TESTED: Specialized Gravity Pants
Downhillers have used pants for decades for the extra protection they offer, and the new dedicated Gravity Pant from Specialized brings all the protection with weight and comfort you'd expect from trail pants.
Trousers are a big part of mountain biking now, and not just something for the gravity set. But a comfy pair of trail trousers isn’t really what you should be reaching for when gravity racing against the clock is on the cards. Downhillers have used pants for decades for the extra protection they offer, and the new dedicated Gravity Pant from Specialized brings all the protection with weight and comfort you’d expect from trail pants.
Made using CORDURA fabric and with added high abrasion-resistance bonded to the knee area, they will likely out last and other pant in a crash. With a slip on fit and buckle closure these pocket free pants are a minimalist item thats still full of tech. They come in sizes from 28-40 as a unisex sizing. I wore a 32 and they fitted as expected.
This pant its light to pick up and very much has a single focus of going downhill fast. While the material is strong, overall comfort is assisted by laser perforated venting, which help things getting too hot in there. Lots of the venting is below the hem at the front and back, funnily enough right where Tour de France riders tip water, to keep their body heat down. So it’s clear Specialized put thoughts into the ventilation, to make sure it needs to be where heat is the highest.
The lower leg has a tapered cut, which is most noticeable at the lower leg so your pants won’t catch in the chain, or on anything on the trail as you find the limit of the tape markings. There’s still room for kneeguards under the tapered fit.
The cut around the crotch gives you a reinforced area for the saddle, but also keeps it tucked up and nearly impossible to catch on the nose of your seat. Overall, they suit the purpose. They aren’t as stretchy and fitted as the Trail pant, they pedal ok but the size of your knee pads will impact that. But when downhill race performance and dialled fit is the goal – the Specialized Gravity Pants deliver. For more comfort off the bike, grab the Trail pants.
Can’t get enough of the pant life? Read out massive trail pant group test!
RRP: $250
From: specialized.com/au/en
Hits:
- Light weight, high performance clothing
- Reinforced in high impact areas
- Smart ventilation
- Race specific – no pockets!
Misses:
- Not best suited for pedal ups compared to trail gear
- No pockets
