NF DP5 All Conditions Trail Trousers and Liteweight Trail Jacket

To the outside world, there is a lot of low-hanging fruit as far as finding reasons to mock mountain bikers. When it comes to apparel, that fruit is easy to reach from within our world as well. Our roots rely deeply on influences from road riding and moto, but even as MTB evolved into different disciplines, you don’t have to look hard or reach back very far to find some truly hideous decisions, rampant abuse of neon, disturbing colour combinations, and questionable proportions and fit. Some of these crimes remain, but a small number of brands have been fighting the good fight, and none of those brands came on the scene quite the same way as NF.

For those of us on the Shore and anyone paying attention on their superheated socials, NF landed on most of our radars in 2018 or a little while later. Cam first reviewed the foul-weather-rated Berzerker pants in November 2019, but the pant that had really been making waves was the DP. It was new, and it was (and remains) different from all others. We had waterproof pants then, and some brands and riders were still dabbling in waterproof shorts, but outside of DH racing, pants were a rarity. All of a sudden we had a local brand sewing pants (and jerseys) right in Vancouver. For about 200 bucks, you could get a quality pair of pants with a cut and look that worked for our kind of riding, in a reasonable size range, and more than one colour!

Except, you hardly could get ’em. NF was always sold out of the DP pant. You pretty much had to join a waiting list and then wait your turn until the next batch was produced, or else you were SOL.

Eventually, they caught up to demand, but that didn’t calm things down all that much. There was a problem, though, and Travis and Ying highlighted it early on: they always knew it was going to be tough to keep up with demand, because they were having trouble finding more skilled sewists. That was hindering growth, and there was no easy solution.

This is a review, not a bio, and in fact, we’ve told part of NF Design’s story before, so if you’d like to know more, check out AJ Barlas’s Behind the Brand from 2020, or the Makers series video and article we produced the following year.

NF DP5 All Conditions Trail Trousers

So, what we have here are the DP5 All Conditions Trousers. Trousers, by the way, is an underused word in Canadian English. I know our British counterparts are all over it, but Canadians and Americans don’t tend to use it (of course, part of the reason is the Brits use ‘pants’ entirely differently). Sorry for that useless diversion, but I felt it had to be said. What I was going to say is that the DP5 Trousers share DNA with other NF pants from the past, and that’s a good thing. For starters, they’re constructed from a mid-weight zrilix (this is NF’s softshell line of fabrics). NF has long believed that the key to on-bike comfort – even in our wet conditions – is to embrace the fact that you’ll get wet while riding, rather than try to keep the moisture entirely out. Careful layering helps here, as does a bit of resignation about the fact that softshell fabrics do offer some water resistance (NF adds proper PFC Free DWR coating as well), but won’t keep you dry in really wet conditions. What you will benefit from, however, is the superior breathability of that softshell material, making it more comfortable if you’re sweating, fairly fast to dry if conditions permit, and, crucially, a nice feel against the skin. In recent years, many brands have caught up to NF in terms of that feeling against the skin, but the DP5s still differentiate in a crucial way, which is that the slightly thicker material makes you feel warmer and more protected from the elements, not to mention things like abrasion. A subtle variation in material weight makes a rather large difference, to the extent that on a typical ‘it could rain anytime’ day around here, or the other typical ‘it rained earlier and everything is damp’ kinda day, that extra thickness of typical NF pants makes them the one you’ll reach for if spray protection is needed. Which is pretty much every day except summer on the Shore.

There are always trade-offs in the waterproof vs breathability game, and NF has always been clear about the line they’ve chosen to draw in the sand. Judging by the number of NF-branded knees you’ll see on the trails and during après-ride BS fests in these parts, many riders agree.

FEATURES (as listed by NF):

– Mid-weight zrilix™4 fabric provides great durability and weather protection 
– PFC Free DWR coated to protect YOU from the elements while not causing harm to the planet, unlike other DWRs currently on the market.
– Breathable and stretchy to optimize comfort on the bike.
– Extra-deep lay-flat hand pockets for safe and convenient storage. Card pocket inside.
– Best in class phone pockets on both legs! with YKK semi-lock pullers.
– Hidden waistband with belt channel
– 3D Contour Fit™ 
– Designed, tested and handmade in East L.A., USA

Updated Fit for All! – 10 sizes

– Medium, Large, and X-Large sizes receive a “tall” option for our lanky friends. Increased inseam by 3 inches.
– True to size fit is athletic tapered.
– For a looser fit size up one size. 

ZRILIX™ 4 FABRIC

– GRS 4.0 Certified 100% recycled or post-consumer materials
– 92% Nylon / 8% Spandex
– PFC Free DWR finish

I want to pull out a few of the features listed above for discussion. I think we’ve covered the zrilix fabric and DWR, but to make it clear, these are not waterproof pants, but they offer better water resistance than any other non-waterproof riding pant out there, making them a great choice for all but the wettest days. On longer rides, the material will wet out, and on days I know it’ll rain and I’ll be exposed, I’ll opt for a waterproof pant, but those days are few and far between, because I tend to avoid riding in tons of rain (I’ll wait for a weather window and try to avoid riding when trails are in sensitive shape). Other than on wet days or when the temps are above about 18º C, the DP5s are great. If it’s cold out, no problem, just throw on a merino layer underneath.

