Up until now, I haven't been particularly picky about trekking pants; I just wanted them to be somewhat breathable and repel a little rain. I was more concerned with ease of movement. However, trekking pants tend to be thick, bulky, and not look all that great, so I've always shied away from them. However, trekking pants have evolved considerably in recent years, diversifying to suit a variety of purposes and uses, with a wide variety of pants being released by various manufacturers
the Sabrio Pants , a 2019 model released by Arc'teryx . These pants have high basic performance as trekking pants, and their style incorporates the latest trends, making them a very interesting model. I've taken the time to review the Sabrio Pants.
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General features of Sabrio Pants
The Sabrio Pants Arc'teryx , a line specialized for trekking. These high-performance trekking pants are made with Fortius™ DW 1.0 fabric, which combines stretch, lightness, and durability. They're extremely thin, offering quick-drying and excellent breathability, making them ideal for spring and fall, as well as hot summer days in low mountains. They're easy to layer, and their smooth texture means they won't feel bulky even when worn over shell pants. They're also suitable for winter trekking in low mountains. Incidentally, women's versions are sold under the name Sabrio Pants
Recommended points
- Highly comfortable fit and stretchy
- Lightweight, breathable and quick-drying
Interesting points
- Low storage capacity
Main Specifications and ratings
| item | Specifications and ratings |
|---|---|
| Official weight | 220g |
| Actual measured weight | 209g (measured size 30) |
| material | Fortius™ DW 1.0 (87% Nylon, 13% Elastane) |
| 2 side pockets (zippered and mesh) | |
| Comfort | ★★★★★ |
| Breathability | ★★★★★ |
| Functionality | ★★★☆☆ |
| Mobility | ★★★★☆ |
| weight | ★★★☆☆ |
| comprehensive evaluation | ★★★★☆ |
Item appearance
Detailed review
The fabric is very thin, about the thickness of thick tights, and is made from Arc'teryx's proprietary Fortius™ DW 1.0, which is lightweight, stretchy, and durable
The fit is tight. Arc'teryx uses five fitting patterns depending on the purpose, and the Sabrio Pants use the "Trim Fit" that follows the "Next to Skin" fit, which is close to the skin like a base layer, for a tight fit that reduces volume. However, despite the tight fit, the knees and crotch are gusseted with stretch and three-dimensionality, allowing for excellent freedom of movement
The crotch has a gusset, so you can easily spread your legs and move without any stress
Unlike the surface, the lining has small bumps, which makes it very easy to slip your feet in. It doesn't get sticky even when you sweat, and it's highly breathable, so you'll stay comfortable
The lining is textured, keeping your skin feeling dry even when you sweat
While it is highly breathable, it is not very windproof. The fabric itself is windproof to a certain extent, but when the wind is strong, the temperature of the wind will quickly penetrate the thin fabric, so it will not be able to block out the cold wind
The water-repellent properties are very good, and they will repel light rain. They also dry quickly, so in situations where you don't need to worry about getting cold even if you get wet, you probably won't need rain pants unless it's a really heavy downpour
Photo (water-repellent)
If you turn it inside out, you'll see that the knee area is reinforced with seam tape to prevent water seeping in
The knees have three-dimensional slits to enhance mobility, and the inside is reinforced with seam tape
Minimum functionality
There are two pockets, one on each side, not just below the waist. There are no back pockets. The pockets are positioned a little lower so as not to be interfered with by the waist belt or harness of a large backpack
The pockets are positioned slightly lower so as not to interfere with the waistband of the backpack or harness
Both pockets are zippered and lined with mesh fabric. The pockets are sewn into the pants themselves, so they won't move around too much even if you put something heavy inside. Because they're mesh, they can also be used for ventilation when fully opened
The pockets are mesh on the front and sewn to the pants to reduce movement
The front is opened and closed with two snap buttons. The front zipper is about 2/3 the length of regular pants, which may be a little inconvenient. The waist is adjusted with a drawcord, so it is not bulky and does not interfere with harnesses
The front has snap buttons for closure and the waist has a drawcord for adjustment
The actual weight is 209g (30 inches), which is quite light for trekking pants. Although they are not packable, they can be folded up quite small, so you can easily carry them in a stuff sack or something
If you fold it up and roll it up, it can be stored quite compactly
Impressions from actually using it
I have thick thighs, but these pants look so slim that I thought they would be too tight no matter what... but when I actually put them on, my legs slipped in easily, and they didn't even feel like they looked slim. I think this is thanks to the excellent stretch and three-dimensional cut. In addition, the lining has a moderate texture that reduces friction with the skin, making them smooth and very comfortable. I'm quite impressed with how they feel
This level of comfort is also thanks to the design around the waist. There are no hand pockets at the waist like regular pants, only a few on the sides of the thighs. In addition, the waist is adjusted with a drawcord, and there are no belt loops, so the waist area is very neat, light, and stress-free
It's true that the pockets on the sides of both thighs can be accessed without being interfered with by the waist straps of a large backpack or a climbing harness, but the openings are not wide, the inside is just large enough that you can barely spread your palms out, and there are no gussets, so it's difficult to fit anything bulky inside. It seems like there will be problems with storage capacity when wearing the pants alone. In fact, it seems like they weren't designed with that in mind
Although it's a three-season model for spring and autumn, its thin, tight-fitting design and stretchy construction means it can also be used as a base layer. The streamlined waistband is likely a consideration to prevent bulk when wearing hard shell pants over it. Considering this use, the small number of pockets and the simplicity of the waistband make sense
Summary: Recommended for people like this
These trekking pants are made with a very thin fabric, and are lightweight, stretchy, and highly mobile, offering a level of performance you wouldn't expect from their simple appearance. They are versatile enough to be used for everything from day treks to multi-day hikes, and their high mobility means they're also great for climbing. Their simplicity means they can be used as a base layer, and although they're advertised as trekking pants suitable for three seasons, from spring to autumn, they're actually versatile pants that can be used all year round depending on how you use them, and you'll definitely find them useful if you have a pair. They're the perfect match for anyone looking for a pair of versatile trekking pants. Even advanced trekkers will find them useful as emergency pants to keep in their bag
