Outdoor Research Men's Ferrosi Pants - Lightweight Hiking & Climbing Pants for Outdoor Adventures

Traditionally, as a hiker and outdoor photographer who needed clothing to accommodate all sorts of climates and conditions, I went with convertible natural fiber (usually cotton) hiking pants that I could layer. Starting a hike in sub-freezing temperatures before dawn in Bryce Canyon only to have the mid-day heat reach the mid-to-upper 80s, in intense sun and strenuous activity for the hike, I liked that option. And the few synthetics I'd tried I just didn't like; they felt cheap or didn't fit well, didn't breathe, etc.So when going to replace my trusty cotton hiking pants, imagine my surprise when every review I read indicated that cotton was the devil and that synthetics were king. I'm used to synthetic underlayers and wind break layers, love wicking garments, but had just never had a good experience with synthetics on their own. But the reviews (both consumer and professional) seemed to suggest Outdoor Research's Ferrosi pants were the top-notch available, and I gave them a shot.I just got back from a trip to Montana and Wyoming where I used them as my primary pants, and I do have to say that I'm incredibly impressed, and will be buying more pairs in the near future to phase out the rest of my outdoor wardrobe.Unlike some 100% nylon and nylon/poly blends I've tried in hiking pants, the Ferrosi's nylon/lycra blend breathes really well, almost as well as my former trusty cotton convertibles. Not once in temperatures up into the low 90s, even in direct sun, did I feel that the pants were keeping me hot or leaving me clammy from lack of breathability. I didn't even regret going with the non-convertible pants, as I never felt the need to switch to shorts; the long pants worked just fine. During a hot hike in cotton, the pants get heavy and damp (particularly in humid environments), and don't even try getting them wet by crossing a stream... but the Ferrosi's synthetic blend wicks away moisture and dries incredibly quickly and easily. Overall, I felt much more comfortable in them than any other pair of hiking pants I've owned.Also unlike some other synthetics I've used, the Ferrosi's blend has a fair bit of stretch to it, so you don't have the problem of the material binding against, say, your knee when you're climbing, squatting, etc. Nor are the legs cut like parachutes (another issue I've had with some hiking pants); they're simply a good fit for the average body. The fabric is super-lightweight; I'd estimate my pair of Ferrosi pants weighs half what my old favorite cotton hiking pants do. Yet despite that light weight, the pants worked well both in the heat of the afternoon and in the morning/evening chill; I wore them as an outer layer for a hike in 30 degree weather a couple of early mornings, and had no problems whatsoever with being cold. Although I haven't had the chance to put them to the test in all seasons yet, I'd think these are, when properly layered, easily a 3 to 3.5 season pant. (I may use the heavier-duty prANAs I have in the depths of winter.)Another concern for me is abrasion resistance. Sometimes, I'm chimneying through slot canyons or clambering up over big boulders, and I don't want my hiking pants to get trashed in the process. My cotton favorites actually have several holes I've had to mend over the years from exactly that. The Ferrosi's fabric is a sturdy (but lightweight!) ripstop weave, and never did I have a concern that sitting down on a rough surface might destroy them.The cons: Some reviews say the pockets are too small. There's something to that, but IMHO, the issue is the placement; the pockets are straight-cut and located high and along the front of the pants. This is fine for helping distribute weight and contents when hiking, but it is a bit awkward to get used to, to pull your wallet out, etc. And I found the belt loop placement a bit odd (the loops themselves are awesome, mind you) when placing items like lens bags or water on my belt (as in heavier items shift forward if placed on the side, or else have to be placed so they are in the way if you sit). These are by and far minor issues, though, and are far outweighed by the pros.For quick reference, I'm using these pants for work in a hospital as an alternative to casual-use scrubs (of course, never in the OR) and outside of work where I go to the gym, jog outdoors, hike, indoor rock climb, and do a lot of woodworking projects.I'm usually stuck balancing comfort and durability. For work, I can find a pair of really comfortable dress pants or scrubs, but they are never very durable. For sports or the gym, I can find plenty of durable pants, but they usually don't offer the comfort or freedom of motion that I would like. I have now purchased both the pewter and black versions of these pants and I can't say enough positive things about them. I purchased the black ones 3 days after purchasing the pewter, and I am not one to easily dish out this kind of money for casual pants. They are incredibly durable (> 9/10), but most importantly to me they are very very comfortable (easily 9.5/10) and offer an incredible range of motion (I am not flexible enough to exceed their limit). Over the past 3 weeks of owning these pants, I've used them in a variety of situations:- Outdoors in 16" of snow. These pants are >95% waterproof. I rolled around in the snow and was completely shielded from the moisture.- Outdoors in 10-degree F weather and 40 mph winds. They are very mostly if not entirely windproof, and I've been surprised at how comfortable I am in the cold with them on given that the material is quite thin.