Richa Monsoon Ladies Trousers £119.99Now I was lucky enough to be asked to try these Richa Monsoon trousers, they are fully waterproof but they can be worn winter and summer. Richa have made them with a thermal lining which once removed they can then be used in the summer too.
OK that is the sales patter done now for the review of the trousers. If you are a regular reader you know I am classed as the average woman in the UK and usually wear a size 16-18 trouser. I have never been so depressed as I was when I went in to try these on.
I was informed that Richa design and size all their clothes on the beautiful but painfully thin fashion models. So when it came to trying an 18, well I would never have got my leg over my bike without making a new ventilation system in them. I find it very frustrating that I can not go into a shop and pick up the size I am and know it will fit. So one thing I would ask ALL manufacturers please can we have the same sizes in all their ranges, I may be a 20 (K3XL) in the Monsoon but Richa leather trousers I’m 24 it really is confusing and depressing
The Monsoon trousers have a panel at the front that covers the zip and helps the front to stay flat. They help, if you are like me, you still have a little baby belly left over from my 15 year old. The waistband does up with a Hip and knee protection is all CE approved and are in the right place. That’s the great thing about this trousers that the knee protection is over my knee instead of over my shins. Richa do 3 different lengths, short, regular and long which is wonderful, I fit a regular as I am 5’3” but loads of scope for all shapes and sizes. The leg is a little wide for me I like my trousers with a very straight leg but they are so comfortable when I am on the bike.
The trousers have a removable thermal lining but during the winter the thermal lining make me hot once I’m off the bike and walking around. I haven’t had that with these they really are breathable but not cold. Over some pre-Christmas ride out’s I was just as comfortable on the bike as I was off it walking around warm shops. They have an expandable waistband which really helps if you eat too much at lunch and need some breathing space. Richa have added a little secret pocket inside by the waistband, now that’s a good idea whilst your walking around but not suitable whilst riding due to the safety elements. Totally waterproof as riding through a huge down pore didn’t have an effect on them at all, I was as dry and warm as a bug in a rug.
Once you remove the lining you have a pair of trousers that could be worn on most British Summer day’s other than the really hot day’s. They are easy to get on with a side zip at the bottom so you can take your boots on and off. There is a small zip at the back of them to attach your jacket. They seem hard wearing but suitable for riding or pillion and I think reasonably priced to.
These trousers are one of the most popular on the market and I can see why, they are comfortable, warm in winter and cool in summer. The knee and hip protection are in the right place too. What I think all manufacturers of motorcycle clothing for women need to take on board is that we are not all lucky enough to be 5’8” and 7 stone. Manufacturers need to understand that there are more women taking an active part in motorcycling. We need to have clothing that fit’s whilst we are riding our sports bikes as well as sitting on the back. Richa need to increase the range of sizes as I know there are still a lot of women riding in men's gear as they are not making them in a wide enough range of sizes. Why is it that men can get trousers to fit from 30inch waist to 60inch. To me it makes no sense do they not want to accept that not all women are the stereo typical size 12 or look at the average size of British women are size 16-18.
http://www.girlsbike2.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=Richa+Monsoon&x=16&y=6Thanks to Alison from GirlsBike2, Dorking for all their help.
Debs
Keep the shinny side up
