QUICK HITS
• Sizes XS – XXL Sizes M – XL have a Tall inseam option
• Elastic Waistband with hidden belt loops
• Zrilix™ 4 Fabric
• PFC-Free DWR Coating
• GRS 4.0 Certified 100% Recycled Materials
WE DIG
WE DON’T
ABOUT THE NF DP5 TRAIL PANT
The DP5 Pant is an evolution of the widely popular DP4 Pant it replaces. At the core of the pants is NF’s own Zrilix™ 4 Fabric, made from GRS 4.0-Certified 100% recycled material. This fabric is a blend of 90% Nylon and 10% spandex, finished with a PFC-free DWR coating. On top of that, the dyes used for coloring all of NF’s apparel are eco-friendly. Their goal is to produce top-notch quality products with less impact on the environment – a movement we can get behind. Zrillix 4™ is the burly option of their fabric options. They also have Zrillix 2, which is featured on their lightweight trail pant.
One of the standout features of every pant and short produced by NF is their elastic waistband. This 2” wide waistband spans the entire waistline and is not adjustable. Instead, it relies on plentiful stretch, allowing you to size up or down depending on the fit style you are after. If you are after a baggy fit, they have included some sleek hidden belt loops to help fine-tune your fit. The 3D Contour Fit™ used on the DP5 pant consists of 7 panels, designed to allow for comfortable unrestricted movement on the bike.
There are a total of 4 pockets on the DP5. There are two thigh pockets with bottom-up zippers, both of which are large enough for any phone. The standard jeans-style front pockets have a small separate mini pouch on the left side to store smaller items (this works great for a GoPro battery). The front pockets are deep enough to keep your multi-tool in without worry of it flying out on the trail, though we’d suggest not storing anything valuable in them, just in case.
The DP5’s are offered in 3 colors: Black, Matcha (green), and Tobacco (brown). When it comes to sizes, NF stands out with their huge spectrum of fit. The DP5 pants are offered in sizes XS (26” waist) up to XXL (40” waist). Additionally, sizes Medium to Extra Large have an additional tall inseam option, which bumps from 32” to 34”. Thigh dimensions grow from 10.5” on the XS to 15” on the XXL. On the standard inseam length option, they also taper the length from 30” on the XS to 32” on the XXL.
The retail price of the NF DP5 pant is $190 / £139 / €164.
THE DIRT
Having seen NF pants worn by some of my favorite riders and many of my friends, I was stoked that they reached out to get a set of the new DP5’s onto my legs. Upon opening the 100% recyclable packaging, I got my first feel of the material, and I was stoked to get it on the trail. Being that the DP5’s are a multi-season pant, the Zrillix 4™ fabric is robust and feels like it can take a beating without sacrificing the stretch we need to be comfortable on the bike.
When it came to sizing, I was very happy to see that they offered a longer in-seam option. As a long-legged man, this is a welcomed option! I opted for the size Medium with the Tall inseam, at 6’1” with a true 31” waist and very long legs. The tall inseam option meant my ankles were covered when pedaling, meaning my socks stayed drier longer on the wet days. The elastic waistband fit was spot on – not once did I worry about the pants sliding off my lack of a rear end!
I was comfortably able to wear a base layer beneath the NF DP5 pants on the very cold morning eBike rides. Speaking of cold rides, they were plenty comfortable in the 26º to 50º conditions we have had since receiving these for testing. On the warmer pedal days, the NF pants breathed surprisingly well avoiding being uncomfortable 50º, although certainly warming up.
On the other end of the spectrum, at 26º they felt solid, so as long as I was not hanging out and stationary for more than 10 minutes. On eBike rides at these lower temperatures, I opted for a base layer as I do with any other pants. On the many wet days, we have had here in Spokane this winter, the DWR coating performed well with no issues. While these are of course not waterproof and will soak through eventually, the time to full saturation was greatly improved with the DWR and is up to par with any other mixed-condition pants on the market. After about 1 hour in the rain, I was able to feel the moisture making its way to my skin. Ultimately, the DP5 were not pants I would hesitate to take on a long ride with a chance of downpours.
The NF DP5 pants did not restrict movement on the bike at all, while being burly enough to withstand dirt inspections. NF has done a brilliant job retaining a fair amount of flexibility in all areas of these mountain bike pants. Combined with their 3D Contour Fit, you can tell these pants were specifically designed for getting rowdy on your bike. I did unfortunately have the chance to test this durability a couple of times, and the NF pants emerged free of damage. On top of those two off-the-trail moments, I snagged the pants on a few snapped tree branches on a particularly tight trail, again with no damage to report.
HOW DOES IT COMPARE?
Another pant I found myself wearing quite a bit this year was the Outdoor Research Freewheel. The Freewheel pant is $60 cheaper and has a lower leg zipper that is quite handy on big pedal days. While the DP5’s weigh slightly more and are a bit heavier duty, they manage to breathe better than the OR’s. Both pants have dual zippered side pockets, while the NF’s also feature the standard front pocket. OR goes with an exact sizing option with an adjustable waist. Size 31 is what I opted for in the ORs, but they are only offered in one 32” inseam length. Both pants feature low-key branding, which is something I like, and both pant materials feel robust and high quality, but in their own way. The Freewheel pant material is a bit softer to the touch, while the DP5’s feels more abrasion resistant. For me, the biggest selling point of the NF’s is the elastic waist and longer inseam. While the lower leg zipper of the OR Freewheel is rad, I would rather have the extra length and breathability of the NF DP5 on warmer days.
The Wolf’s Last Word
Not only are you supporting a small, dedicated group of mountain bikers when purchasing the DP5’s, but you are also getting a thoughtfully designed very high-end pair of pants that will likely last you for many years to come. If you have long legs, or value durable yet comfortable pants, these should be top on your list for a multi-season trail pant. 
Price: $190 / £139 / €164
Website: Ridenf.com
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ABOUT THE WOLF
Cole’s den is in Spokane WA, where he relocated a few years back. Growing up in the lush, loamy playgrounds of the PNW, his soul is forever tied to steep, rooty descents and that unmistakable squish of perfect dirt. After 19 years of shredding, Cole’s been on every kind of rig out there. Once a die-hard fan of big travel bikes, he’s now on a quest for the mythical short-travel do-it-all machine. And yes, skids may be for kids, but this middle-aged manchild is here to prove they’re also for anyone who loves having a damn good time.
Rank: Professional Amateur
Size: 6’1” / 185cm | 170lbs / 77kg
Social: @adventuresbycole
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