45NRTH Naughtvind Men's Pant [Rider Review]

Our "Rider Review" article series features the honest reviews from verified purchasers of Worldwide Cyclery. They contain the photos, thoughts, feedback & overall review you are looking for. 

Are you refusing to allow the winter elements keep you from riding? Take a look at 45NRTH Naughtvind pants. They're specifically designed for winter riding. Our friend, Thomas, just reviewed them. See what they think!!

Overview

When the temperatures dip and the snow starts to fly, sure you can take up skiing instead, but singletrack doesn't have an offseason with fat bikes. Although big tires will give you the float, you've still got to make yourself warm and comfortable with your riding kit. While you can make typical snow pants work—and I did for a couple of years—they're not ideal: their insulation will keep you warm (even too warm) but the bulk of them doesn't play well with pedaling a bike. Ski/snowboard pants are designed for just that, shredding pow and sitting on chairlifts, not for the more aerobic conditions of cycling. A common go-to is cross-country ski pants with more windproof paneling in the front and more breathability in the back to dump heat. Still, there are dedicated cycling pants and the folks at 45NRTH deliver. Based in Minnesota, they know a thing or two about the cold, offering a wide variety of fat tires, studs, pogies, and yes, clothing.

Size and Fit
I'm a kind of shorter but stout guy at 5'7" and 190 lb., and although on my hips where pants sit I measure 38" around, I typically fit size 34×30 pants. In most brands, this seems to end up meaning I lie right on the medium-large boundary, and 45NRTH is no exception. Based on their sizing charts (https://45nrth.com/products/size-guide, the WC product page doesn't actually have a link to this, c'mon guys!), I opted to go with a medium for a more tailored fit since it should fit hips up to 40.5". Despite my short 28" inseam, the quoted 34" inseam of the pants doesn't seem to cause them to excessively bunch up or drag on the floor which is nice; rather, they seem to make a single large fold above the ankle pipe. They are a bit snug around the thighs, and I have to have the velcro waist adjustment at its maximum. I do prefer the velcro system over a simple elastic waistband, as I feel elastic would fail over time, as well as just make it feel a bit like a cheap pair of sweatpants. The fabric around the snap button closure and fly shows a little strain, but not so much that it's about to burst open and release The Gut. I maybe would have been better served by a large, but none of it is uncomfortable enough for me to bother with exchanging, though I may come to regret that if I happen to put on a few pounds... In any case, that's all to say that they run fairly true to size if anything maybe a bit on the small side. If you find yourself between sizes like me, I'd probably recommend sizing up and trusting the velcro system to cinch it down. Expect to be able to wear a chamois and/or thin base layer(s) underneath, but you're not going to be layering this over another pair of regular pants. For the ladies, there is no specific women's version: you'd be looking at this same unisex cut.

Warmth, Breathability, and Weatherproofing
Warmth is an inherently tricky business for winter sport, as every individual is unique. Some people run hot and others run cold and they will have vastly different needs even in the same conditions: I happen to be in the hot camp. As a thin softshell pant, the Naughtvinds aren't particularly warm on their own. Indeed I've heard people say that they're not as warm as the previous version, and they've made to work more like a complete system with 45NRTH's Naughtvind bibs and jacket. While this may sound like a mark against the pants, it's actually a positive as it makes them very versatile with layering given the differences between people. You can dress as warm as you need underneath while the Naughtvinds are just the final weather barrier on top to keep wind and moisture out, which they do quite well. Here in Minnesota, we've had a very mild start to our winter this year, so I've only gotten a few chances to really test them. I've felt good and comfortable in the 15–30 °F range with only a light base layer underneath, and barely noticed the stiff 15 mph winds on one ride. I think I could ditch the base layer and be fine with just the pants from 30–50 °F, while above 50 °F I'd switch to shorts. With a heavier or perhaps two base layers underneath, I have no doubts these will continue to perform well down into the single digits or even a little into the negatives, which should cover me for the majority of days here without a need for a second pair of thicker insulated shell pants.

