Review: Dainese Drake Air Textile Pants

[1.21GW]

Gear is such a particular thing to people and there aren't enough reviews on here, so I thought I'd help by contributing.  I'm not going to bother describing the features as that is available on the Dainese site or Revzilla or any other online dealer.  This is a more personal review than objective.

What was I looking for?
I have one other pair of riding pants: Dainese D6 kevlar jeans.  They are great but they don't have pockets for knee pads.  I bought aftermarket pads (Forcefield Limb Tubes) but as I documented on some other thread, they didn't work for me.

So I was in the market for new pants that: provided good protection, were comfortable in 3-season riding, and that I could wear off the bike without looking like a stormtrooper.

What other pants did I consider?
I was at the Revzilla store in PA and got to try on a bunch of pants.  None of the Rev'it stuff fit me well, and other brands had something off.  I tried the Air Drake after a few bad pants and they immediately fit me well and felt comfortable.  I also considered Aerostitch Dairen, which many people swear by.  However, I missed their pop-up store when it came to town and I don't like buying clothes that I haven't tried on.  I also considered the Dainese D-Dry Evo pants, which is basically the rain version of the Drake.  It comes with a waterproof inner liner.  (More on rain later.)

Why did I decide to go with the Drake?
Comfortable fit---Dainese tends to fit my body type for whatever reason.  Also, they were thin without being tight.  This was important because on my Roland Sands jacket, which I really like, I worry about the looseness of fit, especially as it related to armor.  In a crash I fear that the armor with slide around and not provide protection where it is needed.  

The same fear carried over to pants.  Even if I my kevlar jeans had pockets, they fit loose enough that I would worry about pants twisting, armor sliding around, etc.  With the Drake, the fit is snug without being restrictive.  Kinda perfect.

Okay, how do they feel on the bike?
Great.  At first, knee pads were a bit tight and I thought it might be a problem.  But after 5 minutes of riding I was used to it and didn't think about it for the remainder of the ride.  I did a 320 miles, 6-hr (with breaks) ride last weekend, including the same 320 mile return trip, and they did not have any long term issues like cutting off circulation or chaffing or anything.

What about temperature?
I rode through 85* F (29* C) and they were fine at riding speeds.  In traffic they were hot but what pants aren't.  I rode through 70* (21*) in the rain and they were fine from a temperature stand point.  The thigh vents help with airflow but I don't notice a huge difference between having them open vs closed.  I would say it's a modest difference.

Rain?
Yes, rode with them in the rain.  They actually held up well, but once it downpoured for 30 minutes they got wet.  They do not pretend to be rain pants nor did I expect them to be, but I was satisfied with how they held up in light rain for limited periods.

As mentioned, I considered the rain version of these (D-Dry Evo), but decided against it.  First, they didn't fit as well: with the liner they were okay, but then would be large and baggy without it installed.  The opposite---good fit without liner, tight when liner in---was true if I went down a size.  Also, I decided to solve the rain issue by buying non-rain gear and then adding a rain suit to go over because I don't ride much if rain is forecast, so really it is just an emergency thing.

What don't I like about the pants?
The knew armor covers all the way down to the shin.  However, I always ride with full boots so the end of the knee armor tends to just butt up against the top of my boots and that is annoying.  But I don't notice it while riding, only off the bike.

What do I like about the pants?
As mentioned above: fit, and they seem to have a good temperature range.  I also like the adjustability--the waste has velcro tabs that allow fit refinement.  The material seems solid.  It's 750 cordura which is pretty thick textile, and much thicker than most textile pants.  The look is good, too.  All black with just one dainese name logo on the left knee.  I can wear them off the bike without looking like I just got off a bike.  I even wore then to a restaurant with a collared shirt dress code and no one complaned.  If I take the knee pads out (very easy to do) they are even more comfortable for off the bike use.  I also like that they zip into my Dainese Air textile jacket.  This was not a consideration when I was shopping pants, but it worked out and I'm glad it did.  Nice to have the extra protection of a 2-piece suit vs separate jacket and pants.



That's it.  I am happy with my purchase and these are now my main riding pants.  Feel free to ask me any questions if you're in the market for new gear.

[J1nns]

Thanks for the review man I appreciate it.. I'm looking at these pants but I'm slightly concerned because I have large thighs (former lifter).

[1.21GW]

Try Rev'it gear.  I didn't like it because it was a little large fit.

Also, if you don't know Revzilla ships for free and allows one free return if size doesn't work.  So you can buy and try the Drake.

[Slide Panda]

I've found that Dainese are decently accommodating of big legs. But how big we talking?  Mine are Rugby lose forward big, not crazy power lifter big...

[1.21GW]

I've found that Dainese are decently accommodating of big legs. But how big we talking?  Mine are Rugby lose forward big, not crazy power lifter big...

I know nothing about Rugby except that you have to wear a horizontally striped shirt with white collar or (I presume) your team must forfeit, so I can't quite respond to the "lose forward" reference.

I will say that I am a normally sized 6'1" 185 person.  I don't think anyone would describe me as "lanky" or, conversely, as "thick".  Take what you will from that.

Also, this:

Also, if you don't know Revzilla ships for free and allows one free return if size doesn't work.  So you can buy and try the Drake.

But as a veteran on here, Slidey, you already knew that.   

[Slide Panda]

I know nothing about Rugby except that you have to wear a horizontally striped shirt with white collar or (I presume) your team must forfeit, so I can't quite respond to the "lose forward" reference.

I will say that I am a normally sized 6'1" 185 person.  I don't think anyone would describe me as "lanky" or, conversely, as "thick".  Take what you will from that.

Think roughly linebacker... 5' 11", 195 - Deadlifts of 400+ for sets of 10. On vague numbers, you're slimmer a build than I

[1.21GW]

Think roughly linebacker... 5' 11", 195 - Deadlifts of 400+ for sets of 10. On vague numbers, you're slimmer a build than I

Who you calling slim, punk! 

[Slide Panda]

You Mr. Slimmy slim slim... 

At the apex of my playing career I was 5'10" and nearly 220 mid season. Finding pants then was a shit show... hello 36 jeans on a 32 waist

[J1nns]

I don't think I was ever as big as you sound but I've got a 32" waist with a 34" inch inseam and my thigh is 23" at the thickest. Slim fit pants can be a challenge.

[DarkMonster620]

So, what am I at 190+lbs 5'8" 30"inseam and 34-36waist? a running/full back?

[1.21GW]

So, what am I at 190+lbs 5'8" 30"inseam and 34-36waist? a running/full back?

Nah. That's more like an assistant offensive coordinator physique.