No one likes getting caught short out on the trail, but carrying a load of extra waterproof clobber in a backpack can also be a real drag. Madison’s new Zenith 4-Season Trouser allows you to have your cake and eat it because it features a four-way stretch fabric that feels like a regular riding trouser, but it gets a water-repellent coating and extra waterproof panels and seam taping in the seat. This means if there’s a downpour, you’re not going to get a soggy arse, but you also won’t boil in the bag when the sun comes out.

To ensure a good fit, the Zenith comes with articulated legs, which are also loose enough to accommodate knee pads. However, this trouser is a little too loose for my liking and it also doesn’t stay up. That’s because the stretchy waist adjusters pull way past the fixed Velcro on the waistband. I got them to connect by tying a knot in the strap, but Madison needs to reposition the Velcro or just make it longer.

I like pockets in my trousers for keys and such, and the two hip pockets on the Zenith have waterproof zips and good-sized pull tags. They’re not very deep though, and the zip is rough against your hand. It also runs into the concealed vents, which meant I often opened them by mistake.

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