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Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants
Editor’s Conclusion
Are you looking for something you can wear from the peaks to the parks? From the stones to the streets? The Ferrosi pant from Outdoor Research is one of their best-selling garments and with great reason!
They are stretchy, versatile, and quite stylish for an outdoor pant. Many people say that they actually forget they are wearing them - that’s how comfortable they are.
Receiving this pair of pants might just be the first day of the rest of your life. Many customers buy multiple more pairs after testing out the first. Luckily, the Ferrosi pant is available in multiple colors.
There are a couple of minor downfalls, but nothing that I imagine will keep you from ordering and loving these pants.
They are stretchy, versatile, and quite stylish for an outdoor pant. Many people say that they actually forget they are wearing them - that’s how comfortable they are.
Receiving this pair of pants might just be the first day of the rest of your life. Many customers buy multiple more pairs after testing out the first. Luckily, the Ferrosi pant is available in multiple colors.
There are a couple of minor downfalls, but nothing that I imagine will keep you from ordering and loving these pants.
Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants Review Facts
Editor's Pros & Cons
Pros
Lightweight
Packable
Very stretchy
Quick-drying
Versatile
Sun protection
Compatible with boots and harnesses
Cons
No internal belt
Sizing is different than previous models
Pockets could be improved
Key Features
Comfort
As soon as you slip these hiking pants on, you will be taken aback by the comfort. They are incredibly lightweight (12.05 ounces or 353 grams) and breathable.
This makes them ideal for many different outings, including travel. They especially work well in hot weather. Additionally, they dry shockingly fast after crossing a river or getting stuck in a rain shower.
There is an internal waist drawstring along with a button and zipper fly. The waistband is lined with a knit tricot fabric that feels soft against the skin.
Fit
To preface this section, I want to warn you that this new version of Ferrosi pants fits differently than the previous versions. The previous pants ran a size large. Outdoor Research claims that these now run truly true to size.
With that being said, they are available in a wide range of sizes. You can choose from waist sizes between 28 and 38. They are available in lengths between 30 and 34. The inseam is 81 centimeters.
Like I mentioned before, there is no internal belt. The drawstring is easy to secure and not bothersome. If you prefer or want to add an external belt, there are belt loops built into the waistline of the pants.
Just about every inch of these pants have great stretch. As an added bonus, the knees are articulated which provides even more flexibility.
In the pant leg cuffs, you will find a convenient elastic drawstring. While these are not zip-offs, you can convert them into capri-length pants by using these cords.
Also, you can use these cords to prevent the heel of the pant from dragging on the floor or being stepped on.
Weather Resistance
The Ferrosi pants are finished with a DWR treatment that causes liquid to bead as it hits the pants and fall off. While this feature functions well in light rain and spills, if you get stuck in a downpour, the pants might absorb some of the rain. However, they dry very very quickly! This is ideal for inclement weather or river crossings.
These pants are ideal for summer because they are lightweight and breathable. They are not insulated. If you do want to use them year-round, you could wear them with a base layer underneath.
Features
There is not a lot of outstanding features. The comfort, flexibility, versatility, and breathability really take the cake here. However, there are a couple of things worth mentioning.
These pants offer UPF 50+ sun protection. This means that these materials allow less than 2% of the sun’s harmful rays to reach your skin. While a lot of people forget to research the UPF rating of clothing before buying it, it is very important. If this is important to you, you should check out the rest of the clothing available in the Ferrosi line from Outdoor Research.
Now, let’s talk pockets. There are five pockets in total. The two front pockets are partially lined with mesh. Some people don’t mind this while others despise it. Over time, it is possible that the mesh could rip, depending on what you carry in the pockets.
There are two back pockets and one exterior thigh pocket. The thigh pocket also features mesh lining and is the only one that has a zippered closure. Clearly, you will want to stash your most valuable cargo in the thigh pocket. The other four pockets are decently large and would be fine to transport your items in on flat ground.
Lastly, these pants are packable. They take up minimal space and weight in your bag. Even if you toss them in your bag like a crumpled-up piece of paper, they will come out with minimal wrinkles.
Durability
The Ferrosi line of clothing is made from 86% nylon, 14% spandex, and 90-denier stretch woven ripstop. This blend of fabrics is very durable and abrasion-resistant. If you fall, brush up against rocks and bushes, you are not likely to tear these pants. However, if you take a serious tumble or extended slide, you may notice some pilling- but that would be an extreme case.
To wash these pants, Outdoor Research recommends that you use cold water and no fabric softener. Your best option would be to line dry them, but you can tumble dry them on low if needed.
The warranty is not simple to understand but it seems as though the company has good customer service. All we know is that the product is “guaranteed to perform throughout the lifetime of the product.”
As soon as you slip these hiking pants on, you will be taken aback by the comfort. They are incredibly lightweight (12.05 ounces or 353 grams) and breathable.
This makes them ideal for many different outings, including travel. They especially work well in hot weather. Additionally, they dry shockingly fast after crossing a river or getting stuck in a rain shower.
There is an internal waist drawstring along with a button and zipper fly. The waistband is lined with a knit tricot fabric that feels soft against the skin.
Fit
To preface this section, I want to warn you that this new version of Ferrosi pants fits differently than the previous versions. The previous pants ran a size large. Outdoor Research claims that these now run truly true to size.
With that being said, they are available in a wide range of sizes. You can choose from waist sizes between 28 and 38. They are available in lengths between 30 and 34. The inseam is 81 centimeters.
