POC RHYTHM RESISTANCE
£185 www.pocsports.com
These are the only pants on test with no waist adjustment. Instead, the Rhythms rely on a deep, elasticated waistband to ensure they cling to your hips properly. With no adjusters to potentially max out, this means you can size up or down in order to get your favoured leg length – the small size we tested should fit waists from 29-32in, for example. We found the POC trousers provided arguably the best fit around the waist and hips of all the pairs on test, and they certainly felt like some of the easiest to move about on the bike in. While the inseam is fairly long (31.5in, small), the tapered cut of the lower leg minimises excess material at the ankles. Like the waist, the ankle cuffs are elasticated, and offer just enough give to ensure that getting the trousers on and off isn’t too tricky – which is handy when getting changed in a car park. Thanks in part to the relatively lightweight fabric, which has a bit of stretch to it, pedalling in the POCs is a super-comfy affair, even on prolonged slogs in the hills. The Swedish brand have wisely added ripstop panels that cover the knees and extend up the outside of both thighs to help prevent the Rhythm pants being written off should you take a tumble. It’s just as well, too – given their seriously high asking price, we’d be hacked off if we managed to kill these on their first outing. The main fabric is also reinforced with Cordura to increase durability, without affecting freedom of movement. There are two zipped pockets, which allow you to stow all-important items securely and aren’t so big that the contents rattle around with every pedal stroke. A fluorocarbon-free DWR coating helps to prevent your legs from getting too wet.