Step Throughs

Stretchy, fitted and fast. Step Throughs hi-performance trail pants have articulated knees and close fitting, tapered calves for shredding singletrack. They provide added warmth and keep mud off your legs through winter, yet their Hi-Impact™ Stretch fabric is light enough to let you pedal in comfort all year round.

+Features

• Hi-Impact™ Stretch nylon fabric.
• Slim performance fit.
• Easy-Rider™ stretch hip panels with Broadband™ rear waist.
• Smooth fitted waist with zipped fly.
• Open hand pockets plus side zip security pocket.
• Gusseted crutch for pedalling freedom.
• Combine with Rendezvous or Dovetails mesh liner for increased performance.
• Articulated knees with room for low-profile knee pads.
• Tapered cuffs to avoid chain suck.
• Hazard!™ reflective logos on each calf for visibility.
• Designed & made by us in Aotearoa | New Zealand.

+Inseam Length

The garment's inside leg measurement from crotch to cuff.

10	12	14	16
74 cm	76 cm	78.5 cm	81 cm

+Tech

  Weight: 280 gm

+Hi-Impact™ Stretch

Hard wearing and quick drying nylon fabric. Super stretchy for a closer, performance fit. Tight double weave 'looped' construction combines bulletproof durability with next to skin comfort.

• Composition: 89% nylon; 11% lycra.

+

Outskirts™ garments are designed specifically for women. However If you're struggling to find exactly what you need in the Outskirts™ women's range, check out our men's products for further size options. Jackets, tights and baggy tops often fit both men and women equally well.

+Easy-Rider™

Stretch hip panels and Trim Tabs™ keep Ground Effect baggies hitched up. Intelligent design reduces surplus fabric for a smoother and therefore more comfortable interface between bum and saddle. There's also less risk of getting hooked up on technical trails.

+Luxury Liner

These baggies are supremely versatile. Add the Rendezvous or Dovetails lycra mesh liner to deliver no-nonsense performance in the saddle. Whip ‘em out for washing or when moving into après ride mode. Winterise by using a pair of Black Widows or Witches Britches three-quarter length shorts as the liner.

+More than Kiwi Made

Ground Effect clothing is crafted right here in Aotearoa | New Zealand. Has been ever since we started back in 1994. Manufacturing locally works for us. We operate a quick-response system - holding minimal stock of any one item, but churning out a few more quick-smart when the pile gets low. The upshot is that we are seldom caught with our shelves empty, so orders get despatched the same day you place them.

+FAQ

+Baggy vs Lycra

A stretch short will always deliver more performance than a baggy number as there's no surplus fabric bunched up between your bum and the saddle. However, baggies are the default choice of battle-hardened cyclists off road, on tour and around the streets. They combine a loose but not super-baggy fit with an optional mesh liner and moulded pad... providing the performance benefits of conventional stretch shorts with minimal compromise.

+How should the waist fit?

These baggies feature a stretch-fit waist that delivers a snug, performance fit. Pull them over your hips, and there should be a 3-5 cm gap before you close the dome. The waist is then under tension so your pants stay put when hitting the trails or tarmac.

+Are they water-resistant?

The Hi-Impact™ fabrics have a water resistant treatment. While the pants are not waterproof, they do provide some short term resistant to drizzle and light rain. They are windproof, dry faster than lightening if you do happen to get caught out and are extremely hard wearing. For increased rain protection checkout the splashproof Hydroslides with their HydroFoil™ Plus rear panel.

+Washing

• All Ground Effect clothing enjoys a warm 40ºC machine wash. Try to avoid cold-water detergents and those with bleach, 'oxygen whitener' or fabric softener.
• The cold-water varieties have little enzymes that are super-charged to brave the cold but can damage technical fabrics and cause skin irritation.
• Bleach rots natural fibres like merino, strips the dye, attacks laminates of waterproof fabrics and can also cause skin irritation.
• Sodium Percarbonate (the main ingredient in oxygen whitener) can make colours run.
• Fabric softener and stuff containing it like wool wash destroys the water repellent finish on waterproof and water resistant fabrics, and can cause colours to run.
• As a rule of thumb, a product that is easy on the planet is also easy on your body. Select a mild plant-based soap like Ecostore, Earthwise or Aware.
• Hand washing is sometimes the only option on tour, but a washing machine rinses more thoroughly and is preferable if you have the choice.
• Most Ground Effect gear dries super-fast so hanging on the line or drooping over the bedpost is generally the best option. High heat can damage some fabrics so if you do take your threads for a spin, set the device on 'medium' or 'warm' rather than hot. A lap in the dryer is recommended for your rain jacket, after it has dried on the line, as it helps recharge its water repellant finish.

+Shipping

• Items are generally packed and sent the same day your order is received.
• Costs $9 by overnight courier within New Zealand.
• NZ$12 by tracked airmail to Australia.
• Around NZ$15-25 by tracked airmail to destinations elsewhere in the world - calculated in our shipping cart as you check out. 
• More shipping and tax details in our FAQ.