Rab Cinder Crank Pants review – extremely comfortable, lightweight riding trousers

Rab has a long-standing reputation for making high-quality outdoor kit and clothing, and now it’s making MTB gear these new Cinder Crank Pants are no exception – although the price reflects that. Made from a lightweight softshell material, they are available in both men and women’s versions that are broadly similar but do have a few different features – the men’s have a zip fly, for example, while the women’s are pull-up. They also have a choice of three leg lengths, while the women’s only come in one length. Check out our best MTB pants buyer’s guide for more trail trousers.

Design and specifications

The Cinder Cranks have definitely been designed for maximum comfort. They’re made up of multiple panels of Rab’s proprietary lightweight stretch softshell, which is breathable yet wind-resistant and has an eco-friendly DWR finish. These trousers are unusual in that, thanks to super-stretchy – and soft – waist panels, they simply pull up, doing away with zips and waist adjusters. This is both practical and flattering, making them quick to pull on and giving a streamlined profile. The pre-shaped legs allow ample room for trail knee pads, while the seat and back of thighs use a slightly harder-wearing softshell. The gusset is reinforced for added durability and, similarly, there’s an ankle patch inside the right leg.

Features include two zipped thigh vents, the idea being you can reach through to access the contents of the pockets on your Rab Cinder Cargo or Liner shorts. There are also ankle zips, with a fabric gusset behind, so you can cinch the legs in after you’ve pulled them over your feet. Lastly, they have a rectangular zipped pocket on the right hip and reflective detail on both legs.

Performance

What stands out as soon as you pull these on (literally) is just how comfortable they are, with the soft feel and generous stretch of the fabric plus lack of bulk around the waist, where you get sweaty enough anyway and waistbands can dig in. They’re a match, or possibly exceed, Rapha’s Trail Lightweight Pants in this respect.  The Crank pants are totally unrestrictive, so much so that I also did yoga in them before riding! The broad elastane-rich waist panels – cut low at the front and good and high at the back (with a silicone logo inside the rear for added grip) – ensure the pants stay in place. I had no issues with them pulling down, although over the course of my testing they did become looser, but I also dropped a few pounds at the same time so it’s hard to tell if this was due to excess stretch in the fabric too. However, if you prefer a closer fit I’d advise sizing down, especially if you’re between sizes.

The material is perfect for mild weather, or when you want a bit of protection from nettles and suchlike. It’s breathable enough in warm temperatures and warm enough when a chill wind blows, plus the DWR protects you from spray or light drizzle. If you do get wet then the fully synthetic fabric dries out pretty quickly anyway. The articulated knees mean there’s no sensation of the fabric pulling when pedaling and I experienced no snagging on my pads, all adding to the excellent riding experience. The legs taper markedly at the calf and ankle, making the ankle zips almost superfluous as they’re pretty narrow already.

So far so great, although I feel the features don’t quite live up to the magnificent cut and comfort. The pocket was too narrow to fit my smartphone, and its position on the hip isn’t the best as you’d most likely land on it in the event of a fall. I’d prefer an outside thigh pocket big enough for a phone, like Rapha have on both their Trail Pants, which doesn’t interfere with pedaling. In fact, when I first opened the thigh zips, that is what I was expecting to find. I think pockets would be more useful than the vents, which rely on you wearing coordinating cargo liner shorts. 

I experimented using them as vents to dump heat, riding with one open and the other closed, but really couldn’t notice any difference. Also, as I like wearing short padded shorts in warmer weather it meant I was exposing bare skin, a strange look! Then there’s the added jeopardy of a wasp or bee inadvertently flying inside the trouser leg… However, not having pockets isn’t the end of the world and doesn’t detract from these pants’ superior comfort and great fit. They’re also showing little sign of wear, which bodes well that they’ll last you.

Verdict

If you’re after a supremely comfortable, well made and flattering pair of riding trousers that will see you through from spring to fall/autumn – and aren’t bothered about having a smartphone pocket – then I’d highly recommend Rab’s Crank pants. They are on the pricey side, though, but you can be sure of the quality.

Tech specs – Rab Women’s Cinder Crank Pants

• Price: $160 / £135
• Sizes: UK 8-16
• Weight: 267g (size 12 / US M tested)
• Colors: Anthracite, Orion Blue (pictured)
• Materials: Polyester, polyamide, elastane