Mosko Moto Woodsman Enduro Pants Review

[MotoNews]

Published in: Gear

An in-the-Boot ADV Pant that can Do Almost Everything

Finding appropriate adventure motorcycling pants is not an easy task these days. Options are endless. A quick search on Google will leave you with a menagerie of variants, ranging in price, shape, size, appointments, and perhaps most importantly, weather preparedness. But no matter how you shake it, one pair of pants can’t do everything… or can it?

Although new to the world of adventure motorcycle riding gear, Mosko Moto, who entered the ADV market with a revolutionary line of luggage in 2013, is no stranger to thorough R&D. Like their soft luggage, the Woodsman Enduro Pant was comprehensively tested before being made available to the public. And, the design process was documented publicly on their blog, receiving feedback from dual-sport and ADV riders around the world. This combination of research, development, testing, and crowd-sourcing has made it possible for Mosko Moto to create a pair of in-the-boot riding pants that will satisfy the needs of 90% of us.

Described as a technical softshell pant for enduro riding, the Woodsman is just as comfortable in the Pacific Northwest backcountry, where the Mosko brand was born, as it is in the arid desert of Arizona. Combining a three-layer Schoeller softshell waterproof and breathable material on the knees and seat, with a Durable Water Repellant (DWR) coated nylon oxford material elsewhere, offers excellent breathability and protection from wet brush, debris, and water crossings.

But don’t let the fancy waterproof materials fool you into thinking these pants will cook you when temperatures hike. The Woodsman comes equipped with four mesh-lined vents on the thighs, two vertical slats starting just above the knee, and two larger exhaust vents on the outer edge. This ventilation system will help to keep riders cool whether they’re seated or standing. Ultimately, the combination of the Schoeller softshell material in the critical parts, i.e., crotch and thighs, along with a DWR coating on the remaining sections, provides just enough protection without sacrificing comfort when temperatures change or the weather shifts.

Inspired by alpine and snow sports outerwear, the Woodsman features a stretchy material and articulated joints, which help to comfortably transition between seated and standing positions. Additionally, the Woodsman has a bonded low-profile hem and full-length inseam that helps prevent bunching of material within the boot and allows wearing the pants off the bike without looking too much like traditional riding gear.

You’re probably wondering what it’s like to ride in the Woodsman Enduro Pant. With an adjustable waistband, the Woodsman offers ample room for base layers, long johns, or a six-pack. Velcro adjustment straps along the belt line tighten the pant without the necessity of a belt. Along with the adjustable waistband, two large button snaps and a YKK zipper secure the pants. The in-the-boot design keeps material from becoming pinched between your boots and the bike, and as they’re tapered toward the ankle, they don’t look ridiculous when you’re not wearing boots.

All this brings us to another point: One pair to rule them all! ADV riders look for riding gear that will tackle all kinds of terrain, weather conditions, and scenarios. But that often forces sacrifices in terms of comfort or practicality. Sure, 1000-Denier Cordura with a GORE-TEX membrane will handle almost any environment, but unless appropriately vented, you’ll regret the choice of material when the temperature increases. With the Woodsman Enduro Pant, you stay dry and comfortable in 90% of the conditions and only have to pack a fully waterproof overpant, like Mosko’s Deluge, for those full-frontal rainstorms.

 

Final Thoughts: For riders looking for a do-everything dual-sport or ADV pant that transitions from single-track to dirt roads, long highway slogs, to beers at the bar, the Woodsman Enduro offers tremendous versatility for its $299 MSRP. Cut to fit over knee armor, the Woodsman is more than adequate for the serious ADV rider who plans to test the limits. The cut is forgiving and comfortable without looking like ski pants or some industrial overalls. I was just as comfortable wearing the Woodsman while riding in the Arizona backcountry as when we stopped for lunch. And coupled with a less flashy pair of boots, the pants would likely pass as active outdoorsman outerwear and not traditional Stormtrooper attire.

Additionally, there are ample pockets, two at the front, with two cargo-style pockets just above the knee, as well as an internal phone sleeve and water-resistant zippers to keep your belongings safe and secure while riding. I will say that the Tamarack colorway I chose is much easier on the eyes than the Canyon offering, which features large black fabric panels both front and rear. Overall, though, I found the Woodsman to be both a functional and aesthetically appealing offering from a company known to test their products rigorously.

So, is the Woodsman Enduro Pant a replacement for the traditional 1000-D Cordura kit that most ADV riders wear on their long, arduous trips to Starbucks? I’d say yes.

Specs:

• Hybrid material construction balances water repellency and ventilation
• Durable stretch nylon fabrics
• In-the-boot design
• Four mesh-lined vents with flow-through venting
• Two hand pockets and two cargo pockets with internal phone/accessories sleeve
• Adjustable waist
• YKK zippers
• High performance C6 DWR (Durable Water Repellent)
• 95% nylon, 5% Spandex, 320d x 480d +120OP, 282g/sqm
• 70% nylon, 10% polyurethane, 12% polyester, 8% Elastane, 300d, 415g/sqm, 3L
• Schoeller C-change waterproof breathable technology

MSRP: $299

MoskoMoto.com

PROS:

• Hybrid material offers flexibility and weather resistance while also keeping you cool.
• Multiple pockets provide ample space to keep your belonging while on or off the bike.
• The Tamarack colorway looks right at home when wandering around town.
• Adjustable waistband works well and allows for layering without discomfort.
• Tapered cut reduces the look of a “blooming onion” when wearing riding boots.
• Front and rear ventilation keep your bits and pieces cool on hot days.

CONS:

• The Canyon colorway strikes an uncomfortable visual contrast.
• A lack of included armor makes the $299 price-tag sting, just a little.
• Lack of GORE-TEX or similar waterproofing means riders may want an overpant.

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