Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants Review

We love the unique blend of materials that go into these pants. It produces a product that offers plenty of stretch while you are on the move and breathability that exceeds the performance of the competition.

Performance Comparison

Comfort and Mobility

When it comes to comfort, these pants ranked right up there with the best of them. However, in terms of mobility, no other pants can match the light, supple flexibility afforded by the OR Ferrosi.

The cut of these pants is great. They have articulated knees and a gusseted crotch. We found the fit to be 'regular', neither slim nor baggy. The fabric is smooth against the skin, and the mobility this pair offers is second to none. One understated comfort feature is that the inside of the waistband has a strip of soft, felty material that reduces rubbing and abrasion if you have a backpacking waist belt clipped around it.

One drawback to the fit of this pair is the waist sizing. We suppose this model is designed to be worn lower on the hips, but we felt we really wanted a belt with this pair, which is less than ideal while wearing a climbing harness. It does come with traditional belt loops, so it's not a huge deal, but you might want to try sizing these pants down in the waist.

Venting and Breathability

This metric is where the Ferrosi Pants really shine. On warmer days, we felt like we were getting the sun protection we needed while retaining way less heat (and sweat) than we would expect while wearing a pair of hiking pants.

In terms of ventilation, the two front hand pockets are partially lined with mesh on the inside, as is the thigh pocket. Additionally, the bottom of each leg cuff has an elastic cord that allows the wearer to pull up and secure the pant legs above the calf or knee. Though not wholly comparable to a convertible pair, this feature offers a solid, simple solution when you need to cool down in the heat in a hurry.

Though these pants have only a couple of features that could be considered venting points, in our head-to-head testing, running uphill revealed that their super-light and highly breathable fabric more than made up for it. Ultimately, we felt cooler in our Ferrosi pants than any other pair we tested. Our only critical note is that when the wind whips on chilly days, these pants may be a little bit too breathable.

Weather Resistance

These pants do an effective job of shedding water, at least while the DWR coating holds up. They don't offer nearly the level of beading and shedding that we saw with other models, but we noted that they still perform admirably.

With a spritz that simulated a drizzle, the water effectively beaded up and fell off the front of these pants. In a full-on downpour, water soaked into the outside layer of nylon, so our legs got wet. On the plus side, when the clouds parted, their thin fabric dried out very quickly.

Features

The Ferrosi have just a few simple features, but they all function quite well. There are five pockets overall — two partially mesh-lined front hand pockets, as well as a side pocket on the outside of the right thigh that includes a horizontal zippered opening. We found that the front pockets were adequately deep, and we appreciate the subtle but thoughtful angle of the thigh pocket zipper, which makes it easier to open and close with one hand.

On the back, these pants have two pockets, one with a zipper and one with an open top. We didn't mind not being able to close the rear pockets in the backcountry — we found that we rarely used them, and when we did, it was to temporarily hold a bandana or some small object to free up our hands. However, wearing them around town, we would like to be able to close them for peace of mind when walking around with a wallet.

These pants also come with a 50+ UPF rating, which means they are ideally suited for sun protection. Another somewhat unique feature these pants offer is the elastic cinch cord at each leg cuff. Not only does this give the wearer another option for cooling down, but the cord can be used to keep the pants up when crossing streams or to cinch the cuffs down around the tops of boots like gaiters. Though the Ferrosi is not the most feature-packed pair, we are still pleased with what they do offer.

Versatility

The Outdoor Research Ferrosi provides an excellent combination of attributes for many outdoor activities. They feature an 86% 90D stretch ripstop nylon and 14% elastane blend, the airiest-feeling material of any pants we tested, making them great for both hiking and climbing. They are the perfect choice on warmer days and good in the late summer and early fall, just as the weather is about to change. On multi-day adventures, we wouldn't hesitate to keep them on as a pair of in-camp pants or even use them as a pair of on-trail pajamas.

The Ferrosi pants are perfect for hot weather and offer the extra options afforded by the leg cinch cords. If you need a pair of pants that will keep you warm, look elsewhere — the material on the Ferrosi is just too thin to provide serious wind protection. They can also get pretty beat up while climbing. They are stylish enough for a night on the town, but they look a bit techy.

Should You Buy the Outdoor Research Ferrosi?

The Outdoor Research Ferrosi is a high-performing technical hiking pant. They're very comfortable, highly breathable, and allow for great mobility. Whether you are out on a day hike or a multi-week adventure, they will keep you cool and comfortable while on the move. The thin material can take a beating over time if you abuse them on your adventures, but overall, they are a perennial favorite of our test team. And they come at a fair price.

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