As for water resistance and management, they've done well at letting sweat escape but keeping snow out when I've had to step off the trail to adjust tire pressure, make a quick repair, or get that perfect Insta snap. I've not tested them, nor do I intend to test them, in wetter conditions like sleet or freezing rain. I'm a mountain biker, not a roadie commuter. If your "winter" consists more of rain and mud than snow and frigid wind chills, like the PNW, I can't directly comment there either, but it seems like the Naughtvinds are designed much more around extreme temps, and something else might be better for slopping through the muck.

Features
There are really three main features to the pants: the zippered rear pockets, the thigh ventilation flaps, and the ankle pipe. The Naughtvind pants do also have some reflective details for visibility, but for my uses off-road where I shouldn't be encountering vehicle traffic, it doesn't really matter a great deal.

Pockets
While the front pockets are the standard fare you'd find on any pair of pants, it's the "rear" pockets that really shine. They're actually more of side pockets, so you're not smashing your keys, phone, or trail snack against the saddle when you sit down. Like your typical MTB shorts, the zippers will keep your goodies from falling out on a bumpy trail. The pocket entrance faces upwards when your leg is at a maximum bend in your pedal stroke, providing easy access and again less chance of things falling out if you forgot to zip them back up. This is one of the things that really makes them stand out for biking compared to a cross-country ski pant.

Thigh Vents
At first glance, these may look like small extra pockets on the front of the thigh, and you maybe could use them as such, their true purpose is to open up some of the windproof shell to let in just a bit of cold so that you don't overheat but not so much that the pants become pointless. This is done with a small triangular flap that comes loose as you undo the zippers, which are then secured to the side of the leg with a magnet sewn in just below the rear pockets. This is probably the Naughtvind's biggest weak point for me since the magnet doesn't seem to be strong enough to do its job: the vent comes loose and just flaps about, especially with the motion of pedaling. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad if I had gone with a large instead of a medium, though I don't think I have particularly large thighs (I measure them at 23" around). A stronger magnet might help, but given the proximity to the pockets, I'd be wary of putting my phone in there if it were too strong. I suspect the rationale for having the magnet is that so you can open and close them on-the-go without having to stop and pull to the side of the trail, but it just feels like it would be easier and more secure to have had a snap button closure. You could still undo the zipper while leaving the velcro engaged for a smaller amount of ventilation, but I'll basically be forgetting that these exist.

Ankle Pipe
If you've ever biked in a pair of regular pants, chances are you've experienced the fabric at the ankle cuff bunching up to the inside from the motion of pedaling, invariably rubbing on the chainring and cranks, and if you're really unlucky getting snagged between the ring's teeth and the chain itself. Nobody wants chain oil stains or rips in their pants and duct-taping your pants into submission is an ugly bodge. The Naughtvind gets around this in two ways. First, it's a slim opening so there isn't much excess fabric, to begin with, and more velcro helps you get it nice and snug around your boot. As a side bonus, this also keeps at bay any cold drafts from below and works a little bit as a gaiter to keep snow from creeping over the top and into your boot if you have to put a foot down. Second, the inside of the cuff is reinforced with a thicker, stiffer fabric that resists bunching in the first place and offers increased rip protection in case it were to still contact any part of the bike. Win and win.

Value
At nearly $200 they're not necessarily outrageous for outdoor activewear, but compared to some pants advertised as for "winter cycling" that you can pick up for $35 on Amazon, they can look a bit expensive in comparison. I choose to believe that with an experienced pedigree,

45NRTH is using higher quality fabric and better construction.

While "Amazon's Choice" might be serviceable enough, I'm expecting overall better and longer-lasting performance out of the Naughtvinds and think it's money well spent, especially in the long term. I also have to admit that I'd rather support local brands when I can, and I used to live only blocks from the headquarters of 45NRTH's parent company, QBP.

Final Thoughts

Overall the Naughtvinds are a quality pant that is adaptable to a wide range of conditions through layering and the slim ankle keeps them from getting caught up in your drivetrain. My only true complaint is with the magnetic thigh vent closure not really working to stay secure: everything else is minor matters of fit/sizing and as they say, everybody is different. Although primarily for biking, their snow and wind resistance combined with their slim fit should also cross over well for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. I don't think I would wear them casually due to the stiff ankle pipe. One last thing that would have been nice to see is other color options besides black. It is clothing after all and while performance comes first, clothing is still part of fashion.