Mesh Pants info wanted

[knotjohnson]

Is anyone using the Joe Rocket Phoenix ION mesh pants? Other brands?

Your thoughts/impressions about mesh pants in general would be appreciated.

I've read everything I can find online but still have a few questions about the Phoenix pants.

Easy to get on/off with boots on ?
Does the zipper on the outside of the legs go all the way to the hip? The pictures I've seen looks like the zipper only goes to mid calf.
Good heavy duty zippers?
Metal or plastic Zippers?
What type of closure at the waist?

I'd really like to get hands on before ordering. Can't find them locally.


Thanks

[RockportDave]

I don’t have the pants, but I do like my Sedici mesh jacket. Reasonably priced, fits well with shoulder pads, elbow pads, back pad and 600 denier with mesh and CE rated. It has a zip in liner which is warm in cold weather and lets air through in the summer without the liner. The only thing I find odd is the zipper on the jacket is backwards from normal. Cycle Gear said it’s because it’s European??
I got used to it.
It is very comfortable and well made.
Dave

[C-dub]

I used to have some Joe Rocket Phoenix mesh pants back when I had my Busa. Zippers were good. The leg zippers did only go up to the calf or so and I was not able to put them on while wearing my boots. However, back then I also wore Sidi Air somethings that came up kinda high. With the mesh pant I have now, BilT brand, and mid-rise TCX boots I am able to get the pants on while wearing the boots, but it does take a little work. The leg zipper on those only comes to mid-calf.

II do like the mesh pants and jacket. They have the armor in the important places, but do allow quite a bit of air flow even on a Goldwing.

[tamathumper]

I don’t have the pants, but I do like my Sedici mesh jacket. Reasonably priced, fits well with shoulder pads, elbow pads, back pad and 600 denier with mesh and CE rated. It has a zip in liner which is warm in cold weather and lets air through in the summer without the liner. The only thing I find odd is the zipper on the jacket is backwards from normal. Cycle Gear said it’s because it’s European??
I got used to it.
It is very comfortable and well made.
Dave

Same here - picked it up at CycleGear in Bakersfield, CA last fall. Great fit, backwards zipper. I hope it's not a women's jacket, but if it is, she must be really flat chested.

[newday777]

I have a set of older Cortec Tour Master Mesh jacket and pants I bought used 10 years ago when I got back into riding after having a family. They have been great. The pants have side zippers all the way up to the pockets, plastic zippers and double top snaps at the front zipper. In the winter I put my Gerbing pant liners under the mesh pants and stay toasty.

[detdrbuzzard]

I have two pair of firstgear mesh-tex pants. the older pair had no belt loops and the elastic waist band wasn't keeping them up very well. the new pair are about three years old now and have belt loops. I did find a dry cleaners that put belt loops on the old pair.i usually wear them with a pair of levi shorts under the pants

[WingAdmin]

I've been wearing my Olympia Airglide 4 Mesh Pants for quite a few years now, and I absolutely love them. They are three-season pants, in that they are good in the summer, but can be worn in colder weather as well. They come with a removable rainproof liner that makes them waterproof, but that also blocks wind very well. With the liner in place, I've worn these comfortably well down below 50 degrees, and I've also worn them in 100+ degree weather. The armor in the knees is completely adjustable to any leg length or size.

They're very comfortable, and fit well. My only complaint is with the useless hip pads it comes with. I removed those and replaced them with some custom hip pad armor.

[Rambozo]

I have the Joe Rocket Phoenix Ion mesh pants. I've had them just over a year or so and wear them often. To answer your questions:
Very easy to get on and off over boots. You could put them on over a cast, no problem.
The leg zippers are on the inside of the legs and go all the way up the inseam less two inches or so at the top.
Zippers are course tooth and seem very durable, but they are plastic.
Closure is a metal hook and a snap. From what I understand they used to be two snaps, and didn't work very well. Now the hook holds great, but I often find the snap has popped open. There are two velcro straps to cinch up the waist, as well. There is also one at the ankle. The zippers end about four inches from the bottom so it would not be hard to adjust the hem if needed. The knee armor has three height adjustment pockets. There is a velcro flap covering the zippers, and some heat resistant material on the inside of the lower legs. The fly zipper is not as heavy duty as the legs, but the pocket zippers are. Go figure. One thing I don't like and will probably change, is there is no pass through to get to your pants pockets. I typically wear these as overpants over short pants, and no easy way to get my keys, wallet, or phone if I forget before putting them on. The mesh flows a ton of air and is great on hot days. I have the silver version and that also helps to keep the sun at bay. I was advised to go up a size to wear as overpants, but that was probably not necessary, as they are a pretty generous cut. Also unlike the jacket, there is no removable liner for wind or rain protection, so you don't have to account for that.
All in all I have been very happy with them. While I might run down the street for lunch wearing short pants, if I am going any distance, I will throw these on for the added protection, without adding any real heat.