Patagonia's "Trail Craft Vest" & "Dart Craft Pants" Review: Lightweight vest that protects the core of your body from the wind and light long pants that move you'll feel cooler
written by Yosuke.C
When I go mountain climbing, I wear mountaineering clothing. It's only natural, but in reality, when climbing, where various movements are required using the entire body, even clothing that is made for purposes other than mountain climbing or activities, rarely falls across genres and is perfect for mountaineering or hiking.
Trail Craft Vest " and " Dart Craft Pants that belong to the Patagonia Mountain Bike Collection that we will introduce today are just that. I was wondering, "What is this?!" from the specs and appearance, and tried it out on the field, and the unique features that each of them has are very well-made, and above all, they worked better than I expected when climbing or hiking. I'll start a review of what I got into and what I'm into.
table of contents
Trail Craft Best: Main Features
Trail Craft Vests are versatile windproof vests. The front panel material is a recycled nylon ripstop that is highly breathable and stretchy, blocking wind, and the moisture-wicking knit lining gives it a soft texture. The back and side panels are ultra-lightweight, recycled polyester stretch-woven ripstops, making them easy to move around, providing wind resistance and quick drying. DWR (durable water repellent) processed, manufactured without intentionally using PFAS. All materials are made from 100% recycled nylon and polyester.
Two zippered pockets are located in the front and one on the left rear, while the rear pocket is designed to be angled to distribute loads in the center. It weighs 104.1g (actual measurements for size M), so you don't feel any weight at all even when wearing it, and the packable material that can be stored in the front left pocket makes it compact and portable. The full zipper makes it easy to put on and take off, making it a vest that allows you to layer on the trail without any stress.
Favorite points
- It doesn't feel heavy at all when worn, and is smooth and comfortable to wear
- Light and compact storage
- Protects the "core" parts of the body from the wind
- The balance between the best and windproof
- The backpack is easy to dry and easily sweaty.
Interesting points
- If you prioritize wind protection, long sleeves
Main Specifications and ratings
| item | Men's Trail Craft Vest |
|---|---|
| Official weight | 108g |
| material | 1.2oz recycled polyester stretch 100% Stretchy woven ripstop. DWR (durable water repellent) processed, manufactured without intentionally using PFAS |
| |
| color | Bundle Green, Black |
| fit | Regular fit |
| Reference price (as of July 2025) | ¥17,050 (tax included) |
| Outdoor Gearzine Rating | |
| Comfort | ★★★★☆ |
| Mobility | ★★★★★ |
| Durability | ★★★★☆ |
| Breathable and quick-drying | ★★★★★ |
| weight | ★★★★☆ |
| Functionality | ★★★★☆ |
| Ease of layering | ★★★★☆ |
Trail Craft Best: Detailed Review
It doesn't feel heavy at all when worn, and is smooth and easy to move around in.
The trail craft vest weighs 104.1g (actual measurements for size M). When you actually wear it, you won't feel any weight at all. The fabric has a smooth texture and is comfortable to wear. That's a refreshing feeling for me, who didn't choose the best when assembling layers in the mountains. As it is a vest, it does not lift your arms or the clothing does not crease over your body movements, and when you actually wear it while you are on the field, there is no stress about your movements. It was the first time I experienced how comfortable a vest was to wear.
When climbing or hiking for long periods of time, exercise your lower body is the main focus, but when using trekking poles to support walking, you may also need to move your upper body (arms) by swinging your arms. I've never felt the stress of being "hard to move around" with long sleeve clothing, nor have I ever felt it was difficult to use, but the vest was so easy to move around in. This is my honest opinion. For testing, we visited the ridge of the Southern Alps area, which is over 3,000m above sea level. There were some areas along the way that I had to use both hands to climb, but the trail craft vest was very smooth as there was no catch on when I raised my arms. The full zip structure makes it easy to put on and take off, and layering while you're on the move.
There are two orthodox pockets with zippers on the front and one on the back. The back pocket that is accessed from the left side is angled, so when you put something inside, the center of gravity is positioned in the center, allowing you to use it without feeling biased. When carrying a large backpack, the back pocket cannot be used, but when carrying a lightweight backpack, it is convenient to put in items that you often use, such as maps and hand towels, which are convenient.
Two zippered pockets on the front and one on the back
Light and compact storage
The trail craft vest is packable and can be stored in the front left pocket when worn The pockets are spacious and easy to store, making them easy to store and can be stored instantly. It's small even when stored, but it can be compressed and doesn't take up much space, making it easy to keep in your backpack.
The lightweight, compact trail craft vest is nice to incorporate as the main mid-layer of the summer mountains, but it is also recommended to carry it with you like a charm when you are feeling a little unsure about the layering you built as a main, and I felt that it could be a very convenient combination for people who use rainwear as a windshell.
