Arc'teryx Gamma LT Pant - Women's Review
Compare prices at 2 resellers Pros: Great weather resistance, mobile, comfortable, durable
Cons: Not as breathable, slim cut hard to layer under
Manufacturer: Arc'teryx
Our Verdict
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Arc'teryx Gamma LT Pant - Women's | |||||
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| Awards |  |  |  | | |
| Price | $189.00 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $89.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $69.95 at REI | $65 List | $85.00 at REI Compare at 2 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Great weather resistance, mobile, comfortable, durable | Hold their shape day after day, breathable, durable, deep hand pockets will hold a phone, shorts and pants in one | Mobile, wide range of fit options, shed water easily, excellent pockets | Flattering and comfortable cut, versatile, durable, UPF 50 | Feminine fit, many adjustment options, great movement, comfortable |
| Cons | Not as breathable, slim cut hard to layer under | Zipper seams fit close against some thighs, cargo pocket is not very useful | Button doesn’t appear to be durable, limited color options | Sub-optimal pockets, tapered leg restricts hem roll | Weak buttons, small pockets |
| Bottom Line | The best cooler and wet weather option in our test group | An exceptional pair of hiking pants, suited for all sorts of terrain and activity | A well-priced pant with lots of features | These stretchy and comfortable day-hikers take you straight from daily life to the trailhead | These pants perform, whether hiking and climbing in the backcountry or biking your way around town |
| Rating Categories | Gamma LT Pant | Ferrosi Convertible | Sahara Convertible | REI Co-op Taereen Pant | Prana Halle - Women's |
| Comfort And Mobility (35%) | |||||
| Venting And Breathability (20%) | |||||
| Weather Resistance (15%) | |||||
| Features (15%) | |||||
| Versatility (15%) | |||||
| Specs | Gamma LT Pant | Ferrosi Convertible | Sahara Convertible | REI Co-op Taereen... | Prana Halle -... |
| Measured Weight, Size Regular (oz) | 11.0 oz | 9.5 oz | 9.6 oz | 9.5 oz | 12.0 oz |
| Size options and versions | 0 to 14, Short, Regular, Tall | 0 to 14, Non-zip off come in Short, Regular, Long | 0 to 22w, Petitie, Regular, Plus, Tall | 4 to 22w, Petite, Regular, Plus | 00 to 22w, Short, Regular, Tall |
| Fabric | 88% nylon, 12% elastane | 86% ripstop nylon, 14% spandex 90D stretch woven ripstop | Nylon | 94% nylon, 6% spandex | 97% nylon, 3% spandex |
| Fabric Features | Water, wind resistant, quick dry, and breathable | Water, wind resistant and quick dry | Quick dry | Quick dry, stretchy | Water, and abrasion-resistant |
| DWR Finish? | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| UPF? | No rating | UPF 50 | UPF 50+ | UPF 50 | UPF 50 |
| Pockets | 2 hand (zip), 1 side (zip) | 2 hand, 2 back, 1 side (zip) | 2 hand, 2 back, 2 cargo | 2 hand, 2 back zippered | 2 hand, 1 thigh (zip), 2 back (button) |
| Zip-Off or Roll-Up? | Cinch around ankle | Zip-off, available without | Zip-off | Limited roll-up | Roll-up, available as zip-off |
| Integrated Belt? | Yes | Yes, internal drawcord | Yes | No | Yes, internal drawcord |
| Fit Features | Trim fit, straight leg, adjustable waist belt, adjustable pant cuffs, 2 inseam lengths | Articulated knees, convertible (to shorts), drawcord hem, high rise, gussetted crotch | Gusseted crotch, mid rise, convert to shorts | Mid rise, stretchy construction | Articulated knees, mid-rise, relaxed fit, 3 inseam lengths |
| Social or Environmental Certifications | Fabric is bluesign approved |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Arc'teryx Gamma LT pants are a 88% nylon and 12% elastane blend. This pair comes in sizes 0 to 14 in the regular length (32"), 0 to 10 in short, and 6 to 12 in tall.
We originally purchased this pant in our lead tester's "American" size 2, but it was way too snug. We returned it and tried a size 4 (our regular Lululemon size), and it fits much better, though still trim. If you want these on the loose side to squeeze a base layer underneath them, you may have to go up two sizes.
Performance Comparison
Comfort and Mobility
The Gamma LT pants have more stretch than comfort — while they are not uncomfortable, they aren't soft and cozy either. The Gammas are comfortable for all-day wear on the trail — but you probably won't want to curl up in them on the couch afterward.
The cut on these pants is on the trim side, which always concerns us with a pair of hiking pants. We wonder if we are still going to be able to high-step and scramble with ease in "skinny" pants. We needn't have worried about the Gamma LTs.
Their material has excellent stretch to it, and the articulated knees and gusseted crotch all combined to give us excellent mobility. We even wore them telemark skiing on a spring day and had no issue going deep into our lunges in this pair.
Venting and Breathability
The Gamma LTs are breathable. But their thickness holds in more heat than the summer-oriented pants in this review, so they score a little lower.
If you hike in the Gamma pants in 80-degree weather, they may vent your sweat well, but you will feel hotter overall. The pockets are mesh-lined, and you can unzip them to vent out some heat.
Weather Resistance
Arc'teryx calls this material moisture resistant. It's not fully waterproof, but it comes close, and on the whole, the Gamma blows away all of the other models in this review for weather resistance.
The Gamma features a DWR finish, and the material and DWR combo does a fantastic job of repelling water. It will keep you dry in a drizzle and takes a pretty sustained rain to soak through. It's usually the spot where your rainjacket drips onto your pants that will saturate first. Once wet, it takes longer for these pants to dry compared to some of the warmer weather hiking pants we tested. The Gammas also provide more wind resistance than most.
Features
We like the feature set on the Gamma LT. Though they seem pretty minimalistic to start, they do have a lot going for them.
Both hand pockets are deep and have zippers. The side-zippered pocket is big enough for a smartphone or a set of keys. The cuffs have a drawcord should you want to cinch them down to keep the heat in or the rain out. The internal belt is low-profile and doesn't interfere with a hip belt.
Finally, the cuffs have grommets should you want to wear the pants over a pair of hiking boots and secure them down under the arch with some shoelace, like a gaiter.
Versatility
Most pants in this review work well in summer and the warmer parts of spring and fall. These pants work better in winter and the cooler parts of fall and spring. We can also take these pants out in wet weather. We don't love them when the temperature starts to rise, as they barely even roll up at the ankles.
Their technical nature keeps us from wearing them around town. They do have a high rise waist, and while they fit nicely under a backpacking waistbelt. We don't like rock climbing in them as much as a result. There's too much going on right at the waist.
Value
These pants ring up at twice as much as some pairs in this review. They are a specialized pair, in a league of their own. It's a lot to spend on one pair of pants, but hopefully, they will last you forever!
The softshell material is highly abrasion resistant, and the pant has impeccable construction details. The zippers are laminated, and the seams are all double stitched. We didn't have any durability issues arise during our testing period, and found little to no complaints in online reviews either.
Conclusion
The Arc'teryx Gamma LT is a sleek pair of hiking pants. Their trim fit and smooth, stretchy material look great on just about anyone. They're the bee's knees on cold and wet days, making them our Top Pick for Wet Weather. They aren't well suited for warmer weather hiking, but if you're out on the trail no matter the weather or the season, this is a great option to have around.
— Cam McKenzie Ring