Reviews > Rain Gear > Jackets and Pants > Adidas Climaproof Wandertag Pants > Test Report by Michael Pearl

ADIDAS CLIMAPROOF WANDERTAG PANTS
TEST SERIES BY MIKE PEARL
LONG-TERM REPORT

INITIAL REPORT - November 20, 2016
FIELD REPORT - February 14, 2017
LONG TERM REPORT - April 18, 2017

TESTER INFORMATION

I have a great appreciation for the outdoors and get out at every opportunity. I am a three-season, learning to be a four-season backpacker and year-round hiker. Currently, my trips are two to three days long as well as an annual week-long trip. I utilize the abundant trail shelters in my locale and pack a backup tarp-tent. I like to cover big distances while still taking in the views. I have lightweight leanings but function and reliability are the priority. I mostly travel woodland mountain terrain but enjoy hiking beautiful trails anywhere.

INITIAL REPORT

PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS

Manufacturer: Adidas
Year of Manufacture: 2016
Manufacturer's Website: www.adidasoutdoor.com
MSRP: US$89.00

Listed Weight: 8.1 oz (230 g)
Measured Weight: 8.4 oz (240 g)

Material: Outer - 100% Nylon, Inner - 100% Polyurethane
Color: Black

Sizes: Small, Medium, Large, X-Large and 2X-Large
Size Tested: Medium
Tester Waist / Inseam: 32 in / 30 in (81 cm / 76 cm)

Features:
Elastic Waistband
Zippered Hand Pockets
1/2 Leg Zip Opening
Durable Water-repellent Finish
Climaproof - breathable, water and windproof material

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS

The Wandertag pants arrived folded inside a plastic bag. Opening the bag and unfolding the pants I notice four tags attached. The tags contain the following information: Adidas Performance brand tag, a price tag with color and item description, a Climaproof tag which says, "STAY PROTECTED Train with Climaproof to block wind or rain. It's the ultimate barrier against adverse weather while still allowing your body to breathe." and one labeled standard, I assume meaning length.

Taking a closer look, the pants are well made. The materials and construction are well done. There are no blemishes on the fabric, no stray or frayed stitching. The outside material is a dark black with a slight textured feel. The inside is a bright white with a thin black crosshatch pattern and very smooth.

Next I moved on to checking out the features from top to bottom. The waistband has an elastic band and drawcord with cord lock located at the front of the left hip. There are zippers with easy-to-grab pulls on the right and left hip. These open to pockets that mesh on the front and solid material on the back. The pockets are just big enough to fit my hands. Entering the pockets I find my hands positioned over the front of my legs. At first this felt strange. I expected to find my hands on the lateral side of my legs as the pockets open on the side of my leg. I don't think this is a design flaw, just not what I am accustomed to. Inside the left pocket I found an additional zipper pull with a tag labeled "pack it". I did not see this detail listed on the company website or elsewhere. This is a minor but to me very useful feature. I find pants that stow away like this helps to maintain the organization of my backpack.

Below the left pocket is a hard to see black Adidas logo. Below the right pocket is a silver very noticeable "Climaproof". Waterproof zippers are found on the sides of the pants extending from the cuff to the knee. They slide evenly and smoothly when opening and closing. At the cuff there are drawcords with cord locks to cinch around the ankle.

Overall the Wandertag pants have a nice look and good feature to function balance.

READING THE INSTRUCTIONS

The only thing here pertains to washing and care. These are as follows;
- machine wash cold delicate cycle
- Do not bleach
- Tumble dry low
- Cool iron if needed
- Do not dry clean
- Do not use fabric softener
- Use mild detergent only
- Remove promptly after wash
- Wash with fasteners closed
- Wash with like colors
- Do not iron water resistant zippers

I don't foresee doing any of that. The most I have ever done for rain pants is a hand washing in the sink. And that is only when there is visible caked-on dirt.

TRYING IT OUT

I put the Wandertag pants on over jeans I had on when they arrived. The first thing I noticed was they're noisy. But all nylon pants I have used are until well worn. The second thing was the fit in the hips and seat of the pants. This might be because I was wearing the Wandertags over jeans. But when pulled up to the crest of my hips the Wandertags felt rather tight in the seat. Again I will not be wearing jeans while hiking so I will reevaluate this then. As previously mentioned the orientation of the pockets is different from other rain pants I have used. Other than the initial fit in the seat of the Wandertags they seem to be a solid rain and/or wind pant.