Protects the "core" parts of the body from the wind, providing a good balance between dislodging and protection
A trail craft vest that protects the body's torso . I felt my true potential when I walked along the ridgeline with strong winds. In forest belts, the situation changes completely when you start sweating from an environment where even just one underwear can slowly move into the ridge. On ridges that continue to receive wind, sweat dries quickly with just underwear, and as a result, the body's heat is taken away and the athletic ability decreases. However, a trail craft vest , the body's torso was able to act without being taken away from its body temperature.
Trail Craft Vests are made of different materials on the front panel, sides, and back panels, and the front panel has a ripstop structure that is breathable and stretchy, blocking out wind from the front, and DWR (durable water repellent) coating makes it easy to use. The back and side panels feature ultra-lightweight stretch woven ripstops, which not only improves wind resistance but also quick drying. The quick-drying structure on the sides makes it easy for heat and sweat to accumulate by carrying a backpack, making it very useful for mountain climbing and hiking.
Mountain bikes basically travel in the direction of travel, that is, in the air from the front, so the front is more windproof and durable, while the sides and back are more favorable to dry quickly, making sense. The structure perfectly matched the ridgeline.
The author was impressed by the ease of use of the best. I never thought I could just protect my body and act without being so affected by the wind. I thought that being a vest would allow wind to get in from the armpits, but the fit is also good, so that's not the case at all. In fact, the looseness of the arms is just right and comfortable. Simply protecting the core part of the body prevents the body from being taken away from its body temperature, and by maintaining good looseness from the shoulders to the arms, I was able to act in a very well-balanced manner. The raised collar also blocks the neck area by raising the zipper. The collar is about half the neck tall, but it also has a zipper garage so you don't feel any discomfort, and it has a smooth, supple texture and no discomfort.
The front panel is made of highly wind-resistant material, and the DWR (durable water repellent) coating will repel some water.
If you prioritize wind protection, long sleeves
When I visited the Southern Alps, Trail Craft Vest was useful because it was used in combination with rainwear (a highly breathable model). It is certain that windproof and balance is good because it protects the body's body torso, but this is a story about wind speeds of around 5 to 10m (temperature is roughly 10℃). Long sleeve shell jackets are the perfect choice for lower temperatures and strong winds. it is not recommended to leave it to trail craft vests in high altitudes and ridge areas that are prone to strong winds By switching to a long sleeve windshell jacket or layering it with a layering system that is intended to be used in conjunction with it, it can be used in a wide range of ways.
Dirt Craft Pants: Main Features
Height: 185cm, normal figure, wearing 33 inches
This sleek, sleek design makes your pants snag into the gear when riding a mountain bike, but it is made of plain weave XLANCE material that stretches in four directions and 4.4 oz recycled polyester, and is highly elastic, making these riding pants with excellent elasticity, making them sturdy and durable.
The laser-treated ventilation holes are provided on the inside thighs and behind the knees to escape the stuffiness inside the pants, and fresh air is introduced through the ventilation holes every time you move, making it highly breathable, making it comfortable to move around for long periods of time, and the DWR (durable water-repellent) fabric repels rain and muddy water.
The waist is designed to curve along the waist and fits the body and there is no unnecessary elements, so there is no discomfort when wearing a waist belt when carrying a backpack. The zippered pockets on the outside of both thighs are envelope-shaped so that they are less likely to fall off, and the outside of the thighs won't get in the way when you move your feet up and down. There is a hole inside the pocket that serves as ventilation, and by opening it, it also increases breathability. These pants can be used for a variety of outdoor activities due to their high functionality and design.
Favorite points
- A clean silhouette with no pressure fit
- High elasticity and moderate room around the knee
- Laser processing makes it cooler to move with ventilation holes
- Pockets placed on the outside of the thigh do not interfere with up and down movement
Interesting points
- Although there are open vents, it's hotter than shorts
- Can't adjust the waist fit
Main Specifications and ratings
| Item name | Men's Dirt Craft Pants |
|---|---|
| Official weight | 255g |
| material | 4.4 oz recycled polyester 82% / 18% plain weave XLANCE material that stretches in four directions. DWR (durable water repellent) processed, manufactured without intentionally using PFAS |
| Two zippered envelope-shaped pockets on the thigh | |
| color | Rock Wash: Forge Grey, Black, Raptor Brown |
| fit | Regular fit |
| Reference price (as of July 2025) | ¥20,900 (tax included) |
| Outdoor Gearzine Rating | |
| Comfort | ★★★★★ |
| Mobility | ★★★★☆ |
| Breathable and quick-drying | ★★★★☆ |
| Thermal insulation | ★★☆☆☆ |
| weight | ★★★★☆ |
| Functionality | ★★★★☆ |
| Durability | ★★★☆☆ |
Dirt Craft Pants: Detailed Review
A clean silhouette with no pressure, high elasticity and moderate room around the knee
The first thing that surprised me when I tried wearing it was the fit and roominess that looked good against the silhouette. As I generally like loose pants, I'm a bit disliked with pants that fit my body shape too much, because I feel a sense of pressure and cramping. The dirt craft pants have a slim silhouette that fits your body shape, but are not oppressive or cramped, making them comfortable to wear. I didn't know why it was so comfortable right after I put it on, but the design is spacious from the knees to thighs, with three-dimensional stitching that doesn't feel oppressive, and the waist is structured to slowly curve along the shape of the waist, giving it a high fit. The cutting is slim from the knee to the hem so that the gears of the bike do not interfere with the bike. In addition, the plain weave XLANCE material has high elasticity in four directions that does not resist any movement, making it perfect for wearing.