- Outdoors in 60-degree F weather. Since the material of these pants is thin, you don't overheat. I was perfectly comfortable that day.- Rock climbing. I beat up on my pewter pair pretty badly and was worried about cutting them, but they look as new as when I received them.- In a hospital, as an alternative to scrubs. I highly, highly recommend purchasing these for this use if you work in a hospital and are not typically splattered with bodily fluids. These pants are cut more fitted than typically outdoorsy pants, causing them to look a bit like khakis when worn with a sweater or pull-over, however they are more comfortable than dress pants. I got several out-of-the-norm "you look really nice today!" comments on "post-call" days when we're allowed to wear scrubs, seemingly because they thought I was wearing dress pants. Little did they know how comfortable I was. My roommate has recently purchased a pewter pair and wore them to the hospital - he came home and told me his team thought he was wearing khakis- At the gym. I own a variety of Nike, Adidas, and New Balance gym pants and these are easily my favorite. Hence the purchase of a second pair so quicklyI'm currently prepping for a 3-week hike along the Appalachian trial next month and, honestly, the most certain thing I know about my gear is that these will be the pants I wear for my trip. If you're debating them and they're within your budget, buy them. You won't/shouldn't be disappointed.Things to note when purchasing:Size: they fit a tad bigger than the inch listing. My waist fits ~31" pants perfectly 99% of the time. The "32" waist of these pants is a tad bigger than the 32 waist of, say, Banana Republic or Michael Kors dress pants. I note that I need a belt more for these 32" pants than I usually do with my other 32" pants. My roommate was at the border of ordering >30" and worried the 30" would be too tight for him, but he said they fit perfectly.Belt loops: the belt loops on these are 2" long (top to bottom). I purchased a 1 3/4" nylon belt for these since the 1" belts I had before were sliding around too much in the belt loops unless I over-tightened them.Fitted cut: these are not baggy pants by any means. They fit more like a mixture between regular and slim fit pants (not as loose as regular, but not quite as slim as slim cut)Length: I am 6'0" and the length fits perfectly for me. They fall on my heel at the level of a 32" long pair of dress pants.After receiving these pants, almost immediately i requested return. Why? too small.. or at least i thought so. i liked how comfortable they felt and their stretchiness, but they looked shorter then my regular pants (size 32w/32l). i was kind of disappointed, did more research to find a longer version with the same waist and it appears that it doesn't exist, apparently OR discontinued those. Here is a deal: THIS IS NOT YOUR REGULAR SIZE PANTS, if you plan to go to office or ballet in those, yes, they will be short amongst other things. But if/when you exercise in those pants (like hiking, climbing, running, etc) they will stretch and they will extend, to a point where they would reach ground if there was longer version. i just did a test by running in those for about 40min, they certainly extended, i might even use in the future small belt if going for extensive workouts. So this size was perfect to me in the end. Other couple of things: i put my phone in side pocket when running - no problem, didn't bother me much; while my t-shirt was very sweaty, these pants on inside sweaty as well, but externally - no sign which is pretty nice (maybe it works only for black color, not sure). i didn't do rock-climbing in those yet, but i'm pretty sure they will do great, as for durability - i guess OR has a good warranty policy on that. Finally to complete my story, i opted for test and not return, because yesterday i did some hiking in my new Cirque pants, also from OR, which extended quite a bit in the end which convinced me that i should give a try to Ferrosi too before returning, and i'm very glad i did that. Good job Outdoor Research!Really great trousers, they feel flimsy but are super strong and hold up surprisingly well when in cold conditions.Highly recommendedPerfect!Los use para ir de viaje a un clima tropical y son perfectos para mañanas frescas, para tardes calurosas (la función para "recortarlos" es muy buena, aparte de que el aire fluye muy bien) y protegen durante la noche contra los mosquitos. Resistieron caminatas por cascadas, rapel y descensos a cuevas, a pesar de que la tela es delgada y aparenta no ser muy resistente, sí lo es.No he tenido oportunidad de probarlos en climas realmente fríos.Si no tienes mucho espacio en la maleta también son ideales, pues casi no ocupan espacio.Extremely comfortable - pyjama like....i have a pair of 34’s...but the 32’s fit better ...length doesn’t rally matter because of the cinch cords at the pant leg cuffs - i have a few pairs - love them for wearing around the house, on the trails and even out to the stores .....they are very refined so i even wear them to work, and site meetingsLos encontré a un buen precio. Soy talla 30 y me quedaron perfectos. Son resistentes al agua y al viento (comprobado). Las bolsas traseras y la del costado de la pierna derecha tienen cierres. Lo único que no me gustó es que la tela es como muy elástica, tipo licra (sin pegarse tanto al cuerpo). Parece que no es muy resistente pero ya el tiempo lo dirá.