You need to get properly kitted up to ride through the winter. staying out for more than an hour long blast can take commitment and the right kit. a pair of robust and weather resistant shorts is a must.
We don’t like rear mudguards and we’re guessing you don’t either, and those lightweight shorts that felt great in July and August will soon be cold and damp after a only a few minutes on a water-logged trail. In heavy rain they stand no chance.
We take a look at Madison Clothing’s Winter Storm DWR shorts.
We’ve been impressed with Madison’s clothing recently, especially with the shorts – the Flux being very impressive and a ‘go to’ favourite. Their range of mountain bike kit covers all bases though, with a strong emphasis on protection from the elements. Great news for the 4 season rider here in the UK especially as their pricing is a lot lower than many brands and backed up by a lifetime warranty and 30 day comfort guarantee. Tough waterproof or weather resistant fabrics, well placed ventilation zips and a forgiving fit will keep you out on the trails for longer.
The Winter Storm DWR short looks like it has been designed to live up to its name… developed to take on damp, wet and muddy conditions, the design team at Madison Clothing set out to create the ultimate mixed condition winter short. A case of protecting you from the wet but not boiling you at the same time. You can tell that these shorts have been designed and developed (and thoroughly tested) here in the UK.
Instead of making a waterproof short, the Winter Storm DWR is constructed from a blend of 3 fabrics, utilising the properties of each. With a 3 layer waterproof panel on the rear, to protect you from trail spray, crud and standing water, Madison have chosen a more breathable DWR (Durable Water Repellent) treated stretch fabric on the front of the shorts. This adds to the comfort and breathability, without sacrificing durability. Over the knees, double-faced stretched rip stop fabric is ready to accommodate knee pads and stand up to abrasion from impacts. With this level of protection comes the need for ventilation and the Winter Storm DWR has 2-Way mesh backed zippers running the length of the short for full temperature control.
