Down and dirty: Best adventure bike trousers

When we looked at adventure motorcycle jackets, we established that they have a wide range of requirements; keep you protected from falls and weather while also allowing your body to dissipate sweat and keep you cool, and the same goes for adventure motorcycle trousers. These two requirements may seem mutually exclusive, but it is entirely possible to have both.

Just like jackets, adventure motorcycle trousers will have an outer layer that will protect you from falls, both in terms of abrasion – if you slide down the road or track – as well as impact, with armour at least at the knees and ideally, also the hips.

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What to look for in adventure trousers

When it comes to keeping you dry and warm, they may be one of several designs. Some may use an outer that has a waterproof membrane attached to it, either on the inside or the outside, to prevent water from entering while allowing moisture to leave.

However, if on the outside, it is susceptible to damage in an off-road environment, so many will have a separate waterproof and breathable layer that can be removed to allow maximum airflow when it isn’t raining. Some will allow the waterproof layer to fit over the top or inside the adventure motorcycle trousers for extra flexibility.

Related: Best adventure motorcycle helmets

Most will also have a thermal liner that will help keep you warm on chilly rides yet can be removed when things start to warm up to keep you cool – off-roading is a more strenuous form of riding than on-road, of course. And because of that, you’ll need some ventilation too.

At the very least, you want some large panels that zip open or ideally, are held open to allow lots of air in. The ideal scenario though is a mesh construction, where non-essential abrasion-resistant sections are formed in mesh, allowing huge amounts of air in.

Finally, you may find a bunch of other useful additions; cargo pockets are very handy for bits and pieces; anti-slip panels on the seat help you stay put on bumpy ground; and braces will prevent them from drooping or gaping as you ride.

Safety Ratings

As with any motorcycle clothing, the adventure motorcycle trousers should be CE-rated for abrasion resistance in the same way jackets are, from B to AAA, the latter is the highest level of protection. Hip and knee armour will also be CE rated, like in jackets, and of course, Level-2 is a higher rating than Level-1. What level of protection you require will depend on your needs, generally speaking you ideally want to have the highest level of safety that you can afford but also that you feel comfortable in.

FAQ

What fit should I be looking for?

When trying on adventure motorcycle trousers, ideally they should fit a little long when standing to allow for the bend in your leg when sitting on the motorcycle. This should help you to stay comfortable while riding. They should be snug enough that they do not bunch up but allow full movement and not be restricting, allowing space underneath for additional layers on chillier rides.

Should Adventure trousers be worn inside or outside of my boots?

You will want your trousers to go over the top of your boots to ensure that water does not run down your trouser leg and pool inside of your boots. Ideally you want to have a tight closure around the ankle to ensure that you do not snag on foot-pegs or the sidestand.

Are seperate knee protectors a good option?

Many people prefer a separate knee pad that straps around the knee over ones that fit inside the trouser. This is because they are always in the correct place and do not wander.

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