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Riding in the rain can be a cold and miserable business, especially when riding to work: no one wants to start off the day cold and wet. However, there’s some really great trousers and jeans on the market to help keep your legs dry and warm on those wet rides into work.
Our selection of water resistant and waterproof trousers include a generous variety of stylish yet functional picks. You don’t have to compromise your aesthetic to keep dry and warm anymore.
Best Waterproof Cycling Trousers [Men] [Women]
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DUER All-Weather Denim
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Chrome Storm Rain Pant
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Endura Hummvee II Trousers
Water-Resistant vs Waterproof Trousers
Water resistant vs waterproof, is there a difference? The short answer is, yes.
Water resistant trousers have a special coat / membrane on top of the fabric, this helps to keep the rain out, however won’t be as effective. Nor will it keep the rain out for as long as fully waterproof trousers: Water resistant trousers will still bead but eventually the water will absorb through the material.
Waterproof trousers on the other hand will have taped seams on the inside to cover up the stitching, this is where the water will most easily seep through. Waterproof trousers will also be made out of more specialist materials that will usually let sweat particles out but won’t allow water droplets in, keeping you dry from both the outside elements and your own sweat. A win-win combination.
However, though different both waterproof and water resistant will keep you dry in a shower or light rain. Both are great in different ways and can be better suited to a rider depending on their individual needs.
Types of Rainproof Trousers for Cycling to Work
There are lots of different styles of rainproof trousers for riding to work. One of the most popular types are the water repellent denim jeans which keep you looking stylish yet still offer practicality for wet weather commuting. Rainproof jeans can be a great addition to anyone’s wardrobe, our pick of the best cycling jeans is a great tool if you feel jeans are more your thing.
Another style of rainproof cycling trousers are the conventional smart looking trousers that look and feel more like chinos that are often water repellent but not usually fully waterproof. These trousers will often have a membrane that covers the top layer of fabric to keep the elements out so you can arrive at work warm and dry. If this is what you are looking for then our list of the best cycling chinos will be a bit of you.
Similarly, there are also fully taped seamed cycling waterproof overtrousers that have more of a hiking or mountain biking look to them but perform very well in keeping you warm and dry, even if they are a little less aesthetically pleasing. If the baggier fit is more your style you’ll find a more specific list of overtrousers on our piece looking at the best waterproof cycling overtrousers for under £50.
How Much Protection Do You Need?
How much protection you need from the elements on your commute really depends on a few factors, as well as your own personal preferences.
Firstly, the duration of your ride to work will affect how waterproof you need your trousers, the longer the commute the more effective trousers you’ll need as water repellent ones will eventually absorb the water after a while. Therefore long commutes will require more effective protection.
Another factor to consider is the level of protection your bike offers from the rain: do you have mudguards? Mudguards will keep you dry quite effectively by protecting your legs from road spray, therefore you may not need to go all out with a pair of fully waterproof trousers, in this instance water repellent would be suitable and more than adequate.
However, in conclusion, any of these trousers will protect you in all but the most drastic of downpours so whichever takes your fancy will keep you comfortable, stylish and dry.
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Best Waterproof Cycling Trousers for Commuting (Men)
Click here for water-resistant cycling trousers for women
1. DUER All-Weather Denim
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£150
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$200
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€170
Prices are approximate
- 70% Cotton
- 28% Coolmax® All Season Polyester
- 2% LYCRA® Spandex
- Membrane: 100% Polyester
Stretch
Reflective Detailing
Breathable
Cycling fit
The All-Weather slim fit denim jeans from DUER are a practical take on a classic wardrobe staple. Coming in a choice of two colours your outfit doesn’t have to be compromised due to your choice of transport into work.
These jeans also benefit from being both water and windproof thanks to the specialist membrane used, you’ll be covered no matter what and kept both dry and warm while riding to work.
Fit wise the All-Weather jeans are also a comfortable and flexible fit due to having 2% LYCRA® included in the blend, ensuring optimal movement and comfort.
2. Chrome Storm Rain Pant
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£125
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$140
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€125
Prices are approximate
- 100% polyester
Stretch
Breathable
Cycling fit
The Chrome Storm pants can, much as the name suggests, withstand commuting in a storm – that’s just how resilient these trousers are, with a 10k mm / 5k mvp waterproof rating. They are built using 100% taped seams and are more of an overtrouser style: you could definitely fit a pair of slim cut trousers or padded cycling shorts underneath for commuting.
