MXA PRODUCT TEST: THOR CORE PANT

On May 12, 2006

WHAT IS IT?

The latest revision to a pant that has become an American motocross staple.

WHAT’S IT COST?

$150.00(619) 448-8467.

ÿwww.thormx.com

WHAT’S IT DO?

Thor has been in the motocross game since the beginning. In truth, they started the American motocross gear business. Originally started by Torsten Hallman three decades ago, the company has changed a lot over the years. Sadly, the glory days of Hallman GP pants are gone, but thankfully so are the weirdly wild Typhoon and Fast Boyz line. Since 1998, Thor’s top-of-the-line gear has gone by the Core moniker. With each passing year, the Core pant has gotten a host of new features, and with each of those features it has gained a few ounces of extra weight. For 2006, Thor went back to the drawing board. They kept all their innovations, but got rid of the excess fluff (not to mention the pastel color combo). All of these are good things as far as we’re concerned.

WHAT STANDS OUT?

Here’s a list of things that stand out with Thor’s Core pant.

(1) Fit. Nice and snug is the best way to describe the Core pant. It’s not tight, but without a sans-a-belt system or a ton of stretch in the waist, the Core pant is definitely form fitting. The cut of the Core pant sits comfortably over your hips so you don’t need to worry about them sliding down mid-moto.

(2) Materials. The Core pants have a tough-as-nails industrial feel to them. It feels as if they could last two full seasons based on how durable the materials are.

(3) Knees. Thor used to have the baggiest knees in the business. It was a running joke in the industry that more of the knee panel would be hanging over your boot than on your actual knee. Not anymore. The thighs and knee on the new Core fit perfectly over knee braces and knee cups alike, thanks to the perfect size stretch panels. The leather patch on the Core is long enough, but we’d like it to wrap a little farther around our legs.

(4) Unique features. The Core pant has wings. It’s true! There are rubber wings on both thighs. They may be a

fashion statement, but as far as we’re concerned, the pant would be better off without them.

(5) Weight. The Core pant went on a Slim Fast diet for 2006. It’s not ultra light like a Fox Strafer, but it’s

respectable.

(6) Place of Manufacture. The Thor Core pant is made in Vietnam.

WHAT’S THE SQUAWK?

Get rid of the wings. They’re unnecessary and, in our opinion, downright uncomfortable.