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Reviews > Clothing > Pants and Shorts > Mountain Hardwear Traverse Lite Pant > Test Report by Brian Hartman

MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR TRAVERSE LITE PANT
TEST SERIES BY BRIAN HARTMAN
INITIAL REPORT
June 1, 2021

CLICK HERE TO SKIP TO THE FIELD REPORT
CLICK HERE TO SKIP TO THE LONG-TERM REPORT

TESTER INFORMATION

NAME:Brian Hartman
EMAIL:bhart1426ATyahooDOT com
AGE:53
LOCATION:Central Indiana
GENDER:M
HEIGHT:5' 9" (1.75 m)
WEIGHT:154 lb (70.00 kg)

I have been backpacking for over 20 years throughout Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and most recently in Western USA. In addition to backpacking I enjoy family camping with my wife and kids and being outdoors in general. I would describe myself as a mid weight backpacker. I use fairly light weight equipment and gear but still like to bring more than the bare essentials with me while on the trail.


INITIAL REPORT

PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS

Manufacturer: Mountain HardwearIMAGE 1
Year of Manufacture: 2021
Manufacturer's Website: http://www.mountainhardwear.com/
MSRP: US $95.00
Listed Weight: Not Listed
Measured Weight: 9.1 oz (258 g)
Available Sizes: 28 - 46 even sizes (plus 31, 33); 71.1 - 116.8 cm (plus 78.7, 83.8 cm)
Size Tested: 32 Regular
Available Inseams: Regular

Fabric / Material: 94% Nylon, 6% Elastane in Ultralight Stretch Plain Weave
UPF50 to filter out UV rays
PFC free DWR finish to repel water
Lightweight fabrication
Two hand pockets with volume gusset and snap to hold flat against body
Two zippered thigh pockets
Seat gusset construction for mobility
Engineered back yoke for mobility
Adjustable cinches at hem
Woven logo at back right hip
Color: Dunes, Dark Storm

Mountain Hardwear's Traverse Lite pants (hereafter called Traverse or Traverse Lite pants) are a new addition to Mountain Hardwear's pant offering, which includes at least two dozen pant styles with numerous features for all four seasons.  Mountain Hardwear describes them as their most "full-featured, superlight hiking pant, designed for everything from dayhikes to multi-week trips".  They are, in fact, lightweight hiking pants made with stretch fabric for a comfortable fit.  They're tastefully designed (read understated) so I could easily see myself wearing them for work or travel in addition to on the trail.  And they're purported to be breathable which is a requirement to make it through the summer months in the Midwest.   
The Traverse pants are made of 94% Nylon and 6% Elastane in an ultralight weave which should be perfect for summer backpacking.  They're UPF50 rated to block out UV light and protect against sun burns and they have a DWR finish which should allow them to shed light rain.  They also have low profile 1.5 in (3.81 cm) wide belt loops and a gusseted seat for mobility.  Finally, they have two hand pockets with dimensions of 6 x 7 in (15 x 17.8 cm) and two zippered thigh pockets with dimensions of 6 x 6 in (15 x 15 cm).

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS

My first impressions of the Traverse Lite pants were positive.  They were lightweight, and I liked the color and the design which is simple, not gaudy.  I don't like the look of cargo pants that have large, baggy exterior pockets all around them, so I was happy to see the pockets on the Traverse pants were more subtle.  In my opinion Mountain Hardwear's design allows these pants to be much more versatile.  When not backpacking, I could easily see myself wearing them around town or while traveling without feeling under dressed. 

image image 5 image 6

The fabric is smooth and has a tight weave which I'm hopeful will hold up well to abrasion. The pants are lightweight and stretchy thanks to the addition of Elastane, and they appear to be well constructed.  They have no loose seams or threads, and the snap and zippers operate smoothly. I like the zippered pockets.  I could easily see myself stowing my wallet and or pocket knife in them.  The pants should also pair well with a backpack thanks to their smooth waist band.

IMAGE 5

READING THE INSTRUCTIONS

The cleaning instructions are provided on a tag that's sewn into the waistband of the pants.  Mountain Hardwear recommends mashine washing them in cold water on gentle cycle, separate from other clothes.  They suggest tumble drying on low heat and removing promptly from the dryer, or even better air drying.  Iron on low heat.  Do not use fabric softener and do not bleach or dry clean them.  


