Down and dirty: Best adventure bike trousers

Great value, these adventure motorcycle trousers from Texpeed are badged as waterproof and coming with CE armour in the knees and hips, amazing if indeed CE approved. They are made with a 600D Korean Cordura outer layer which is double-layered in key areas, and this is backed with a Reissa waterproof, windproof and breathable membrane to keep the elements out but let you breathe.

Designed to be used with the matching jacket but just as able to be used with others, these adventure motorcycle trousers are made from MaxTex material with extra layers of ballistic textile in key abrasion and impact areas, resulting in a CE A rating overall. They come with a combined thermal and waterproof and breathable SinAqua removable liner while large vent panels on the front of the thighs allow lots of cooling air in while riding. They come with CE Level-2 armour at the knees and two cargo pockets on the thighs and, of course, will zip together with matching RST jackets.

These adventure motorcycle trousers from Tucano Urbano's adventure-focused sub-brand T.Ur are perfect for off-road riding (or even touring) in warm conditions. They are formed in two materials, a 1000D Cordura in the main impact and abrasion areas, plus a mesh weave in non-key areas to promote huge amounts of airflow.

These adventure motorcycle trousers from Wiese are good for year-round riding on the road as well as off. They are formed in 600D polyester outer with laminated membrane to keep water and wind out while letting the body breathe. They come with an Outlast thermal lining which is designed to regulate the body's temperature, absorbing heat when it is warm and releasing it back to the body when it gets cold.

Like the jacket, the Montreal is about to be replaced by version 4.0 so the 3.0 is on run-out, making it great value. They are formed with a textile outer and this is backed with a Reissa membrane to keep the elements out but allow the body to breathe. To aid this further, there are two zipped vents on the thighs with poppers to hold them open in use and there is also a removable thermal liner in case the temperature drops.

As we saw when we looked at jackets, Klim is top-end adventure equipment, and these adventure motorcycle trousers, designed to work with the Carlsbad jacket, are no exception. They are made in FPL400 abrasion-resistant material with heavier 630D Cordura overlays in key areas, such as the knees and the seat.

Someone at Held clearly has a sense of humour, as these Matata trousers are designed to be paired with the brand's Hakuna jacket, so no worries there. They're made in 500D Cordura outer with accordion stretch panels above the knees, at the crotch and the back for a good fit and comfort.

Like the matching jacket, the AllRoad from Spidi is intended for adventure riding though it could equally be worn for touring. It is formed with a CE AA-rated outer which features large ventilation zips to allow cooling air in. Internally, there is a separate H2Out waterproof and breathable membrane liner as well as another, thermal liner, giving excellent flexibility to tailor the trousers to whatever the conditions are. They come with the company's Warrior CE-approved armour in the knees and hips and a zip allows connection with a Spidi jacket.

The latest version of Alpinestars' Andes adventure-touring clothing is made with a polyfabric outer and uses Alpinestars' own Drystar breathable and waterproof fixed membrane to keep you dry yet prevent sweat building up. They come with a removable thermal liner and the use of the membrane bonded inside the outer means one less layer to worry about, they are always waterproof.

Designed to work with the matching Offtrack jacket, these adventure motorcycle trousers are formed with an outer in a variety of materials, including 600D polyester for the main body and panels of Rev'It's own 500D material in other areas. They come with a detachable thermal liner for warmth on cold rides and a separate waterproof and breathable layer using a Hydratex membrane.