Mammut Runbold Review

With a nice set of features and a slim fit, these surprisingly durable pants served us well. More than anything else, what separates these pants from the pack is their low weight and zippered pockets.

Performance Comparison

Comfort and Mobility

With a fabric blend that includes 15% spandex, these pants are stretchy and decently comfortable. Considering their slim fit, they provide a good degree of mobility. They come with an articulated knee design that helps prevent them from feeling tight when taking high steps. There are a couple of issues our testers encountered in terms of comfort. The first is that while the articulation in the knee creates a little more mobility, the seams are noticeable. They aren't necessarily uncomfortable, but they are definitely there. One other minor issue is that the front button has a chunky backing that our testers could feel pressing into their stomachs.

Venting and Breathability

The Runbold is a good choice to wear on warm days. These pants are among the lightest that we've tested, thanks to the airy fabric that allows sweat and heat to escape rapidly. However, these pants don't have especially robust ventilation features. All of the pockets are at least partially mesh-lined, but there is nothing to secure them while they are rolled up, and no other holes or zips. Despite that, our experience testing dozens of hiking pants tells us that these have solid, above-average breathability.

Weather Resistance

These pants don't resist the weather so much as they'd rather avoid it. The strength of their breathability is also the weakness of their water resistance. Though they are treated and do repel light rain, if you are in a moderate rainstorm, you are going to start feeling wet after about 5-10 minutes. Having said that, because the material is so thin, they do dry out very quickly. We ran into the same issue with wind protection. Since these pants thrive in warm weather, it might be an intentional feature, but they certainly aren't the pair to have if you know a lot of turbulent fronts are going to be pushing through during your adventure.

Features

This pair has just a few notable features, but we really appreciate them. There are four pockets: two front handwarmers that both have zippers, one rear zippered pocket on the right side, and one zippered leg pocket. All are large and deep enough to hold a smartphone or a handheld GPS. The Runbold also has a combination of traditional belt loops as well as velcro tabs, one on each hip, that facilitate adjustability of the waist. We appreciate this design because it doesn't slip through the day like some integrated belts do, and it can be adjusted on the go — no need to remove a backpack.

Versatility

These pants are meant for relatively warm weather. As long as the temperature is right, these pants are a good option for most outdoor activities, including paddling. They wouldn't be our first choice for long-haul traveling. They are comfortable generally, but the crotch doesn't have the same gusset as most other pairs in this review, so they don't quite provide the space that we would want if we were trying to get comfortable in an airplane seat. On the other hand, these pants are ready for a casual day out with friends. Their slim fit is stylish, and the only obvious “these are hiking pants” feature is the thigh pocket, which fortunately has a very discreet zipper. If you like the idea of having a dual-threat hiking/hanging out pair, the Runbold is a solid choice.

Should You Buy the Mammut Runbold?

The Mammut Runbold offers a great combination of sun protection and breathable fabric. They are lightweight, relatively comfortable, and have convenient pockets. Having said that, these pants are pricey. We think that they are worth the cost if you need a top-performing pair specifically for warm weather. If you can grab them at a discount, even better.

What Other Hiking Pants Should You Consider?