Patagonia Upstride Pants Review

Performance Comparison

Weather Resistance

The Patagonia Upstride is a softshell pant, meaning the shell fabric isn't waterproof. It does repel liquid water, thanks to a DWR coating, which we found to be effective for a while — but these pants won't keep you dry in rain or heavy, wet snow. Their fabric is a bit thicker than other softshells on the market, which also provides some extra wind protection.

Fit and Comfort

The Upstride is a generally comfortable pant, and the fabric feels nice against the skin. Our testers didn't experience any chafing or rubbing during the test period, even on long skin ascents. The fabric also stretches, making long lunges on the skin track more comfortable. However, we found the fit of these pants to be a bit off. They are tighter in the crotch and thighs than other pants in the same size, but offer plenty of length in the legs. The slim waistline has a higher rise, which affects the fit for anyone who doesn't have a completely flat belly. Other pants have a more universal fit, and these won't work for everyone.

Ventilation

The Upstride's softshell fabric is relatively breathable compared to most other ski pants, but compared to other softshells, these pants don't breathe as well. The fabric is on the thicker side compared to similar pants, and the transfer of air doesn't happen as easily. This has some upsides, including increased wind resistance and more suitability for use on days with bad weather. There are two 11-inch vents, one on each outer thigh. But, the vents are located low on each thigh, starting at the knee, which means they are more susceptible to powder falling into the legs when the vents are open on warmer days after big storms.

Warmth

These pants don't provide much warmth. The softshell fabric offers little protection against cold surfaces like chairlift seats, and there is no insulation inside the pants. The softshell fabric doesn't breathe as well as others on the market, which means that air warmed by the body has a harder time escaping, which adds some heat capabilities compared to other softshells. Still, if you are looking for a warm pant, look elsewhere. All warmth will have to come from base layers worn underneath, and if there is a breeze or heavy precipitation, these pants won't shield you from the cold.

Features

These pants have three pockets — two hip pockets and a thigh pocket. The legs have a thin and minimalist powder cuff, and the shell cuff has a zippered flap that zips closed to tighten the pants around the ski boot, and unzips to keep the cuff loose around the boot during uphill motion when buckles are left open and more mobility is required. The pants have a Recco reflector near the cuff, and belt loops. The thigh pockets don't have a loop for clipping a transceiver leash, which is a major oversight.

Style

These pants look alright, but we don't love their style. They have slim and form-fitting cut, which reminds us of past eras when tight ski pants were cool. Now, a looser, "freeride" fit is in style, and these pants seem out of place with the most recent trends. That said, style is subjective, and if you like the look of these pants, we could see why.

Should You Buy the Patagonia Upstride?

These pants cost roughly the same as other top-performing softshells on the market, so we recommend checking those out in addition to the Upstride. If you have a burning loyalty to the Patagonia brand, these are a good overall softshell pant that will suit you well on the skin track. However, we think there are better options out there at a similar price point.

What Other Ski Pants Should You Consider?