One such pair of pants are the Talus Pants from Patagonia. These lightweight soft shell pants can be worn under a wide variety of warmer weather conditions, while not becoming too warm. At the same time, coupled with a base layer, these same pants can be worn down to below freezing temperatures, making them a very versatile pair of pants.

Here's what makes the Talus Pants world class:

• The pants are made with a lightweight 4.4 ounce stretch woven nylon, covered with a DWR finish. The pants weigh in at about 9-11 ounces, depending on their size. Their ability to stretch significantly adds to their comfort. And their light weight makes you feel that you are almost not wearing anything at all. They pack very small.
  
   
• Although the pants use a lightweight fabric, they are still very tuff, resistant to most abuse.
  
   
• Moisture- and wind-resistance is good, although don't expect them to protect you for long under heavy rain (which is true for any soft shell). They do a good job of preventing snow melt from getting to your legs.
  
   
• The pants have a fairly tailored fit, somewhere between a standard fit and tights (with a leaning toward a standard fit). This helps keep their weight down, along with preventing baggy material to get in your way. There is still plenty of room to wear any base layer of your choice.
  
   
• The pants have a stretch waste (no zipper), and a draw-string (inside, so it can't be seen) for adjusting to your waist. This makes for a very comfortable fit.
  
   
• The pant don't have any rear pockets (to make it easier to wear a backpack with them), they have two front pockets for your hands, and one small, zippered cargo pocket on the right leg.

The Talus Pants will be useful for most outdoor adventures, including hiking, backpacking, climbing, trekking, skiing, and trail running.

Using the Patagonia Talus Pants In the Real World

I have worn the Talus Pants under a wide variety of weather conditions, and they have meet my needs well. In warmer weather, I have worn them up to +95 degrees without suffering too much. Generally, I wear short when it gets this warm, but you can't always know what the temps will be.

At the extreme end, I have warm them to +15 degrees with a midweight base layer, and this combination was more than comfortable.

Generally speaking, you can wear the pants, without any base layer, for any temp over +40 degrees, will still being comfortable.

Water and snow bead off the fabric well, although I have not tested them under torrential rain conditions. I have used them a lot with snow, and they do keep my legs dry from melting snow.

I have worn the pants, many days in a row, and odor is not much of an issue. Also, they are more or less wrinkle-free, so they still look good after days of use.

The only drawback I have seen with these pants, and it is one that may not affect you. The draw string used to keep the pants tight around your waist doesn't always hold that well. If I carry a lot of stuff in my pockets, then the pants (on me) tend to want to slip off. I have resolved that problem by not carrying anything heavy in them.

Recommendation

If you are looking for a versatile pair of pants that can be worn under a wide variety of temps and weather conditions, and don't mind an elastic waste, give these pants a try. They are good for fastpackers and trekkers alike, and for everybody in between.



Product Notes

Patagonia Talus pants are available for both men and women, in a variety of sizes. The only color available is tar (a very dark grey, almost black).