Volcom Trousers

Fabric Tech and What It Means in the Field

The centrepiece of Volcom's cycling trouser range is the V.Co-Tech™ mobility stretch fabric. In plain terms, it's a four-way stretch construction that moves with your hips and knees through the full pedal stroke rather than pulling tight or riding up. You'll notice the difference most on long climbs - there's no binding sensation around the knee or upper thigh that forces you to adjust your position. It's the kind of fabric behaviour you get used to quickly and then really miss when you go back to something stiffer.

The DWR (Durable Water Repellent) coating is worth understanding properly because there's a common misconception here. It won't keep you dry in a sustained downpour the way a waterproof shell does, but it's not trying to. What it does is bead off light rain, puddle splash, and trail spray - which covers the majority of what UK riding actually throws at you outside of full winter conditions. Breathability is preserved, which matters when you're grinding up a humid woodland climb in September and don't want to arrive at the top absolutely soaked from the inside. For genuinely brutal days, layer a light waterproof shell over the top and the DWR finish still reduces how much moisture reaches the outer fabric.

Ripstop weave construction features across key models, and it earns its place. Brambly, overgrown singletrack - the kind you find on lesser-ridden trails across the Peak District or through Welsh forest edges - puts real stress on fabric. Ripstop limits any small snag from spreading into a proper tear. It adds a bit of stiffness to the hand-feel of the cloth, but Volcom have balanced it well against the stretch properties so it doesn't compromise mobility. Fox trousers use a similar approach with their Ranger range, though Volcom's cut sits slightly more relaxed through the seat and thigh.

How the Fit Works - and Who It Suits

Volcom's fit profile reflects where the brand comes from. These aren't XC race tights reworked into trail trousers - they're cut with a roomier seat and thigh that gives you confidence moving around on the bike, standing through rough sections, or dropping your weight back on a steep chute. That freeride-friendly shape through the upper leg is a real advantage if you run low-profile knee pads underneath, something the articulated knee panels actively accommodate. The pre-shaped knees mean there's no bunching behind the joint when you're in an aggressive position.

Below the knee, the taper sharpens up considerably. This is deliberate and it matters - a loose, flapping ankle around a chain ring is asking for a snag, a grease stripe, or worse. The tapered lower leg on Volcom riding trousers keeps the fabric controlled without needing velcro cinches or ankle cuffs that dig in after an hour. Secure zippered stash pockets sit flat enough that they don't create pressure points under a hip pack waist strap, which is a small detail that makes a real difference on longer days.

On sizing: Volcom's streetwear background means their sizing runs true to size but with a slightly more generous cut than, say, Endura trousers which lean more performance-specific in their proportions. If you're between sizes and plan to layer padded liner shorts underneath for longer rides, size up. If you're riding predominantly in warmer months with just a chamois brief below, your standard size will work well. The Volcom riding trousers fit guide logic is simple: prioritise comfort through the hip and let the taper at the ankle do the technical work.

Building a UK Riding Wardrobe Around These Trousers

For most riders, these trousers work hardest as a three-season option - spring through to late autumn covers the bulk of UK trail riding, and the DWR finish and stretch fabric handle that range well. In proper winter mud, you might find yourself reaching for something with fuller waterproofing, but as summer vs winter riding pants choices go, Volcom's range sits firmly in the versatile middle ground that suits the majority of riding days in this country.

Pairing them with a padded liner short underneath is the move for anything over two hours in the saddle. You get the fit and protection of a chamois without the visual commitment of full bib tights, and the Volcom trouser's relaxed upper section accommodates the extra layer without pulling tight across the hips. It's a combination that works from a Surrey Hills lap to a longer Scottish enduro day.

Washing these properly is worth doing right. Cold wash, always - hot water degrades both the DWR coating and the elasticity in the V.Co-Tech™ stretch fabric. Avoid fabric softener entirely; it coats the fibres and kills the DWR's ability to bead water. Give them a tumble dry on low heat occasionally rather than just line-drying, as the heat helps reactivate the DWR treatment. Do that and the coating will last through a full season of muddy rides without needing a re-spray. POC trousers carry similar care requirements for their technical finishes - the principle applies across most DWR-treated MTB apparel.

For a complete setup, the Volcom hoodies layer naturally over the top for trail-centre days when the temperature drops between runs, and their Volcom T-shirts and shirts use compatible stretch fabrics that move in the same way when you're riding without a mid-layer. It's a range built to work together rather than mix-and-match awkwardly. If you need to dial in the waist fit, Volcom belts are cut for use with their trouser waistbands specifically. Small detail, but worth knowing before you're in the car park trying to sort a gaping waistband before the ride starts.