Our familiar Workman gear reviews are now in their fifth year on this site. In the meantime, Workman's name recognition has skyrocketed. (It's hard to believe back then, but) it's now on the verge of going from being synonymous with "high-cost performance" apparel to being recognized as a "cool" apparel brand. It's hard to imagine how long this rapid growth will continue, and it seems as though there's no limit to how long it will last
Reflecting this momentum, Workman has released a wide variety of new and updated items this season. As per our annual tradition, we will be selecting products from the Spring/Summer 2020 collection and reviewing them after actually using them for mountain climbing, in order to discover items that can be used for low mountain hiking, light mountain climbing, trail running, and more!
table of contents
About the review: Picked items and evaluation criteria
Thanks to Workman's popularity, there has been a lot of information gathering about the brand recently, but I feel that with so much information available, it is becoming difficult for readers to find useful and practical information about what is good (or bad) for and for whom. This review will not praise everything, nor will it be one-sidedly critical, so I would like to explain the evaluation stance of this site in advance to avoid any misunderstandings
Unless otherwise noted, this review outdoor activities such as mountain climbing and trail running . By "usable," I mean outdoor activities such as hiking and light mountain climbing. On the other hand, even if a product receives a low rating here, it may be fine for light outdoor activities like camping or motorcycle touring, so please interpret it with that in mind.
First, we've picked out the following three pants from the 2020 Spring/Summer collection, with the aim of being suitable for hiking and mountain climbing. These three models are not specifically designed for mountain climbing; rather, they are workwear that incorporate the characteristics of outdoor pants. However, we've picked them out because we believe they have plenty of potential for use as long as you're not doing extreme mountain climbing
- Aero Stretch Climbing Pants
- Aero Stretch Cargo Pants
- CORDURA EURO Dual Pants
Evaluation criteria
The following five items were used as evaluation criteria:
- Comfort: How comfortable and stress-free it is to wear
- Mobility: Can you concentrate on your activity without being hindered?
- Functionality: Are the pockets and other features substantial and practical?
- Breathability and moisture permeability: This prevents stuffiness inside clothing, which is especially a concern in summer
- Weight: Not only the actual weight, but also the weight when actually used is taken into consideration
With these five points in mind, I actually tested the product by walking and running on mountain trails. I rated each item on a scale of ◎◯△, and gave it a 5-star rating for its recommended level for light hiking
Review results and spec comparison table
If you find it difficult to see the table on the lightweight display for smartphones, click here.
| Recommendation level | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ |
|---|---|---|---|
| item |  Climbing pants |
 cargo pants |
 Dual Pants |
| Here is ◎ |
|
|
|
| Here is △ |
|
|
|
| Comfort | ◎ | ◯ | △ |
| mobility | ◎ | △ | ◯ |
| Functionality | ◯ | ◎ | ◎ |
| Breathable and breathable | ◯ | ◯ | △ |
| weight | ◯ | ◎ | △ |
| Specifications | |||
| Reference price (excluding tax) | ¥1,900 | ¥1,900 | ¥3,900 |
| Actual weight | 330g | 225g | 494g |
| Size range | S, M, L, LL, 3L, 4L | S, M, L, LL, 3L, 4L | S, M, L, LL, 3L |
| material | 89% polyester, 11% polyurethane |
100% polyester | Body: 65% polyester/35% cotton; Knee: 100% CORDURA (nylon) |
|
|
|
|
| Item number | CS003C | CS001D | CP005A |
Impressions of each model
Aero Stretch Climbing Pants Mountaineering Recommendation Rating: ★★★★☆
Recommended ◎ Points
- Stretchability
- High mobility thanks to three-dimensional cutting
Here is △
- Water-repellent is even better
The Aero Stretch Climbing Pants are a popular and best-selling model in Workman's Field Core series. These versatile pants feature three-dimensional cut and stretch for superior mobility, as well as quick-drying and moisture-wicking properties. While there haven't been any major changes, the 2020 season saw the introduction of insect repellent treatment, only in brown . While this may not be as important for serious high-altitude mountaineering, it's a welcome addition for hiking in low mountains or camping.
The fabric has 4-way stretch in all directions, so even though it has a slim, tight fit, it won't restrict your movement
High stretchability that allows the fabric to stretch even when knees are bent
The crotch area has a gusset to allow for 180-degree leg opening, and the knee area is three-dimensionally cut to increase mobility without relying on the stretchiness of the fabric
180 degree crotch opening pattern
The fabric is a little thin, but its durability is not bad, as you'd expect from Workman. It's highly breathable, but on the other hand, it's hardly windproof. It's not water-repellent or water-resistant, so when it gets wet, it soaks in and diffuses, but it takes a while to dry. It also absorbs sweat, and although it's not quick-drying, it does evaporate
It is not water-repellent and absorbs water immediately after it falls
The back of the fabric is textured to prevent stickiness, and combined with its breathability, it is highly comfortable
The lining is textured to prevent sweat from sticking
There are six pockets in total, three of which are zippered and two are snap closures, making it difficult to drop items while on the move. All pockets are lined with mesh fabric, which also helps to improve breathability
All pockets are mesh for increased breathability
It is currently available in six colors, and one of them, the brown color, has been treated with insect repellent since the 2020 season model , so it may come in handy for camping in the coming season.
