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review

Altura Grid Softshell Pant M Carbon

8
£70.00

VERDICT:

8
10
Cosy, comfortable and easy to live in
Zipped hand pockets keep essentials secure
DWR coating
Practical tapered design ensures comfort on and off the bike
Durable construction
Subtle reflective elements
Struggle in single-figure temperatures
No additional reinforcement in the saddle area
Weight: 
343g

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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The Altura Grid Softshell Pants are cosy, comfortable and water resistant enough to make commuting in most conditions pleasant. There's plenty of room to wear a pair of bib shorts underneath if you want the extra padding, and with their fleeced inner you'll be warm enough on mild days, but don't count on them getting you through those frosty mornings. Our guide to the best commuter cycling clothes has more options, for tops and bottoms.

It's hard not to love the Grid Softshell Pants. From the outset, it's clear that Altura has designed them to be as practical as possible. With their tapered design and fleece-lined inner, the Pants can be worn on and off the bike, much like a pair of sweatpants. And the zippered hand pockets mean you can keep your keys, mobile and other valuables close to hand so you can favour a shirt over your usual jersey.

2022 Altura Grid Softshell Pant M Carbon - zip pocket.jpg

Of course, practicality in the UK means water-resistance, and the DWR coating Altura has applied to the Grid Softshell Pants comfortably withstood the miserable weather we've experienced in the North West this winter. Whether it was a brief downpour or the more usual constant drizzle, I didn't get cold, wet legs – just remember to wear booties to keep your feet and shoes dry!

2022 Altura Grid Softshell Pant M Carbon - back.jpg

The waffle-textured fleece lining is incredibly efficient and does an excellent job of balancing your body's heat, although I was a little disappointed that things started to feel nippy below 10°C. Having said that, I never felt sweaty, even going as far as riding on the indoor trainer to 'fact-check' the supposed airflow properties. Impressive.

Room for improvement

The ergonomic fit of the Pants is cosy without being restrictive, and certainly doesn't paint a picture for the world to see. Equally, the tapered legs are a nice touch and do stop them from catching in your chain.

However, there's room for improvement. A more aggressive taper on the legs and elasticated ankle cuffs would improve temperature retention as well as preventing chilly updraughts and road spray.

2022 Altura Grid Softshell Pant M Carbon - ankles.jpg

There's also a lack of reinforcement in the saddle area. I've not had any issues yet in a month of riding, but considering the general wear your average bib shorts go through in a year, I wonder how the Grid Pants will fare.

2022 Altura Grid Softshell Pant M Carbon - back detail.jpg

Sizing

The Grid Softshell Pants are currently offered in Carbon (grey) only, and are available in six sizes from S to XXXL. (They're also available in a women's version.)

In terms of sizing, I can't fault them. The medium was perfect for me, neither too restrictive nor too loose, and the waistband features a simple drawstring so you can adjust the waistband and ensure they fit just right.

2022 Altura Grid Softshell Pant M Carbon - drawstring.jpg

And as I said earlier, a pair of bib shorts can be worn underneath without being visible.

Value

Coming in at £70 a pair, the Grid Softshell Pants are good value, especially considering their versatility off the bike. When comparing them to recent trousers tested by other road.cc contributors, the price seems almost too good to be true.

The Pas Normal Studios Escapism Pants, for example, which Steve tested last year, do have a number of additional features, including ankle adjusters, but they're £100 more.

Pearl Izumi's Rove Trousers are probably the most similar product to the Grid Pants that we've reviewed on road.cc, and they cost £100, though they're no longer available.

Rapha's Technical Trousers, which Oli tested back in 2020, are now £130, and although praised for their comfort and versatility, the lack of weatherproofing doesn't make them ideal for use in all conditions. Its new and more similar style Explore Pants are £140.

Conclusion

The Altura Grid Softshell Pants are a great pair of cycling trousers, whether you're using them on the daily commute or exploring further afield. For most riders and most days, the textured fleece and DWR coating will keep you warm and dry in mild conditions and are complemented by the comfortable yet cosy fit. And if you're seeking a bit more comfort or wanting to travel further afield, you can always add a pair of bib shorts underneath.

Verdict

Cosy, comfortable and easy to live in

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Altura Grid Softshell Pant M Carbon

Size tested: Large

Tell us what the product is for

Altura says:

'A COSY URBAN SOFTSHELL CYCLING PANT WITH CONTEMPORARY STYLING

The Altura Grid Softshell Men's Cycling Pant combines contemporary urban styling with technical thermal fabrics to keep you looking great whilst keeping the chill off on cooler days. The technical grid fleece back traps warmth whilst still allowing air to flow for comfort. The DWR coating will help keep the rain and spray off in wetter conditions whilst the tapered leg gives an up to the minute look whilst preventing the pant from becoming caught in your bike chain. Zipped hand pockets let you keep essential items close or hands warm when off the bike. Subtle reflectivity helps you to stay seen in lower light but does not detract from that on / off bike look, making these a really versatile pant.'

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

Altura lists:

DWR coating to repel water

Thermal grid fleece traps warmth while letting air flow

Adjustable waist

Tapered leg

Zipped hand pockets

Reflective print in key movement areas

Relaxed fit

Material: 100% Polyester

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

High quality manufacture, no concerns surrounding seams or poor quality zippers.

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

Does the job it's designed to, though a few minor improvements would make them even better, namely: thicker fleecing, and elasticated ankles.

Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10

All good so far, but I wonder how well the saddle area will last.

Rate the product for fit:
 
7/10
Rate the product for sizing:
 
7/10

No issues with sizing; the drawstring ensures you can make them fit if they are slightly loose.

Rate the product for weight:
 
7/10

Don't feel heavy – you barely notice them.

Rate the product for comfort:
 
8/10

DWR coating and fleece lining ensure you can remain comfortable at all times. The tapered design perfectly complements them, and ensures they remain practical.

Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

Although the Altura Grid Pants might not have all the technical inclusions of those tested recently on road.cc, I'd go out on a limb and say you wouldn't miss most of them. Especially when comparative pants retail for £30-£100 more!

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

Easy to live with – chuck in the machine on a cold wash.

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

Did everything they're claimed to. Elasticated ankles to prevent updraughts and a thicker fleece for colder winter days would make them better... but these are minor nit-picks.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Versatile and comfortable; the tapered design, DWR coating and fleeced inner make them ideal for all weathers.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing really.

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

Although they don't feature as many technical features as some competitors (additional pockets, quick-dry material, and the like), it's hard to argue with the value proposition they offer. Rapha's Explore Pants, for example, are £140, and Chrome's Madrone 5 Pants have been replaced by its Brannan Pants which cost £147.

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

They're very good: a versatile pair of cycling pants benefiting from a well-thought-out design and excellent construction.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 24  Height: 173  Weight: 72

I usually ride: BMC Teammachine SLR ONE  My best bike is:

I've been riding for: Under 5 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

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

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