Product Information
Manufacturer: Big Sky Products
Manufacturer URL: http://www.bigskyproducts.com
Year of Manufacture: 2005
MSRP: $89.95 USD
Country of Manufacture: Unknown
Color: Blue
Listed weight: 6.9 oz (196 g)
Measured weight: 7 oz (198 g)
Size: Men's Large
Listed Measurement:
     Waist: 34 - 36 in (86 - 91 cm)
      Hips: 43 - 45 in (109 - 114 cm)
      Inseam: 32.5 in (83 cm)
Tester personal measurements:
       Waist: 34 in (86 cm)
       Inseam: 33 in (84 cm)
Materials Used: Epic fabric and flapless YKK water resistant zippers

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Product Overview:

From the website:

• Full zip pants
• So lightweight you may forget you have them on
• Highly water/wind resistant, breathable Epic fabric
• Flapless YKK water resistant zips
• Double slider zips to zip from top or bottom
• Velcro waist closures
• Button elastic ankle cuffs
• Only 6.9 oz! (197 g) for size "L"
  

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Initial Impressions and Observations:
    My Warm -n-Cozy Pants arrived with no tags or information.  The pants themselves do not even have an information tag on care, sizing, or to give reference to which is the front and back.  The zippers run the full length of the pants with a zipper pull at the top and bottom.  The zippers are the water resistant variety that have a rubber type layer over the teeth that join when the teeth are zipped together.  The zippers appear to seal well when zipped.  The zippers do require two hands in order to unzip and zip them due to them being very stiff.  I suspect that this is because of the water resistant material incorporated into the zippers.  The waist and leg cuffs have elastic in them.  At the waist on each side above the zippers are a dual Velcro system that holds securely.  One flap lies on the inside of the pant and the other flap lies on the outside.  The snaps on the ankle cuffs fasten almost too securely.  They snap easily together, but they are somewhat difficult to pull apart.  There is not a lot of material past the snap to grab on to.
    I unzipped the Warm-n-Cozy Pants at the top and bottom enough for me to slide them on over my jeans.  The Epic material is very slick and slid very easily over my tennis shoes and jeans.  The fit allowed me to squat and move around without feeling like I might rip the pants.  One thing I noticed upon taking the pants off was the build up of static electricity.  This might create an exciting light show at night.
    One thing that I would like to mention is the name, Warm-n-Cozy, implies to me an insulated garment.  I am theorizing that they are using the name to suggest that the pants will keep you dry, therefore a bit warmer and cozy.

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Testing Conditions:
    I have trips planned for the San Gabriel Wilderness inside Angeles National Forest and a trip to the San Bernardino Peaks Trail near San Gorgonio, in the San Bernardino Wilderness.  Car camping trips into the Mojave National Preserve and Joshua Tree National Park with day hiking are also planned.  I have also started day hiking in the Juniper Flats Area of Environmental Concern that is located south of Apple Valley.  Elevation will range from 3,000 ft (900 m) to just under 11,000 ft (3,300 m).  Expected terrain will include cross country through dense forest and rock scrambling and desert environments.  Anticipated temperature range will be 40 F (4.5 C) to 90 F (32 C).  Rain is expected in the local mountains and desert.

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Things I will be looking for:

1. How well does the Epic material breathe during highly aerobic activities like hiking and backpacking?
2. Will it feel like I'm soaked on the inside of these pants due to a condensation effect in colder weather?
3. Will these pants feel like parachute pants while I'm wearing them by being too baggy?
4. Can I use the zippers as a vent when really pushing my aerobic activities?
5. Will the rubber type material on the zippers keep water from entering at that point?
6. Will the zippers loosen over time and allow me to use only one hand to zip them?
7. Does the Epic material cut down on the wind that passes through it?
8. How durable is the Epic fabric?  I like to hike in the local desert of where I live.  This entails walking through some spiny plants and on, around, and over rocks.
   

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Reviewer
Name: Scott Downard
Age: 31
Gender: Male
Height: 6 ft (1.83 m)
Weight: 205 lb (93 kg)
Email address: rookthepagan@verizon.net
City, State, Country: Apple Valley, California, U.S.



Backpacking Background
    As a teenager I did a lot of backpacking and hiking with the Boy Scouts.  After I turned 18 and I left the Scouts I abandoned backpacking.  When I was 28, I started getting interested in backpacking again.  I started buying gear to replace the old stuff from my teenage years.  I hike in the local mountains and desert areas.  I hike mostly in the spring and fall in moderate weather.  Some rain is encountered.  I primarily do day hiking and short term (i.e. one to four nights) backpacking excursions with  some  five day trips.  I like to hike fast and light while backpacking.