Test: 16 knee breeches for men and women - three-quarter breeches for road cycling: For autumn and spring

The most important facts in brief:

In cool weather, breeches are an alternative to the combination of shorts and knee-length trousers. Although they are not as versatile, they are generally more comfortable to wear. Women in particular appreciate breeches, but would like to see more models with straps. The men's Rockrider model from Decathlon offers the best value for money in the test field. Scott tailors good trousers for men and women, albeit at a significantly higher price. The three-quarter length cycling trousers protect the knees and are recommended for cooler days. We compared eight pairs of knee trousers for men and women in the test

Knee breeches - who needs them?

Knee breeches are practical and impractical at the same time. Practical because the knee ring is part of the trousers and therefore cannot slip, chafe or constrict. Impractical because you can't expose your knees (some trousers even reach up to or over the calf) when it gets warm. On the other hand, when do you really need this flexibility? If you're cycling up mountain passes all day sweating and down freezing, the knee cover is your first choice. On the other hand, there's everyday road cycling: on the vast majority of rides where the weather makes knee warmers seem sensible, you put them on before the start and take them off again after the ride. You could save yourself the hassle of putting them on and wear breeches instead.

However, as breeches are more of an addition to a cyclist's wardrobe than a must-have, most manufacturers don't put them right at the front of their cycling collections. Some only offer them for women, some only for men. Bib shorts for women are conspicuously rare. When asked, manufacturers such as Castelli, Pearl Izumi and Gonso confirm that bib shorts are particularly popular with women and are in constant demand. There is less demand for them from men; the combination of shorts and knee or leg warmers is more popular. Either way, a layer of fabric for the knee to protect against cool temperatures is definitely a good idea. It is in the nature of things that older people in particular can feel when their knees are chirping.

Application area: Big differences in detail

As different as the ideas about the purpose of knee-length trousers are, so different are the variants in our comparison. Most of the women's models are actually summer trousers with trouser legs that are extended above the knee. These trousers are correspondingly light (less than 200 grams) and vapour-permeable, which is why they can be worn comfortably in temperatures of around 20 degrees without getting too sweaty. Men's trousers from Castelli, Decathlon or Sportful are made for significantly lower temperatures and are waterproofed to protect against light drizzle. Women who also want to be equipped for worse weather will have to look for suitable trousers in the men's range.

Not every pair of trousers is "good"

As with any cycling shorts with padding, the fabric mix, cut, straps - or waistband - and leg ends determine how well the shorts perform in the saddle. A key task of the shorts is to keep the seat pad in position without losing contact with the saddle and compromising the pedalling sensation. Ideally, you won't notice the padding. What is annoying, however, is the spongy feeling that reliably sets in when too thin and elasticated trouser fabric meets giant cushion-like padding.

Test summary

Knee breeches are a good choice for cool and stable weather. They effectively protect the knees from the cold and keep them soft and cosy. However, our test also shows that women have to make do with a small and less high-quality range. Perhaps the manufacturers should reconsider this - because: Basically, women find knee trousers cooler than men.

Eight models for women in the test

Eight models for men in the test

Buying advice: what matters when it comes to cycling trousers

Construction and upholstery

The trousers must hold the pad in position when pedalling, and the density and elasticity of the fabric must be adjusted accordingly. If the fabric is too loose, the padding seems to float on the saddle, especially large and thick pads give a nappy-like feeling. Scott solves this problem well to very well, while the women's trousers from Decathlon and Gonso perform less well in this respect.

Straps, waistband, leg cuffs

Straps and waistbands must be elasticated, lie flat and offer sufficient support without pinching. If the straps are wide, they should only be elasticated in one direction and not roll up. The same applies to the waistband, which must also be cut high enough at the back to prevent the trousers from slipping. The leg hems should also be wide, free of seams and not slip. The men's trousers from Decathlon and Scott and the women's model from Sportful are the most popular.

Equipment

Useful details turn a normal pair of trousers into a favourite. These include flat-fitting, comfortable straps or waistbands, mesh material on the back or in the back of the knees and sensibly and sufficiently placed reflective material. The trousers from Castelli, Gonso or Isadore, for example, as well as the inexpensive men's model from Decathlon, are well equipped.

Processing

No threads or prints come loose on carefully manufactured trousers, even after several washes. Decathlon, Gonso and the women's trousers from Pearl Izumi show minor weaknesses here. The trousers from Craft and Isadore are top quality.

The full test with detailed scores and information on features, temperature range of use and water resistance can be downloaded below for €1.99.

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