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 & Mobility

With a fabric blend that includes 15% spandex, these pants are stretchy and comfortable. Considering their slim fit, they provide an exceptional 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 & Breathability

The Runbold thrives on its breathability. These pants are among the lightest that we've tested, thanks to the airy fabric that allows sweat and heat to escape rapidly.

There aren't especially robust ventilation features in these pants. 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 are some of the coolest pairs around.

Versatility & Style

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 gusseting 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 will do the trick.

Weather Resistance

These pants don't resist 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 hand warmers that both have zippers as well as protective flaps to keep out precipitation, one rear zippered pocket on the right side, and one zippered leg pocket. All are large and deep enough to hold a large smartphone or a handheld GPS. The leg pocket is also strategically placed on the front thigh instead of at the side. We noticed this helped to reduce item jiggle and also made things somewhat easier to reach.

The Runbold also has traditional belt loops. And that's about it. It's a straightforward, lo-frills model. No drawstring in the ankles, no integrated belt, but we think it all works together pretty well.

Value

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, however, given that there are more effective all-around performers in this review, we aren't quite ready to say they are a great value.

Conclusion

The Mammut Runbold is one of our top go-tos when we know we will need the sun protection that pants provide but also want maximum breathability. They are lightweight, relatively comfortable, and their pockets are excellent. We like these pants.