays riding pants, and not just waterproof ones for when it’s nuking out, are making their way from the DH/park trails to every day trails. As a result, lots of companies have been putting in the hours and are either designing or updating pants to meet this trend. And these aren't the excessively baggy pants of the freeride era either; they're cut for riding, fitted to eliminate snagging, and offer the freedom of movement mountain biking demands.

On the women's side, until recently, you could buy moto pants, rain pants, or find a unisex pair to fit your shape, and that was about it. But now mountain bike trail riding pants designed specifically for women are no longer unicorns, and many of the major brands are making a women's specific riding pant. Below you will find ten different brands offering a new or updated trail riding pant—seven women specific and two unisex. Brands included are: Endura, Pearl Izumi, NF, POC, Leatt, Fox, Patagonia, Scott, Ion, and Trees Mountain Apparel. Previous reviews of the Giro Havoc Pants, Gore C5 Active Trail Pants, Norrøna fjørå flex1 Pants, Fox Defend Fire Pants, and Sweet Protection Hunter Light Pants can be found here in last year’s fall gear review.

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Table of Contents
• Endura Women's MT500 Spray Baggy Trouser II
• Fox Women's X Defend Kevlar Pants
• Pearl Izumi Women's Launch Trail Pant
• NF 2020 DP3 Pant
• POC Resistance Pro DH Pants
• Ion Shelter Wms Softshell Pants
• Leatt Pants MTB 4.0
• Patagonia Dirt Roamer Storm Pants
• Trees Mountain Apparel Loamy Pants
• Scott Trail Contessa Sign. Women's Pants
• Top Picks

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Endura Women's MT500 Spray Baggy Trouser II




Fit: I tested the MT500 in size small. The small was a bit more fitted than some of the other pants in the review but that's the correct size for me and it was stretchy/relaxed enough that I had no issues pedaling. The velcro waist adjusters are great for tightening the waist up as needed and there are also belt loops for those who like to rock a belt. The inseam length measured in at about 32 inches, which worked fine for my fairly average 30 inch inseam. My knee guards easily fit under the pants and the ankle hem is zippered with a gusset for adjusting around shoes.

Testing: Endura is based in Scotland and knows firsthand how to make quality products that stand up to the most wretched of weather conditions. Consequently, the MT500 Spray Trousers top the chart when it comes to a riding pant that will keep you dry in piss poor weather. I tested the pants in a mix of cold and wet weather and they did an excellent job of keeping me both warm and dry. Generally, the pants breathed fairly well despite being one of the heaviest pairs in the review, and the zippered side vents were a nice add on for increasing air flow when pedaling hard. While I wouldn't recommend hours and hours in the pouring rain, the pants seemed to be about as water resistant as one can get without the use of a full on rain pant. The Patagonia pants were the only fully waterproof pant of this review and given the price difference between the two, I would lean towards recommending these (unless you're a masochist and plan on hours on end in monsoon rain), although Patagonia's environmental record is hard to beat.

Details of the Endura MT500 Spray Baggy Trousers II.

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Fox Women's X Defend Kevlar Pant



Fit:I tested the Fox pants in medium, which were slightly too big for me; but with Fox apparel that is just where I fit in, as the small tends to be too tight. The ratchet system allowed me to tighten up the waist and get the fit I needed, although I will point out that the pants have a low waist design and tended to ride on my hips even when fully cinched down. The cut of these pants is fairly loose—almost baggy, but then again, not all of us love skinny jeans. That relaxed fit makes these a good option for those with a bit more junk in the trunk. The pants have a fairly tight ankle hem despite the elastic stretch panel, and the shorter inseam might not work great for taller riders.

