REVIEW
Specialized/Fjallraven Rider's Hybrid Trousers
Growing up in New Zealand, going to high school at the dawn of the 1980s meant that you got pretty damn used to wearing short pants. All the time. School uniform rules dictated that in summer our uniform included grey cotton shorts of a specific brand and hemmed well above the knees. In wintertime, hems crept down an inch or two to somewhere slightly below mid thigh, and material was a grey serge wool.
None of us complained much about it, since we were all in the same boat; skinning our knees when grass slides got a bit gravelly, burning the insides of our legs while ripping around before class on our dirt bikes that we'd poached across the paddocks to the edge of school, trying to ignore the frost on the ground every winter morning that wasn't bucketing down rain but wondering why we couldn't actually feel our legs for months at a time...
Jumping from that upbringing to hiking and then mountain biking, long pants just weren't really something I thought about when it came to being active. I had been wearing short pants my entire life and was having trouble enough coming to terms with the new trouser-friendly reality of adulthood in America, let alone contemplating something other than letting the legs breathe when it came to any sort of exertion.
Old habits die hard. It took me at least two decades to accept that knee warmers are a good thing, and that so are knee pads when it comes to riding in sharp places. So, no surprise here, I was really late getting the memo about long riding pants.
Blah blah blah... Anyway, I finally let go of my past stubbornness about five or six years ago, and started wearing "trousers" as part of my mountain bike attire. But since I don't go full-send, I couldn't get my head around dressing full-send. But I couldn't wear hiking pants either, although I did dabble with a pair of Kuhl lightweight ripstop Nylon things that were great until they, umm, ripped. That led me to a succession of cycling-minded pants, ranging from Club Ride to Ketl to Patagonia, usually bequeathed to me without much thought during some random industry/media product bombardment. I generally loved them all, because this whole wearing pants thing felt like such a novelty.
Then I saw these subtle beauties last fall, and for the first time in my entire life, I coveted some velocipede-specific long pants. Behold, the Specialized/Fjallraven Rider's Hybrid Trousers!
Okay, the name is a handful. But these pants are rad. In a subdued way. The Specialized/Fjallraven Exchange is a collaboration between the Swedish outdoor apparel brand and the bike company in Morgan Hill, California that gets kinda lofty in stating its premise and also manages to spit out some items of clothing that are possibly the most awesome and simultaneously terrible things I have ever seen. I'm not really sure what the end game is with this collab (personally, I suspect Erik Nohlin at Specialized has some bike riding Swedish homies working at Fjallraven, and they all wanted some safari suits to ride in, and bam!), and it's loosely marketed toward the adventure/gravel/reformed fixie/other cycling population, but I don't really care either. I dig these pants.
It is entirely possible that we all have a very different idea of what is rad and what is not rad. Our personal arcs of radness do not really need to match each other. That said, here is why I think these trousers are rad:
Color: (Yes, this matters!) They are available in this unobtrusive color, somewhere between sage and olive, referred to on the Specialized website as "green". This color naming convention alone earns these pants an A+ in my book. Around here, this shade of green makes the wearer blend in real well with all the oak moss and sage. These are visually very, very quiet trousers. Sometimes, this is important.
Materials: Fjallraven's G-1000 Eco Lite fabric is a blend of recycled polyester and organic cotton, with ripstop threads woven in, lightly waxed for some degree of water resistance. It's super light, it flexes and moves really well, it breathes. It's not waterproof; allegedly it can be further waxed to improve water resistance, but it's still not intended as foul weather gear. However, when used to make the front half of these, it's sweet. It won't keep you toasty warm on a snow day, but it does a decent job of minimizing windchill and handling tire spray and you won't cook your brains out once the thermometer starts to climb.
Features: Blissfully few of these. Nice deep diagonal pockets on both front hips, as well as zippered, vented thigh pockets big enough to swallow an iPhone 12 with enough room for some car keys and a gel pack or two and a wad of cash. Nice rubber tips on all zipper pulls. Belt loops. Subtle reflective piping on the lower outside of each leg, as well as more reflective piping that can be revealed by rolling up the cuff.
