North of £200 is serious money for waterproof trousers, but if you ride in all weathers, indulge in week-long mountain bike tours or even want the ultimate in commuting comfort, the Scott Heliums are worth considering.
The fabric is the latest and most breathable offering from Gore. Having worn it in jacket form we can attest to the fact it out performs any other waterproof material we’ve tried in warmer temperatures. Added to that there are long side vents, so there’s little chance of over heating.
We liked the option to zip the ankle narrower – worn undone the leg has a cut similar to a straight jean and doesn’t look too geeky. It is a strange fastening though – instead of the zip closing up downwards, you zip it from the hem in the same way as you would a jacket. It works but is fiddly.
The waist pulls in via a double shock cord, which is effective, but we were left with two loops of white elastic that don’t tuck neatly away anywhere. Otherwise, these are a streamlined, high performance option.
