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5 short rain trousers in the test
Endura Hummvee Waterproof
- Price: 90 Euro >> available here
- Weight: 210 grammes (M)
- Extras: Zip pockets, reflective material
- Watertightness: 3 from 5
The Endura shorts reach up to the kneecap when seated in normal size. This means they hardly rustle and can't rub on the knee. It is the most robust, heaviest model in the test and is intended for the whole tour rather than for emergencies. The reinforced seat surface also speaks in favour of this. Unfortunately, the material doesn't quite live up to the promise of the good cut: with a 3000 millimetre water column, moisture penetrated at some seams. Before the test washes, it was still completely waterproof.
Gorewear Endure Shorts
- Price: 160 Euro
- Weight: 131 gram (M)
- Extras: Storage bag, key pouch
- Watertightness: 5 from 5
It's almost boring, but this piece from the waterproof Gore line has it all. The "Paclite Plus" material is super light, packs down to the size of a jersey pocket and is relatively pleasant to the touch. Compared to the similarly long Endura shorts, they have a slimmer cut - putting them on with thick winter shoes can be difficult. The reinforced seat and waterproof finish are impressive. The low weight makes them suitable for any application.
Löffler 3/4 Bike Overpants WPM Pocket
- Price: 160 Euro
- Weight: 130 grams (M)
- Extras: Velcro leg cuffs, separable leg seam
- Watertightness: 5 from 5
With the weight of two muesli bars, the Löffler shorts compete for a place in your jersey or rucksack. The split legs for easy donning with shoes and the unreinforced seat area indicate that the thin Löffler shorts are more of a reassuring emergency aid than an option for dirty stage rides. Their PU coating is barely protected from abrasive sand on the inside. We have no doubts about their waterproofness: the surface and seams withstood the test water pressure.
Protective P-Seattle
- Price: 60 Euro >> available here
- Weight: 165 grammes (M)
- Extras: Velcro leg cuffs
- Watertightness: 1 from 5
Visible and inexpensive: The Protective shorts, which are optionally available in neon yellow, are the cheapest in the test. This is noticeable because the material with a plastic bag feel not only has a low vapour permeability, but also proved to be leaky in places in the pressure test below the 5000 millimetre water column specified by the manufacturer. Only the reinforced seat area kept the water out. The trouser legs cover about two thirds of the thighs in the saddle. The range of use is similar to the Endura model, but their cut is less functional.
Vaude Drop Short
- Price: 80 Euro >> available here
- Weight: 115 grammes (50)
- Extras: Velcro leg cuffs, reflective material
- Watertightness: 3 from 5
Low weight, good cut, leg length up to the knee. A reinforced seat is also on board. Fits so far! However, in the laboratory test with a 3000 millimetre water column, the Drop Short, which has been washed several times, was not convincing - only the seat area kept the water out. The water seeped through at critical seams and even the surface was a little damp. A second, unwashed test sample was convincing in the pressure test. We have hardly ever encountered this problem with the company's own "Ceplex active" material. An outlier in the material batch?
Test summary of the short rain trousers
Jörg Spaniol, TOUR author: "The selection is divided into lightweight models for emergencies and somewhat more robust models that are more likely to be worn from the start. At least these should have reinforced seat surfaces, especially for gravel riding; soil and sand on the inside quickly wear away any membrane and coating on the saddle. Not every pair of trousers performed convincingly in the waterproofness lab test. After two test washes, a few drops squeezed through at the seams of three of them. Sobering conclusion: For intrepid off-road enthusiasts, mudguards could be the better investment."
