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Rain pants for cyclists should not only be waterproof, freedom of movement and easy putting on on the go are also important
Photo:
Sebastian Willnow / dpa
Almost everyone has a rain jacket in their closet – but you only need rain pants for cycling.
But then urgently: Hardly anything is more annoying than sitting in the office with wet pants after a morning rain shower.
Rain pants for bike commuters and bike tourists should not only be waterproof.
They should also fit comfortably over jeans or trousers without restricting freedom of movement - and be easy to put on when you're out and about.
Although there are days when you know it will be wet as soon as you set off, there are also days when it suddenly starts to rain.
Then it must be possible to put on the pants quickly and easily.
In the test (with fortunately mostly only short rain showers) all pants held tight.
When choosing the right size, the manufacturers have already taken into account that you wear »normal« pants underneath.
If an "M" fits you otherwise, this is usually correct for cycling rain pants as well.
Incidentally, in the rain-soaked darkness, the visibility of the pants can be more important than that of the jacket: the low beam of a car headlight tends to hit the lower part of the cyclist.
Reflective elements on the trouser legs are a way of being noticed in good time, even in the rain.
Or you can order the trousers in a fluorescent colour, which is only possible with a few models.
Endura Hummvee Waterproof Pants
The Hummvee "Waterproof Trouser" or "Waterproof Trouser" is a classic from the Scottish brand Endura.
They are available in sizes between S and XXL, but only in black and not separately as women's trousers.
It should be suitable for both genders.
The pants are made of thin, light material and can be folded up very small in the pannier.
It is held at the hips by an elastic band and an elastic lace that can provide additional support if required.
At the ankles, zippers open the waistband quite wide so you can get through most shoes.
Velcro fasteners can make the trouser legs even tighter at the ankles.
However, pockets are completely absent.
In addition, the pants cannot be opened at the side at the top.
If you have the bike key in your pocket, you have to pull down your rain pants to get to it.
The material is reinforced in the seat area, but none of the tested trousers have a seat pad.
However, the Hummvee trousers have Endura's Clickfast system: corresponding inner trousers can be connected to the Hummvee using press studs on the inside.
However, this only makes sense if the combination is not worn as a cover over everyday trousers, but as sole trousers.
Note: »Hummvee« is the name of the entire collection;
Only the pants with the corresponding addition in the name are perfectly waterproof.
We like that:
The pants are 252 grams light and yet appear robust.
It can also be worn with most shoes when you are out and about.
The less:
There is a lack of pockets and access to everyday trousers.
There are few reflective elements.
For whom the Hummvee waterproof pants are suitable:
For commuters, but also for mountain bikers or road bike athletes if they wear Clickfast inner pants.
Rainlegs Reflective
The rainlegs are not complete pants, but a cover for the hips and thighs down to below the knees.
They cover the part of the lower body that gets the most rain.
Your advantage: They can be rolled up small and only have to be attached to the hips and legs with click fasteners.
In principle, you could wear them rolled up on your hips when the weather is dry and simply roll them down when it starts to rain.
In practice, they are more likely to be kept in the bike bag.
Attaching to the hip is done in a few seconds.
Fastening it to the thighs is more fiddly, since the straps have to be passed between the legs from behind.
The Rainlegs sit surprisingly securely on the legs when cycling.
In light rain, they effectively protect the knees, thighs and crotch from moisture.
If it rains harder and longer, the lower legs and the backs of the thighs get wet - there is simply a lack of protective material here.
Therefore: Rainlegs only make sense for cyclists who have mudguards and only ride short distances in the rain.
The rainlegs are available in several sizes and colors, including neon yellow.
The Reflective model we tested, which lights up brightly when illuminated by headlights, is particularly visible in the dark in city traffic.
Liked :
The Rainlegs are cheap, small and light.
They are attached faster than you can put on a complete pair of pants.
The less:
They do not protect against continuous rain and not against splashing water.
Jeans or trousers are not protected in the lower leg area and may get dirty.
For whom the Rainlegs are suitable:
For commuters who do not cover very long distances and who can keep their distance from overtaking cars.
Gonso: Drainon
The Drainon by Gonso is the simplest pant in the test: no zips, no pockets, the ankles are closed with Velcro fasteners.
An elastic band at the top provides support, supported by a lace.
The pants are reinforced in black in the seat area.
The rest of the pants glow neon yellow.
Alternatively, the model is available completely in black.
The Drainon is only available as a unisex model, but in numerous sizes, also specially designed for long or short legs.
With the male tester, it fits well with its body-hugging cut and does not flutter.
