Never a fan of riding trousers, can these convertible kecks get Sanny to reconsider his shorts-even-in-winter riding ways?
- Brand: NZOActive
- Product: Zip Off Duster Pants
- Price: £119.00
- From: nzoactive.uk
- Tested by: David ‘Sanny’ Gould
Pros
- Effective over a wide temperature range.
- Excellent design backed up with top notch build quality.
- Zip off lowers lend a useful level of versatility.
Cons
- Errrrrrrrrrrr.
- Nothing.
- They just work.
Our rating
Hands up. As a rule, I am not a fan of riding trousers. There. I said it! Whether it is the aesthetics, the feel of fabric constantly rubbing against my knees, the niggling annoyance of cuffs rubbing against crank, the fact that most trousers have leg lengths that appear to be made for those of a more diminutive stature thus giving an unfortunate half-mast appearance or simply because I run hot which makes shorts my go to, the fashion for riding trousers has always left me cold. Against my better judgement, I’ve dabbled several times and come away positively underwhelmed and always returned to my preferred POC and 7Mesh shorts.
Despite this, Patrik Corbett of NZOActive suggested that I should try their Zip Off Duster Pants, so confident was he in their design and construction. A brave suggestion, I thought, given my propensity for being particularly hard on ride kit to the extent that broken zips, torn fabric and worn out seat area usually see off my shorts sooner rather than later. “Make sure you give them a hard time”, he said as he handed me a pair, him being a fellow resident of my fair city after relocating from New Zealand and thus the UK Distributor of NZOActive gear.
The basics
Made from a durable and stretchy, abrasion resistant and moisture wicking fabric, the Dusters have an industrial aesthetic with contrasting light grey double stitching along all the seams. They remind me a bit of the work trousers you would find in Toolstation which to my mind is no bad thing, although some might prefer black stitching for a stealthier look. Weighing around 600 grams, they have a solidity without feeling heavy. In addition to two deep hand pockets, they also have two zipped side pockets which can be opened for venting and a concealed zip pocket for the right hand which I found perfect for keeping a credit card and my phone. The waist has a double popper as well as belt loops.
The fabric is treated with Polygiene which is an anti-bacterial and anti-microbial treatment. After many filthy and / or sweaty rides, the trousers (I refuse to say pants as pants are your undercrackers – end of!) are remarkably odour free. Down at knee level, the Dusters feature zip off lower legs. For versatility, the Dusters come supplied with two ankle width lowers as standard – tapered for riding and wider for a more casual look. In order to avoid getting your lowers mixed up, the right leg features a bright yellow zip which means you’ll never get your legs mixed up. It is a very neat touch which I really liked. Finally, they offer SPF 50 sun protection.
But are they any good?
Ok, I will admit that I was ready to hate these from the get go. My experience of every other ride trouser has always ended up in disappointment – too heavy, too sweaty, too short, too drainpipe like, just too darn trouser. However, ever the profesh, I committed to giving them a fair crack of the whip and I am genuinely glad that I did so. My first ride out was on a cold and damp winter’s day – one of those classic Scottish winter rides when despite the temperature being above zero, the moisture makes it feel colder than a dry minus fifteen. Out for three hours, the Dusters did a fine job of keeping me warm without overheating which is my pet peeve. When it started to drizzle, they got damp but not to the extent of feeling uncomfortable. I had expected to notice the zips at the knee rubbing against my skin but within a few pedal strokes, they didn’t even register. I suspect that the line of backing fabric separating the zip from contacting my skin was working exactly as it was meant to.
Cuffs wise, the narrower lowers singularly failed to rub against my cranks. They were snug without being tight while the elasticated insert meant that they fitted neatly over the collars of my Mavic winter boots. Eventually getting back from the ride somewhat muddier and damper than when I went out, I was quietly impressed. Of course, one ride does not a test make thus over the subsequent six months of winter and Spring riding, I have tried and failed to find their weaknesses without success.
On a freezing cold hike a bike mission in Borrowdale in February that took me above the snowline, they coped admirably with the change in temperature from below zero to actively sweating as I was shouldering my bike up steep, tree lined terrain before popping out onto open fell and blue skies. While I was actively adding and removing top layers, the Dusters were left untouched save for opening the vents which helped regulate my temperature. Similarly, on an adventure in the Cairngorms in March where the wind on exposed summits could best be described as cutting through you like a knife through warm butter, I was extremely glad of their ability to shrug off the worst of the wind while not feeling clammy on the long climb up the Burma Road that preceded it.
Since then, with Spring sprung and nettles and brambles making a not entirely welcome return to trails, I’ve been glad of the ability to zip on and off the lower legs with ease and have thus far successfully avoided the despair of nettle rash and bramble scars. With the temperature into double figures, in shorts form, the Dusters have worked a treat. Given how light and packable the lowers are, I happily take them on rides for those just in case moments or when the ride finishes at a pub as the sun is going down.
One particularly pleasing feature is how durable the Dusters have proven to be. After six months of testing in at times challenging conditions, there is not a single thread out of place while after each wash, they come up looking like they are not far off new. In use, they are comfortable to the point that I barely notice them. There is plenty of stretch in them which combined with the durability of the fabric means that I would be happy to wear them bouldering too.
Overall
I fully expected not to like the Dusters but they have really won me over. They have proven to be comfortable, effective over a wide temperature range and remarkably durable. I’m still not entirely sold on the idea of riding trousers in general but the Dusters are a definite exception to the rule. I’ve not actually used the wider set of lowers in anger but I like the option to look a bit more casual should I want it. Overall, I think they are just a really well designed and executed pair of ride trousers / shorts and should appeal to a wide range of riders from dyed in the wool trouser riding nu skoolers to bike packers looking for a bit of added versatility from their ride wear through to shorts or nothing riders like myself. I like them – a lot! Recommended.
Manufacturer specification
FABRIC
- Abrasion Resistant Fabric
- Quick-Drying fabric
- Moisture-wicking performance fabric
- 4-way stretch fabric
- Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) 50
- Polygiene treated (anti-odor – anti-microbial)
CONSTRUCTION
- High quality secured locked YKK zip
- Belt loop for accurate adjustment
- Pant legs zip off to convert into a 10″ inseam short
- Elasticized waistband and rib panel for more comfort, flexibility, and breathability
- Inseam gusset panel for increased range of motion
- 1 zip secret pocket, 2 side zip pockets, and 2 front deep pockets
- Stretch side panel leg easy on and off
- Relaxed or tapered fit
- Orange zip on the right knee / Black Zip on the left knee
