I’m looking for some soft shell winter trousers that I can use for bikepacking. The closest I’ve found to what I want is the Montane soft shell trousers that you can tighten around boots at the ankle. I want similar but in a cycling cut and materials in the right places.

I’ve got road winter bib tights and MTB winter windproof trousers but the bib tights are too tight (Lycra) and the MTB trousers I’ve found have very narrow ankles you can’t fit boots underneath and are baggy around the thighs, they also tend to have too many and huge brand logos on. Wanted something more casual/outdoor focused, warm, windproof and can fend off a shower.

Thoughts and ideas?

(Maybe I should just buy some Montane soft shell mountain trousers after all )

Thanks

RAB Cinder, but they ain't cheap.

boxelder wrote: ↑Sun Dec 03, 2023 6:33 pm RAB Cinder, but they ain't cheap.

Thanks for the suggestion, however I saw a pair of those in Glasgow. The ankle is too narrow so seems it would be difficult to fit over boots. Also for hip width the length seems short, so when pedalling could lift above boots (even their web pictures of the trousers, show the ankle riding high when in a cycling position) I think this is a design so lower leg of trousers don’t touch gear system and chain. However, has less weather protection around the ankle. When I was in Glasgow the montane ones seem better designed for inclement weather conditions.

Have you got a pair?

Have you considered gaiters for the lower part so that you aren't so concerned with the length?

i have bought 2 pairs recently. i got a pair for here in the UK, and a pair foe a trip to Norway i have coming up.

wore these yesterday and minus 7 on a 50 miles fatbike ride....... pretty perfect,
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/men-s-wat ... 023&c=grey

and these are for Norway trip.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/men-s-war ... 00&c=black

ton wrote: ↑Sun Dec 03, 2023 7:17 pm i have bought 2 pairs recently. i got a pair for here in the UK, and a pair foe a trip to Norway i have coming up.

wore these yesterday and minus 7 on a 50 miles fatbike ride....... pretty perfect,
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/men-s-wat ... 023&c=grey

and these are for Norway trip.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/men-s-war ... 00&c=black

Those ones for Norway look great! Quite tempting to get some

Craghoppers "steall" trousers...

https://www.craghoppers.com/mens-steall ... HsQAvD_BwE

Nice fleecy lining, pockets with storm flaps and generous ankle size - available in different leg lengths, too (Yay!)
When you get caught in the rain, they look like they've wetted out almost instantly, but it doesn't seem to get through to your legs. Within a few minutes of getting into a dry environment, they're almost dry.
I commute in mine, throughout the winter.