MEC Adanac Cycling Tights are top-notch cycling tights for men and women. After years of customer popularity, MEC has kicked them up a notch. They’re basically done a cosmetic reboot, aiming to make them less unflattering. And they’ve succeeded!
I’ve always like the MEC Adanac Tights because they are comfortable (stretchy and with knee articulation) and keep out an amazing amount of rain for pants that are modestly billed as “water-resistant.” No wonder they’ve been a MEC customer favorite for years.
Good-quality seams and materials mean you can ride a long time in the rain before they soak through. (Technically: the fabric is circular knit for a 4-way stretch, and is polyester laminated to a non-porous hydrophilic film for water resistance). So they’re great for unexpected rain. They stay dry much longer than one expects as the rain goes on and on.
They’re not billed as waterproof and they’re not waterproof. For that you need plastic and non-breathability. But they are a whole lot more waterproof than you’d expect.
Avoid Plastic Pants
So they enable you to put off wearing the horrible plastic over-pants for quite a while. I really hate the plastic pants. They’re just so hot and uncomfortable. They work, but so do rubber gloves, and I don’t wear those on my rides (although I sometimes contemplate it when my hands are saturated and pruning up in “waterproof” gloves).
So yes, MEC Adanac Cycling Tights are one of MEC’s absolutely best products in terms of functionality. But the original design really did accentuate the negative. All the unflattering lines, and especially the taper at the ankle, suited nobody. Plump people looked like sausages tied together with tourniquets. (I’ve verified that in the mirror.) What is the point of accentuating the negative?
So I am happy to say that this reboot is a big improvement. The pants are much less unflattering, and I can walk into work with a fair amount of confidence. I’m still not exactly flaunting it, but at least I don’t have to hang my head in shame.
I am not sure how MEC achieved this improvement. The changes are subtle, but they are definitely there. It’s just a better, more flattering cut. The previous ones were basically rain-resistant tights, as ugly as those old dorky track pants from the sixties. These ones have some style.
And to be fair, if you happen to be in really good shape, these pants would probably be very good-looking indeed (as you can see from the photos on this page). It’s not MEC’s fault that I’m just an average Joe and am definitely NOT in super-athlete shape. There’s not a pair of stretch pants in the world that could create THAT impression!
Technical Specs
MEC Adanac Tights weigh around 270 grams, so they are lightweight but strong. They have an elasticized waist with a drawcord (which I’ve never had to draw, thanks to a well-developed belly). Articulated knees give you freedom of movement. There’s a small zippered back pocket that just fits an iPhone, sideways (but not an iPhone 6). It has ankle zips for easy on and off. There’s a small amount of reflective piping – although not nearly as much as I would like. The seams are not taped. The pants are regular rise (not too high!).
Bluesign: According to the MEC site, this product has design innovations that make it more sustainable and help reduce our ecological footprint on the planet. “It contains a majority of bluesign-approved materials. Bluesign technologies audits the manufacturing process at textile mills and suggests ways to reduce water and energy consumption and recommends alternatives to harmful chemicals.”
What I don’t Like about the MEC Adanac Cycling Tights
For safety reasons, I would like to see (a lot) more reflective piping. It would also be great if they came in any color other than black. I would prefer high-visibility colors, like red or yellow. However, I may be in the minority here.
Still, I am really confused about why so many cycling clothes only come in black. I often see cyclists dressed from head to toe in black, with no lights, and nothing reflective. And I think it’s not so bad if I can’t see them, but it is really a problem that they must be all but invisible to motorists. Not sure WHY anyone would want to cycle while invisible. Personally, I like to be as glaringly visible as possible.
Bottom line on the MEC Adanac Tights
These are truly great rain-resistant pants for the price. Of the many I have tried, I would say MEC are the best for this kind of pants. And this reboot means that they are not even embarrassing to wear. So I would say these pants should be a staple of anyone’s fall and winter cycling wardrobe.
For top-notch functionality, and being well styled and almost good looking (inasmuch as tights can EVER be good looking), these pants rate an Average Joe Cyclist Bike Gold Star.
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