Like I mentioned before, there is no internal belt. The drawstring is easy to secure and not bothersome. If you prefer or want to add an external belt, there are belt loops built into the waistline of the pants.
Just about every inch of these pants have great stretch. As an added bonus, the knees are articulated which provides even more flexibility.
In the pant leg cuffs, you will find a convenient elastic drawstring. While these are not zip-offs, you can convert them into capri-length pants by using these cords.
Also, you can use these cords to prevent the heel of the pant from dragging on the floor or being stepped on.
Weather Resistance
The Ferrosi pants are finished with a DWR treatment that causes liquid to bead as it hits the pants and fall off. While this feature functions well in light rain and spills, if you get stuck in a downpour, the pants might absorb some of the rain. However, they dry very very quickly! This is ideal for inclement weather or river crossings.
These pants are ideal for summer because they are lightweight and breathable. They are not insulated. If you do want to use them year-round, you could wear them with a base layer underneath.
Features
There is not a lot of outstanding features. The comfort, flexibility, versatility, and breathability really take the cake here. However, there are a couple of things worth mentioning.
These pants offer UPF 50+ sun protection. This means that these materials allow less than 2% of the sun’s harmful rays to reach your skin. While a lot of people forget to research the UPF rating of clothing before buying it, it is very important. If this is important to you, you should check out the rest of the clothing available in the Ferrosi line from Outdoor Research.
Now, let’s talk pockets. There are five pockets in total. The two front pockets are partially lined with mesh. Some people don’t mind this while others despise it. Over time, it is possible that the mesh could rip, depending on what you carry in the pockets.
There are two back pockets and one exterior thigh pocket. The thigh pocket also features mesh lining and is the only one that has a zippered closure. Clearly, you will want to stash your most valuable cargo in the thigh pocket. The other four pockets are decently large and would be fine to transport your items in on flat ground.
Lastly, these pants are packable. They take up minimal space and weight in your bag. Even if you toss them in your bag like a crumpled-up piece of paper, they will come out with minimal wrinkles.
Durability
The Ferrosi line of clothing is made from 86% nylon, 14% spandex, and 90-denier stretch woven ripstop. This blend of fabrics is very durable and abrasion-resistant. If you fall, brush up against rocks and bushes, you are not likely to tear these pants. However, if you take a serious tumble or extended slide, you may notice some pilling- but that would be an extreme case.
To wash these pants, Outdoor Research recommends that you use cold water and no fabric softener. Your best option would be to line dry them, but you can tumble dry them on low if needed.
The warranty is not simple to understand but it seems as though the company has good customer service. All we know is that the product is “guaranteed to perform throughout the lifetime of the product.”
Comparison to Similar Hiking Pants
The Patagonia Quandary pant has a very similar style and price to the Ferrosi. They are available in a size 28 to 40 and in short, regular, and long lengths. They are made from 95% nylon and 5% spandex while boasting the same UPF 50+ sun protection. They weigh even less than the Ferrosi, at only 10 ounces.
They have one extra pocket - a coin pocket. Also, one back pocket and the thigh pocket have a zippered closure. The two front pockets will help to keep your hands warm in cold climates. In terms of fit, for thick or muscular men, the Quandary might be tight in the hip and thigh area.
Prana Stretch Zion pant offers many similar features- UPF 50+, flexibility, and a DWR finish. However, the breathability is less impressive in these pants, but this is offset by a ventilated gusset and the ability to roll up and snap the pants to a shorter length. They weigh slightly more than the others I have mentioned, at 13.3 ounces. If you are an avid summer adventurer, these will likely be too warm for you.
This option has five pockets. Two front hand warming pockets, two back pockets (one of which has a security button), and one zippered thigh pocket. One feature I really appreciate here is the built-in belt. It allows to you easily adjust the tightness of the waist. In terms of price, they are slightly more expensive than the other two pairs of pants. However, at the time of writing this review, they are on sale and deeply discounted.
They have one extra pocket - a coin pocket. Also, one back pocket and the thigh pocket have a zippered closure. The two front pockets will help to keep your hands warm in cold climates. In terms of fit, for thick or muscular men, the Quandary might be tight in the hip and thigh area.
Prana Stretch Zion pant offers many similar features- UPF 50+, flexibility, and a DWR finish. However, the breathability is less impressive in these pants, but this is offset by a ventilated gusset and the ability to roll up and snap the pants to a shorter length. They weigh slightly more than the others I have mentioned, at 13.3 ounces. If you are an avid summer adventurer, these will likely be too warm for you.
This option has five pockets. Two front hand warming pockets, two back pockets (one of which has a security button), and one zippered thigh pocket. One feature I really appreciate here is the built-in belt. It allows to you easily adjust the tightness of the waist. In terms of price, they are slightly more expensive than the other two pairs of pants. However, at the time of writing this review, they are on sale and deeply discounted.
Verdict
Considering how well-made and versatile the Outdoor Research Ferrosi pants are, I would expect a higher price tag. As you can see, they are great for a wide range of activities. They are packable, quick-dry, and comfortable. In a future update, another one or two zippered pockets would be welcome.
If you plan to wear them in the winter, remember that you will need a base layer. The breathable and lightweight fabric will not do much in terms of insulation for you. Overall, unless you dislike the style for any reason, there is no reason to not try them. I think they are a great option.
If you plan to wear them in the winter, remember that you will need a base layer. The breathable and lightweight fabric will not do much in terms of insulation for you. Overall, unless you dislike the style for any reason, there is no reason to not try them. I think they are a great option.
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