Testing: These Kevlar reinforced pants offer the durability and comfort I seek out for shredding trails all day. The DWR coating is a plus, and it effectively kept me dry when some minor rain showers came through during testing. Like most of the non-waterproof pants, you don't want to ride with these all day in the pouring rain, but the DWR coating will usually get you through a fairly damp day in the woods. The pant material breathed well and the laser cut ventilation was appreciated on the warmer days when the weather and temperatures were all over the place. At the end of the day, Fox has done an excellent job of making a relaxed fit riding pant that is functional, stylish, and will likely outlast your drive train.

Details of the Fox Women's X Defend Kevlar Pant.

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Pearl Izumi Women's Launch Trail Pant



Fit:I tested these pants in a US 6. As expected, they fit fairly well, albeit a tad bit loose and baggy as per the product's design and description of a relaxed fit. The velcro adjusters worked great to customize the waist of the pants for my almost between sizes frame. The Launch Pants have a nice taper to keep the pants legs from catching in the drivetrain but are still roomy enough to fit knee guards without any constriction. While the ankle gasket is stretchy for fitting over the foot, there are no zippers, so you will need to take your shoes off to get these pants on/off. The pockets are easy to reach and just the right size.

Testing: These pants were tested in a range of warmer and cooler temps. I found the sweet spot around 48ºF/9ºC—I seemed to get slightly too warm above that temperature. The pants are described by Pearl Izumi as suitable for temps up to 70ºF/21ºC, and while the lightweight Cordura fabric of the pants is breathable, there is no added ventilation for long slogs under the sun. Consequently, I'd save these for riding in cooler temps where the pants did a great job of keeping my legs warm. The stretchy feel and looser cut of the Launch Pants didn't restrict my efforts at all when pedaling. These pants reminded me a lot of the Giro Havoc Pants, and also compared well with the Scott Contessa pants in this review, although minus the venting. The PI DRY water-shedding technology—essentially a DWR applied to each thread vs. the garment as a whole—worked well to keep me dry in light rain and and shed debris when puddle romping, although it's worth keeping in mind that it's only water resistant, not waterproof. In sum, the Launch Trail Pants are a fairly lightweight offering with functional features and well thought out pocket placement, making them perfect for keeping you clean and dry during shoulder season adventures.

Details of the Pearl Izumi Launch Trail Pants.

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NF 2020 DP3 Pant



Fit: I tested the DP3 in unisex size XS. I was on the brink of needing a size small, mostly because I hit the maximum stretch of the elastic waistband pulling them up over my hips and glutes. But once on, they were super comfortable and the stretchy fabric offered a nice fit and feel. I should note that the pants are fairly tight around my quads; not too tight, per se, but if you are one of the lucky ones to have quadzillas, you may need to size up. NF has a detailed size chart and measuring system on their website: make sure to check it out to see what might fit best. Note that the inseam on the XS was fairly short, 29 inches, but it does go up as the waist size goes up, maxing out at 32 inches like a lot of brands. I know a lot of tall folks complain they can't find a pant that will fit them, and I would agree that longer inseams seem to be in short supply.

Testing: The DP3s are more of a skinny fit and feel pant: tight in the hips and knees (too tight to fit anything other than low profile knee guards), but overall really comfortable when riding despite that snug fit. Sizing up might have given me a bit more space for knee guards—as you can see in the men's review, Jameson was able to wear a heavier knee guard under his pair. I had zero issues hooking the saddle and the taper at the ankle kept the pants from getting sucked up in the chain (note: there are no zippers to adjust the tapered hem and they were fairly tight, similar to the Fox pants). As the only pant with an elastic waistband, I liked how easy it was to take them on and off, but the downside of that is that if the pants don't fit just right there's no way to adjust them. Breathability was good in the chilly test temperatures; there are no vents, but I never felt like I was too hot nor did I notice any extra leg sweat. I love the idea of these pants. I think if I could get my hands on a size small I'd be pretty happy and could easily keep them in my fall/winter riding rotation.

Details of the NF 2020 DP3 Pants.