Pockets placed on the outside of the thigh do not interfere with up and down movement
The dirt craft pants are designed to allow for intense up and down movement of the legs, and the pocket position and shape are different from regular pants. The pockets are located on the outside of the thighs, and are slightly below the normal pocket location, preventing movement from being hindered by up and down movement.
It has a zipper and the envelope-shaped pocket prevents the contents from falling, and there is a hole at the top of the pocket that connects to the pants, making it open to enhance breathability. It has a simple and clean silhouette, but I realized that these pants have features to increase comfort.
Can't adjust the waist
The flat elastic is placed on the waist, so there is no need to worry about your pants falling off even if you don't use a belt or something. The elasticity is just right for your stomach, so it doesn't feel pressured, and it's comfortable when wearing the waist belt of your backpack, and it doesn't interfere with it, but you can't adjust the fit so choose the size carefully. Be sure to check the fitting before purchasing.
Laser processing makes it cooler to move with ventilation holes
Dirt Craft Pants have many small "holes" inside the thighs and back of the knees due to laser processing. The holes allowed fresh air to be introduced as the air moved, making it very cool.
Mountain bikes are subject to wind from the direction of travel, so the front is more durable to prevent wind, rain, muddy water and pebbles that jump from the ground, and holes are drilled on the inside and behind, which have little impact, to enhance comfort.
When I actually tested in the field, it felt like I couldn't say anything. It was my first time seeing the feeling of being able to easily inhale the atmosphere when I moved, even though it wasn't even shorts. It doesn't feel that breathable when it's stopped, but the more you move it, the more air it gets in, so it keeps heat escaping while walking.
Compared to shorts, it is hot, but it is highly durable and breathable.
It is true that the drilling process makes it highly breathable, but it is not compatible with shorts. Shorts that don't cover anything below the knees are definitely cooler and more comfortable in hot environments, but in terms of safety when climbing, long sleeves and long pants are the basics, so you need to choose the right situation to choose shorts. Shorts have an overwhelming sense of openness and are breathable, and many people now see mountain climbing in shorts. However, that doesn't mean you can go anywhere with shorts. Even if you are walking long trails on low-risk trails, it is a must-have for long pants on steep mountains where there are continuous trembling areas and rocky ridges.
I know it's dangerous, but I don't really want to sacrifice comfort either. For those people, dirt craft pants are recommended. The front of the travel direction is made of highly durable material, so you can feel safe even when walking around rocky ridges, and it is highly breathable, even if not as good as shorts, and releases heat while you are still in motion, making it comfortable. These pants seem to be in a safe and comfortable position.
The holes make it unsuitable for winter climbing, and the period of use is limited, but this time I walked along the ridge of the Southern Alps (wind speeds of 5-10m, temperatures of about 10°C), and the main use of the unit was in the summer, and by adding an under, it felt like it could be worn for three seasons from the remaining snow season to late autumn. The fabric is sturdy, so it can be used comfortably even in winter in low mountains where there is no snow.
Summary: There are still new ideas and useful features outside the category frame.
We introduced Trail Craft Vests" and "Dart Craft Pants in the Mountain Bike category in Patagonia
The items were created specifically for mountain biking activities, and were useful for mountain climbing and hiking, across categories. Items with innovative and unique features that are not found in current mountain climbing and hiking items are packed with exciting features that will expand your possibilities. Regarding the clothing I love in the mountains, "I wish there was a feature like this" may be surprisingly out of category. And it's not a little, but a lot. We would like to continue to introduce functional, unique and comfortable products at OutdoorGearzine.
Please consider paying memberships that allow you to support the site while enjoying limited edition projects and content!
Yosuke.C
People who act with just one backpack with the motto of "as light as possible" so that they don't get inconvenient. From spring to autumn, I chase after char deep in the mountains and go fishing in the mountain stream. We walked the mountains in search of spectacular views that cannot be seen from the ground. Camping to be healed by the bonfire. Snowboarding is a floating mountain with a mountain of silver. A freelance writer who enjoys outdoor activities all year round. I share my own experiences and tools that I've been using.
