There is no denying it. My Scandinavian blood does not like excessive heat. This runs completely counter to my love of the desert, although winter in the desert is the best of both worlds! Riding through desert terrain, particularly at slower speeds and off-road, can be a total sweat fest and a miserable experience. So, when I decided to embark on a project to customize a Husqvarna 701 Enduro for travel in the desert, I knew I was in for some potential hot riding.
As an experienced distance rider, I have spent plenty of time riding in the blistering conditions of places like the California and Nevada deserts, as well as the sweltering environments of the Mississippi Delta. When it’s hot, mesh fabric, venting, and light-colored clothing are not just nice-to-haves—they are critical.
Having tried many mesh pants, I found they all vent air well when moving, but they are never as cool as expected. That’s the price a Norseman pays for warm-weather riding, right? Au contraire mon frère!
Having attended the Dusty Lizard event sponsored by Mosko Moto in, you guessed it, the desert, I was able to check out some of their gear. I was familiar with luggage and packs from the White Salmon, Washington-based company, but less so with their clothing. As I pursued the displays, I was impressed with the quality, particularly the mesh pants.
When I started planning the Husky project, I immediately decided that the Mosko Kiger mesh pants should be included in the test. Ordering the pants was simple—I simply picked the color and size for me. At six feet even and 190 pounds, I usually wear 35-waist pants. Unfortunately, the pants were only offered in 34 or 36 waist sizes. Being aware that it was close to the holidays, I opted for the 36 waist size to be safe!
Unpacking the Mosko Moto Kiger mesh pants, I was immediately surprised at how light they were. Motorcycle pants, whether mesh, textile, leather, or jeans, are usually weighty to provide abrasion protection.
The Kiger pants are full mesh, in-boot style for adventure, dual-sport and off-road use. The knees are articulated with enough room for independent knee pads or braces, so they don’t come with any armor. The pants have no panels or inserts to add weight and restrict airflow, and that means no provisions for adding armor to the pants.
Because the pants are designed to go over knee braces, they have no integrated padding or pockets for slip-in protection. If you do not use knee braces, there are plenty of leg-worn armor options, including several offered by Mosko Moto. I opted for a set of Leatt Airflex Pro knee guards, which fit in the pants well and flowed air very nicely.
Putting the pants on, the combination of a larger size and added knee room for braces made me look like MC Hammer (if you’re too young to know that reference, look up “Hammer pants” on the interweb). Luckily, Mosko quickly exchanged the size 36s for 34s, which fit perfectly.
The Mosko Moto Kiger pants are a minimalist design, with one side-pocket for a wallet or phone, and that’s it. Mosko describes the fabric as “performance Schoeller Dynatec micro-mesh that is dense enough to keep dirt out and heavy enough to take whatever you can dish at them.”
The Kiger pants have two snaps at the waist, belt loops, and elastic Velcro straps to tailor the fit. The zippers and snaps are high-quality and look like they will hold up well. The lower part of the leg material is a low-profile stretch nylon mesh and an elastic cuff that fits inside boots nicely.
While I did not have the opportunity to test out the abrasion protection of the Mosko Moto Kiger mesh pants, I certainly had the opportunity to experience the airflow and cooling features. Out on the road, I felt like I was riding in my underwear. I can’t imagine a pant that flows more air than these.
The Mosko Moto Kiger mesh pants are a premium product at a premium price—$399/pair. If you ride hot and are looking for something to keep you cool, and appreciate quality, I highly recommend the Kiger pants.
Action photography by Don Williams
Mosko Moto Kiger Mesh Pants Fast Facts
- Sizes: 30-40; 32T-36T
- Colors: Dry Earth; Black
- Certifications: None
Mosko Moto Kiger Mesh Pants Price: $399 MSRP
