The KETL Skid Mark pants are the ones I reach for when I know the trail is going to bite back. After eight months and more than 20 rides, mostly park and shuttle days, they’ve survived crashes and brush scrapes without visible fabric damage. I can pedal comfortably with my phone and tool in the thigh pockets, and the pants haven’t caught on the saddle.
I stayed comfortable in them on a 20-mile South Lake ride with 3,500 feet of climbing. The ride took 3.5 hours, with temperatures ranging from 50°F to the mid-60s. I carried most gear in a pack and opened the thigh pockets for noticeably better airflow. I’d wear them again for that ride, but in warmer temperatures, I’d rather wear shorts.
+Pros
- No visible fabric damage after eight months of riding, brush scrapes and several crashes.
- Comfortable with both thin and bulkier knee pads; stays clear of the saddle and chainring.
- Loaded thigh pockets don’t noticeably bounce or rub while pedaling.
- Opening the empty thigh pockets noticeably improves airflow.
- G-hook belt keeps its tension throughout a ride.
- Handled puddles and wet brush without noticeable wetting out.
–Cons
- Using the thigh pockets as vents means leaving them open and giving up that secure storage.
- Wouldn’t be my pick for summer climbing; I’d choose shorts or a lighter pant.
Nitty Gritty
- Tested version: Skid Mark Cordura Pro; received before release, identical to the current retail pants
- Tested size: Medium
- Test use: Eight months, more than 20 rides
- Tested temperatures: Approximately 40°F to the mid-60s
- KETL-listed weight: 364 grams in medium; not independently weighed
- KETL-listed fabric: 84% Cordura nylon / 16% spandex ripstop, 154 gsm
- Finish: KETL-listed PFAS-free DWR
- Waist: Adjustable G-hook belt and silicone gripper
- Pockets: Two front hand pockets, two zipped thigh pockets, and two zipped rear pockets
- Ventilation: Mesh-lined pockets and laser-cut vents at the crotch, lower back upper butt area, and behind the knees
- Price: $149
Disclaimer:
I bought the KETL Skid Mark pants at a discount. KETL did not pay for this review or influence it, and I don’t earn a commission from the links in this article.
Fit and Sizing
I am 5’9″ and 168 pounds, and normally wear a medium or a 30–32″ waist. The medium Skid Mark pants fit comfortably. The G-hook belt cinches the waist without digging in and has held its tension throughout every ride, including with loaded pockets. The legs end just below my ankles, which is where I like riding pants to finish.
There is some extra room around the knees without pads, but the fit isn’t excessively baggy. I wore both my bulkier 7iDP Sam Hill knee pads and thinner Specialized Traction pads underneath. Both fit comfortably without restricting my movement or pedaling.
The pants haven’t caught on the saddle during descents, even with pads underneath, and the ankle cuffs stay clear of the chainring.
Pockets That Work While Riding
On shuttle days, I carried my Daysaver multitool case setup in the left thigh pocket. I put my phone in the right pocket, sometimes sharing space with a Precision Fuel gel or Clif Bar. I didn’t notice the contents bouncing or rubbing my thighs, and I could pedal comfortably without rearranging anything. On park days, I could reach those snacks while seated on the chairlift.
I used the rear zipped pockets for my wallet and other essentials after riding. Having regular hand pockets and rear pockets makes these easier to live with once I’m off the bike.
They also don’t look so much like riding pants that I feel the need to change before dinner. After a day at Northstar bike park, I went straight to dinner with friends and family without changing my whole outfit. No one seemed to notice I was still wearing riding pants.
Climbing Comfort and Temperature Range
I run hot and sweaty, so pants wouldn’t normally have been my first choice for that South Lake ride. The trails were very dry, but the overgrown sections gave me a reason to cover my legs. At our comfortable pace, I never got so hot that I wanted to rip the pants off. Most of my gear was in a pack, so I opened the empty thigh pockets on the climb. I could feel more air moving around my thighs. On park and shuttle days, I generally used those pockets for my phone, snacks, and tools instead.
On a colder ride around 40°F, I wore the pants with a merino shirt and windbreaker. Once I warmed up on the climb, I stayed comfortable. My legs felt cooler on the descent, but not cold enough that I wished I had worn long johns. My hands were a bigger concern.
Water Resistance on Wet Trails
At Mount Rose, we started shuttling immediately after a rainstorm. We did seven to ten laps, with roughly 1.5–2 hours of actual riding through puddles and wet brush. I didn’t notice the pants wetting out. My feet were absolutely soaked. The pants had already been washed and dried a couple of times before that outing. After those Mount Rose laps, I trusted them for puddles and wet brush. I still haven’t ridden in them through sustained rain.
Durability After Eight Months
The shins, calves, and knees have scraped through plenty of overgrown brush without popped seams, tears, or visible fabric damage. I have also crashed in dirt and decomposed granite. In a rock-garden crash, the outside of my thigh took most of the impact, followed by scraping across the rocks. After each crash, I expected to find damage. Once I brushed the dust off, I couldn’t see any tears or scratches in the fabric.
After more than ten wash-and-dry cycles, the fit still feels unchanged, and the silicone waistband strip remains intact. I have put my pair through the dryer, although KETL’s current care instructions call for cold washing and hang drying.
KETL Skid Mark vs. Yeti Ridgway
My Yeti Ridgway pants felt thinner and more breathable than the Skid Mark pants, with a tighter fit around my calves and ankles. I tore my pair in my first crash wearing them, while my Skid Mark pants have survived several without visible damage. The crashes were different, but that experience has made me more confident wearing the Skid Mark pants on rough trails.
KETL Skid Mark vs. Royal Apex
My older Royal Apex pants were durable and comfortable, with a tighter fit through the calves and ankles. I mainly liked them for park days or pedaling below about 55°F because they didn’t breathe well enough for me once temperatures climbed. In the Skid Mark pants, I stayed comfortable climbing into the mid-60s with the thigh pockets open.
Are the Skid Mark MTB Pants Adventure Worthy?
If I lost these pants tomorrow, I’d spend $149 to replace them. They’re the pair I trust for park laps and rough trails. For hot summer climbs, I’d still reach for shorts.
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