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Merlin Bergen Overtrousers Review
Review Date December 2014
By Ren Withnell
Biker pants are a pain in the ass! Especially if you use your motorcycle for almost everything. Pants on, boots on, ride to friend's house. Boots off, pants off, boots back on, have a brew. Boots off, pants on, boots on, ride to pub. Boots off, pants off, boots on, have a drink. Boots off, pants on, boots on, ride home. And so on and so on and so on. Then a few years back I discovered Frank Thomas's Eclipse overtrousers (Frank Thomas Overpants Review) with a full leg zip. Ever since I won't entertain anything without a full leg zip now.
The Eclispe overtrousers were nylon. This was tough nylon and they offered a degree of protection in the event of a spill. Ideally however I've been looking for something similar but in cordura that offers a higher level of protection. Eventually I came across the Merlin Bergen pants.
Full leg zip, check. Cordura, check. Reasonable price, check. What's not to like? The main selling point is the full leg zip. I can arrive at my destination and remove my protective overpants without having to remove my boots or spend an age fighting to get the pants over my boots. Ziiiiiiip, ziiiiiiiip, button zip and they almost fall off. This means I can settle down in my regular pants that I wear underneath. Then when I'm ready to leave I step in and zip up again.
Ziiiiiiiip! So easy to put on and take off.
Of course the world is imperfect. In this cold climate having lightly quilted cordura overtrousers on top of a pair of jeans or combats is quite a warm combination. In summer however it's too blinking warm. That said this applies to all motorcycle pants except the vented ones. I can wear either very light pants or, heaven forbid, shorts under my pants and still keep the protection over my legs. When I arrive at my destination I can quickly strip off and dazzle the world with my pasty white pins. I did just that this summer at my local biker hangout, much to the howls of derision from my friends and shame of my gf.
So they work in the sense that they offer convenient protection over the top of what I am wearing, just like my bike jacket goes over my regular clothes. I cannot offer a definitive answer regarding the level of protection as I've not tried them out, and I shall endeavour to ride safely and keep it that way! What I can say is the cordura feels as thick as any other cordura pants I've owned and the zip appears tough enough to hold together. I know I trust these more than a pair of jeans alone.
Are they waterproof? They have been but my friend has the same pair as myself and his started to leak after 6 months. These pants are budget pants, retailing for between £40 and £60. I've never owned a pair of pants that has stayed waterproof for more than 6 months, not even expensive ones. I'd say they're showerproof like all the other gear.
I have had a minor issue. The waistband is adjustable by means of velcro tabs and one of the buckles has come asunder. To be fair I'd been running them tight and I've had the same problem with other cordura pants too. I have resorted to stitching on some webbing to make braces. This is a sign that the design has not been thought out too well but I repeat they are budget pants and it's nothing I've not seen on other pants.
They're just...Cordura pants...
Overall though I think these pants are marvellous. They are convenient, easy to use and live with, comfortable and hopefully protective. Compared to similarly priced and far less convenient pants the quality is above average. I'm a happy customer and I would recommend them. Just imagine getting to your local and being able to quickly take all your gear off, pile it in a corner and sit comfortably in your regular clothes. These are not bike pants, these are a jacket for your legs.
Reader's Comments
Waterproof Oversuits said :-
This is a terrific article. You make sense with your views and I agree with you on many. Some information about waterproof oversuits. That's a sign of a great article. Thanks!!!!?
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
said :-
04/10/2023 17:21:02 UTC
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