Scott Ergo Pro DP Rain Trousers In Black

The Ergo Pro is quite simply the best waterproof over-pant that money can buy. Within six months of taking it on we decided to de-list every other waterproof over-pant we offered because we simply lacked the appetite to offer our customers a second-best alternative. It should probably go without saying that they are extremely waterproof, but they are also very breathable, meaning that you won’t get wet from the outside, or the inside. The secret to the Scotts’ performance is the membrane that is laminated to the inside of the outer chassis. Plastic bags they are not.

But what makes the Scotts so good to wear is the way they fit. The material from which they are made is incredibly tough, but also incredibly stretchy. What this means is that you can wear the pants far more closely to the body than you can most waterproof trousers out there; yet because of the stretch even when you do so they are still very comfortable. Wearing them in a more fitted way also means that they don’t flap in the wind; thus you avoid the noise that one experiences with many waterproofs when you’re riding at speed. 

The pants sit high; in fact they come right up to the chest, and have the appearance more of a fisherman’s wader than a motorcycle pant. They are not sexy looking, but the benefit of the way they fit is that when worn beneath a Scott jacket there is absolutely no way that the rain is ever going to be able to seep under the hem of the jacket and over the waistband of the trouser. Once on, there’s a drawstring arrangement that allows to to tighten the fit. 

Now getting into a waterproof pant, when it’s raining hard and you’re parked up by the side of the road, is never easy. And whilst the Scotts are easier than some there is still a technique that is required. The problem is that the heel of your boot will catch on the hem of the pant as you try to pull them up. The Scotts have longish zips, but a little tip is to carry the Scott stuff sack in a Sainsburys bag. When you need to put the pants on, put the shopping bag over your foot first. The pants will then slide easily over the boot. Then close the zip to fasten the hem of the pant. The hem of the pant is also elasticated to tighten the seal around the shaft of the boot. Remember, though, that on a short boot, the hem may well slip off the boot.

Now, when it comes to sizing, the first anomoly is that you will normally go one size down on what you’d expect. So if you normally think of yourself as somebody who wears a Large trouser, go for a Medium in the Scott. But there is another, altogether more complicated sizing issue that will apply only if you are somewhat longer in the limb department. If you do not fall into this category, save yourself some time, and skip the next paragraph.

The issue is this. There is a long-legged version of the Scott pant, but for some reason unknown to anybody the long-legged version is the ladies’ version. There is no logic or rhyme or reason to this. It’s just a thing. But if you’re a long-legged man you may well need the ladies’ version. Now so complicated and perverse is this that we don’t even list the ladies’ version on the website, because 95% of women will be better off in the standard pant. The main issue is that the ladies’ version is sized in women’s sizes, as you might expect. But most men don’t know their ‘women’s’ size, so we don’t list it. It is simply too confusing. But if you are particularly long-legged, either male or female, phone or email us, and we will tell you the size you need. Complicated or what?

Now, a waterproof over-trouser is something that every biker should carry on the bike, almost regardless of the protective pant they have on. If your riding pant is not waterproof, say it’s a jean, your need for a waterproof over-trouser may be frequent. But if your main pant has a fixed, drop-liner membrane or a removable waterproof liner, a waterproof over-pant worn over them can still play a vital role in preventing the rain from passing through the outer fabric. This will ensure that your pant can dry out much more quickly, but it will also help you stay warmer because if your main pant soaks the rain in, you will lose body heat much faster. Finally, even if you have a laminated trouser a waterproof over-trouser can help you stay warmer because it will offer the added protection of a second windproof/waterproof membrane.

The Scott pants roll into a small stuff sack no larger than an M&S Swiss roll. No idea why this simile came to mind, although as I write this  at about 4.00 pm in the afternoon someone has just brought me a cup of tea, and I would love to have something to make it less wet!

Although the Scott jackets come in a variety of colours, the pants come only in black.

Read our full review of the Scott Waterproofs here.

Stretchable breathable, windproof and waterproof DRYOsphere membrane

Made of 65% Polyurethane, 35% Polyester

Drawstring to. Tighten pant around tummy

Reflective elements for added visibility

Zips at ends of legs to facilitate ingress and egress

Comes in small stuff sack