A Must-See for Mountain Lovers: Workman's 2025 Spring/Summer Collection "Premium Ultra Water-Repellent Softshell Trek Light Pants" Review: Smooth, comfortable, easy to move in, and with a great design. A must-have for running and hiking

Monday, March 24, 2025

Gear review , Recommendations , Trekking pants , Workman , Sponsored

Written by Yosuke.C

Workman's trekking pants have finally evolved to this point

Workman products always amaze us with their balance of cost and performance, and for Spring/Summer 2025 they have some amazing items

The new 2025 " Premium Ultra Water-Repellent Softshell Trek Light Pants Premium Ultra Water-Repellent Softshell Trek Pants released last fall/winter . These trekking pants have all the right features: performance, comfort, design, and price. Like the fall/winter version, these pants are also the product of Outdoor Gearzine's repeated development collaboration , and this time too, we've worked as hard as possible to incorporate our current ideals into the design.

It's scary how I'm no longer surprised by this every time, but this item is also great value for money, costing less than 2,000 yen (1,900 yen). With just one pair, these pants are perfect for everything from everyday running to hiking. Here's a review

table of contents

Key Features of the Premium Ultra Water-Repellent Softshell Trek Light Pants
Main specifications and evaluation
Usage Impressions
Summary: These pants are comfortable, easy to move in, and cost-effective, making them perfect for heavy use!

Key Features of the Premium Ultra Water-Repellent Softshell Trek Light Pants

The Premium Ultra Water-Repellent Softshell Trek Light Pants (hereinafter referred to as Trek Light Pants) are made from an original material developed in collaboration with a water-repellent technology and chemical manufacturer. This material retains its water-repellent properties even after approximately 100 washes, has a high breathability of 70,000g/m²/24h, and is also stretchy

The silhouette is slightly tapered towards the hem, and there is a zipper at the hem, making it easy to put on and take off. In addition, a dot reflector is provided on the right hem to improve visibility at night

The pants have a simple design, with four pockets on the front and back, and are packable and can be stored in the pocket on the right front. The waist is shirred for a comfortable fit without feeling constricting. The pants also have an adjustable drawstring for a better fit

10 Features of Trek Light Pant Fabric

Recommended points

Highly designed and easy to use in everyday life
Lightweight, comfortable and perfect fit
Three-dimensional stitching and high elasticity ensure unhindered movement
High water repellency that repels light rain
Breathable to release moisture
Packable and can be stored in a pocket

Points of interest

Low durability due to thin fabric
The waist has no buckles, and is tied with elastic and a simple string (which is exposed and noticeable on the outside)

Main specifications and evaluation

item	Premium Super Water-Repellent Softshell Trek Light Pants
weight	189g (measured value for 3L size)
size	S, M, L, LL, 3L
Material	Body: 100% polyester Rib: 100% polyester
Reference price	1,900 yen (tax included)
Outdoor Gearzine Review
Comfort	★★★★☆
Breathable and breathable	★★★★☆
weather resistance	★★★★☆
Ease of movement	★★★★☆
weight	★★★★☆
Functionality	★★★☆☆
style	★★★★☆
Suitable activities	Hiking, mountain climbing, climbing, and trail running in the warmer months of spring and summer

Usage Impressions

A clean silhouette for excellent comfort and fit

Model: Height 176cm, wearing size L, navy

The Trek Light Pants have a clean silhouette and a simple design that makes them easy to match with anyone. Many garments have a brand logo so that the brand can be identified immediately, but the Trek Light Pants only have a small tag on the front pocket. At first glance, you wouldn't know they were Workman, and the silhouette is comparable to trekking pants from other outdoor brands

A small tag on the pocket

The clean silhouette, reminiscent of jogger pants, is not too sporty and does not look sloppy either. The pants come in three colors: black, navy, and mocha, and the muted shades make them perfect for everyday wear

The waist is shirred, so it won't slip down even if you don't tie the strings. Even if it's loose, you can tighten the adjustable strings to keep it snug even during intense exercise like running

Shirring and adjustable drawstring at waist

However, on the other hand (though I understand that there are limitations due to the price), it could also be said that it is too simple. It would have been better if the buckle had been designed to be less likely to come loose and easier to fasten, or at least if the laces had been placed on the inside so that they were less noticeable

Perfect for everyday use and the mountains

There are four pockets on the front and back, the front pocket is zippered

The Trek Lite Pants have four pockets, front and back, and the inside of the pockets are lined with mesh fabric, which also serves as ventilation. While some lightweight outdoor pants have fewer pockets to reduce weight, the Trek Lite Pants have the same pockets as regular pants, so they can be worn comfortably not only outdoors but also in everyday life

The zippered front pocket is convenient for storing small items you don't want to lose, and is perfect for running or other intense activities

The ribbed hem structure prevents flapping, and the zipper makes it easy to put on and take off.If you get hot while on the move, you can open the zipper to create more space and make it easier to ventilate

The right zipper also features a reflector dot for increased visibility at night

There is a dot-shaped reflector on the left side of the zipper. It's not very noticeable, but it shows attention to detail in the design

Three-dimensional stitching and highly stretchable fabric ensure unhindered movement

