Apex7 Nitrogen Pants review

These water-resistant mountain bike trousers from GO Outdoors brand Apex7 have a PFC-free DWR coating, so they aren’t waterproof but should resist moisture without using harmful chemicals.

The Nitrogen range is tailored for the needs of those looking to keep riding through winter as the weather gets wet and wild.

For the bargain £40 price tag, there’s little to dislike about the Nitrogen pants. They’ve got a good fit and shrug off showers well.

Apex7 Nitrogen Pants details and specifications

A hook-and-loop waist offers a healthy amount of adjustment and closure is via a zip and double press-stud fly.

The size tested was listed as a 32, but there's enough range to ensure the trousers were a comfortable fit for my roughly 29in waist.

The waist is higher at the back and has a silicone gripper all the way round, except for a short section either side of the closure.

The trousers have a PFC-free durable water repellent (DWR) coating, meaning these are not waterproof mountain bike trousers, but they do resist some water ingress.

A conveniently sized pocket sits in a familiar position on each thigh and there are subtle reflective graphics on each leg.

Apex7 Nitrogen Pants performance

The Apex7 pants are claimed to be "water repellent" for "those extra cold and damp days", so I tested them in the exact conditions they're designed to excel in.

My local riding is rather lumpy, so there’s plenty of chance to generate heat on the climbs, while the descents are technical enough to require a high degree of flexibility.

Admittedly, saturation was reached during heavy downpours, but not unexpectedly quickly.

However, during light rain, water beaded and remained on the outside for an impressively long period, even after repeated splashings from standing water.

Drying times were extremely impressive too. Both while mountain biking and cycling to work, the trousers returned to a state where they didn’t cling to my skin surprisingly quickly.

The high-backed waist offers increased warmth and comfort, providing greater coverage while seated, and their silicone gripper helps hold the waistband in place against other clothing or your skin.

Tapered legs keep the material out of harm's way and the stretch ripstop fabric fits close but allows for bulky knee pads without impeding movement.

These 32in trousers have a 75cm/29.5in leg, which makes them a little on the short side, but that helps prevent them from bunching. The elasticated ankles also assist in keeping them tight.

Reflective graphics on the left thigh, below the pocket and on the back of the right calf offer increased visibility, making these a viable choice for everyday cyclists as well as mountain biking at night.

Apex7 Nitrogen Pants bottom line

At the advertised original price of £70, these Apex7 Nitrogen riding pants are a good option for a range of users not looking for outright waterproof performance.

Quick-drying and lightweight, they felt great on the trails.

These pants are a bargain at £40, with a £5 GO Outdoors membership discount.