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review

Chrome Madrona 5 Pocket Pant

8
£120.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Very comfortable, stylish and surprisingly windproof trousers that look great and work well, both on and off the bike
Look great
Feel great
Good windproofing
Shame a belt can't pass under rear reflective waistband patch
Bit pricey
Weight: 
471g

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Chrome's Madrona 5 Pocket Pants are smartish, stylish and comfortable trousers with enough cycling-specific design details to make them equally at home on or off the bike.

Chrome's Madrona pants – or trousers, as I am more comfortable in calling them – come in either black or navy blue and follow a chino-esque design. Which means they're a welcome smarter alternative to the prevalence of cycling denim that seems to be inundating the urban cycling market.

> Buy these online here

I have to say, from first wearing, I was quite smitten with these even though I've never been a chino kinda guy. The cut is very nice with smart straight legs – none of that tapering at the bottom nonsense. And while the aftereffects of Christmas still linger round the old waistband, fit was pretty flattering, too.

Chrome Madrona pants side (1).jpg

Although it's loudly proclaimed as a '5 Pocket Pant', the Madrona actually has six pockets – one on each hip, one on each buttock, a hidden zipped 'passport' pocket at the right rear, and, of course, a small right hip watch pocket. The zipped passport pocket is particularly useful for safely stashing keys and a welcome improvement on most open-pocketed cycling trousers.

Chrome Madrona pants belt detail (1).jpg
Chrome Madrona pants pocket detail (1).jpg

Reflectivity isn't bad, either. There is reflective inseaming on the outer side of both legs, perfect for a high-vis stripe on your turn-ups. And the large Chrome patch on the rear waistband will also help to make your presence known... as long as you don't wear a belt. Unfortunately the patch is sewn down on all four sides, so a belt can't pass underneath. A button and zip fly round out practicalities.

Chrome Madrona pants ankle reflective (1).jpg

The best feature of the Madrona trousers, however, is their performance off and especially on the bike. Comfort is superb, thanks in large part to the four-way stretch cotton/nylon blend fabric, which offers just enough give while still providing shape and support. This is augmented with a reinforced waistband and diamond of extra material at the gusset. Chrome says this gusset is reinforced, but to my eye and delicate hand, it feels very much like the same weight fabric as used throughout the rest of the Madrona.

Chrome Madrona pants rear (1).jpg

In the saddle, the Madrona offers a perfectly natural riding experience. Pedalling action is unencumbered thanks to the give of the stretch fabric, while that extra material at the crotch means you don't find yourself sitting on any awkward seams. Perhaps the one concern I have is leg length – if you have longer than average legs, you may find use of those reflective turn-ups will leave you with chilly ankles.

Chrome Madrona pants on bike (1).jpg

That consideration aside, there are a couple of surprising and important benefits. The Madrona's cotton/nylon fabric doesn't just stretch but has also been treated with a durable wind and water repellent... treatment. Considering the fabric's quite soft and lightweight nature, I was surprised to see light drizzle beading on the surface, at least initially. Constant exposure to rain confirms they are not waterproof pants, but they'll put up a fight for a little while.

Even better is the windproofing. I've used these trousers on very gusty and chilly days with only padded shorts beneath and felt no ill effects. In terms of non-rain weatherproofing, I can't recommend them highly enough and their unassuming texture belies their active performance.

Value and conclusion

There are plenty of commuting trousers on the market, and even more urban pants if you take jeans into consideration. However, for those not wanting the denim look, Velocity's Men's Climber Trousers are a great option and cost only £85, and Rapha does a nice pair of cotton trousers that come in at £95.

However, perhaps most like the Madronas are Gore's Element Urban Windstopper Soft Shell Pants for £149.99, which feature almost total resistance to the elements, including rain. In this company, the Chrome's much more limited rainproofing makes them look just a little pricey.

> Buyer’s Guide: The best casual cycling commuter wear

Chrome sets much store by its 15-year history making technical trousers and says the Madrona is 'the ultimate commuting pant'. Of the trousers I've personally tested, they're certainly up among the best. They're smart, comfortable, sturdy and offer fantastic in-saddle performance with slightly more than a token nod to weatherproofing. For everything other than rainy days, you'd be mad not to consider these Madronas.

Verdict

Very comfortable, stylish and surprisingly windproof trousers that look great and work well, both on and off the bike

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Chrome Madrona 5 Pocket Pant

Size tested: 38

Tell us what the product is for

The Madrona are cycle commuting trousers for men.

Chrome says: "Our new Madrona pant for men looks and feels like your everyday 5-pocket pant, but you know us, with over 15 years of technical pant experience, we can't make a pant without adding something extra. The Madrona's [sic] have a reinforced waist and gusset, a zippered passport pocket and a reflective hit on the outside inseam of the pant for extra visibility when rolled. These pants are made of a cotton/nylon blend with water/wind resistant DWR, everything you need to make the Madrona 5-Pocket Pant the ultimate commuting pant. Ride hard, look dope while you do it."

Dope, indeed.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Six pockets (don't believe the name)

Quick dry 4-way stretch fabric

Zipped passport pocket

Reflective inseam

Reinforced waist

Cotton/nylon blend with water and wind resistant DWR

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10

Very well made, although I'm not sure the gusset is 'reinforced' as Chrome states – rather, an extra diamond of material has been added for comfort.

Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10

Very good performance both on and off bike – surprisingly good at blocking out wind and handling very light rain.

Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

Early days, but the Madronas have proved durable so far.

Rate the product for fit:
 
8/10

Very good, although I wonder if leg length could be just a smidge longer to better accommodate turn-ups.

Rate the product for sizing:
 
9/10

Nigh-on perfect.

Rate the product for weight:
 
8/10

Fairly lightweight – deceptively so, considering their abilities in poorer weather.

Rate the product for comfort:
 
9/10

I really liked them – soft fabric and extra section in gusset mean comfort levels shine bright.

Rate the product for value:
 
6/10

Perhaps just a bit on the pricey side compared with similar offerings, though they are very good (and cheaper than Gore's).

How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

No problem – machine wash at 30 degrees then hang to dry. Quick-drying fabric works well, so it doesn't take long.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Really good on the bike – in fact, better than I'd imagined from initial impressions. The Madrona's ability to cope with inclement weather – particularly wind – was impressive.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Quite a few things. I like the cut and fit, and the helpful weather resistance.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Probably the price, although I don't think it's actually that steep because these are very good trousers.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

Compared with some, the Chromes look just a little pricey, even with all their talents. Velocity's Men's Climber Trousers are a great option and cost only £85, and Rapha does a nice pair of cotton trousers that come in at £95. However, perhaps most like the Madronas are Gore's Element Urban Windstopper Soft Shell Pants, which feature almost total resistance to the elements, and cost £149.99.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

Scoring the Madrona is a bit of a heart versus head affair, because if it was left purely to my instincts and personal preferences, I'd be giving them a good 9 out of 10. However, when you factor in the price of other equally adept or even technically superior rival products, the Chromes have to be knocked down to an 8. That said, if you buy a pair of these, and they fit you well, I very much doubt you'll find anything to be disappointed by.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 39  Height: 6'0  Weight: 16 stone

I usually ride: Islabikes Beinn 29  My best bike is: 25-year-old Dawes Galaxy

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: commuting, touring, sportives, general fitness riding, mtb, Leisure

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