Highly stretchy and does not restrict movement

When doing outdoor activities such as mountain climbing or hiking, materials that hinder movement are not only stressful but can also be dangerous due to the limited range of motion. Since you will be lifting and lowering your legs a lot, ease of movement is an absolute must when choosing pants

The Trek Lite Pants are three-dimensionally stitched and highly stretchable, allowing for unrestricted movement. In field testing, we tried them out in a variety of situations, including walking, running, and lifting our legs high to climb over rocks, and we didn't feel any stress at all

Water-repellent, repels light rain

The three sacred treasures of mountain climbing are a backpack, hiking boots, and rainwear. As rainwear is a must-have item, waterproof or water-repellent pants are not a must

But what about actual mountain climbing or hiking? You don't wear rain gear even when it's just a light rain or a quick rain shower. When walking through a forest, the rain doesn't have much of an impact (depending on the intensity), and you might just keep walking. The Trek Lite Pants are water-repellent, so even if it starts to rain a little while you're out, you can keep going

When I dropped a drop of water on it, it repelled water well and didn't soak in unless I applied a lot of pressure

The Trek Lite Pants are water-repellent, not waterproof. Therefore, you'll need to wear rain gear in heavy rain or when you're on a ridge where there's nothing to block the rain. However, wearing rain gear can make you feel a certain amount of stuffiness and makes you less comfortable, so pants with water-repellent properties like the Trek Lite Pants are useful in the mountains

High breathability

When hiking or mountain climbing, which involve long periods of activity, how you deal with stuffiness can make a big difference in how comfortable you are to walk. Generally, when you get hot and stuffy, you can ventilate and adjust your clothing by removing it, but this only applies to the upper body, and not the lower body

When climbing mountains or hiking, the muscles in the lower body are most heavily strained, especially the quadriceps (thigh muscles). The quadriceps are the largest muscles in the human body, and as they are constantly under strain while moving, they generate heat, so choosing the wrong pants can lead to overheating

The Trek Light Pants boast a high breathability rating of 70,000g/m²/24h, making them less likely to get stuffy. This rating rivals (or even surpasses) the high-end gear made by various outdoor brands, and it's surprising that pants with such performance can be purchased for just 1,900 yen

During field testing, I actually wore the garment and walked for several hours, and even in situations where I was under constant strain, getting hot, and sweating, there was very little stuffiness, and I didn't feel any heat or stuffiness that was stressful.I was able to experience firsthand that the garment was well-ventilated even when it became stuffy due to sweating

The Trek Lite Pants are not only highly breathable, but also wind resistant, and because they protect you from the wind, you can eliminate wind shell pants and simplify your layering depending on the situation. When I tested them on a low mountain in early March, the wind was blowing in the summit area, but because I was wearing the Trek Lite Pants, I didn't feel any drop in body temperature due to the wind

The fabric is thin enough to be used when walking through rocky terrain

The Trek Lite Pants are impeccably made, but if I had to say one thing, it would be their durability. When walking (climbing) steep rocky ridges, you need something durable that won't tear even when rubbing against the rocks. Although the Trek Lite Pants have a ripstop structure, they are made of a very thin fabric, so I felt they were unreliable for use on mountains with lots of rocks and chains. When climbing rugged rocky trails, pants with a sturdy fabric are more reliable

Because the fabric is thin, it is recommended for three seasons and for use in environments without rocky terrain, such as low mountains where the temperature does not drop below freezing

Lightness

The writer chose the 3L size, weighing in at 189g. The Trek Light Pants are extremely lightweight and don't feel heavy when worn. They are perfect for hikers who want to walk lightly with UL equipment, as well as for fast punking and trail running

At 189g, the weight is comparable to lightweight pants from trail running and UL brands. Because the characteristics of the pants vary depending on the material and thickness of the fabric used, a weight comparison alone is insufficient, but after field testing, I felt that the Trek Lite Pants were comparable in performance. Considering their high elasticity, water repellency, and breathability, they are also excellent pants in terms of weight

Packable and can be stored in a pocket

The Trek Lite Pants can be stored in the right front pocket. When stored, they measure 25cm x 15cm x 5cm, and thanks to their soft fabric, they can be compressed even further, making them easy to carry. Designed for outdoor activities, they're also great for running and everyday wear, so you can easily keep the Trek Lite Pants with you when you're out hiking or walking, or even on a business trip

Summary: These pants are comfortable, easy to move in, and cost-effective, making them perfect for heavy use!

The Trek Lite Pants are perfect for a wide range of activities, from hiking and mountain climbing to outdoor activities that require mobility like running and trail running, as well as everyday running. With their simple design, the versatile Trek Lite Pants are an excellent pair of pants that you'll definitely wear often

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Yosuke

A person who travels around with just one backpack, with the motto of "as light as possible" without causing inconvenience

From spring to autumn, I go fishing in mountain streams in pursuit of char deep in the mountains. I hike the mountains in search of spectacular views that cannot be seen from the ground. I camp to relax by a bonfire. I snowboard to experience the feeling of floating in the silvery white mountains

A freelance writer with over 20 years of outdoor experience who enjoys the outdoors in his own way all year round. Based on his experience writing articles for over a dozen outdoor web publications, he will share his own experiences and the best tools he has used

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