Burton AK Cyclic Gore-Tex 2L Pant 2011-2023 Review

2019

The Burton AK Gore-Tex Cyclic Pant is a very well built semi-tight/well articulated super waterproof shell for those that see a lot of weather in the backcountry or at the resort. Compared to other pants, like the Swash in Burton’s line it’s a little tight in the crotch for my taste but what doesn’t work for me could for sure work for you.

The Burton AK 2L Cyclic Pant is a well built minimalist pant made for those who want a technical shell for active riding and hiking.  It’s somewhat affordable when comparing it to the higher end AK pants but it’s still pretty pricey. These pants use to always be in my quiver but these days they have gone too tight to fit around my thighs. Still they are a great pant.

2016 Burton AK 2L Cyclic Pant Review

Size Tried: Large
James’ Specs:
Height: 5’10”,
Weight: 195 lbs,
Waist 33”
Hips 42”
Inseam 30”
Upper Thigh 24.5”
Middle Thigh 22”
Calves 17”
Turn On’s: Size M pants that fit well around my thighs, Riding with Friends, Open Roads, new gear and especially my wife.
Turn Off’s: M Pants that I can’t get up over my thighs, traffic and people who can’t park inside the lines.

So the Burton AK 2L Cyclic pant is very similar in design to the AK 3L Hover Pant but there are a few minor differences.

Fit: The thin and light layer makes it a borderline excellent back country hiking pant and a perfect pant for those that like to ride and hike the mountain. It’s very easy to pack. The Cyclic Pant keeps getting tigher and tighter every year.  Each year it get’s tighter and tighter to the point where the 2013, 2014 and 2015 barely fit me.  They aren’t easy as they use to be to wear.

Construction: Thin but well made and ones I’ve owned in the past last a long time. If they aren’t tight on you they should last a long time but the last pair I owned in 2013 got the dreaded key marks near the pocket after a few weeks of riding.  They also are the kind of pants that could get cut if they accidentally come in contact with the edge of your board and they aren’t pants you want to jib with as you could burn right through them.  So the bottom line is you need to be careful with these.  They are very tough for how thin they are but they are still thin.

Insulation/Warmth:  It’s a very thin Shell that is made to be layered and protect you from the outer elements like wind and moisture and it doesn’t provide any warmth.

Waterproofing: It’s hard to believe that something this thin and light is so bombproof when it comes to blocking rain to wet snow. It’s pretty close to 3 Layer AK pants.

Breathability: Not sure why but the Burton AK Cyclic Pant feels like it’s more breathable than many of the other non AK Gore-Tex Pants.  It mus be the thin layer or the fact that they don’t provide any warmth but they seem to run cool for me.

Overall: These pants are a little tight for me these days but for most people with normal legs they could work and work well. I use to love these pants for days when I know I’ll be hiking or for when there is warmish but wet weather. I think it’s a well made shell.  I’d just like to see Burton make more than one type of pant since everything is tight these days.  Instead I’d like to see what they would call a baggy or thick thigh option.