7MESH GLIDEPATH
£150 https://7mesh.com
Like the Scott pants, the 7mesh trousers are incredibly light – in fact, the lightest on test – and super-comfy when worn on long stints in the saddle. There are two rear-facing zipped pockets high up on the thighs, which are great for stowing essentials in, plus two hip pockets, that proved handy off the bike. Because the stretch nylon fabric is so light and not as rigid as the material used on some of the weightier trousers here, we’d suggest not loading the pockets too heavily. That said, the position of the thigh pockets means the contents go unnoticed while pedalling. The heavily-tapered cut adds to a pleasant experience on the trail, with no worries about any excess material interfering with the crank arms or chainring as you pedal. Off the bike, the fit and cut of the Glidepath pants mean they don’t look quite as tailored as the best trousers here, but as soon as you sling a leg over the top tube, the shape works incredibly well. They articulate brilliantly and we had no issues with them snagging on knee pads, which fit underneath easily. While the ankle cuffs aren’t overly tight, they could do with a little more stretch to make life easier when it comes to getting the pants on and off. Thanks to a DWR treatment, the 7mesh trousers will ward off light rain showers and puddle splashes if the weather turns, and they dry really quickly, too. Once you’ve settled on one of the six sizes, you can tune the fit using a lockable buckle and strap. While this is a tidy solution, the buckle is fiddlier to use than Velcro tabs if you’re wearing gloves. The waist features belt loops, too, though we felt no need to use these. It’s hard to knock the comfort, cut and features of the Glidepath pants, but they aren’t cheap.