Skip to main content

ION Shelter softshell pants


With winter in full swing, riding trousers make sense, especially if they’re as well thought out as these. Although ION call them ‘softshell’ pants, they’re lighter and stretchier than those words might have you imagine. This means that, although they add some warmth compared to a thick pair of shorts, they get nowhere near as stuffy as some softshell trousers we’ve tried. If you do start hotting up, there’s a zipped vent on each leg. They have a great fit too. The tailored, tapered legs are roomy enough to fit pads under and don’t get flappy when caked in mud. A zip at the bottom of each leg makes removing the trousers that bit easier. Velcro adjusters on the waistband ensure a snug fit, and there are two zipped hip pockets for essentials. The DWR coating helps keep water out for a time, but in torrential downpours the trousers will wet out eventually. Still, they’ll keep you protected from the odd heavy shower or persistent puddle splashes.

Price $195

Popular posts from this blog

ENVE M50 29" Wheels

Utah based company ENVE have been making drool-worthy carbon components for some years now. Despite the fact that carbon rims are becoming more and more common on mountain bikes these days, you can guarantee that ENVE wheels will be a talking point when someone is eyeing off a steed. Instantly, the big bold logos on each rim scream "fast", "light" and to some extent, "expensive" The kids call this 'bling'.

iXS Asper BC shorts

THEY AREN’T CHEAP, but these well made and feature packed shorts are the epitome of classic mountainbike-specific functionality, and on the bike they don’t disappoint.

KONA SHRED

With a reputation for no-nonsense ruggedness and a background in the always progressive and punishing riding of Canada, Kona have been building hardcore hardtails for longer than almost anyone else. The Shred is the most expensive bike on test but it’s a proper trail tank.

Gusset Magnum stem

SO GOOD Gusset’s 50mm stem is nicely CNC machined from 7075 alloy and the faceplate and internal steerer clamp are available in a range of five anodised colours to complement the black body. The hidden steerer clamp keeps sharp edges to a minimum and removes stress from the body of the stem. Out on the bike, the stem proved flex free and bombproof.

Fizik Thar Manganese Rail Saddle

The Fizik Thar is claimed to be the world's first 29er-specific saddle. Yep, you read that correctly, 29er specific. So what makes it so 29er specific?