Reviewed by Kay Levesque
Note: Just in time for Mother’s Day, Peppermint Cycling offers 20% off everything through May 11. Check out their website at peppermintcycling.com for this very (pepperminty) sweet deal.
I tried out their mountain bike pants, and while I loved many of their features, the size didn’t work quite right for me. I asked one of my besties to give the pants a whirl, and she pretty much wore them the entirety of our 18th annual ladies’ mountain bike weekend.
The temperatures for riding didn’t warrant wearing pants, but for the cool mornings and evenings of the Moab desert, these pants were spot on. The fabric is stretchy and soft but has a durable finish that I can imagine will hold up well to the rigors of riding. From the Peppermint Cycling website, the pants are made from “light woven stretch fabric with quick-drying properties. Water-repellent and knee pad-friendly, it features all the great functionalities and protection you need to optimize your performance on the trails.” Who could not use some optimization?
With plenty of stretch and articulation for smelling springtime blooms, the pants also feature an adjustable waistband and pockets that actually fit your hands. Ladies, you know what I’m talking about.
Why do men get roomy pockets, and we get pockets that will only allow your fingertips to squeeze in?! These pants pockets are thankfully made for functionality. I like my whole hand to get in there, especially when I’m standing around waiting for the porcupine rim bike shuttle and feel a little unsure of what to do with myself, much less my hands. By the way, I love the contrasting color of the zipper pulls. It’s cute.
Checking out my friend’s backside, you’ll find a stretchy waistband and a zippered pocket to hold your lip balm, credit card for ice cream post-ride (yes, we did), or a gel or two. Incidentally, Milt’s in Moab still offers the best milkshake.
I saved the more important feature for last—a phone pocket that keeps your phone in the right spot for riding. You won’t notice it, but you’ll have it handy when needed! This phone pocket directs your phone to the back of your leg so it’s not sitting up on top, pulling on your pants while you’re trying to ride. My friend noted that she could hardly feel her phone there, so it must be a comfortable spot.
Bottom line:
These pants offer up a lot of needed functionality while still looking stylish. Please note that my tester girlfriend and I think the pants run slightly small. While I do sometimes need a size large, and these were a size medium, my friend is definitely not a size large, and the pants just fit her. They were perhaps a bit snug for her liking, but she never wears a large size, and the stretch of the fabric makes the fit work. The size medium claims to fit sizes 8-10, but maybe closer to 6-8. Fortunately, Peppermint Cycling has a fabulous 30-day return policy, including a prepaid return label.
Before I forget, Peppermint Cycling has a rewards program called the Cadence Club, which even comes with a birthday discount. Shop and save!
One last photo of the fabulous annual ladies’ trip to the desert!
About Peppermint Cycling:
This company is by women, for women. They aim to solve the shortcomings of clothing designed by men and for men, clothing that just doesn’t scale to the needs of women. Their products are tasteful, cute, durable, and functional. These are the characteristics I look for when I’m shopping for riding clothing, and I’m sure I’m not the only one. Yes, I admit that I love flowers and feminine colors and designs, but I need my clothing to also work for me in addressing all the rigors we face on a mountain bike. Peppermint Cycling has our back.
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