Context Ridewear are a new, UK-based company putting out some great value kit and Pete has been checking out the Gravity MTB Pants.
At a penny shy if sixty quid, you’re going to struggle to find cheaper riding trousers. Are they cheap and cheerful though? Pete has been finding out.
Key features:
- Heavyweight ‘soft-shell’ Polyester construction
- 400GSM Cordura knee panels
- Double and triple-stitched
- Polyester/Polyeurathane blend rear panel
- Elasticated calf panels
- Ratchet buckle waistband
- Two waterproof zip pockets at hips
- YKK Zippered fly
- Raised rear coverage
- Heavily tapered custom fit
- 1 year crash replacement scheme
- £59.99 RRP
- ContextRideWear.co.uk
Based in the South West UK, Context Ridewear have come out of the blocks with a range of kit that focuses on solid features without the hefty price tag. Their Gravity MTB Pants are just that, coming in at £59.99 that go head-to-head with the likes of Endura’s Humvee pants.
Since receiving the first batch of kit, Context have updated the sizing of their range, so this is actually the second set I have run, the size Small coming in very big indeed, whereas these XSmall options seen here fit me like a glove. That is, they would if I wasn’t carrying some extra winter midriff. The fit is similar to the Royal Racing Storm pants in that the leg length is spot on, while the waist is a little neat.
Initially, the knees don’t feel all that comfortable but that’s because they’re designed to be run with a knee pad without falling to pieces when you take a tumble. With that in mind, they’re definitely a heavier and tougher feel than something like the Humvee pants, with a definite steer towards gravity action.
The hip pockets are generous without being daft, larger smartphones will struggle. The zip and ratchet waist closures do a decent job of letting you fine tune the fit across the waist too. Anyone with Mick Hannah levels of calf muscle will also appreciate the stretch at that part of the leg. No issues with my chicken legs… That said, the heavily tapered leg might not suit anyone with monster quads.
Out on the trail the pants are easy to forget about, doing a decent job off seeing off the moisture as best a water resistant material can and they’re not the worst when they wet out either. The rear panel also helps see off a soggy undercarriage for a decent stint. While they’re designed to be run with knee pads, they’re certainly not uncomfortable without them, but I’m not sure I’d want to do a long day in the saddle in them.
It’s hard to overstate how good these are for the money without resorting to lazy hyperbole and it’s no surprise to hear from the guys at Context that they’re selling like hot cakes. They’ve held up well to a winter of abuse without showing any real signs of fatigue too.
What do we think?
With the sizing fixed, Context have landed a home run with the Gravity pants, delivering a solid product without costing the Earth at a time when we need more of this. They do exactly what they set out to do without any mad frills or marketing buzzwords.
We love:
- Change from sixty quid
- Does what it says on the tin
Could do better:
- Not an awful lot
