Designed as a slim-fitting all-out adventure and bike trouser, the 7Mesh Glidepath pants are super lightweight and highly versatile. The nylon and elastane fabric blend is relatively thin, uncovering both pros and cons to the overall performance, especially during cold-weather rides. With many alternatives on the market at a fraction of the price, the 7Mesh Glidepaths struggle to stay competitive.
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Let’s begin with the construction of the Glidepath pants. The 7Mesh Glidepath pants are the full-length version of the brand’s Glidepath shorts, which Jim reviewed here. For the most part, these trousers are made from 85% nylon and 15% elastane, finished off with a Durable Water Repellent coating (DWR), making them not only water-resistant but stretchy too.
7Mesh describes these pants as “Trim Fit”, which means that they are designed to slightly sit away from the body, making them ideal for layering. The panelled construction has been well-considered with articulated knees to accommodate pads.
There are two open hand pockets on the front and two zipped pockets on either side of the leg. Belt loops line the waistband, should you wish to secure the fit, but does anyone really use belts while riding? I never have. Ever. Especially as these pants have adjustable tabs on the waistband, where a belt would sit, which indicates that you would use one or the other and not both.
There’s some slight reflective detailing and wide cuffed elastic hems to round off the construction, giving the pants a striking similarity to jogging bottoms.
Now, the 7Mesh Glidepants I have been wearing are ‘Women’s’, but there is a men’s version too, which features all the same details but in a slightly different shape and larger sizes. For the women’s version, the size range accommodates hip sizes from 35″ to 42″, with an inseam ranging from 30.5″ to 31.5″, accordingly.
7Mesh Glidepath Pant – how they perform
Starting off with the fit of the pants, I liked them from the get-go. They’re well-shaped with a nice tapered leg which, as described by 7Mesh, results in a close-fitting design. The ankle cuff is wide and stretchy, making it comfortable while preventing draughts and debris from shooting up your legs.
On the bike, the blend of nylon and elastane gives way to unrestricted movement whilst pedalling and throwing your weight around the bike, which is great. Actually, in terms of pedalling, I didn’t give the pants a second thought, which speaks volumes for their comfort and fit.
The Glidepath pants are equipped with 4 pockets in total. While I didn’t think I’d get any use from the open-handed pockets on the front, I was surprised to find them quite handy for mid-ride breaks when I could stuff my gloves inside for temporary keeping. As for the side pockets, which are reasonably well-placed for comfort and convenience, they fit an iPhone 13, but not much more.
In terms of warmth, there isn’t any. While super stretchy and pretty durable to withstand the rigours of mountain biking, this material is not thick nor warm. As I’ve been riding these throughout winter, I’ve had to layer them up with a pair of tights. I’m confident, though, that these pants will excel in warmer weather when you just want a little move coverage without melting your legs off.
And on the subject of durability, while the Glidepath pants feel pretty thin, they’re surprisingly strong and well put together. Having numerous slips, slides and brushes with foliage, not to mention washes through the machine, the trousers still look and feel as they did when new.
Value and verdict
Addressing the elephant in the review, the 7Mesh Glidepath Pants are a whopping £150, and it isn’t easy to justify the price tag compared with alternatives. For example, another lightweight trouser offering DWR treatment in a tapered shape is the Altura Esker Trail Trousers which are half the price, at £75. Another comparison can be made with the Five Ten Bike TrailX pants for £85, which aren’t as fitting but are incredibly stretchy and durable. Even the hugely popular Fox Racing brand offers a similar trail pant, the Rangers, for £90 while their winter pants, Defend Fires, are £150 but offer Polartec fleece lining and thicker outer material.
However, the £150 does include 7Mesh’s Crash Replacement warranty, which states, “If you damage your apparel within the first 30 days of purchase, 7mesh will (at our discretion) repair or replace your item. But even if you’ve been putting your kit through its paces for a few seasons, we can still help to repair your crashed item, charging only a small fee to cover the service. If repair is not possible, or if you prefer, we can also offer you a Crash Replacement discount towards a replacement item.“
When it comes to construction and performance, there’s very little to fault with the Glidepath pants from 7Mesh. They’re comfortable on and off the bike, and the tapered shape allows for plenty of movement without being restrictive. While the material is quite thin and not warm at all, I suspect these pants will be ideal for warmer conditions. However, despite all their good points, the £150 price tag is difficult to justify, even with 7Mesh’s Crash Replacement warranty thrown in.
Product purpose:
Product construction
Product performance
Product durability
Product comfort
product value
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