The trousers, though slightly baggier in fit, are still very stylish with the added bonus of being very stretchy and maneuverable, keeping you flexible and comfortable while in the saddle.
Other features also include ankle zippers, a water resistant zip pocket (keeping your phone safe and dry) and a reinforced two layer back panel to ensure that the road spray cannot seap through the material on long wet commutes into work.
In Chrome’s own words, ‘the Storm Rain Pant is our ultimate layer for your urban commute’.
3. Endura Hummvee II Trousers
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£55
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$70
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€90
Prices are approximate
- 100% Nylon
Water repellent
Seamless seat panel
Cycling fit
The Endura Hummvee range is a classic when it comes to battling the elements, based in Scotland, Endura knows how to make warm and dry clothing that can withstand even the most brutal of weather conditions.
These durable Endura Hummvee II Trousers are a robust and comfortable trouser that is hard wearing and hard working. They are Clickfast™ liner compatible, making it easy to clip a padded short into the trousers, or you can use them without simply unclipping the padding.
In addition, another great feature about these trousers is their multi use design as they can be used for urban commuting or even hitting the trails at the weekend for a shred, a great all-round trouser.
Waterproof Cycling Trousers for Women
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DUER All-Weather Denim
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Chrome Madrona 5-Pocket Pant
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Ministry of Supply Momentum Chino
Best Women’s Water Repellent Cycling Trousers
1. DUER All-Weather Denim
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£150
-
$200
-
€170
Prices are approximate
- 70% Cotton
- 28% Coolmax® All Season Polyester
- 2% LYCRA® Spandex
- Membrane: 100% Polyester
Stretch Reflective Detailing
Breathable
Cycling fit
We love these jeans so much that they’re our #1 recommended cycling jeans for women. A little while ago our co-founder, Pete, reviewed the men’s version and was blown away. The women’s version are equally brilliant. Not only are they fully waterproof and windproof, but they look gorgeous too.
A lot of cycling trousers are water resistant, but the Duer All-Weather have a waterproof membrane to keep you fully protected without compromising on style and comfort.
And these jeans are so comfortable that you’ll forget you’re actually wearing jeans. They have more than enough stretch for cycling (or any activity), and also feature the Duer signature hidden gusset for greater flexibility and range of motion.
The look of these jeans is flattering and chic. Available in two styles, the Straight fit are slim-fitting (without being absolutely skin tight), and the High-rise offer a more relaxed fit.
They also have reflective details under the cuff and at the waistband, and four pockets that are deep enough to keep your keys, money (and anything else) totally safe while you’re on the move.
All in all, these are outstanding jeans that combine beauty along with a host of tech features to keep you warm, dry and super-stylish in the winter.
2. Chrome Madrona 5-Pocket Pant
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£130
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$120
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€150
Prices are approximate
- 51% Cotton
- 38% Nylon
- 12% Spandex
Stretch
DWR coating
Breathable
Reinforced waist and gusset
The Madrona 5 Pocket Pant from Chrome is an understated and trendy looking cycling trouser for women with a straight leg fit and work pants look. Made from a stretchy cotton blend the trousers allow for flexibility and movement while riding.
Not only do they feel and look like an everyday trouser but they are also water resistant and benefit from a quick dry 4 way cotton/nylon stretch fabric, keeping you dry and warm while on your commute.
In Chrome’s own words ‘ride hard, look rad while you do it’.
3. Ministry of Supply Momentum Chino
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£110
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$130
-
€150
Prices are approximate
- 58% Polyester
- 31% Nylon
- 11% Elastane
Stretch
Breathable
Cycling fit
Water repellent
These chinos are cool in every way: they look great and they’re light and breathable. They’re so great, in fact, that they are our #1 recommend women’s cycling chinos.
The Momentum Chino for women is a trouser that does a remarkable charge of feeling really good, stretchy and breathable while you’re cycling to work but it still manages to look extremely sharp and can fit into an office-environment without anyone suspective that these chinos are built for active performance.
These Ministry of Supply ladies’ chinos are soft, durable and strechy thanks to their blend of “hollow-core” Polyester, Nylon and Elastane.
They’re also quite customisable in terms of style as they have an adjustable inseam so they can’t be worn at full length or ankle length. There are also drawstrings on the inside of the pants and these can be left hanging out or tucked in,