Fit: A broad swath of "semi-elastic" material runs around the backside of the pant waist leaving the front side of the trouser smoother and more comfortable to various stomach, errr, profiles. Articulated knee seams and a slim cut keep do a good job of accommodating my chicken legs. I'd describe the fit as super comfortable slim-normal; not baggy at all but nowhere near skinny jean turf either. They stay up well when pedaling, even when wearing slippery bib shorts underneath.
Finish throughout is very nice, superb stitching on all seams, subtle but nice styling touches in the mashed up Fjallraven/Specialized logo. They look kinda classy, which is something I have never really aspired to, but it's also something I never really thought I'd say about any piece of bike apparel.
Things that might bat against the S/FRHT (for the sake of brevity):
The cut is a bit snug for knee pads. I can get my slim Pearl Izumi pads in, or Specialized Atlas pads, but I can feel them. "Real" pads would in no way fit inside this cut.
These aren't exactly designed for crashing in. I mean, you can, I have, but they might be a hair underbuilt for regular and repeated soil sampling.
They're on sale on the Specialized website right now, but that doesn't mean they are cheap. $110US gets you trousered, down from $160US. That puts the S/FRHT on the same dollar landscape as something like Dakine Thrillium pants, which are definitely a lot more "engineered." The Dakines, in a head to head comparison, would be a much more appropriate item of attire for going full send.
But since I'm not really very sendy, these'll do juuuuust fine by me. They've become my go-to riding kit from fall into this winter, for everything from sloppy mountain bike rides to chilly groad sessions. I feel like I am invisible, in a good way. Now I gotta figure out how to justify one of them field suits...
Comments
Flatted-again
1 year, 7 months ago
The model they used for that green field suit missed the chance to wear a monocle and a safari hat. If I was more confident I'd wear that and a tan helmet then yell 'SMASHING' the entire ride.
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Mike Ferrentino
1 year, 7 months ago
The bucket hat may not convey full pith helmet commitment, but it is going in the right direction. I'm a little sad that there aren't an monacle/pipe accessory options down the store scroll...
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Flatted-again
1 year, 7 months ago
I bet there's a talented painter out there that can make a full-face look like a pith hat, pipe, and monocle.
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Velocipedestrian
1 year, 7 months ago
Troy Lee for Radavist crowd, you're onto something!
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Pete Roggeman
1 year, 7 months ago
Paging Cy Whitling...
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mrbrett
1 year, 7 months ago
Are they serious about the field suits?
I just can't tell any more if some of these products are real.
Further, if Specialized is serious about the Fjal-d Suits, why isn't there a pith helmet to go with? And if they are kidding, why isn't there a pith helmet to go with?
This is really making me concerned about the state of cycling.
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ChristopherO
1 year, 7 months ago
The link to the field suit is the best part of the article and made me create an account after 20 years! Now THAT would have been a sweet review.
Although this is old news to 007.
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Mike Ferrentino
1 year, 7 months ago
To all of this: Yes.
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tashi
1 year, 7 months ago
So, they're ridiculous, ya? I agree with you buuuuuuuut:
As a grown man who now proudly owns TWO sweatsuit onesies, I can now see the potential in a garment like this. Take the tidiness of pants and extend it to the whole body and combine it with the comfort of a onesie - there's potential there I think. I could see wearing bibs, light knee pads, a wicking top and a onesie made from the stuff my Glidepath pants are made of on fall thorough spring rides.
Making it look good? I dunno bout that.
Making it fit people? Even harder than pants vs. shorts cause now you have upper body dimensions to handle.
Much of an advantage over separates? Not really, but options are always nice, particularly when it comes to clothes.
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Ride.DMC
1 year, 7 months ago
I bought my kids Muddy Buddies when they were younger and I have to say the premise is sound. It would be very applicable for riding in the PNW from late September to mid-June most years.
One of the reasons I prefer riding in pants year round is so that the post ride clean-up is so much easier. A full on onesie could be pretty rad (but not aesthetically).
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tashi
1 year, 7 months ago
Ya, dropping my kids into Muddy Buddies is what started me rethinking how I felt about onesies.
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cxfahrer
1 year, 7 months ago
For me still shorts - those Fjällraven pants are only available in 32" inseam regardless the waist (they have up to a 42" waist!!) . I need 36" inseam at least. 33/38 in jeans. 34/32 look like clown pants, tried on a Norrona last time...
