Flylow Chemical Pant Review
Compare prices at 3 resellers Pros: Rugged and weather-ready
Cons: Waterproof but non-confidence inspiring water repellant, stiff fabric, confining cut
Manufacturer: Flylow
Our Verdict
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Flylow Chemical Pant | |||||
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Awards | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | |
Price | $161.98 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | Check Price at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $399 List $318.93 at REI | $300 List $239.99 at Amazon | Check Price at REI Compare at 3 sellers |
Overall Score ![]() |
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Star Rating | |||||
Pros | Rugged and weather-ready | Great performance at a low price, tons of features, weather resistant, breathable | Breathable, comfortable, stylish, excellent for touring | Warm, comfy, weather resistant | Great value, warm, comfortable, relaxed vibes |
Cons | Waterproof but non-confidence inspiring water repellant, stiff fabric, confining cut | Lacks good style and warmth, average comfort | Not waterproof or warm, expensive | Small vents, snug fit, racer style | Limited seam and pocket sealing, less effective vent design |
Bottom Line | Sturdy pants for the regular user that values weather protection and style over freedom of motion and comfort | An affordable hardshell that provides great weather resistance, ventilation, and features | These softshell pants breathe well and fit comfortably, making them perfect for backcountry skiing | The top insulated ski pants for those who want some extra warmth around their legs | A good insulated ski pant for budget-minded resort skiers who don't need a technical pair of pants |
Rating Categories | Flylow Chemical Pant | Outdoor Research Sk... | Arc'teryx Procline... | Spyder Dare GTX | The North Face Free... |
Weather Resistance (25%) | |||||
Fit and Comfort (25%) | |||||
Ventilation (20%) | |||||
Warmth (10%) | |||||
Features (10%) | |||||
Style (10%) | |||||
Specs | Flylow Chemical Pant | Outdoor Research Sk... | Arc'teryx Procline... | Spyder Dare GTX | The North Face Free... |
Main fabric | Intuitive Oxford 100% polyester 3L | 88% Nylon, 12% Spandex | Nylon | Polyester plain weave 2L | 100% Nylon |
Insulation | None | None | None | 40 g Primaloft Silver Eco synthetic | 60 g Heatseeker Eco Polyester (50% Recycled) |
Waterproofing | OmniBloq DWR | AscentShell | Gore-Tex Infinium | Gore-Tex laminate and PFCecFree DWR (2-layer) | DryVent (2-layer) |
Waistline construction (elastic? snaps?) | Button/zipper fly with hook/loop adjustment | Snap/zipper fly with external velcro adjustment, belt loops | Snaps with elastic belt | Snap/zipper fly with internal adjustment and removable suspenders | Snap and zipper, Velcro tabs for adjustment, belt loops |
Weight (in pounds) | 1.43 lbs | 1.32 lbs | 1.46 lbs | 1.79 lbs | 1.32 lbs |
Weight (in grams) | 648 g | 599 g | 662 g | 812 g | 599 g |
# of Pockets | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 |
Vents? | Inner and outer thigh zips, no mesh | Inner thigh zips | Outer thigh zips | Inner thigh zips, with mesh | Inner thigh zips, with mesh |
Ski-specific features | Reinforced knees, scuff guards elastic powder cuffs | Scuff guards, powder cuffs, articulated knees, beacon clip | Scuff guards, elastic powder cuffs | Scuff guards, elastic powder cuffs, cuff zipper | Scuff guards, elastic powder cuffs |
Recco? | No | No | No | No | No |
Our Analysis and Test Results
These are sturdy, basic ski and snowboard pants in a baggy "dirtbag" style. The construction is very robust, and the materials are nearly top notch. Despite the baggy cut, the stiff fabric and a low crotch seem to inhibit freedom of motion more than other pants we've tested. When scored on our overall matrix, the Chemical Snow Pants are below average. The primary issues are fit and mobility.
Performance Comparison
Weather Resistance
FlyLow's proprietary "Intuitive" fabric will keep out the water. Sealed seams and waterproof zippers all-around complement this. New for this season, Flylow has introduced a new DWR finish that beads water much better than previous versions, so make sure you purchase a new pair, not one from an older season. The pants also feature buttons that attached to the powder skirt in Flylow jackets. Overall, the Chemical Pants are very weather resistant.
Fit and Comfort
One's first impression of the Chemical Pants is that they are big and baggy. If you are between sizes, we recommend sizing down. The fabric is also quite stiff. This inhibits motion. Further inhibiting motion is something about the tailoring. It seems that the crotch of the pants hangs lower, blocking some motion. There's enough motion for most ski and snowboard moves, but walking around and climbing, scrambling, or park time will meet resistance.
Ventilation
FlyLow pants top the ventilation charts. The dual leg vents (two, per leg!) lead the field and provide cross ventilation that none others provide. If you open both non-mesh-backed vents in a stiff breeze, it can feel almost as if you are wearing shorts. These pants are great for skiers who run warm or do a lot of hiking for fresh tracks, as is the norm at resorts like Alta, Bridger Bowl, or Jackson Hole.
Warmth
There is no insulation in the FlyLow Chemical Pant. Nonetheless, the thick fabric feels warmer than other "three-layer" style pants. Other shell pants feature a hanging mesh liner, but that is absent in these pants. As a result, and due to the stiff shell fabric, expect to wear long underwear when wearing these pants.
Features
Pockets are the primary feature of the Chemical Pant. There are only three of them, but each is lined with smooth nylon and sealed with a waterproof zipper. We like that.
Style
These are decidedly targeted to the youthful rider. The cut is baggy and low, and in general, we think Flylow pants try to emulate work clothes that landscapers or construction workers would wear. That style is popular in places with lots of young skiers, like Salt Lake City, Bozeman, Bellingham, and Burlington. It's less popular in destination resorts like Vail, Aspen, or Jackson Hole. They will stick right out in a racing environment or in European resorts. In general, these pants look more like work clothing than athletic wear, and those who like the style of these pants will not mind the sacrifices in comfort.
Value
These pants are not cheap, but they will last a long time. Construction and materials are robust enough to last many years of regular use. Your per-day cost will be lower than some more expensive but less durable options.
Conclusion
FlyLow Chemical Pants are normal uninsulated ski pants that are baggy and super durable.
— Jediah Porter
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