Rapha’s Trail Gore-Tex Pants take all of the good things laid out by the well-reviewed Trail Pants and adds waterproof tech to achieve an excellent pair of winter riding trousers. The trousers blend waterproofing and breathability, however, the fit isn’t consistent with the Trail Pants, and they could do with more pockets and/or venting.
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Rapha Trail Gore-Tex Pants - Technical details
Compared to the Rapha Trail Pants and its many features and pockets, the Gore-Tex trousers take a simpler approach. To reach the brand’s waterproofing goals, these get fully taped seams, a Gore-Tex waterproof fabric and a DWR coating. That fabric is 70 denier, too, offering a touch of abrasion resistance which is important when covered in filth.
Upping the wet-weather goodness is a rear hanger loop that allows easy drying. Elsewhere are the usual features, including a cam lock fastening waistband and what Rapha says is an ergonomic fit. In practice, the trousers are articulated for comfort and manoeuvrability when on the bike. The knees are reinforced and work best with the brand's own knee pads.
Finishing off the Gore-Tex Pants are two hand pockets and a zip and slide-button closure.
Rapha Trail Gore-Tex Pants - Performance
Having given the regular Trail Pants a rather glowing review, expectations of the Gore-Tex version were high and for the most part, they were met. When slipping the trousers on for the first time, it was clear that the fit was different. The articulation is obvious when sliding my feet past the knees but around the upper thigh and the waist, these trousers are slimmer fitting than their non-waterproof counterparts. However, once on the bike and deep into the ride, the tightness posed no issue but it’ll be worth double-checking the sizing before you invest.
When on and out on the bike the fabric’s breathability is immediate and quite impressive for a waterproof trouser with no vents. Then, with that breathability in mind, the trouser’s waterproofing prowess is to be admired. These pants confidently shrug off all manners of dampness with absolutely zero water ingress and, as a result of the combination of breathability and weather protection, the Rapha Trail Gore-Tex Pants will make an excellent choice for late autumn, all winter and early spring riding.
While breathability is great, things can get a little toasty around the knees. On top of that, the fabric does little to expel moisture so things can get damp underneath. However, I’ll admit, warm sweat from the inside is better than cold rain from the outside. Because of this, I can’t help but think that some ventilation would solve this issue. There’s absolutely none present on these trousers and I can understand why – any gap in the fabric is an opportunity for water to get in but the Gore-Tex Pants could do with some method of exhausting damp air.
Something that I liked about the Trail Pants is that they were littered with pockets. They even had pockets inside of pockets. The Trail Gore-Tex Pants omit two of the pockets, which again is understandable from a waterproofing point of view but the two hand pockets that are present aren’t zipped or taped, so there’s no actual waterproofing here at all. This has made me a little nervous riding in the rain all Rapha’d up with my Trail Inifinum Jacket as there’s nothing stopping water from running off a jacket and into the pockets but that would be an extreme scenario.
But on the bike, the cut of these pants is spot on. Never during any riding situation did the trousers become uncomfortable, hinder the range of movement or show any tight spots. So the only real area of contention is in their price.
Rapha Trail Gore-tex Pants - Verdict
The £250 price tag does make the trousers a more premium option as pants such as the Troy Lee Designs Resists come in at £160. They’re solidly waterproof and their fabric is Bluesign-approved, which is a plus for the environmentally conscious. There’s also a pair of zipped vents that allow for extra airflow.
Endura’s much-loved MT500 Waterproof MTB Trousers II are priced at £190, making them another desirable but cheaper option. These get an ExoShell30DR three-layer fabric and like the Trail Gore-Tex Pants, they’re articulated and get durable seat and axle areas. There are also zipped, mesh-lined thigh vents.
So it goes without saying, the Rapha Trail Gore-Tex Pants are pricier than some of the competition. Still, you are getting a well-made and premium product that balances impressive breathability with waterproofing, making for a pair of waterproof trousers that fit the bill for all kinds of winter riding. They’re not perfect, however, as it would be great to see extra venting to help expel moist air and beat sweat. It’ll also be worth double-checking the sizing before dropping the cash.