Adjustable velcro zippered pant leg It has been quite a cold and wet winter, more typical of Oregon or Washington than here along the southern Texas Coast which is why
I was pleasantly surprised to receive these wonderful waterproof pants earlier than expected. Lisa mentioned something about a gift arriving for me after Christmas while they would be in Arizona and so I concluded "how nice, my Sweetie is suggesting I get out and ride more". As my old Columbia Omni-tech pants have been around for so many years it's been a chore trying to find affordable quality pants for bike commuting and touring that are as waterproof, breathable and leisure style without compromising on performance.
After discovering TENN Driven Cycling's waterproof trousers (from UK at half the price of what I was expecting to pay), my gal decided it was worth giving these a try for the simple fact that here is another pair of waterproof bike pants that do not have a plasticky look or feel and if they were a bit large I could have worn a belt with them if needed.
I was pleasantly surprised to receive these wonderful waterproof pants earlier than expected. Lisa mentioned something about a gift arriving for me after Christmas while they would be in Arizona and so I concluded "how nice, my Sweetie is suggesting I get out and ride more". As my old Columbia Omni-tech pants have been around for so many years it's been a chore trying to find affordable quality pants for bike commuting and touring that are as waterproof, breathable and leisure style without compromising on performance.
After discovering TENN Driven Cycling's waterproof trousers (from UK at half the price of what I was expecting to pay), my gal decided it was worth giving these a try for the simple fact that here is another pair of waterproof bike pants that do not have a plasticky look or feel and if they were a bit large I could have worn a belt with them if needed.
TENN Driven's design provides very adjustable double velcro straps overlapping the zipper which makes easier to change in and out of these pants for bike commuting.
Tenn Driven Trousers wicking moisture barrier liner and rubberized waist band. It was kinda difficult to get a good photo showing the inner liner of these pants which provide a wicking barrier between skin surface and pants. Apparently this helps greatly in maintaining a breathable waterproof set of pants that don't soak the rider in sweat. Other reviews complained about the pants being harder to get off and on because of the liner but I found that simply undoing the velcro and zipper made getting my wool sock covered foot through the pants simpler. I didn't try putting these pants on over my waterproof bike commuting boots because I don't need to.
It seems like these days all sorts of claims are being made about a product being waterproof of course it's either not at all waterproof or it doesn't have the breathability for waterproofness to even matter. As I mentioned it has been excellent weather for testing the functionality of Tenn Driven's Trousers so I did a side by side comparison. After giving my several years old Columbia Pants a fair go of it I washed them a couple times with Sport Wash to restore some of the water repellency. By the way I love those old Columbia pants and will keep them as well as after a couple of washings they work pretty darn good considering their age. I went for a six or seven mile ride (average commute distance) in what was a good down pouring of rain. The bottom pant cuff of the Columbia pants tended to hold water and soaked through the fabric. However, the rest of the pants kept me dry. Then I did a similar ride with the Tenn Driven trousers and wow! I can see why they refer to these as trousers rather than pants. Not really but they are excellent. I was pumping along at a pretty good rate as the cold rain brought pretty intense head winds but these pants not only kept the water out they also let the moisture out with excellent wicking characteristics you would expect to find from a product which would cost much more.
Perhaps the bike commuter specific design of Tenn Driven's trousers with the adjustable velcro kept the rain from soaking the pant cuffs as the Columbia pants are not cycling specific being designed for any outdoor activities. Which I would like to point out with Tenn Driven's pants which would also be suitable for hiking or backpacking as well. I could also use these working outside in the rain and because they have a bike commuter's leisurely appearance they're good for walking around town. As far as packability is concerned Tenn Driven's pants are actually just as pack friendly if not more so than my old Columbia pants even though you might think the liner of the Tenn Driven's would add more bulk. Surprisingly not so. They are not heavy and are very fast drying which would be ideal for bike camping and touring if rain is expected.
It seems like these days all sorts of claims are being made about a product being waterproof of course it's either not at all waterproof or it doesn't have the breathability for waterproofness to even matter. As I mentioned it has been excellent weather for testing the functionality of Tenn Driven's Trousers so I did a side by side comparison. After giving my several years old Columbia Pants a fair go of it I washed them a couple times with Sport Wash to restore some of the water repellency. By the way I love those old Columbia pants and will keep them as well as after a couple of washings they work pretty darn good considering their age. I went for a six or seven mile ride (average commute distance) in what was a good down pouring of rain. The bottom pant cuff of the Columbia pants tended to hold water and soaked through the fabric. However, the rest of the pants kept me dry. Then I did a similar ride with the Tenn Driven trousers and wow! I can see why they refer to these as trousers rather than pants. Not really but they are excellent. I was pumping along at a pretty good rate as the cold rain brought pretty intense head winds but these pants not only kept the water out they also let the moisture out with excellent wicking characteristics you would expect to find from a product which would cost much more.
Perhaps the bike commuter specific design of Tenn Driven's trousers with the adjustable velcro kept the rain from soaking the pant cuffs as the Columbia pants are not cycling specific being designed for any outdoor activities. Which I would like to point out with Tenn Driven's pants which would also be suitable for hiking or backpacking as well. I could also use these working outside in the rain and because they have a bike commuter's leisurely appearance they're good for walking around town. As far as packability is concerned Tenn Driven's pants are actually just as pack friendly if not more so than my old Columbia pants even though you might think the liner of the Tenn Driven's would add more bulk. Surprisingly not so. They are not heavy and are very fast drying which would be ideal for bike camping and touring if rain is expected.
Casual looking waterproof bike commuting pants With reflective trim, zippered front pockets and even belt loops Tenn Driven is providing a waterproof trouser with casual style and looks for most any wet weather activity.
I really love and appreciate Lisa for getting me these waterproof trousers as a gift and look forward to more fun wet weather riding.
I really love and appreciate Lisa for getting me these waterproof trousers as a gift and look forward to more fun wet weather riding.
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