Breathable and stretchy, they certainly are, and this, combined with the waistband, is another NF hallmark. That waistband is super comfy and low on bulk, although I feel like the one on the DP5 is a bit bulkier than on my DP3s. The fit is still great, but it’s worth noting that the elastic around the waist feels slightly bulky and grippy when pulling them on. While riding, though, they’re perfect, and that’s what we’re after.

Continuing on with ride fit, as with past iterations of their pants, NF’s DP5s stay in place really well once you pull them on. They offer appropriate space to accommodate knee pads (I used them with pads from Rapha and Fox Racing Enduro Pros) and provide just enough overlap onto the 1/2 ankle coverage of the Shimano GE9 GTX shoes I’m wearing most days lately. They nicely thread the needle between loose and comfortable and just fitted enough. With a hip pack on, there’s no ‘pull’ at the waist – they simply move with you and aren’t sensitive to snags or tugs from getting wrapped around your waist or knees.

The lay-flat hand pockets are great; they don’t add bulk, and are just the right depth to swallow car keys or a multi-tool, though I try not to leave anything in those pockets while riding. I do not agree that their phone pockets are ‘best in class’ – I’d hand that honour to Rapha, which includes an inner sleeve on their thigh pockets that hugs your phone against your leg. I also prefer thigh pocket placement to be rotated further around the side of the leg, which does a better job of concealing your cargo’s weight. We’re picking nits here, though, as my iPhone 17 in a protective case fits well and more or less disappears in the NF’s thigh pockets.

On the sizing front, I’ve included NF’s sizing chart below. The lanky among us will appreciate the inclusion of ‘tall’ options on M, L, and XL versions. For my 34″ waist and 32″ inseam, a size Large fits well.

The last thing I want to highlight is that, while NF did take on some outside investment and move some production south to LA a few years ago (these DP5s and the Liteweight Trail Jacket below were made in the USA), it is still a rarity for apparel production to happen on this continent in the bike world. And while poking around today, I came across the following post from Travis on NF’s Instagram page. We’ll report back in the new year when we know more, but it sounds like at least some (or maybe all?) production is being moved back to Canada.

It’s hard to believe that NF’s pants burst on the scene 6 or 7 years ago now. In that time, they’ve made refinements, but it’s a testament to the original design that it hasn’t required big changes to stay at the head of the pack. For a 2 or 3-season pant, the DP5 All Conditions Trousers are at the top of my list for all but the wettest or warmest days.

NF DP5 All Conditions Trousers, sizes XS – XXL (plus M, L and XL Tall) – $239 CAD

NF Liteweight Trail Jacket

Originally reviewed here by Graham, I don’t think this Liteweight Trail Jacket has changed much, so I’ll keep it brief. Like the DP5 Trousers, the Liteweight Trail Jacket is made from zrilix, only in this case it’s zrilix 2, a lighter weight version of NF’s softshell fabric formula. This is a great choice as a spring and fall riding jacket, or a backup layer for alpine rides in the summer. Its soft ‘hand’ and understated looks make it versatile enough to wear in certain situations off the bike, whether it’s post-ride or if you’re on a fair weather road trip and use it as your evening layer (assuming you didn’t get it too muddy earlier in the day).

Once again, zrilix makes for comfortable riding – it protects from wind and light rain or wet branches, and the DWR adds an extra element of shielding, but it also breathes really well and if you need to dump heat, the 2-way zipper gives you lots of top and bottom venting options.

FEATURES (as listed by NF):

– 3 YKK reverse-coil pockets to keep your items secure 
– YKK Vislon  2-way zip allows for maximum venting and airflow while climbing
– PFC free DWR coating to protect from the elements
– Rigorously tested for the ultimate balance of comfort and durability.
– Increased Spandex content for maximum mobility
– Ethically made in Canada (my review jacket said ‘made in the USA’)

Fit:

– Fit true to size
– Athletic Fit, Baggy Fit – size up 1
– Extra Stretchy

ZRILIX™2 FABRIC:

• GRS 4.0 Certified 100% recycled or post consumer materials
• 88% Nylon  / 12% Spandex
• DWR finish – Eco friendly PRC free.

On the bike, the Liteweight Trail Jacket is very nice over a short or long-sleeved merino layer. It’ll hold off light rain and trail spray, and blocks wind adequately. This is a great riding jacket in light weather or for cool morning starts, but if things get serious, you’ll want more protection. As a layer that can fill a lot of roles, though, it’s an easy inclusion when packing for spring or fall, and not too bulky to fill a backup role on any ride. I’ve also left it in the truck and used it as a pre- and post-ride layer, and have caught my dog napping on it at home on occasion, too. Like the DP5 Trousers, the NF Liteweight Trail Jacket is made in the USA.

NF Liteweight Trail Jacket, sizes XS – XXL – $259 CAD