Laminated touring kit without splashing out – that’s on offer with the Oxford Ladies Mondial 2.0 textile trousers. I’ve covered more than 2000 miles in the trousers, riding through Wales, the Lake District, parts of Europe and on daily commutes.
Having previously tested a more expensive Klim set-up I was curious to see how these compared. The Mondial combination is among the cheapest laminated options on the market, but crucially, both jacket and trousers don’t feel cheap. They’re solidly built, well-finished and fit me well. Here's how they fared…
Fit & comfort
I usually wear a size 12 regular leg, and Oxford’s sizing felt realistic and true. The trousers suited my pear-shaped hips and thighs without issue.
On first try, the trousers felt comfortable and flexible. A zip fly with hook clasp and a button provides a secure base, while Velcro-adjustable waist straps allow for fine-tuning.
Detachable Y-shaped braces add further comfort and security. Personally, I like the braces as they keep the trousers in position, though some women may find them less comfortable across the chest.
Stretch panels above the knees and a flexible material on the inner thighs help with mobility. I used the trousers both zipped to the matching jacket, which I've reviewed here, and worn separately with braces. I chose the latter option when wearing an airbag vest underneath the jacket, and both set-ups worked well.
The trousers have short and long connection zips to link them to Oxford jackets, while the ankle openings have wide enough cuffs to fit over chunky boots. With a zip closure and large velcro tab, they can be pulled in tight or left loose to sit comfortably over boots.
Cold and wet weather protection
The laminated waterproofing works well. In rain showers and downpours across the UK and Europe, I've stayed dry throughout. The removable thermal liner adds warmth for colder rides, though I personally prefer to wear base layers underneath as they give more flexibility around my knees.
I experience a chill on my thighs when riding in wet weather without the thermal liner fitted, which is something I've found with other laminated garments.
The laminate keeps water out, but having the membrane bonded directly to the outer means the trousers don’t insulate as effectively as a drop-liner design. Still, I never once had water creep through.
I find all trousers are best worn with taller boots in wet weather, as the legs ride up slightly when bent at the knee, and leave a gap for water to get through. This is a point to bear in mind if you want to avoid damp ankles.
Breathability & ventilation
In my opinion this is the weakest area with these trousers. Vent zips run horizontally across the middle of the thigh, and once I'm seated on the bike, they’re pulled taut and effectively closed off. With no rear exhaust vents to draw air through, I found little to no cooling benefit – even in mid-20s heat when riding in Belgium.
For me, this was a missed opportunity. Angled zips or better-positioned intakes could transform the airflow. As it stands, in warm weather I find these trousers run hot and lack the breathability to match their all-weather promise.
Protection
The Ladies Mondial 2.0 trousers are rated at the A level under CE safety standards. That is a bit basic and I would prefer substantial trousers like this to have an AA rating.
They come with CE Level 2 knee armour and pockets for optional hip protectors, which are not included.
There are three height positions for the knee protectors, but I found the armour covering my right knee consistently slipped sideways in its pocket. The Velcro adjustment didn’t hold it securely, leaving it sitting awkwardly over my knee when I was off the bike.
Reflective strips on the thighs and extra abrasion panels over the knees add to visibility and durability, though these are more cosmetic than structural.
Pockets
There are two waterproof hip pockets, sitting slightly forward rather than at the sides. They’re fine for keys or earplugs, but I found it uncomfortable to carry my phone in them, especially when leaning forward. I'd prefer a zip closure on both – only the right side is zipped, while the left uses a press stud.
Final thoughts
Overall, the Oxford Mondial 2.0 trousers deliver impressive waterproofing, comfort and value, especially given their laminated construction. They’re well made, realistic in sizing and versatile enough for commuting or touring in cooler, wetter conditions.
Their biggest weakness is ventilation – the vents don’t work for me, leaving me hot in warm weather. The fit of the knee armour could also use refinement, and hip armour would ideally be included at this price.
For spring, autumn and winter use, these trousers are dependable, comfortable and good value for money. For hot-weather touring, though, I feel you’ll need something cooler.