SUMMARY

I like the look and features of the Wandertag pants. But it's function that I am most interested in. I want to see how they handle rain, snow and wind. The unknown is how warm will the Wandertag pants be. I will need to work out my layering system when using them depending on the conditions I am headed into. I can see wearing the Wandertags over nylon hiking pant, wool baselayer or both when warm to cold. Or when cold to frigid wool pants or wool pants and wool baselayer being worn. Then there's getting the Wandertags on and off over footwear. But I am getting ahead of myself that will all have to wait for field testing.

FIELD REPORT

FIELD LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS

All testing during this phase of testing took place in various locations in Hanover, New Hampshire.

Three Day Hikes at Storrs Pond
Elevation - 525 to 400 ft (160 to 120 m)
Pack Weight - 15 lb (7 kg)
Distance and Conditions - 4 mi (6 km) Temperature 40 F (4 C) with light rain
- 8 mi (13 km) Temperature 28 F (-2 C) calm and clear
- 8 mi (13 km) Temperature 32 F (0 C) with snow, sleet, light rain and back to snow for a total of 5 in (13 cm) of fresh mix

Day Hike at Velvet Rocks
Elevation - 525 to 1100 ft (160 to 335 m)
Pack Weight - 20 lb (9 kg)
Distance and Conditions - 5 mi (8 km) Temperature 4 F (-15 C) warming to 10 F (-12 C) clear and cold, trail covered in ice and hard snow

Cross Country Skiing at Girl Brook
Elevation - 425 to 600 ft (130 to 183 m)
Pack Weight - 5 lb (2.25 kg)
Distance and Conditions - 6 mi (9.6 km) Temperature 33 F (0 C) and windy with fresh 6 in (15 cm) of snow

Overnight at Velvet Rocks
Elevation - 525 to 1100 ft (160 to 335 m)
Pack Weight - 25 lb (11 kg)
Distance and Conditions - 5 mi (8 km) Temperature 20 F (-7 C) cooling to 10 F (-12 C) clear and calm, trail a poor mix of ice, snow and leaves (ugh!).

PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD

Thus far I have used the Wandertag Pants in above to below freezing temperatures and from dry to wet conditions including rain, sleet and snow. In this wide range of conditions these pants have kept me warm, dry and comfortable in all conditions encountered. The one variable other than the weather was what I wore under the pants. This was an earlier concern, of the level of warmth versus breatheablity. Much to my satisfaction the Wandertag pants have performed very well in a wide range of conditions.

In temperatures comfortably above freezing I wore only shorts under the Wandertags. I did pack a pair of hiking pants just in case. The interior of the Wandertag pants was comfortable against my skin. This hike was in a light rain and moving kept me quite warm. However I never felt overheated or sweaty inside the Wandertags.

At just above or just below freezing I matched the Wandertag pants up with a pair of nylon hiking pants. These are rather thin three season pants that have a closer-to-the-body, athletic fit. I am comfortable in these pants all year long until it drops below freezing. The Wandertag pants fit nicely over the hiking pants and help to extend the comfort range of these hiking pants.

Once the temperature is below 20 F (-7 C) a wool baselayer went on under the nylon pants. Again the Wandertags wear comfortably with this combination. The Wanderag fit loose and never restricted any movement nor did they ever bunch up anywhere.

On to how the Wandertag features worked in these conditions. The drawstring at the waist helped cinch the pants nicely when worn with shorts. It is easy to use and I never felt it under the hipbelt of my pack. Otherwise the elastic was enough to hold the pants in place when worn with other pants. The Wandertag pockets are not very deep but with zipper closures I can confidently store small items while hiking. I have also used them to hold my gloves while tying my shoe or getting something from my pack. The thing the pocket is really good for is the pack-it feature for stowing the pants. I have used it several times when holding the pants in my pack. The half-leg zippers made getting the pants on and off fairly easy. I was able to get them over my three season boots almost without any debris getting inside the pants. This minor maneuver required unzipping the leg, bunching up the remaining material between the waist and the knee. Then leaning my back against a tree and passing my boot through. This helped to keep the inside of the Wandertag clean and dry or more importantly me clean and dry. In my larger winter boots I could get them through but it was tight. I could not perform the maneuver. However if I am wearing the winter boots there is snow and/or ice on the ground so dirt and water is not as much an issue. The ankle drawstring I set once. I adjusted the cuff of the pants close but not tight to the ankle of my boot. Then there was the wind, rain, snow, sleet and ice one of which was present on all hikes and on one hike in which all were present. The Wandertag pants handled it all. I did not experience any moisture inside the pants from the elements or perspiration.

