If you shop online for outdoor gear of any kind, you’re probably already familiar with Backcountry.com. The online retail giant sells the full spectrum of cycling components, gear, and apparel, and carries just about every brand out there. On top of its extensive selection of popular name brands, Backcountry also sells its own branded apparel, including a full lineup of mountain bike clothing for men and women.
Earlier this summer, I reviewed most of Backcountry’s warm-weather mountain bike apparel for men. Now that cooler temperatures have started to arrive, I’m back to share info and riding impressions of Backcountry’s Slickrock Pants and Drirelease Long Sleeve Tech T. I received all my Backcountry MTB gear in the late spring, and I managed to sneak a couple of cooler rides in the Slickrock pants and long-sleeve jersey back then. To refresh my memory, I revisited them recently on some cool evening rides.
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MSRP:
$129 -
Material:
4-way stretch recycled fabric w/DWR -
Inseam length:
32" -
Pockets:
2 zipper hand pockets -
Sizes:
S, M, L, XL, XXL -
Colors:
Black, Starfish, Oil Blue, Midnight Blue, Kalamata
Pros
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Very comfortable
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Work great with knee pads
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Zipper vents
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Nice looking
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Fair price
Cons
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Odd inner ankle zipper placement
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Lacks good pocket for phone
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32" inseam may be long for shorter riders
Backcountry sells two models of mountain bike pants, the gravity-oriented Empire and the trail-oriented Slickrock. Like the Slickrock shorts, the pants are made from a lighter, stretchier recycled nylon/spandex blend. The material is a blend of 85% recycled nylon and 15% spandex with a PFC-free DWR treatment. It is bluesign approved and OEKO-Tex Standard 100 certified.
The Slickrock Pants have the same zipper fly, single snap, and integrated adjustable belt waist closure system as the shorts of the same name. A silicone dot print on the back/inside of the waistband also helps keep them in place. There are two zippered hand pockets, small zippered vents on each thigh, and a single Backcountry Goat logo by the left knee.
They come in five waist sizes, S to XXL, with a claimed waist fit range of 30” to 43.5”. They have a 32-inch inseam, a slim fit, a stretch ankle cuff, ankle zips, articulated knees, and room for knee pads. In addition to the men’s version, Backcountry also makes the Slickrock Pants for women in sizes XS to XXL.
One of the things that stands out about these pants is how comfortable they are. The material is light and very stretchy, so they fit easily over my knee pads and don’t restrict movement in the slightest. Being on the lighter side, the material seems to breathe pretty well, and the zippered leg vents allow you to dump some heat on the climbs if needed. The light- to mid-weight material has proven quite versatile and has been working well for me in temperatures ranging from the low 50s to around the mid-70s F.
The size medium fits my 32-inch waist well, and the integrated adjustable belt is suprisingly secure and very easy to use. The 32-inch inseam is also pretty ideal for my long legs. Often, mountain bike pants run a bit short on me, but not these. On the flip side, these might fit a bit long on those with shorter legs. Otherwise, I appreciate that knee pads still fit easily underneath, while the slim, performance-oriented fit leaves no excess material to flap in the wind.
Like the Slickrock shorts, the zippered hand pockets on the pants aren’t my favorite for use on the bike, as their contents end up resting awkwardly on top of the thigh while pedaling. It’s not a deal-breaker, but the pocket layout could be better. The other head-scratcher is the inner/medial placement of the ankle zippers. They are useful, but could definitely be problematic if you’re prone to inner ankle strikes or rubbing on your frame or cranks. An outer ankle placement would make a lot more sense to me.
Otherwise, at $129, Backcountry’s Slickrock Pants strike me as a solid value. They cost less than most mountain bike pants on the market, and they are very comfortable, functional, and I think they look pretty good, too. Now through the end of October, they’re an even better deal at 30% to 50% off, depending on the color. Check them out at backcountry.com
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MSRP:
$59 -
Material:
Cotton-like Drirelease fabric: recycled polyester/Tencel, bluesign-approved -
Fit:
regular -
Pockets:
2 side -
Sizes:
S, M, L, XL, XXL -
Colors:
Sierra/Turbulence, Oil Blue, Black, Kalamata/Turbulence
Pros
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Reasonable price
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High level of comfort
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Good fit
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Breathable and dries quickly
Cons
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Odd side pockets
The Slickrock Drirelease Long Sleeve Tech T is essentially just a long-sleeved version of the Short Sleeve Tech T that I reviewed over the summer. It’s made from the same lightweight, moisture-wicking Drirelease materials, but has full-length sleeves for added sun protection and/or use in cooler weather. It has a drop-tail hem and drop-in pockets on both sides of the torso.
Like the short-sleeved version, the Slickrock long-sleeve is super soft and comfortable against the skin. They advertise Drirelease as “cotton-like”, and it really does feel as soft as cotton despite being a “recycled polyester and lyocell blend.” Backcountry body-mapped its Drirelease fabrics, with a denser weave on the front of the body and top of the arms, and a lighter, more breathable mesh version on the back, sides, and underarms for breathability.
The men’s Slickrock Long Sleeve is available in sizes M, L, and XL, and four colorways. Backcountry also makes a women’s version in sizes S, M, and L. Interestingly, my short- and long-sleeve Slickrock shirts are both size large, but the long-sleeve version is cut noticeably longer and has a more pronounced drop-tail hem. This isn’t really a complaint because I like the way it fits, but the size difference is something to consider if you’re on the cusp of sizes. Thankfully, Backcountry includes images of models with sizing info, so you can see how they actually fit on a person.
As with the short-sleeve version, I’ve been very impressed by the Drirelease fabric’s moisture-wicking ability and how quickly it dries after I work up a sweat. The denser material on the front takes the bite out of cool wind on the body, while the lighter back material allows heat and moisture to escape. I’m a big fan of riding in long-sleeve jerseys in the shoulder seasons, and this material and body-mapped layout has been helping me regulate body temperature.
I’m a bit perplexed by the drop-in pockets on the sides of the shirt, and they definitely don’t seem secure enough for use on the bike. That said, I find them to be useful for pre- and post-ride activities. Still, they seem like a curious design choice in an otherwise well-considered bike jersey.
The retail price of $59 for a long-sleeve bike jersey made from technical materials seems like a steal these days. The Slickrock Drirelease Long Sleeve Tech T looks good and wicks moisture better than some of my other jerseys that cost significantly more. I think it’s a solid value if you’re looking for a long-sleeve jersey for shoulder-season rides, and even better at 30% to 40% off through the end of October. Check it out at backcountry.com