Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pant - Women's Review

The Outdoor Research Ferrosi pants are 14% spandex, 40% nylon, and 46% bluesign approved recycled nylon. They are soft, stretchy, and comfortable. They also breathe well and resist abrasion, water, and wind, making these pants one of the most technically proficient we've tested.

Performance Comparison

Comfort and Mobility

These pants stretch and move with you enough to keep up with nearly any activity you have in mind. The thigh-to-waist ratio wasn't perfect for all of our testers, leaving a gap at the waist of some, but the integrated drawstring belt helped make it work. The waist cinch works better than most options we tried, holding your pants up when required without getting in the way when you don't need it. There are also belt loops if you prefer.

The original Ferrosi pants we tested had a gusseted crotch (including an extra triangle of fabric to offer more range of motion), but this new version does not. We don't exactly miss it since the pants stretch so well, but the pants can pull awkwardly in the front, and we wonder if that would help. The knees are articulated. There are two extra tucks of fabric on the outside of each to make sure you have room to move any old way you like. They work great without making the legs look baggy.

Microfleece lines the waistband, keeping it comfortable even when you're hauling your world around in a backpack or pulling on a climbing harness. The pant's mid-rise works very well to hold the pants comfortably in place and works well with backpack waist straps.

The 31-inch regular inseam is perfect for most of our testers, and it's easy to cinch or roll the hems if they are long on you. Extra fabric around your ankles isn't always your friend on a hike or a climb, so we appreciate the straight cut of these pants. OR also offers these pants in a 29" and 34" inseam.

Venting and Breathability

The thin fabric is easy to roll up to your knees. There is also an elastic cord in the hems with a lightweight cinch so you can snug them around your ankles. This can do wonders for keeping you cool.

The ankle fastener is lightweight and very easy to tighten. Loosening it is harder, and the cinching element can pop off the cord. We would not be surprised to lose one or both of them pretty quickly. Still, the elastic is long enough that you could knot it if need be.

The Ferrosi pants are very lightweight and breathable but hold in some sweat on hot and muggy days. When we rolled them up, though, we stayed cool enough. There's a convertible version if you get warm easily and want more ventilation.

Weather Resistance

The women's Ferrosi pants have a durable water repellent (DWR) finish that helps them shed some water before it starts soaking into the fabric. Starting in the spring of 2024, OR's products will be PFAs-Free, including the DWR coating on these pants. Since PFAs are toxic fluorocarbons, that's a very good thing.

Our lead tester's dog loves to swim and shake water on any human standing nearby. These pants handled it with ease, letting her shake it right back off. But if it rains hard, you'll get wet. These pants are fast-drying, but not as fast as they used to be. They're fine for short showers in warmer weather, but be careful of wet weather as the temperatures drop.

These pants are thin, offer 50+ UPF sun protection, and breathe fairly well, so they are a good option for hot weather. They also block wind, keeping it from ripping your body heat away when it's cooler out. Because of this, they transition further into the shoulder seasons better than you might assume for such lightweight pants. They're also easy to pull on over a thin wool base layer, providing you with full three-season use.

Construction Quality

These pants contain 14% ripstop spandex, and Outdoor Research claims that they are abrasion-resistant. We rubbed a corner of the hem across a rough granite corner and it didn't pick, pile, or abrade.

When we tested them with the blunt tip of a paperclip, we could puncture the fabric, but the hole disappeared quickly, without signs of broken threads. We could snag the stitches in the seams, but they held fast. We'll keep you updated on their durability as we test these pants throughout the season.

Versatility and Features

We've already mentioned the well-executed drawstring in the waist and tighteners in the hems. Now, let's talk pockets.

The two hand pockets upfront are sizable, with a narrow entrance opening up to a much deeper pocket than you'd expect. They certainly work well for your hands. But the thin fabric makes it uncomfortable to carry much while you hike unless it's flat and light, like a map. They are big enough to swallow a phone without worrying about it falling out. Again, though, it's not that comfortable.

The thigh pocket is set off to the side of your leg, big enough to hold most phones, and zippered. This is the only truly comfortable pocket spot we've found for a smartphone. There are two back pockets. One has a zipper, and the other does not. The open pocket will hold a phone or wallet, but not very securely. The zippered option is great for a card or two or some cash. They're not incredibly functional but add to the pants' casual look.

These pants are easy-wearing enough for a casual after-work hike or dog walk and technical enough to serve you well on a backpacking trip. The rise and the microfleece-lined waist work with a climbing harness or backpack, and, as we discussed in the weather resistance section, it regulates your temperature in a range of conditions.

We never feel all that stylish while wearing these pants, but they do earn our test team compliments. Their straight cut, subtle pockets, and neutral color palettes keep them from betraying our outdoor adventure intentions. When we wear them to social functions and work events, we never feel out of place.

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With the top score in the test and an average price tag, these pants offer a good value. Like most outdoor gear, though, they are an investment. Their impressive versatility helps. These pants more than earn their space in our closet, van, or carry-on. If you want a well-rounded pair of hiking pants, these are a great go-to. We recommend these pants for active days, day hikes, and backpacking trips.

The nylon that makes up 86% of these pants is bluesign certified and 46% of that nylon is recycled. They also have several company-wide commitments to people and the planet. If their values match yours, it could increase the value of purchasing from them.

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