NF pants

They are as good as people say. The new DP5 are a bit smaller than last version I am told. The small was a bit tight in the leg but the medium are perfect. Only problem now is I need a second pair I like them so much.

Elastic waist doesn't drive you bananas? 

I just couldn't take having my stomach strangled with no way to loosen it, even sized up.

the elastic waist band is the best part, it never feels bad. I've got DP3's and the light weight version and they're both great.

yer. love the waist design on NF's - so comfy. trying to avert my gaze towards the dp5's - i've got dp2's, dp3's & berzerkers; they're all so solidly built, i don't foresee the need to replace any time soon, however...

Posted by: Hepcat

Elastic waist doesn't drive you bananas? 

I just couldn't take having my stomach strangled with no way to loosen it, even sized up.

That was my thought. How could a boxer waist be good? I don’t buy clothes online without knowing the garment will fit. Local shop had them. Tried a small, too tight in the thighs but the waist wasn’t too bad. Medium felt perfect. And there is a belt tunnel too if you need a belt.

Got a pair of NF shorts last summer and I now can't ride anything but NF. The fit is unreal. I now have two shorts, two jerseys and two pants. Once you go NF, you can't go back. LoL

Posted by: andy-eunson

Posted by: Hepcat

Elastic waist doesn't drive you bananas? 

I just couldn't take having my stomach strangled with no way to loosen it, even sized up.

That was my thought. How could a boxer waist be good? I don’t buy clothes online without knowing the garment will fit. Local shop had them. Tried a small, too tight in the thighs but the waist wasn’t too bad. Medium felt perfect. And there is a belt tunnel too if you need a belt.

I imagine they save a good bit in manufacturing too by eliminating all of the business around the waist like a fly, buttons adjustable waist and all that.

Locally made and the quality and general fit are very high, but the waist is wide and robust and has little give. Trying before buying to get the waist size right is a must I'd say.

I had a trail builder sponsor thing where I got a couple pairs, but for my climb-and-suffer style I just couldn't take not adjusting the waist.

For pure shutting or chairlift riding with just the right waist size I bet they'd be terrific. They're certainly popular.

Posted by: tashi

Posted by: heathen

Got a pair of NF shorts last summer and I now can't ride anything but NF. The fit is unreal. I now have two shorts, two jerseys and two pants. Once you go NF, you can't go back. LoL

Better than 7Mesh?

Glidepath pants are magic, I have no idea how they fit so well and how they managed to make pockets that actually function on the bike.

On the whole I would say the NF's are more comfortable - but that doesn't make them outright better than the 7Mesh.  I flip flop back and forth on which I prefer - and it's all because I have two critiques with my DP's...

1. The phone pocket is on the right thigh and being left handed I'd prefer to keep my phone on left thigh (Glidepaths have a pocket on each thigh).

2. The weight of the DP3 makes them a 10.5 month pant.  They're too hot to wear for about 6 weeks in July/August (Glidepath are in my opinion the perfect weight).

I also have critiques with the Glidepath but I put them right up there with the NF.

Although I have heard that the newer versions (lightweight pant and DP4) address my two critiques.

A critique of both pants would be that they are expensive enough and well made enough that I can't afford to replace them over small critiques and they will probably last for years and years.

Posted by: tashi

Posted by: heathen

Got a pair of NF shorts last summer and I now can't ride anything but NF. The fit is unreal. I now have two shorts, two jerseys and two pants. Once you go NF, you can't go back. LoL

Better than 7Mesh?

Glidepath pants are magic, I have no idea how they fit so well and how they managed to make pockets that actually function on the bike.

I have no experience with 7Mesh, but I have had plenty of Fox, Race Face, Chromag trousers and the NF are by far the most comfortable. The waistband is the biggest difference. Every other brand has a stiff waist that relies on a belt or sinch straps. The NF elastic waistband is so much better. The only caveat to that is you have to read their fit chart. As my buddy found out twice. The chart is super accurate.

Posted by: tashi

Yeah most of those fail in some way but the 7Mesh pants somehow cinch down nicely while still being comfortable and don’t sag, even when my belly got a little big(er) for a bit there recently.  Dad belly fucks up pants fit like nothing else I’m discovering.

I feel you on the dad bod. I got the pony keg and a white girl bum, so pant want to fall right off me. NF are the first shorts and pants I have owned that just stay put.

Posted by: tashi

Yeah most of those fail in some way but the 7Mesh pants somehow cinch down nicely while still being comfortable and don’t sag, even when my belly got a little big(er) for a bit there recently. Dad belly fucks up pants fit like nothing else I’m discovering.

The two pairs of NF's I had went to me, a pretty lean but very wide waisted person, and to my buddy who is so thin it hurts- like the body fat of an ant. Neither of us jived with the non-adjustable waist for climbing, we ended up just using our old pants and donating the NF's back in as-new condition. We were both between sizes, which is pretty easy to do I'd wager, as an inch off is going to be about an inch off permanently without an adjustable waist feature.

Try on in store, touch your toes, breathe deeply and do some jazzercise to ensure a close to perfect waist fit before purchase. Might require stalking as sizes can be out of stock at the North Shore shops, at least they were for the summer month I hunted.

I'd wager that buying purely online could result in a fail. I had both sizes bracketing my waist size, and the closest one was off by a good margin. They're beautiful pants, definitely worth the effort to try on in person.

Those 6-day pants look like a good all around on-bike off-bike pant.  Intriguing.

The waist band really propels the NF gear from great to excellent. It's always great to buy locally as well.

I have the DP3 for dust/bike park and colder weather, the Berserkers for very cold and outdoor work, the shorts for when I prefer shorts. I started with a discounted set of DP3s and it jut snowballed from there....
For hot/lightweight I have the Patagonia dirt roamers which have been the only other short/waistband combo I've been able to get on with.

Their "racing" or Quikstrike tops are probably the best I've worn outside of a very old Race Face ruxton top.

Posted by: gdharries

I recently bought and had to return a pair of the NF 6-day pants. I'm moderately tall (6'3"), 195 lbs. and have a 37" inseam. I had read online that NF pants are on the shorter side, so I ordered a 2XL pair to get the extra length.

Upon trying them on at home, I realized how short, and wide the pants were. If you're tall and thinner, maybe not the ideal fit.

The XL would have fit better waist-wise, but would presumably be even shorter.

FYI NF offers tall sizing https://ridenf.com/collections/new-arrivals/products/dp4-5team but they're often out of stock. XLT has been out of stock since the spring. It feels like right now would be a sensible time for them to restock.

I'm built like you and also find that all mountain bike clothing is short and wide: big through the waist yet very trim through the thigh and biceps. I guess the brands know who really butters their bread. Shout out to well dressed dad bods!