The trousers are the lightest in the test and can be folded up very small.
However, the surface is a bit dull on the inside - the rubber soles of shoes don't slip through.
In the test, we had to take off our shoes in order to be able to put our pants on.
What we like:
At 218 grams, the Drainon is very light, available in many sizes and offers good visibility in traffic.
The less:
there are no pockets and putting on the pants is a bit of a hassle.
For whom the Drainon is suitable:
Due to its low weight and small pack size, it is particularly recommended for touring cyclists.
Chrome Industries: Storm Rain Pants
The Storm Rain Pants are listed as men's pants at Chrome Industries - but should also be suitable as women's pants.
In practice, however, smaller people should not be allowed to use them: they are only available in four sizes.
In principle, the size M fits the male tester with a height of 180 centimeters well, but his legs were still a bit long.
It is therefore unlikely that size S will fit significantly smaller people.
A size chart is available on Chrome's website.
The trousers are only available in black.
The material is three-layered and therefore strong - the pants warm very well.
The disadvantage: At 343 grams, it is heavy in comparison.
The material is smooth on the inside, making the Storm Rain Pants easy to put on.
The waistband that can be opened at the top and the zipper in the crotch also help.
The waistband is closed with a push button and an additional lacing.
There is an elastic band in the rear area so that no water can drip into the back either.
The trouser legs are narrowed with zippers at the bottom of the ankle.
However, even if you open it, the opening is so narrow that shoes cannot get through.
All zips are sealed - including those of the two pockets, front left and right.
Liked:
The Storm Rain Pants keep you warm, don't look like rain pants and the workmanship is high-quality.
The less:
Shoes must be removed when dressing.
Visibility on the road is poor.
For whom the Storm Rain Pants are suitable:
Above all for style-conscious autumn and winter commuters who put their pants on before setting off.
Blackdiamond: Stormline Stretch Full Zip Rain Pants
The Stormline Stretch Full Zip Rain Pants are actually designed as hiking pants, but should also be suitable for cycling.
So does she.
However, there is no reinforcement in the seat area, so the material could wear out there first after prolonged use.
The trouser legs can be tied off at the bottom, but only at the waistband: Great for hiking through snowfields, because no snow gets into the trousers and hiking boots.
When cycling, however, you could get to the chain despite the lacing.
There were no problems with it in the test.
The trousers have full-length zips on the legs so that they can be easily put on and taken off in any situation.
The shoes can definitely stay on the foot.
Adjustable elastic straps sit at the ankles, the waistband at the top is also elastic.
Snaps at the top and bottom reinforce the closure of the zips.
The Stormline Stretch Full Zip Rain Pants are the only pants in the test that have a back pocket – not that helpful when cycling.
However, you can easily get to the side pockets of trousers underneath with the side zips.
The pants fit comfortably when cycling and the elastic material also facilitates larger movements such as dismounting.
Blackdiamond offers the pants in a version for men and women.
Our example in size M, intended for men, weighs rather little at 264 grams.
What I like:
The trousers look good, are very well made and easy to put on and take off.
The less:
Due to the lack of reflectors, visibility is poor.
You can't strap them on the heels as tightly as the competing products.
For whom the Stormline Stretch Full Zip Rain Pants are suitable:
For everyone who is looking for pants for cycling and hiking.
It allows a lot of mobility and is therefore also suitable for mountain biking.
Vaude: Yara's Rain Zip Pants III
The Yaras Rain Zip Pants III are the most elaborately finished pants in the test field: Both the women's and men's cuts have full-length zips on the legs, which are also secured by covers with Velcro fasteners.
Additional Velcro fasteners close the pants at the ankles.
There is also a zipper at the crotch.
All three zippers are secured with a snap button at the top.
The trousers are held in place by an elastic band.
There are also adjustable elastic bands on the ankles, as you usually find on hiking pants.
You can hold the pants on with higher shoes on these.
The material is strong and reinforced in the seat area: the trousers not only protect against rain, but also against the cold.
The strong material has its price, because at around 394 grams, the Yaras Rain Zip Pants III are the heaviest pants in the test.
Vaude emphasizes the use of environmentally friendly materials.
There are seven different sizes for women and six for men.
The black model only has small reflective elements.
What we like:
The Yaras Rain Zip Pants III are very well made, can be put on and taken off with shoes and offer not only water protection but also a certain amount of protection against the cold.
The less:
The pants are a bit heavy.
For whom the Yaras Rain Zip Pants III are suitable:
For all touring cyclists and commuters who also ride in autumn and winter and want to put the pants on and off quickly when out and about.
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