Best cycling trousers for a dry and comfortable bike ride

Battling the elements on your bike with exposed legs can make for an uncomfortable ride, so it’s worth investing in a pair of cycling trousers.

There are loads of styles to consider, from waterproof loose fitting designs to wear over layers (good for commuting), to more fitted stretchy trousers that offer greater aerodynamics.

Cycling trousers often have useful features such as articulated knees for unrestricted movement and built-in shoe covers to keep your feet dry, so they tend to be much more suited to riding than a regular pair of waterproof trousers.

We’ve rounded up a list of the best cycling trousers around, at a range of price points, so you can find a suitable match for your cycling habits and budget. Products have been picked based on in-depth research, industry knowledge and analysis of user reviews.

For wet weather cycling tips, discover how to cycle in the rain and cope with wet conditions.

Best cycling trousers for 2022

Gore Wear Men’s Gore-Tex Paclite Pants

Keep these men’s Gore-Tex cycling trousers handy and be prepared for any downpours. Promising a lightweight design you can stuff in your pocket, these waterproof cycling trousers aim to protect you from the wind as well as the rain, so they’re likely to work well for blustery days.

They promise to be breathable, too, in an effort to avoid them feeling too stuffy when you’re cycling, especially when you’re wearing layers underneath.

We like the slim look, too, making them one of the more stylish options in our roundup.

• Check out the best waterproof socks for running and cycling

Gore Wear C5 Women’s GTX Active Trail Pants

For a Gore Wear women’s design, give these cycling trousers a go. Designed for winter rides, this design again offers windproof and waterproof protection.

If you prefer a tighter style of cycling trouser, this pair feature an adjustable hem and pre-shaped knees for a more fitted look.

• For more women’s cycling gear, take a look at the best women’s cycling jerseys

Proviz Nightrider Waterproof Cycling Trousers

Proviz is a solid choice for hi-vis cycling gear, so its waterproof cycling trousers are worth considering for those miserable dark and wet commutes.

The neon yellow design and reflective trims and logos help increase visibility for safe cycling, and the lower leg zips and drawstring waist is designed to allow for a comfortable and snug fit.

You can also buy them in black if you’d prefer a more subtle design for lighter evenings.

These cycling trousers are fairly loose and baggy, so you can pop them over your shorts or leggings and enjoy dry gear when you stop for a coffee break on a long cycle. Just don’t expect them to be aerodynamic in any way!

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Altura Esker Trail Trousers

Featuring a tapered leg design and elasticated cuffs, these cycling trousers from Altura offer a practical design. As an added bonus, the trousers have articulated knees to allow for increased freedom of movement while pedalling and are designed to offer a bit of stretch too, so you shouldn’t feel too restricted.

The zipped thigh pocket is a useful addition and an easy way to keep your essentials close by.

Weather protection comes in the form of a durable water repellent (DWR) coating, which you’ll need to reapply periodically if you want these trousers to continue shedding rain.

Rapha Technical Cycling Trousers

For an ultra stylish pick, consider this Rapha design. The beauty of this particular style is the fact you don’t have to worry about a change of clothing as they’re not overly athletic in appearance. Just hop off your bike and carry on with your plans.

It’s worth noting, these cycling trousers are more suited to city bike rides, whether that’s your commute or part of a weekend away, rather than for training purposes. Saying that, Rapha promises a hard-wearing, quick-drying and highly breathable fabric so they should be practical too.

Fjallraven Rider’s Hybrid Trousers

• Buy now for women from Cotswold Outdoor (£140.00)
• Buy now for men from Cotswold Outdoor (£140.00)

Another pair of cycling trousers you could wear to a café or pub with ease. Fjallraven’s cycling trousers are packed with desirable features, boasting pre-shaped knees and reflective details.

They use the brand’s G-1000 Lite Eco Stretch fabric, which can be waxed for extra weather protection, yet offer a relaxed, chino-style look.

There’s no front seam for added comfort, a nice touch that’s sure to be a welcomed feature on long rides.

BTWIN Cycling Overtrousers

A budget-friendly option to pop over your shorts or leggings on a rainy commute. The built-in shoe covers are an unusual and welcomed feature that let you keep your feet dry. You can fold the shoe covers up into the leg of the trousers when it’s dry enough.

There are five different sizes to choose from, and at such great value, these cycling trousers are a useful emergency pair of waterproofs to have in the bottom of your bag, though they’re best suited to commuting.

Endura MT500 Burner Cycling Trousers

There are plenty of mountain biking trousers around, too, so if you’re often hitting the trails for some off-season fun, it could be worth finding a specialised pair. You can wear your knee pads with this design, thanks to the extra room provided, and the four way stretch fabric should ensure a comfortable fit.

They’ve also been treated with a DWR coating to help shed rain.

• Keep your bike in sparkly clean condition after a mucky ride with our list of the best bike cleaners.