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Mike Ferrentino
1 year, 7 months ago
I hadn't even clocked that, thanks for pointing it out! Usually, pants go the other way for me - too long and I have to roll the cuffs up. That is a bit strange that they are all the same length. Most of the pants on the Fjallraven website list different lengths, but that is not an option for this trouser on their site. Bummer.
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Cr4w
1 year, 7 months ago
That's because all mountain bikers are identical. TBH I don't know why they even bother making them in sizes other than medium.
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cyclotoine
1 year, 7 months ago
I'm nowhere near that but most "32" inseam riding pants are too short for my liking. I have a pair of Arc'teryx Gamma LT in the medium tall (note that they now come in numerical sizes) and these are the best riding pants I have found for me. I'd say the 35" inseam is a bit long for me and might still be a bit short for you, but they've been great for me so far. Not being riding specific they are a bit tight with knee pads, but still work.
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Cr4w
1 year, 7 months ago
I'm definitely speaking from the tall side but it just makes sense to offer pants in two lengths. Pants with good stretch could come in 32" and 35" inseam. That would cover the vast majority.
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Vik Banerjee
1 year, 7 months ago
I stop looking/reading when I see a 32" inseam. I can't do the short pants.
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mudhoney
1 year, 7 months ago
So, yet another clothing review and not a mention of whether or not there's a women's version (there is). So when is NSMB actually going to have women review the counterpart to the men's options? I seem to recall a bit ago that NSMBA said they'd be more inclusive, but I have yet to see any evidence of significant change.
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tashi
1 year, 7 months ago
This comment has been removed.
Mike Ferrentino
1 year, 7 months ago
That's on me, and my apologies. There is a women's version: https://www.specialized.com/us/en/womens-specialized-fjllrven-riders-hybrid-trousers/p/221240?color=363125-221240
I can't speak for the deeper mechanics of trying to source multiple items of gear for each specific review, let alone finding the writers, editing their work, synching their timing, getting the photos, and making it all come together. That probably comes across sounding like cisgendered middle aged excuse making. I'll shut up now, since I'm just some dude living in the woods writing about things that catch my eye. But you are right; more female and other voices would be welcome.
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Pete Roggeman
1 year, 7 months ago
It's a legitimate question. We had a female reviewer whose life was proving too tough to fit in the writing. Karin Grubb is reviewing the odd piece for us, and we have a new, yet to be named female reviewer. Finding good reviewers - male or female - is difficult. They need to be observant, sharp, understand what they're writing about (most 'reviews' you'll find on the internet are just people copying and pasting product attributes and adding one or two personal quibbles, which is not a review) and, importantly, be able to write well.
Counterpart reviews are a great idea, but in real life, the reality of coordinating that would be difficult in most cases. Not to say we won't try it! Thanks for the feedback.
*I do feel like this might be a good time to point out the difference between us and the NSMBA. Not sure if that was an autocorrect/typo, but for anyone else reading this that may not know, NSMB is us - the magazine - and the NSMBA is the Association aka Trail Advocacy group here on the shore.
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mudhoney
1 year, 7 months ago
Thanks for the reply Pete! That's fantastic news on a new female reviewer, really glad to hear it. I enjoy Karin's reviews (but it's been awhile, and she does have a full time job outside of writing for NSMB).
I'm less concerned about a counterpart review for the specific equivalent women's gear (though obviously that would be great when it works out), but would like to see more reviews from women, especially on women's gear/clothing. Some companies will get the fit right with men's but miss it with women's clothing (or vice versa). Even just knowing how clothing might fit different body types is good information to have - allowing folks to know what might work best for them. And fit information is rarely able to be transferred from men's clothing to women's.
I'll admit that I've actually thought about going back through all of the NSMB clothing reviews to see how many reviews have been on women's gear, and when the last review on women's clothing was, but I haven't quite been bored enough yet to do it ;)
The fact that NSMB reviewers actually test the products and provide good info on how the product performs (good and bad), and of course how gear fits, is really great.
Perhaps for a start, clothing reviews could incorporate a note if there is a women's version & provide a link to it.