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POC Resistance Pro DH Pants



Fit:I tested the Resistance Pro DH Pants in size unisex small (these are the other unisex pants in this review) and they were a perfect fit. Perfect everywhere. The waist was comfortably loose but I was able to snug it up with the somewhat flimsy velcro waist adjusters, and the ankle zipper included a couple size options for snapping the hem up. The length was short (the shortest of all the pairs I tested) but worked well for me and my 13 year old son who stole them as soon as I was done with my testing. My knee guards fit under the pants without issue and I had zero problem with the crotch hooking the saddle when riding.

Testing:As the name implies, these pants are the perfect choice for long days in the bike park or cold winter days when you need a pant that will keep you warm on the descents while not overheating on the climbs. These pants have a plethora of well thought out features. The two I really appreciated were the zippered thigh pockets which are well placed and large enough to stash a phone, and the zippered lower leg that allowed for easy on/off over the shoes if needed. The pants breathed fairly well on the warmer days, although I wouldn't want to have them on for any big climbs in temperatures above, say, 50F/10C. The fabric is reinforced where it needs to be and stretchy everywhere else. Overall these are a stylish and super comfortable pant that hit all the marks for cool weather shredding.

Details of the POC Resistance Pro DH pants.

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Leatt Pants MTB 4.0 ♀



Fit: I tested the 4.0s in Medium/EU 36 and they were definitely too big for me. Even with the waist fully ratcheted down they were still way too big with quite a bit of excess material in the waist/crotch area. Sizing issues aside, the length and fit was similar to Fox, but with a looser design that should work well for curvier figures and accommodate a variety of knee guards. The pants also have one of the longer inseams of this particular round up.

Testing: Despite the loose fit, I was still able to get out and test these pants in some wintery conditions. While the material is on the heavier side, the pants have a nice stretch and inspire confidence in their ability to handle interactions with sharp pointy objects on the trail. Breathability was fine, and while I would lean towards wearing these on cooler days or shuttle days, the ventilation did help keep the leg sweat to a minimum. I did not test these in any major precipitation, although Leatt does indicate there is some sort of DWR coating on the fabric but doesn't specifically state Durable Water Repellent so I am not 100% sure what it means. For the price, these are still designed well and a solid and affordable option for women who ride hard and are looking for a more relaxed fit/style of mountain bike pant.

Details of the Leatt MTB 4.0 Pants.

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Ion Shelter Wms Softshell Pants



Fit: I tested these pants in EU 38/Medium which ended up being a perfect fit for me. While I typically wear a size small in the Ion shorts, the small Shelter Pants were too tight in the hips and butt for me, so I sized up. The length on these pants was also on the longer side for the medium, so potentially a good option for a taller rider. The pockets are just where I wanted them.

Testing: The Shelter pants were one of the few pairs that got a lot of compliments so I would say they checked the style box pretty well. Riding in them was also a positive experience. They were very comfortable, fit over my knee guards, had super convenient side pockets that fit my phone (although I don't use the built in neoprene phone pouch), and the zipper at the bottom makes it easy to get them on/off over shoes if needed. The side vents are really nice to have. They offer great breathability if you start overheating on climbs (although zipping them back up was a bit of pain with the mesh insert getting stuck on occasion). While Jameson didn't love his pair, and they're not truly waterproof, I would say these are a great female specific design for someone looking for a winter riding pant with all the bells and whistles.

Details of the Ion Shelter Wms Softshell Pants.

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Patagonia Women's Dirt Roamer Storm Pants



Fit: I tested the Dirt Roamer Storm pants in size small. The small was a nice relaxed fit in the waist, hips and butt. The pants come with a 32" inseam on size S through XL and I had zero issues with the pants being too short or too long. The Patagonia MTB-specific OppoSet waist adjuster makes for an easy adjustable fit, and the zippered leg openings allow one to take the pants on/off over shoes. Note: clothing sizing has changed a lot in the past two decades. Case in point: I was a medium in Patagonia pants in the late 90's. My measurements haven't really changed much despite two kids and many bottles of tequila, but I now wear a size small in most their products. While this may make me feel better about myself, I urge you to try before you buy whenever possible.

