Finding the best mountain bike pants isn’t as simple as picking the coolest-looking pair (although coolness is definitely a factor). After years of riding everything from long backcountry climbs, to desert clunk, to PNW steeps, and lots of bike parks (not to mention, crashing a lot), I’ve developed some pretty strong opinions about what makes a great pair of MTB pants.
Recently, a viewer of our YouTube channel, The Vantastic Life, reached out with a great question. Her husband had rekindled his love for mountain biking and was looking for some good riding pants. She loved her Wild Rye pants (the same as Emily) but was having trouble finding something comparable for him.
Well, I have lots of thoughts on mountain bike pants! 🙂
I’ve spent countless days wearing different brands, putting them through long climbs, big descents, and more than a few crashes.
Here are my favorite mountain bike pants, what I like (and don’t like) about each, and which ones I reach for depending on the ride.
For sizing reference: I’m 6’1″ with a 33-inch waist and 33-inch inseam.
My Favorite Mountain Bike Pants at a Glance
| MTB Pants | Best For |
|---|---|
| Outdoor Research Freewheel | Best overall |
| Patagonia Dirt Craft | Comfort and pedaling |
| Ride NF DP5 | Durability and downhill |
| Fox Defend | Bike parks and protection |
| Kettle Skid Mark | Interesting alternative (untested) |
1. Outdoor Research Freewheel MTB Pants — Best Overall
If I had to choose one pair of mountain bike pants for everything, these would be my pick.
The Outdoor Research Freewheel MTB Pants have the best combination of comfort, fit, and durability of any pants I’ve worn.
I can comfortably wear these on just about any ride, whether we’re doing a long day of pedaling or heading out for a shuttle day.
But there’s one feature that really makes them stand out.
Why I Love the Lower Leg Zippers
The Freewheel pants have lower leg zippers that allow you to take your knee pads on and off without removing your pants.
That might not sound like a big deal until you’ve spent some time riding in the Pacific Northwest.
We regularly have rides with really long climbs followed by equally long descents. Being able to remove your knee pads for the climb and put them back on for the descent, without taking your pants off, is fantastic.
It’s a small feature that makes a big difference.
What I love:
- Excellent balance of comfort, fit, and durability
- Lower leg zippers for easy knee pad removal
- Adjustable waist
- Versatile enough for almost any riding style
What could be better: I wish the waistband had a little more elasticity.
My verdict: These are my favorite all-around mountain bike pants and the ones I’d recommend first to most riders.
Outdoor Research Freewheel MTB Pants
2. Patagonia Dirt Craft Pants — Best for Comfort and Pedaling
When it comes to pure comfort and fit, the Patagonia Dirt Craft Pants might actually be my favorites.
They’re stretchy, comfortable, and just feel great when you’re spending a lot of time pedaling.
If we’re going out for a ride with a lot of climbing, these are often the pants I’ll grab.
But they do have a downside.
Comfortable, but Not the Most Durable
Of all the MTB pants on this list, these have been the least durable when crashing.
And let’s face it, crashing is part of mountain biking, especially when you’re constantly pushing your riding hard down black and double black trails.
They also stretch out over time. We’re talking 1-3 years with lots of use.
I have a pair that’s around three years old, has been patched up, and is a little stretched out. But they’re still holding together!
That’s actually pretty impressive considering the amount of use they’ve had.
What I love:
- My favorite fit and comfort
- Stretchy material feels great while pedaling and chilling
- Excellent for long rides with lots of climbing
- Comfortable enough to keep wearing for years
What could be better: They aren’t as crash-resistant as the heavier-duty options, and the material can stretch out over time. Oh, and watch out for snagging them on flat pedal pins. Oops!
My verdict: If you prioritize comfort and spend more time pedaling than crashing in the bike park, these might be the best mountain bike pants for you.
3. Ride NF DP4.5/5 Pants — Best for Durability and Downhill Riding
If durability is your biggest priority, the Ride NF DP5 Pants deserve serious consideration.
These are among the toughest mountain bike pants I’ve worn.
When we’re riding bike parks or doing shuttle laps, these are one of my go-to options.
They’re built for the kind of riding where there’s a real possibility of ending up on the ground.
The Biggest Question Is Fit
Here’s the thing about Ride NF pants: they don’t fit everyone equally well.
They don’t fit my body quite as comfortably as the Outdoor Research or Patagonia options.
But if they fit you well, they might be the best MTB pants you can buy.
That’s how highly I rate their durability.