(And yes, autocorrect re nsmb vs nsmbA, thanks for catching that! I definitely know better, oops :-) )
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Pete Roggeman
1 year, 7 months ago
Appreciate all the thoughts and input. Linking and mentioning what gear is available in women's sizing is something we've done sporadically - there's no reason not to do it in every case. We'll make sure that happens.
As for more reviews from women, couldn't agree more.
On the fit check, your comment spurned an idea. Hope to have more news on that soon.
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4Runner1
1 year, 7 months ago
It’s just fun to refer to pants as trousers.
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Hbar
1 year, 7 months ago
Are these slacks?
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fartymarty
1 year, 7 months ago
Growing up in NZ pants were pants (just like the rest of the world) however in the UK (current abode) pants are what everyone else calls underpants.... something went wrong somewhere...
As an expat Kiwi I'm still a die hard shorts fan but do ride in pants / long trousers / slacks in winter.
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69tr6r
1 year, 7 months ago
I've been wearing the Wrangler pants from Wal-Mart, and while they are pretty good and very cheap ($25), They do wear out rather quickly. I noticed wear and pilling in the crotch and thigh area after maybe 10 or 12 rides. I would also like to have some water proofing, especially on the thighs, because that's where you get wet when it starts to rain. These Specialized pants look pretty nice.
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cheapondirt
1 year, 7 months ago
Aligns perfectly with my experience of those pants. I like them enough to buy three pairs, but they turn ratty faster than you'd hope.
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Adrian Bostock
1 year, 7 months ago
I bought a pair of “riding pants” last year in expectation of a long damp fall season, then it went from dust to snow in about three weeks. While some nights the idea of the warmth provided seemed like a good idea while leaving the house, in practice I find long pant as too warm for anything above 10c.
while I am glad mountain bike fashion has moved beyond loud jerseys and spandex, or loud jerseys and super baggy shorts, I kind of gravitate towards the cut off trousers and tee shirt aesthetic that’s really only functional in the heart of summer.
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Mike Ferrentino
1 year, 7 months ago
I have a long history with overheating, heat stroke, sunstroke... basically all bets are off with my ability to maintain any sort of athletic composure once the temperature rises above 80. I used to wager against my inability to process heat with the fact that I could go full throttle all day long in cold weather wearing nothing but spandex underwear. I remember making fun of people wearing knee warmers or knickers. Then my knees started hurting. Then cold weather started hurting. And now my comfortable exertion zone is somewhere between 65 and 75 degrees fahrenheit. Time to harden up.
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Adrian Bostock
1 year, 7 months ago
65f-75f is the goldilocks zone for cycling. that’s 18c to 23c to save the canadians a google search.
cold / soar knees are what lead me to buy riding pants. mostly what I find as I get older is that my tolerance of being uncomfortable has decreased more than my ability to handle the temperature. Can vs want. Again, riding pants, but the theory has not meet reality in the short window I have used them. maybe next fall will be long, damp and glorious!
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Mike Ferrentino
1 year, 7 months ago
Thanks for doing the math Adrian! Glad to know I'm not the only one feeling the shrinking window of comfort that comes alongside the march of time. Knowing that even hardcore tree planting, China exploring mutants like you are experiencing it makes me feel slightly less like a wilting daisy.
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ReformedRoadie
1 year, 7 months ago
The last several riding pants are not designed specifically for riding. Last example being a pair of North Face pants - slim fit, tapered ankles, 4 way stretch, DWR treated…$24 at Sierra.
No worse than the $115 Endura pair I have.
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Ride.DMC
1 year, 7 months ago
The look on the face of the guy modeling that Field Suit says it all. He'd rather be anywhere else in anything else.
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Pete Roggeman
1 year, 7 months ago
Isn't that just the face most models are taught to use?
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North_Shore_Dirt_Farmer
1 year, 7 months ago
That field suit has my name written all over. Just think of all the ladies you could pull at the trail head wearing that thing.
Edit: for anybody in search of a deal on riding pants FortNine has the Troy Lee Skyline pants on sale at close to half price for $95 CDN
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Velocipedestrian
1 year, 7 months ago
Using the Datum in the header photo is a tease, we want more!
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Mike Ferrentino
1 year, 7 months ago
Soon enough. I need a few more weeks.
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