Testing: These pants are 100% bombproof for those days when the weather is horrific and you just want to be at home in front of a fire with a cup of tea. I've experienced the whole gamut, rain, snow, frigid temps, miles of blackberry bush-whacking, and these pants have consistently provided the protection and durability I needed. I will say they do run on the warmer side (while H2No® fabric is breathable, there is no zippered ventilation to shed excess heat), so when the sun comes out I would on occasion just pull them off and stow them away in my pack. They do have an articulated knee design which allows for fairly easy pedaling, a fitted crotch which eliminates snagging the saddle, and they are compatible with most knee guards. Putting the somewhat high price tag aside, these pants are the second lightest and the most waterproof of this review. Patagonia also has a phenomenal repair program in case you do accidentally damage the pants. I love their environmental policies and so in my opinion is that they are worth every penny.

Details of the Patagonia Dirt Roamer Storm Pants.

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Trees Mountain Apparel Loamy Pants


Fit: I tested the pants in medium and they kind of hugged me in all the wrong places. As you can see from the photos, the outline of my bibs shows through. Technically the medium was the correct size, and technically they are a "skinny fit" pant so they are supposed to be tight... maybe I just have larger than average quads? The waist fit was fine, but even with the stretchy fabric I would call them far too tight for my liking in the butt and quads. The website does recommend sizing up for a looser fit, and I would probably size up to a large next time (again, as per the Dirt Roamer pants above, if at all possible, try before you buy to get the right fit). Tight fabric on the butt and quads aside, the inseam on these was spot on, and despite the "skinny" fit, I could still squeeze a pair of low profile knee guards under them.

Testing: These may be on the more fitted side of the equation as compared to, say, the Fox or the Leatt pants in this round up, but the Loamy Pants offered enough stretch that once I was pedaling, I was fine. The material breathed well when I was pushing hard, and I definitely didn't have any saddle snag issues, nor did the pants shimmy down like some of the options with a larger waist. The pockets were nicely placed and the slanted design made it easy to stow a phone or snacks while keeping them from bouncing around too much. Fit aside, these pants are a simple, get-the-job-done, fitted design that offers everything you need for a competitive price tag. Les français le font le mieux!

Details of the Trees Mountain Apparel Loamy Pants.

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Scott Trail Contessa Signature Women's Pants



Fit: I tested the pants in EU Medium which was a perfect fit. The Alu hook closure system let me tighten up the waist as needed, but out of the box these were one of the best fitting pants of the test group. They were comfortably loose in the hips and butt, but definitely not baggy. The inseam length was right around 31.5" (80cm) and worked well for me. The tapered ankle kept the pants from flapping in the wind and I was able to easily fit a pair of lower profile knee guards under them.

Testing: These were my top pick pant for shoulder season trail riding. I tested them in a variety of colder weather conditions, including some skate skiing (our local trails were briefly snowed out) in damp 32 degree F conditions. They were incredibly comfortable, lightweight, and breathed well (I never noticed any leg sweat). The fabric is stretchy yet also feels durable, and should be able to withstand an overgrown trail or minor crash, although these are the thinnest and lightest pants I tested this year, so I've some slight concerns regarding durability. In damp conditions, the DWR is a nice addition: water drops appeared to bead pretty well on the fabric and I stayed dry in both the mist and the wet snow that I encountered. While I wouldn't choose these pants for pouring rain conditions—I'd leave that to the Endura or Patagonia pants—if you can get your hands on these for trail riding, I highly recommend them for cool to cold, damp riding conditions.

Details of the Scott Trail Contessa Signature Women's Pants.

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Top Picks

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Reviews and Tech Apparel Endura Fox Clothing Ion LEATT Patagonia Pearl Izumi POC Scott Trees Needs Factory PBWMN