Vulpine Men's Rain Trousers

The Vulpine Men's Rain Trousers are premium cycling-oriented smart/casual trousers that are packed full of features. They're weather resistant too, which makes them a great addition to the cycle commuter's wardrobe, with the high price about the only down side. Their stylish looks meant I wore them not just on my commute but when I was off the bike, with that versatility going some way to justify the expense.

> Buy now: Vulpine Men's Rain Trousers for £150 from Vulpine

Our best cycling clothes for commuting buyer's guide rounds up our favourite ride-to-work kit, from trousers and jackets to shoes and jerseys, while our best waterproof cycling trousers buyer's guide concentrates on weather-resistant options.

Vulpine's Rain Trousers are made from water- and wind-resistant Epic cotton, polyester and Lycra. And it's fair to say I really noticed – and appreciated – their cycling-focused features when I put these trousers through their paces. Their high rear waistband, silicone grippers and diamond-shaped gusset all help to achieve a great fit when you're riding.

And in addition to a regular button, these trousers also have a metal hook and loop to keep for when your riding kicks up a gear, backed up further still by heavy-duty belt loops. While these features are all very welcome they do add a little weight, with these hitting the scales at 484g.

The trousers' weather resistance is extremely effective. During commutes over wet roads I found that the water beaded and simply rolled off the trousers – and they were warm and windproof too, with no air blowing through them.

I was also extremely impressed with the amount of storage, the pockets numbering five in total: two front hip pockets, two rear pockets, one of which has a magnetic flap, and a zipped full-length valuables pocket behind the left hip pocket.

This was especially useful as it was large enough to fit my iPhone 12. The right pocket also has a handy carabiner for keeping your keys safe when you're on the move.

The fit was very good. The trousers have a slim cut and there's a slight stretch to the material, which not only helps with comfort, it means there's no baggy material to get caught in your bike's drivetrain.

The right leg also features an ankle adjuster, which worked well, preventing the trouser leg from getting too close to the chain and chainring. A final trick to the trousers is that turning up the legs reveals reflective detailing.

I usually wear a medium in most brands' trousers but I needed to wear these in large, which is in keeping with the sizing guide on Vulpine's website.

I tested the trousers both without a chamois and with – to check whether one would fit – and I found them comfortable in both cases. The material not only had enough give for normal day-to-day riding, I found it breathable too, with no sweat patches appearing by the time I got to work. They were a little warm on hotter days, as the material is slightly bulky, but despite this they stayed breathable and kept me a sweat-free zone.

One of the big advantages of these trousers is that, depending on the length and intensity of your commute, you may be able to get away without needing to get changed. They're smart enough to be appropriate for work and the material feels tough and durable.

They were very easy to clean too. You can machine wash them and tumble dry them on cool, so you can throw them in with other washing. Even after washing they kept their water-resistant capabilities and I found it very easy to clean dirt off of them too.

Value

At £150 Vulpine's rain trousers are very much at the premium end of the market, and while you may find the price steep and it is a lot of money, their full raft of features does help to justify the expense.

The Rapha Technical trousers are quite similar and at £130 they're a little cheaper, though Oli was very impressed when he tested them. They also have plentiful pockets, including a pair of zipped hip pockets, and reflective detailing when you turn up the legs. But unlike the Vulpines, the Raphas lack weatherproofing, which is a major concern if you're looking for year-round cycling strides.

For more denim-flavoured cycling and outdoor trousers you could try the £119.99 DU-ER All-Weather Denim Slim Jeans that David thought were excellent, though at 609g they're even heavier than the Vulpines.

Conclusion

Expensive but fully featured cycling trousers with great weather-resistant properties – and they work both on and off the bike. But there's no getting away that these premium trousers come with a premium price to match.

Verdict

Premium, hard-wearing and weather-resistant trousers that are effective both on and off the bike