Mountain bike trousers

The right size of trousers for mountain biking comes from your waist and hip measurements, taken with a tape measure and compared with the Mavic men's MTB clothing size guide. For a size M, the size guide of both Deemax Enduro models gives a waist of 81 to 84 cm and hips of 95 to 98 cm. The all-season Deemax Enduro Pant comes in S to 2XL, the insulated Alpha Pant in XS to 2XL. If you are between two sizes, think about the knee pads you wear underneath: they need room at the knee, without the leg flapping near the drivetrain.

Knee pads fit under mountain biking trousers when the cut leaves enough room at the knee, which is what the tapered leg of both Mavic Deemax Enduro models is designed for. A soft knee pad that covers the knee alone slips into the leg more easily than a hard-shell model that reaches down to the shin. The best test is a fitting with your own pads on: pull the trousers on over them, get on the bike and pedal a few turns, to check that the leg does not pull as your knee bends and that the pad stays in place.

Waterproof trousers stop rain with a membrane, while the all-season Deemax Enduro Pant from Mavic is water-repellent and claims neither a membrane nor a waterproof rating. A water-repellent finish makes water bead on the surface, whereas a waterproof garment keeps rain out, usually at the cost of lower breathability. In enduro, where you alternate hard climbs and descents, a water-repellent pair with vents keeps light rain off your legs without making them overheat. In long, heavy rain, water eventually gets through a garment that is only water-repellent.

Trousers for mountain biking cover the whole leg and protect it from branches, mud and cold, while shorts leave the lower leg bare and let more air through. The all-season Deemax Enduro Pant narrows the gap with shorts: it stays comfortable even on hot days, its vents help moisture escape, and it stands up to abrasion on committed rides. The insulated Alpha Pant is made instead for rides below 15 °C. Shorts keep the edge on long summer climbs, trousers in damp woodland and at the bike park.

Downhill and enduro trousers serve two different disciplines: downhill is ridden on tracks that only go down, while enduro links its timed stages with transfer stages you pedal. A pair for enduro therefore has to stay comfortable on the transfers, as well as protect your legs on the descents. The all-season Deemax Enduro Pant meets both needs: its mid-weight four-way stretch fabric stays comfortable on the pedals and resists abrasion in committed sections, on local trails as at the bike park. The insulated Alpha Pant is also built for enduro, for riding below 15 °C.

Water-repellent bike trousers are washed cold or at a low temperature, pockets emptied and zips closed, without fabric softener or bleach, which damage the water-repellent finish. After a muddy ride, a rinse with clean water removes the dirt before it dries into the fibres. Washing gradually wears down a DWR finish: when water no longer beads on the surface, gentle heat, in the tumble dryer if the care label allows it, partly restores it. On a more worn fabric, follow up with a reproofing product.

The Mavic Deemax Enduro Pant and Deemax Enduro Alpha Pant are covered for 2 years from the date of purchase, from Mavic or an authorised Mavic retailer, against defects in material or workmanship. The Mavic warranty benefits only the original purchaser and does not cover normal wear and tear of the product. To make a claim, take the trousers with the invoice or another proof of purchase to your nearest authorised Mavic retailer. The full conditions and exclusions are set out in the warranty policy on mavic.com.