I've called the Pacific NorthWET home for 15 years now. Around here, the rain rolls in by October and drapes everything in gloom until the end of April. Even then, the occasional rainy day pops up to keep us on our toes and the foliage green. All that to say, I’m well-acquainted with riding in the rain—whether it’s a friendly drizzle or a full-on “might as well have gone swimming” deluge.
I’ve been on a quest for a decent pair of waterproof cycling pants for ages. I know, I know—rain pants are supposedly for commuters, mountain bikers, and those doing recon laps on a muddy cyclocross course. But hear me out: when it’s pouring like a broken fire hydrant and your fenders are redirecting road spray straight onto your shins, lycra –even the insulated kind– offers little in the way of protection. Sometimes, I just want that extra layer against the elements. And yes, I’ve tried several of those high-tech bib tights with their fancy coatings promising some protection. But none of them are truly waterproof. They end up soaking through and then cling to the moisture like a sponge. (If you have discovered the Holy Grail of waterproof tights, drop it in the comments below.)
So, pants it is. But the ones that actually keep you dry are usually either too warm for anything faster than a commuter pace or too baggy—loudly flapping around in the wind and risking a disastrous tangle with the drivetrain. I continued my quest this winter, and so far, the Gorewear Endure GORE-TEX pants are the best contenders. They’re still not as comfortable as bib tights, but they’ve definitely earned their place in my rainy-day survival kit.
Gorewear Endure GORE-TEX Pants - Details
- Hero material: GORE-TEX PACLITE® PLUS-Technology
- Adjustable waistband with drawcord
- Silicone gripper on the back waistband
- Abrasion-resistant seat panel
- Waterproof side zip pocket
- Ankle zipper for easy on and off
- Snap buttons to ankle width
- Reflective details
- Packs into its own pocket
- Weight: 172 grams
- Price: Was $260, on sale for $150
On the road/trail
I am a longtime fan of GOREWEAR products. When it comes to rainwear, it’s truly some of the best stuff on the market. Sadly, the best products – like my beloved Shakedry jacket– contain PFAS materials and are being replaced with more environmentally friendly products. These pants, made with GORE-TEX Paclite Plus material, are among them. But if you’re not in California or New York and you can get these pants shipped to you, now’s the time to do it. They’re already made, after all. The eco-friendly thing to do for Planet Earth now is to use them, maintain them and keep them from going into landfill.
Gorewear is replacing the Endure pants with the Lupra GORE-TEX Pants, which are exactly the same in terms of style and fit but feature the new ePE membrane, which is PFAS-free.
As far as I can tell, these pants are an evolution of the former Paclite pants, which were pretty popular and for good reason. The Endure pants are marketing as being lightweight, robust and breathable thanks to the 2.5-layer GORE-TEX Paclite Plus material. They’re also durably waterproof, totally windproof and packable. So packable, in fact, that they can be stowed into their own side pocket and tossed in your handlebar bag for when the weather turns; they weigh just 172 grams and take up little more space than an iPhone.
The pants fit loosely but not overly baggy. They’re not quite a jogger fit like 7Mesh Glidepath pants but the ankle features a zipper closure behind a storm flap as well as two different snap buttons allowing you to adjust the hem width around the ankle. They’re certainly not going to get in the way of your drivetrain but they do rustle a little in the wind. The looseness does make them super easy to pull on and off if you’re on the go.
The pre-shaped knee and hip areas allow for freedom of movement while riding. The soft waistband with a drawcord provides an adjustable fit—much better than the standard elastic bands, which are somehow always either too loose or muffin-top-inducing.
The pants are breathable enough so that you’re not being hot-boxed, but even on the coldest days, they were warm enough that I wore non-insulated tights underneath. Thermal tights would be overkill if you’re getting anywhere above a Zone 2 heart rate.
The Paclite material is excellent. Reliable waterproofing and thus far, quite durable. The pants also feature a reinforced seat panel—a nice touch to prevent wear on the most abrasion-prone area. I feel like these pants would be equally at home on the road, during a commute, on the trail, or on a gravel ride. In other words: highly versatile.
Rather than having pockets at the waist, the pants feature just one zippered pocket, located on the outside of the thigh, which is easily accessible yet completely out of the way when riding. The pocket is also fully waterproof, so you can store your phone there worry-free.
I’ve worn these pants in a downpour, in hail, and in snow. On muddy trails and on filthy road rides. They’ve performed well every time, providing a barrier against the elements without overheating. When worn next to bare skin, they can get a little clammy, but if it’s warm enough to wear shorts, then I probably wouldn’t reach for these anyway. These are for days when it’s barely above freezing and raining hard.
Ideally, these pants would have a slightly more form-fitting silhouette and perhaps a vent for faster rides, but in general, I’ve been quite happy with them.
Verdict
If you’re after a durable, lightweight and truly waterproof pair of pants that can handle everything from road rides to gravel grinders to muddy singletrack, the Gorewear Endure GORE-TEX pants are a solid pick. They pack down small, fit well enough and, most importantly, they do their job: keeping you dry. Sure, they’re not perfect but for the wettest outings, they’re the best I’ve found.
Sadly, the Paclite material does contain “forever chemicals” and are being phased out by GOREWEAR in favour of more environmentally sustainable options. So, if you can still get your hands on them, it’s worth it—especially since they’re on sale everywhere I’ve seen them.
