FOX RANGER
£90 https://uk.foxracing.com
Fox’s Ranger pants have one of the most tailored, figure-hugging cuts here, which makes a lot of sense on the bike. We’re not talking about aero gains, but more how the close-fitting lower legs stay put while you’re pedalling, even when they’re soaking wet or plastered in thick, heavy mud. There’s still room for knee pads underneath, though, and plenty of stretch in the fabric for unrestricted movement. We found the fit around the hips and waist very good, too, although the waist adjustment isn’t as easy to use as others on test. The strap-and-double-loop adjusters (similar to those used to adjust straps on bags) might be minimal and sit flat and close to the waistband, but they’re fiddly to operate and certainly not as convenient or as intuitive as some alternatives. The closure – a single, meaty popper – is a minimal, simple affair, but it hasn’t let us down over the course of our testing (we’ve had the Rangers since March 2021). There’s no zipped fly or Velcro to keep the overlapping sections together, but we’ve had no issues with the trousers gaping open. A handy little zipped pocket sits on the left thigh and will fit a phone or keys. Because it’s held close to the leg and not too voluminous, the contents stay secure and in place. There are two hand pockets, which are useful off the bike. At £90, the Rangers are well-priced. As the cheapest model in Fox’s nine-strong pants range, quality isn’t quite as high as on some of the pricier trousers here, and the bonded hem at the ankle cuff has come unstuck on our pair (on both legs). We’d appreciate a little more stretch down there, too, to make getting them on and off a little easier. Still, though, once they’re on and adjusted, they feel brilliant on the bike.