Fox Racing Men's Ranger 3l Water Pant Ranger 3L Water Pant

Product Information

The elasticated waist and adjustable pull-cord meant we could tighten the pants so they didn’t fall down, even when covered in mud and water. Sizing is true to size with a generous cut but without being baggy, and waist adjusters allow you to customise the fit, plus belt loops mean you can add a belt if you want.

There’s no annoying crank rub and even when they’re drenched through and weighed down, very little in the way of material shifting around. We did, however, find the ratchet waist adjustment to be one of the best and most reliable systems out there. The TRUSEAL advanced weather resistance technology of the Fox Ranger 3L Water MTB Pantsmakes them lightweight, durable and protective from the elements. We pitted six winter trousers against each other in some of the grottiest conditions to find out which one we think is worth your time and money.In the past, waterproof trousers/pants looked awful and were rustley, crinkly and boil-in-the-bag as soon as you got moving. This is featured on all Fox pants and not only does it keep any flapping material out of the chain it also stops it sagging down at the bottom, which is not a good look. Thanks to the pants’ ability to keep me dry and comfortable on the wettest trails and the host of MTB-specific touches, the Fox Ranger 3L Water Pants are an essential bit of kit that, if looked after, should be top performers for many winters to come. Adaptable-to-changing-weather, and breathability helps reduce the need to remove/add layers during a ride.

But don’t let that imply this trouser is less effective at keeping you dry because it’s actually really good. The Paclite trousers kept us dry, not wetting through for the entire test period, but ventilation is an issue. I found this less of a problem because I tend to just use zipped pockets for storing keys (with my phone in a waist pack), but there have definitely been times when I’ve wanted to securely stash more yet wasn’t able to. Of the 283 from Fox Racing, 12 were more expensive than Fox Racing Ranger 3L Water Trousers and 269 were cheaper. The svelte, tailored cut certainly helps to play its part here, keeping the fabric of the lower legs close to your own.

Vents are also a great way to keep things cool when the going gets hot, however, vents that use zips need well-thought-out waterproof sealing to keep the elements out when closed. With a good set of waterproof trousers you can splash through puddles like a five year-old Do I need to wear padded shorts under my mountain bike trousers? Adjustable cuffs and hems stop water getting in but also help regulate airflow the inside of the garment. In our tests we found the fit was perfect, and the soft fabric and stretch make them feel much more like a trail trouser than the rustling, stiff, clammy feel of most waterproof pants. But, due to how tight the ankle cuff is and the limited give in the elasticated panel, they’re not the easiest to get on and off.

Scott has done well with its Trail Storm Waterproof pant; it’s ideal for taller riders, the fit is well thought out and the rain protection is excellent. While there are perforations for venting they don't allow much cool air to pass through, which makes these pants better suited to colder months compared to many race pants on the market.The fit of the 30s was perfect on the bike and sculpted to reflect the riding position well, with extra space for knee pads, which didn’t get pulled down by the trousers or pull the trousers down, even when seated pedalling. One feature that immediately stood out to us was the leg zips that extend above the knee so you can easily pull them off at the end of a ride or put on knee pads without baring your bottom to the weather. This is old Fox Indicator pant renamed – everything else from the four-way stretch fabric to the zip pockets remains the same. A new garment for 2022, the Defend Fire Alpha Vest is sure to be a hit with riders who like to layer-up without excess bulk or faff.