I have been using a pair of Cramster riding pants for the last 9 years (including more than 3 years of daily use) and the heavy use at last took its toll and I was in market searching for a replacement.
My initial plan was to buy Rev'it Airwaves after seeing them in person (fellow member Sojogator uses them), but then I decided it is a risky proposition buying the pants without checking the fit so, I was looking for a pair of decent riding pants which I can check and buy locally.
Cramster was out of the equation due to recent stories of them going downhill on quality, so the options were either Rynox or Spartan. After initial round o f search and talking to few fellow riders, realized that Spartan have Knox knee armors, but Rynox Advento have Knox Knee and Hip armors and the knee armor is adjustable - rest all the features are more or less same. Went to LGU to try them and I liked them. The fit and finish are good and they come with a rain liner which is certainly useful for me. While checking out the pant, I realized that they have just one in stock in my size(XXL), so brought that on the spot. (That is when I met RedLiner at LGU).
After putting the pant through its paces for almost 15 hours, I am ready with a brief initial review of the same.
First, the good stuff:
- They are made tough and feels like it will stand the trial.
- The knee pads are adjustable and it is a huge boon. They are comfortable also - no digging into knee, no preassure points.
- The knee pads are big and covers both knee and shin.
- The hip armor fits well.
- The pants have a grippy material at the seat of the pants, which helps you grip the seat well.
- The have knee length zippers on the legs which helps me to drape them over my riding boots.
- Rain liner which can be worn over the pants.
Stuff which could have been better:
Mesh - the pants don't have any mesh areas to speak of. Yes, there are two panels which are covered by the fabric and can be opened up, but more about them later. Since the pants comes with a rain liner, it would have been great if there are some mesh panels to aid the air flow.
Now for the worst part of the pants - the 'Aero Flip' system.
Quote:
Open-able AERO-FLIP™ Mesh Panels to ensure maximum ventilation when needed.
AERO-FLIP™ mechanism yet again is a unique feature which not only ensure there is ventilation only when required but also ensure that dust and muck does not settle directly on your skin due to the Mesh openings while riding through a dusty terrain by allowing you to close the Mesh panel in just a flip while you are on the go
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But what the site don't tell is, you cant keep open the panel easily - while it is secure down with full length Velcro straps, it is kept open with the help of a single press button, and it is next to impossible to do it while wearing your gloves. On my pants, the fitting of button on one flap is loose, so it comes unhinged and flaps up and down when I ride. So, I can safely conclude that i will not be using the Aero Flip much.
But other than this minor irritant, I like the pants very much. Based on my initial impressions, the pants seems to be worth the price paid.
PS: I wear them as over-pants, over my formal pants to work.
Now, the pictures:
The front view
The back view
The Aero Flip Mechanism which hides the mesh area
The side opening to cover ankle length boots (?)
The knee length zippers
The adjusting mechanism
The knee & shin guard
The knee & shin guard on my knee
The hip armor
The thermal liner
--Anoop