These pants offer excellent stretch, breathability, and decent moisture absorption and quick-drying properties, making them well worth the price. It's no wonder they're a best-selling model. They're a highly versatile, recommended model that can be used for a wide range of outdoor activities that require significant lower-body movement, including hiking, mountain climbing, and climbing. If they could add water-repellent properties in the next update, they'd be able to compete with other outdoor manufacturers
Aero Stretch Cargo Pants Mountaineering Recommendation: ★★★☆☆
Recommended ◎ Points
- Lightweight and comfortable to wear
- pocketable
Here is △
- Stretchability
The Aero Stretch Cargo Pants are lightweight and stretchy, weighing just 240g. The stretch is two-way, only horizontal, so they're not particularly stretchy. However, the knees are draped, allowing for a certain degree of freedom of movement, but they may not be suitable for dynamic movements like climbing
2-way stretch prevents tightness during dynamic movements
The fabric itself is thin, so it's highly breathable. The inside of the fabric is textured to reduce stickiness even when you sweat, so you can wear it comfortably even in this season
The lining is textured to prevent sweat from sticking
It has a slim, straight fit and the buttons are painted to look like metal, so it feels natural for everyday use
Metallic-looking paint creates a luxurious feel
There are silicone anti-slip pads at regular intervals around the waist to prevent the clothes from slipping
Four anti-slip pads on the inside of the waist
The area below the knee can be rolled up
Roll-up design for convenient use when it's hot and stuffy
As you'd expect from cargo pants, there are six pockets in total, providing ample storage. The rear right pocket has a zipper and is pocketable, allowing you to store your pants in it
It's compact and easy to carry around in your pocket
It's lightweight and pocketable, making it easy to carry, and its stretch and three-dimensional cut provide ample mobility for trekking. It's thin and breathable, so it'll be perfect for trekking in the coming season. It's also a good idea to keep it in your bag as a change of clothes when you're planning an overnight trip
CORDURA EURO Dual Pants - Recommended for Mountain Climbing：★★☆☆☆
Recommended ◎ Points
- High durability
- I'm concerned about the feel of the seams
- 2-way design that can also be worn as shorts
Here is △
- Actual weight and comfort are heavy
- Too many functions that are not often used for mountain climbing
Lastly, we have the CORDURA EURO Dual Pants. The "CORDURA" in the name of these pants comes from the abrasion-resistant Cordura fabric, while the "Dual" comes from the fact that they can be used as shorts or shorts by opening and closing the zipper. Their durability and functionality make them seem like they'd be great for outdoor activities, but are they really?
First of all, as mentioned above, the fabric is of course Cordura, but it's only used in the knee area, not the entire pants. The rest of the pants are made of durable ripstop fabric. The fabric is thinner than it looks, making it more comfortable than I expected, but the tight weave, likely to increase durability, means it's not very breathable
Low breathability due to tight weave
To compensate for the lack of breathability, stretchy mesh fabric is used behind the knees to prevent stuffiness
Stretch mesh fabric behind the knees
The knee area is basically made of the same fabric as the rest of the garment, but Cordura is used to cover the knee, creating a pocket-like structure. Inside the pocket is a thin padding that appears to be made of EVA material. This padding is designed to absorb shock, and I think it could be useful outdoors. It is removable
Cordura knee pockets contain shock-absorbing padding
It also has many other features, making it highly functional. First of all, there are a total of seven pockets, four of which are not sewn into the fabric so that movement is not restricted even when you put something inside
No-sew pockets for unrestricted movement
The left back pocket has a band for hanging towels etc
The left back pocket has a strap for hanging towels etc
And best of all, you can turn them into shorts by unzipping the bottom part of the pants. They don't have much breathability, so you can just unzip them when it gets too hot, and they're perfectly usable even in the hot summer
Open the zipper to turn it into shorts
The overall silhouette looks like it has a loose fit, but when you actually try them on, they're not that loose and are a little tight. They probably aren't for people looking for loose pants
The fabric is highly durable and highly functional (in many ways), but I wonder if these features will be useful in outdoor activities... The pockets, which aren't sewn into the fabric, are easy to move around in, but they flap outward and can get caught or get in the way. I can't think of any use for the gimmick for hanging towels and tools. If there were simpler pants made from this fabric, they would be very useful..
summary
This time, we tested the 2020 Spring/Summer model pants from Workman's Field Core series to see if they were suitable for outdoor activities like hiking and mountain climbing
The Aero Stretch Climbing Pants and Aero Stretch Cargo Pants look like they'd be perfect for outdoor use. The climbing pants, in particular, are versatile enough for any outdoor activity, making them a great value that exceeds their price. The Dual Pants, made from the highly durable Cordura material, are durable and functional, as advertised, but it's questionable whether that functionality can be utilized for outdoor activities. However, as mentioned at the beginning, this review is limited to mountain climbing and hiking, so don't take it as an absolute assessment of this item. They may also be useful for camping and other activities that don't involve mountain climbing.
In any case, Workman continues to amaze me with the quality of pants you can get at this price. Of course, these aren't all you need, and are only suitable for beginners, or for those traveling on lighter routes like low mountains or day trips, but they are of sufficient quality to serve as an introduction to the world of outdoor gear. If you've always thought mountain climbing was too expensive, why not try these pants to step into the diverse world of outdoor activities?
As a Workman ambassador, this website has been receiving products from Workman that reviewers find interesting since the fall of 2019. However, the content of the reviews is written in accordance with our website's regular review policy, is not checked in advance, and no monetary compensation is received other than the provision of the products
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