****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
I've owned the original Airglide pants and jacket for years. A couple of years ago I purchased the latest Airglide jacket, and while it fit as well as my original, there were some obvious cost saving measures that made the jacket feel cheaper.I've really enjoyed my first generation Airglide pants over the years. I've worn them in freezing temperatures with the liner, and all summer without it. The pants are easy to put on, as both the liner and pants have full length zippers, and the liner also has a fly zipper and waist buttons.After the hip armor started to disintegrate, and one of the zipper pulls on the liner snapped off, I decided it was time to replace the pants. I did a crazy amount of research on new 3-4 season pants, and decided to buy the fourth generation of the Airglide.The new pants fit as well as my old ones, although they're a tiny bit longer. That said, I will be returning the pants for two reasons:1. While the pants seem mostly unchanged from the old version, the Velcro closures at the ankles face forward. Why, Olympia? The airflow will force them open. Even though the Velcro on my old pants has worn out, at least the airflow tends to keep the closures in place. The forward facing closure makes no sense.2. This is the big one. The liner is just terrible. I understand what the designer was going for: a dual-purpose over/under liner, but in practice it just doesn't work. As in internal liner, it's bulky, cumbersome, and makes putting the pants on a chore. The liner is a pull on liner, with no fly zipper, and no buttons at the waist. This was done to improve the liner as a rain over-pant, but again it make it fail practical inner liner.Most riders who ride in serious rain will use a dedicated rain suit. I wish they would have left the liner as it was, because the old Airglide pants were pretty close to perfect.Love the fit and construction but the velcro storm flap closure at the bottom of the pants faces the wrong way (forward). The velcro cover flap down by your boots faces forward to catch wind, water and debris instead of the closure folding to the rear. I'm sure Olympia had some idea why they created it this way but it escapes me. Other than that they fit great but are on the long side so they can be hemmed to your spec. They're long enough that I don't need them adjusted for riding but to the point of been too long and baggy when walking. Depending on your inseam length this may or may not be an issue.These pants are incredible. I read other reviews that said to get them a size above what you normally wear, and I'm glad I did. I'm normally a 32 and I got the 34 and they fit perfectly. I've worn them over slacks for work as well as over a pair of jeans. Only thing, really, is that I don't think they will go on well over a belt. I've left my belt off of my work pants and just put it on when I get to work, which isn't an issue for me at all. Probably wouldn't be very comfortable with the belt on underneath other pants, anyways. Easy to get on and off. Haven't had to try the rain liner yet, but it definitely helps to keep in a little extra warmth on those brisk mornings. Super comfortable. Very easy to put on my boots with them on as well. Have not tried to take off the pants with boots or shoes on, but it shouldn't be an issue at all. 10/10 would buy again.Great flow through mesh for warm weather, or use as a top layer in the winter. Glad to have some padding in the hips with good armor in the knees. Easy to get on and off with the full length zippers. Fits as expected. I bought one size larger to put over top some heavy fleece for winter riding.Good ventilation. Runs a little long but I like that. Like the liner option.Length is extremely long!A wonderful over pant. Fits great. Has good ventilation and the length is spot on.
