There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.
While I’m not totally convinced by that statement, there is a degree of truth to it.
With the weather turning, I’m convinced the Madison DTE 4-Season Bib Trousers will quickly become part of my regular winter riding wardrobe.
There are multiple reasons why this’ll happen, but first and foremost, I love the fact that these aren’t fully waterproof. This means I’ll be able to wear them way more regularly than full-on waterproof trousers, which can get super-sweaty.
They are waterproof in the right places, feature a couple of useful pockets and – this is a good one, especially for me – come in a variety of leg lengths, although only if you opt for the black pair.
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Versatility is key
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Don’t get me wrong, there’s a time and a place for fully waterproof trousers, dungarees and even onesies.
But at this time of year, they’re too hot, too sweaty and not very practical.
That’s why my interest was so thoroughly piqued when I saw the press release from Madison about these new hybrid dungarees.
We’re in that transitional time of year when temperatures fluctuate continually, leaving you sweating one minute and shivering the next, while the rain showers come thick and fast. Dressing to ride in this sort of weather is seriously tricky.
And that’s exactly where the DTE 4-Season dungarees come in.
Thanks to the waterproof seat that extends down the backs of your upper legs, you should be decently protected from that irritating rear-tyre spray that can soak you through when the trails are sodden.
And because that waterproof panel (which is rated to 20k, with a breathability rating of 40k) extends up past your bum and covers your lower back, you’re even better protected, especially if you pair these with a waterproof jacket.
On milder days, it’s the stretchy fabric used across the front of the legs and up over the torso that should not only prevent them from feeling restrictive but also add some breathability.
This will likely help for chugging up long climbs when the sun breaks through the clouds. If you were wearing fully waterproof trousers, you’d get seriously sweaty, really quickly. With the DTE dungarees, in theory at least, it’ll take longer for the heat to build up.
The fact that this fabric has a DWR (durable water repellent) coating means the front of the trousers should also be able to prevent splashes and spray from getting your legs wet.
This stretchy fabric is designed to keep windchill off you, too, so should you end up getting a soaking and there’s a chilly breeze at the top of the hill, the DTEs will hopefully prevent you feeling too frosty.
The devil's in the detail
Madison offers the DTE 4-Season dungarees in five standard sizes (S-XXL) in grey, but should you want a more tailored fit, opt for the black ones because you can choose between three leg lengths.
It’s unusual for a brand to have so many options, which is why Madison only offers leg-length choice in the most popular black option. However, if you have a long torso and short legs (or vice versa), it can make a massive, very useful difference on the trail.
In each of the five sizes, you can opt for the short (30in), regular (32in) or long (34in).
Other details include easy-to-use clasps on the adjustable shoulder straps, a massive zip up the side to help with easy entry/exit, and elasticated ankle cuffs to ensure getting them on and off won’t have you rolling around on the floor wrestling them over your feet.
A central pocket on the chest is handy for smaller essentials, and a bigger pocket on the left hip will easily accommodate a phone. Both are zipped to keep the contents nice and secure.
On top of all this, there’s reflective detailing dotted around to help keep you visible if you’re out putting the miles in at night.
I’ll be living in these over the next few months, so stay tuned for a full review soon.
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