TRYING THEM OUT

Mountain Hardwear describes the Traverse Lite pants as 'Standard Fit', not too baggy and not too loose.  I ordered a size 32 based on my waist measurement and found them to be loose fitting in the waist, seat, and thighs.  They're only available in a 30 in (76.2 cm) inseam which works fine for me when wearing hiking shoes, but I'm surprised they don't come in longer lengths.  They're comfortable and have a slight stretch which I like, as it makes them feel less restrictive.  The waist button snaps securely and after adding a belt, I was able to keep the pants securely in place on my hips.  The interior fabric is comfortable against my skin, and they're so light feeling that I don't think breathability will be a problem at all.  The pockets are nicely placed and they're deep enough to store about anything I'd want handy.

SUMMARY

So far, I really like the Traverse Lite pants.  Although I wish they weren't so baggy, they look nice and they appear to be well made.  They have lots of features including a UPF50 rating, DWR finish, lightweight stretch fabric, and plenty of pockets.  They're also comfortable to wear and they look good.  I'm anxious to put some miles on them during the next few months and see how well they hold up.

This concludes my Initial Report for the Traverse Lite pants.  
I would like to thank Mountain Hardwear and BackpackGearTest.org for the opportunity to test these pants.  Please stop back in two months to read my Field Report and see how they hold up on the trail. 


FIELD REPORT

FIELD LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS

During the past two months I wore the Mountain Hardwear Traverse Lite Pants on four overnight trips for a total of seven days. I also wore them on numerous day hikes and around town on evenings and weekends.  During the past two months temperatures were consistently warm, with only a few days in the 70's F (24 C).  I would normally have worn shorts, but the Traverse Lite pants afforded me sun protection, protection from biting insects, and protection from briars and poison ivy.  A trifecta I couldn't pass up.  I wore them both on and off trail, and even engaged in some bushwhacking and creek crossings.

1. Hoosier National Forest, Bloomington, Indiana: This was a three day backpacking trip of approximately 15 miles (24 km). The weather was warm and sunny with highs in the low 80's F (28 C) and lows in the mid 70's F (22 C). The area was densely forested with lots of underbrush so I spent most of my time on-trail.

2. Oldenburg, Indiana: The weather during this weekend hiking and camping trip was partly sunny with temperatures in the mid 80's (29 C).

3. Franklin County, IN: While visiting family in Southern IN I camped overnight, and went on two day hikes. The first was a 3 mi (5 km) hike while the second was a 4 mi (6 km) scouting adventure. The temperature both days was in the upper 70's F (26 C).

4. Somerset, IN: Daytime temperatures during this backpacking / boating trip ranged from 79 to 86 F (26 to 30 C), and night temperatures averaged 74 F (23 C). The weather the first day was hot and muggy, until a large thunderstorm erupted in the afternoon and cooled things down briefly.  The second day was similar to the first with slightly warmer temperatures until rain cooled things down briefly in the afternoon. The trails were well maintained and elevation changes were minimal.

5.  Various day hikes in Central, IN: Six to eight day hikes in varying temperatures, with total distance hiked of approximately 32 mi (51 km).

PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD

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            treess

The Traverse Lite pants performed exceptionally well during the past two months of Field Testing. They were slightly baggy in the waist and thighs, as noted in my Initial Report, but they were a good length, lightweight, and comfortable to wear.  Undoubtedly I sweated a lot while wearing them, due to the heat, but the benefits were worth it: no sunburn, no bug bites, and no torn up flesh.  The pants never binded or pulled when I lifted my legs or stretched out, thanks to their gusseted design, and they weren't scratchy in the least.  The fabric breathed well, always eventually drying out despite the high temperatures and humidity.  Despite lots of sweating while hiking in the Hoosier National Forest the pants never felt heavy or water laden.  They simply released the moisture I generated over time without making me feel hot and sweaty or cold and clammy.  And they never smelled or developed stains.  They also did a good job of shedding dew from brush I rubbed up against on the trail in the morning, without soaking through. and the bottoms dried quickly after traversing through streams.  For the most part they dried out within a few hours of getting wet.

I was initially concerned the fabric might tear or rip because it was so thin but it proved to be rugged and able to handle repeated abrasions from tree limbs and rocks, as well as scrambling up hills without ill effects.  It never snagged or unraveled despite walking through briars and getting caught on tree branches.  When hiking at the State Park near Somerset I decided to go off trail for awhile to shorten the distance I needed to hike to get back to my boat.  Even though the woods was overgrown with briars and prickly vegetation, the pants were no worse for wear.  The only downside to ordering them in the dark color was I couldn't see ticks that tried to hitch a ride on my legs.    