SUMMARY

At this point of testing the Wandertag pants are fulfilling the role of water and wind resistant outerlayer wonderfully. The additional features of half-leg zippers and drawcords make the Wandertag pants that much more enjoyable to use. They are easy to pack and then just as easy to slip on or off as needed. They have met a wide variety of conditions with nothing but positive results. The Wandertag pants are a solid outerlayer.

LONG-TERM REPORT

LONG-TERM TEST LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS

Day Hike at Velvet Rocks - Hanover, New Hampshire
Elevation - 525 to 1100 ft (160 to 335 m)
Pack Weight - 20 lb (9 kg)
Distance and Conditions - 5 mi (8 km) Temperature 20 F (-6.7 C) clear and calm with 18 in (46 cm) of fresh, puffy snow

Day Hike at Balch Hill - Hanover, New Hampshire
Elevation - 525 to 950 ft (160 to 290 m)
Pack Weight - 15 lb (6.8 kg)
Distance and Conditions - 5 mi (8 km) 30 F (-8 C) and windy. Hard-packed snow and ice covered trail

Two Night Backpack at Mt Cardigan - Alexandria, New Hampshire
Elevation - 1400 to 2250 ft (427 to 680 m)
Pack Weight - 30 lb (13.6 kg)
Distance and Conditions - 8 mi (13 km) Night / Day 1 low around 35 F (1.7 C) calm and clear unseasonable high of 55 F (13 C). Night 2 low 20 F (-6.7 C) with 0.5 in (1.3 cm) rain turning to ice with winds around 40 mph (64 kph). Day 2 high of 30 F (-1 C) winds calming by afternoon.

Day Hike Mts Tom, Field and Willey - Crawford Notch, New Hampshire
Elevation - 1800 to 4340 ft (549 to 1323 m)
Pack Weight - 25 lb (11 kg)
Distance and Conditions - 9.8 mi (15.8 km) starting at 20 F (-6.6 C) with windy and snowing ending at 40 F (4 C) with clear calm skies. Trail firm packed snow with 3 to 6 in (7.6 to 15 cm) of fresh snow and very steep in two sections. Three streams crossed two fully frozen the other partially frozen.

Day Hike Storrs Pond - Hanover, New Hampshire,
Elevation - 525 to 400 ft (160 to 120 m)
Pack Weight - 15 lb (7 kg)
Distance and Conditions - 4 mi (6.4 km) Temperature 15 F (-9 C) very windy and snowing heavily with 8 in (20 cm) of fresh snow on the ground.

PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD

During Long-Term testing the Wandertag pants have fulfilled the role of snow, wind and rain pants. On all occasions they have performed great without any problems. The pants ability to protect against moisture and wind is at the top of my list of positives. On all my hikes I had to deal with moisture in the form of snow, ice or rain. Moisture never made it through the Wandertags even after sitting on snow for a couple of minutes. Next on the positive list is the ability to get the pants on and off over my boots. This was most helpful when it began raining on the Mt. Cardigan backpack that soon became a downpour. I was able to get the pants on quickly enough to avoid the brunt of the storm. Conversely on the Mts. Tom, Field and Willey hike as the day warmed to above freezing temperatures I also quickly warmed. The ability to get the Wandertags off without removing my boots made things easier when there's deep snow cover. The only negative I can list -- and this is nitpicking -- are the pockets. They are not sized or positioned to be of any real storage value. I can fit a bandana or snack bar in a pocket. But the pocket is positioned too far to the front of my leg to be comfortable. When I raise my leg in a high step the object in my pocket becomes tight against my leg. This is not a big deal for me as I can store these items elsewhere.

The Wandertag pants remain in excellent condition. There are no tears, rips or signs of wear. The zippers, drawcords and elastic all remain fully functional.

SUMMARY

The Adidas Climaproof Wandertag Pants have help keep me warm and dry during this test series. I have very quickly and easily learned to balance what layers to wear with the Wandertags to match conditions encountered. I have only one very minor negative to report related to the pockets. Overall the most important feature of being windproof and waterproof I have been nothing but positive experiences. I plan to pack the Wandertag pants as my wind and rainpants on my future hiking adventures.

This concludes my Long-Term Report. I would like to extend my appreciation to Adidas and BackpackGearTest.org for the opportunity to test the Climaproof Wandertag pants.

Reviews > Rain Gear > Jackets and Pants > Adidas Climaproof Wandertag Pants > Test Report by Michael Pearl