What I love:
- Excellent durability
- Great choice for bike parks
- Well suited for aggressive downhill riding
- A strong option for shuttle days
- Won’t rip if you snag a flat pedal
What could be better: The fit doesn’t work as well for me as some other brands.
My verdict: If Ride NF pants fit your body well and durability is your priority, these could easily be your number-one choice.
Worth mentioning: Ride NF pants use the same cut for mens and womens pants. Emily’s wearing DP5’s above. They also don’t sell the DP4.5 pants anymore, but the DP5’s seem to be an improvement, other than you can’t get them in purple ;-).
4. Fox Defend Pants — Another Excellent Option for Bike Parks
The Fox Defend Pants are right up there with Ride NF when it comes to durability.
Fox makes some great mountain biking gear, and these pants are no exception.
The biggest issue for me is the fit.
Great Pants, Just Not for My Body Type
With my 33-inch waist and 33-inch inseam, I’ve consistently had trouble finding Fox pants that fit properly.
When the legs are long enough, the waist is too big.
That’s frustrating because I really like how durable they are.
If the fit worked better for me, I’d happily wear these for bike park days and shuttling.
As it stands, I keep a pair around as backups.
What I love:
- Excellent durability
- Great for bike parks and downhill riding
- A solid alternative to Ride NF
What could be better: The waist-to-inseam proportions don’t work particularly well for my body.
My verdict: Fox Defend pants are a great option if they fit you well. Fit would be the deciding factor for me between these and Ride NF.
5. Kettle Skid Mark MTB Pants — An Interesting Alternative
These are the one pair of pants on this list that I haven’t personally tested.
But I think they’re worth mentioning.
The Kettle Skid Mark MTB Pants come from the guys at Worldwide Cyclery.
I listen to their podcast, and they’ve talked about trying all kinds of mountain bike pants before creating their own.
Their goal was to take what they liked about other brands and build something better.
That’s an interesting approach, especially coming from people who spend so much time on and around mountain biking.
I can’t give these a personal durability or comfort rating yet, but they’re definitely on my radar.
My verdict: Worth checking out, but I’ll reserve judgment until I’ve actually ridden in them.
How to Choose the Best Mountain Bike Pants for Your Riding
After trying so many different pairs, I’ve found that the best mountain bike pants really depend on how and where you ride.
For Long Climbs and Trail Riding
Comfort and freedom of movement are my biggest priorities.
The Patagonia Dirt Craft pants are fantastic here, while the Outdoor Research Freewheel pants offer a great balance of comfort and durability.
For Bike Parks and Shuttle Days
Durability becomes much more important.
When I’m riding steep downhill trails, practicing difficult features, or spending a full day at the bike park, I tend to reach for Ride NF, Outdoor Research, or Fox Defend.
For Rides Where You Remove Your Knee Pads
The Outdoor Research Freewheel pants win this category.
Being able to put on and remove knee pads without taking off your pants is incredibly convenient, especially when you’re climbing for an hour or more before a long descent.
Don’t Underestimate Fit
This might be the most important takeaway from this entire article.
You can buy the most expensive, most durable mountain bike pants on the market, but if they don’t fit your body properly, you’re probably not going to love wearing them.
That’s exactly why Ride NF and Fox Defend aren’t at the very top of my personal list, despite their excellent durability.
Do your best to try on as many MTB pants as you can before you buy. Or be prepared to order a few and ship them back if you don’t like them. They should feel great while riding or hanging out with your buddies after the ride.
So, What Are the Best Mountain Bike Pants?
For me, the Outdoor Research Freewheel MTB Pants are the best overall choice.
They strike the right balance between comfort, durability, and useful features.
But I still regularly wear several different pairs depending on the ride.
If we’re spending a lot of time pedaling, I love the Patagonia Dirt Craft pants. If we’re heading to the bike park or shuttling downhill trails, I’m more likely to grab the Ride NF DP4.5/5 pants.
And here’s one final piece of feedback from Emily: she thinks the Outdoor Research and Patagonia pants look the best.
So, there’s that, too! 😉
What Are Your Favorite MTB Pants?
We’re always riding, testing gear, and sharing our experiences on our blog and YouTube channel, The Vantastic Life.
If you’re into mountain biking, bike adventures, and finding gear that actually works, come check out our videos.
Watch The Vantastic Life on YouTube
And if you have a favorite pair of mountain bike pants that I didn’t mention, leave a comment below. I’m always interested in trying something new!
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