When hiking in Franklin County, IN, I carried my wallet and keys in the zippered thigh pockets and they worked fine.  I used the upper front pockets to carry a snack and my phone and never worried about losing them on the trail.  Another time I used one of the zippered pockets to secure my pocket knife and it worked well.  The zippers operated smoothly without catching, and I never worried if the items I was carrying would rub a hole through the pants thanks to the Nylon weave.  After finishing all my trips I
washed the pants and hung them out to dry and they didn't fade or lose their color or show any other signs of distress.

SUMMARY

The Traverse Lite pants were so lightweight and comfortable they were a joy to wear.  They were warm for sure and there's no doubt I sweated in them whenever the sun was out and beating down, but they kept me from getting sunburnt and I got virtually no bug bites on my lower extremities while wearing them.  In addition I got no cuts or abrasions on my legs from the brush.  Finally, the pockets proved useful for carrying small items I wanted to keep close by for easy access.



LONG-TERM REPORT

LONG-TERM TEST LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS

During the past two months I wore the Traverse Lite pants on two more backpacking trips for a total of five nights. I also wore them on numerous day hikes through local parks and around town on weekends.  Although temperatures were hot most weeks, we got cool weather and lots of rain one weekend and that gave me a chance to test the pants in a different set of conditions than what I'd done so far.

1. My first trip was to the Miami State Recreation area in Northeastern Indiana.  Daytime temperatures on this three-day backpacking trip ranged from 77 to 81 F (25 to 27 C), with nighttime lows of 72 F (22 C). The weather was hot and muggy with mostly clear skies and light winds. The terrain was flat, and trails were well worn.  I hiked 14 miles (22.5 km) on this outing at an elevation around 750 ft (228 m).

2. My second trip was to the Hoosier National Forest in Southern Indiana.  I hiked 12 miles (19.3 km) during this trip.  The terrain was hilly and heavily forested, and temperatures ranged from 76 to 84 F (24 to 29 C).

3. I also wore these pants on numerous day hikes at local parks in Central Indiana including Cool Creek Park, Koteewi Park and McGregor Park.  My mileage varied from 3 to 5.5 miles (4.8 to 9 km) depending on the hike.  Weather conditions during these trips were generally hot and sunny except for one week when a cold front passed through and brought temperatures in the upper 50's F (15 C) and over 1.5 in (3.8 cm) of rain.

PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD

The Traverse Lite pants performed wonderfully during Long-Term Testing.  They were comfortable, durable, and did a good job protecting me from the perils of 'the outdoors', including sunburns, mosquitoes, poison ivy, and foul weather.  On all my outings the pants were comfortable and didn't restrict my motion in any way.  In fact, the pants were loose enough that I had to wear a belt with them to keep them from falling to my ankles, but that wasn't a problem.  I also liked that the fabric stretched which allowed me to step over downed trees and scramble up slopes when I went off trail.   

I had no issues with these pants regarding durability.  They held up well to rubbing, scraping, sitting on rocks and downed trees, and general abuse.  And as far as I can tell they don't have any permanent marks or stains on them, although given their color it's hard to be sure.  They also held up well through several washings, never fading.  Kudos to Mountain Hardwear for designing such high quality, durable pants.

As for protection, the Traverse Lite pants kept my legs scratch and itch free.  I used to wear shorts in the summer and lather up with sun screen and bug spray, but my preference now is to wear long pants (and a long sleeve shirt) and forego the chemicals. Some other benefits to this approach are that I don't have to carry spray bottles and containers, it's less messy, and I don't risk staining my clothes.  The pants also protected me from the weather.  When it got cool and windy, the pants blocked the wind and kept me warm.  And a few weeks ago when it turned cold and rainy, the pants did a good job of repelling rain and keeping my socks and shoes from getting soaked.  Eventually they wetted through, but even then, they were warm, and loose enough around my legs that they didn't cling to my thighs.  I spent last week day hiking and found these pants to be quite comfortable in the early morning hours before it got too hot and muggy.  And whenever I got sweaty or the pants got wet, they dried quickly and didn't retain odors.  Although I haven't tested them in cold weather, I could easily see myself wearing them in 30 or 40 F (-1 to 4 C) temperatures, in conjunction with thermal bottoms.

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SUMMARY

The Traverse Lite pants were a joy to wear during the past four months.  They provided excellent protection from the sun, bugs, poison ivy.  They were also extremely comfortable, provided good wind protection in cool weather, and dried fast when they got wet.  After months of testing, they're still in excellent shape and have no tears, frays, or stained fabric.  As far as I'm concerned Mountain Hardwear has come up with yet another winner.

This concludes this Long-Term Report and test series.  
Thanks to Mountain Hardwear and BackpackGearTest for allowing me to test the Traverse Lite pants.



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