[Words by Pete Smith]
The Trail Storm WP Pants from SCOTT are the brand's waterproof bottoms for use in the stormiest of weather. While their cut and fit are exceptional, overall waterproofing is lacking and they can get rather toasty.
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Trail Storm WP Pants | The details
First impressions of the SCOTT pants are positive, they are very well constructed and robust with fully sealed and taped seams and a quality finish. They also fit well with a nice tailored cut around the hips and crotch and a slightly longer leg than most and plenty of room for my 7idp Sam Hill pads to be worn underneath, although bulkier pads would be a bit of a squeeze.
The waist is fastened by a nice secure double pop stud closure and features a quality fully taped and water-resistant zipper fly to keep those elements at bay. There are two decently deep, mesh-lined hip pockets with nice contrasting water-resistant zips - these are deep enough to swallow a good sized smartphone with ease and the handy pull tabs are an added bonus allowing easy access even when gloved.
They are available in 5 sizes - Small through to XXL - I'm usually a 36 waist in most brands, and the size large I’m testing fits me well. Waist adjustment is taken care of via a clever built-in internal belt system that allows easy cinching in or out but it lacks the micro-adjustability of a ratchet system or hook and loop fastening. The pre-shaped fit is quite relaxed but with a decent taper to the legs to ensure no drive train snagging and minimal flappage.
The colour scheme of my Tree Green and Copper Orange test trousers wouldn't be my first choice but they are available in a more subdued black/storm blue combo for those that prefer a slightly stealthier look.
Trail Storm WP Pants | On the trail
In use, the Scott Storm pants were very comfortable, and thanks to that great cut, I had no issues with saddle snags even when hanging off the back in the steeps. The added length in the legs was welcomed too, as it meant no breezy sock gap faux pas - it's just a shame the elasticated ankles don't have any form of adjustment to allow them to sit better over the tops of bulkier riding shoes, as this would prevent so much water and muck from running into them. Worn with a pair of waterproof socks and paired with a high top riding shoe would probably resolve the issue.
I used and abused these trousers during the test period - from just playing about in the woods, to full on soggy moorland yomps and a spot of uplift action, and generally, the weatherproof capability was impressive. Water beaded off them nicely and my legs stayed wonderfully dry and warm even during some big ol' high speed puddle splashes and downpours.
The waist sits fairly high at the back, offering a little extra protection from muck and water ingress, although I think it could actually be cut a little higher since these are wet weather riding pants where coverage is key.
The sealed zip pockets remained pretty much dry, with only a small amount of moisture finding its way in after a long wet day in the saddle. To be honest, this dampness more likely resulted from heat build-up internally, and sweat making its way in through the mesh pocket lining. It was never enough to be a problem, and I happily carried my phone in there, and apart from a little condensation on the screen, it stayed safe and dry.
However, I did find the pant's Achilles heel - occasionally on particularly filthy and wet rides, the waterproofing in the seat area could be overwhelmed, leading to a slightly damp bum! This was a little disappointing from what is supposedly a 'storm' proof trouser - but from experience, this is often a failure point in waterproof trousers/shorts due to it being in the direct firing line of muck and slop from the rear wheel, and is certainly not a fault unique to the Scott's.
I can also report that they are wearing very well, even after several wash cycles, although they don’t seem to bead water as well as they originally did. As with all DWR garments, a reproofing treatment is required from time to time to keep them performing at their best.
On to the main negative with the Trail Storm pants - Whilst Scott market them as breathable - and they certainly are - they do run a little warmer than the best in class. For late autumn and winter use they work brilliantly, offering some added warmth on those really nippy days. Unfortunately, as the mercury rises, the breathability claims fall a little short and I found them a bit sweaty and clammy. The previous iteration had some mesh venting behind the knees that aided heat management, but allowed for some leaks.
This year SCOTT has opted to dispense with any extra venting at all - besides the mesh lined pockets if left open - and this has been detrimental to their suitability for year round use if pedaling is on the agenda. I'd say anything much above 12°C and you'd be wishing you'd opted for something breezier, even if it meant sacrificing some water resistance. This is obviously compounded if worn in conjunction with knee pads.
Also, the lack of any reinforcement to the saddle area was a worry, perhaps a double layer of material in this high wear region would be beneficial in terms of longevity. Saying that, there are no obvious signs of wear as yet, thanks to that quality construction, but I did experience a damp bum on a few occasions on longer wetter rides that could possibly be remedied with an additional layer of material.
Trail Storm WP Pants | Value
This quality comes at a premium too, at £130, they are a fairly spendy investment. However, this is still a good deal cheaper than other top line alternatives from rival brands, such as the Fox Ranger 3L Water pants at £145 or Endura's MT500 waterproof trousers at a princely £180.
However, there are more affordable alternatives that still offer up a decent level of performance at a lower price point, such as the Madison DTE at £120 or Nukeproof's Blackline trail pants at just £80. However, from experience, the latter is much thinner and only offers a light DWR treatment, and is much more suited to drier warmer conditions.
Trail Storm WP Pants | Verdict
A few niggles aside, the SCOTT Trail Storm WP pants impressed with their quality construction, excellent fit, and decent, if not class-leading, wet weather performance. Only the occasional damp rear end and slightly subpar breathability hold them back as a viable year-round, all-day riding trouser.
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