Reviews > Clothing > Pants and Shorts > Mountain Hardwear Traverse Lite Pant > Test Report by joe schaffer

Product: Traverse Lite Pant

Manufacturer:  Mountain Hardware

    Website: http://www.mountainhardware.com
    Features: from website
    Ultralight Stretch Plain Weave 94% Nylon, 6% Elastane
    Uses: Superlight Backcountry, Rock Climbing, Backpacking / Hiking, Camping
    UPF 50 filters out harsh UV rays
    PFC free DWR finish repels water
    Lightweight fabrication
    Two hand pockets with volume gusset and snap to hold flat against body
    Two secure zip thigh pockets
    Seat gusset construction for ample mobility
    Engineered back yoke improves mobility
    Adjustable cinches at leg hem
    Woven logo at back right hip
        
     Colors: Dunes (requested and shown in photo), Dark Storm

     Sizes: 28-46 (71-117 cm); not all sizes in stock as of 6/2/21

My Specs:  Men's 34 (86 cm) waist, Regular
        Weight: 8 1/2 oz (242 g)
        Dimensions:
             Length: 40 in (102 cm)
             Inseam: 29 1/2 in (75 cm)
             Seat: 12 in (30.5 cm)
             Waist circumference: 33 in (84 cm)
             Leg circumference at knee: 18 in (46 cm)
             Leg cuff circumference: 15 in (38 cm)
             Front drop: 1 1/2 in (4 cm)
             Back pockets: none
             Thigh pockets: 4 1/2-7 1/4 in H x 6 W w/5 in zip (11.5-18.5 x 15 cm; 13 cm zip)
             Front pockets: 6-8 1/2 in H x 6 1/4 in W (15-21.5 x 16 cm)
                  Inner waistband: 1 1/2 in (4 cm)
             Five belt loops: 1 3/4 in loop (4.5 cm) 1/2 in (1.3 cm) grosgrain

MSRP: US $95

Warranty: Until such time vendor deems it worn out beyond reasonable repair.

Return Policy: Within 60 days of purchase made on company website in original condition; unworn with tags attached.

Received: June 1, 2021; photos out of the backpack after 72 hours of wearing over 8 days.

My Description:
    These gossamer light pants of thin, slight-stretch material weigh barely over half-a-pound (just under a quarter-kilo). The pants have four pockets: Two on the front hip and one on the side of each thigh. No back pockets. The front pockets have a snap-close/open pleat to increase pocket volume on demand. The thigh pockets have zip closure. Fly zipper. Waist cuff has one snap closure. Articulated knee. Leg cuff draw string and cord lock. Five belt loops.

     Care instructions are to machine wash separately, cold water on gentle; no bleach; tumble dry low heat; no fabric softener; remove promptly; low-heat iron; do not dry clean.
 
Impressions:
   The fit is trim, at least for me, being neither skinny nor bulky. I measure the waist circumference at an inch (2.5 cm) less than the size. While it is certainly possible I suffer belly bloat denial from a year of truncated activity, I would not want the waist cuff any less in circumference. The leg length suits me perfectly while sitting, a little long for standing. Longer for sitting is great when the bugs are out.

    Snaps do not seem a great idea to me on such thin fabric. Even a raging type-A knows better than to yank a button, but snaps can encourage intellectually deficient behavior. I don't know that I would need more volume in the pockets. Blousing the leg cuffs is probably not something I would ever do. UV protection is a great idea for red-in-a-second skin that won't tolerate sunscreen.

     Zippered pockets are a great idea to help avoid stuff from vaporizing into the ecosphere. The thigh pockets are plenty big enough to store something like a permit, where it will be readily and conveniently accessible. The pockets will zip shut with a smart phone inside, though I tend not to like having anything that heavy banging against my leg.

    My general experience with mostly-nylon material is that it can get smarmy quickly, but I didn't get that feeling while wearing the pants in a warm house. With clean material and clean skin, there was no drag over the knee caps. I found the pants so comfortable as barely to notice them on--breathable and non-bunching or binding.

    These are such nice pants I feel great reluctance to tempt the cinder gods. Until we have lurched fully into the abyss of this year's drought and campfire bans, I'll have to carry a veteran pair of pants for campfire relaxation.

FIELD REPORT

Field Conditions:
    1. June 4-11, 2021: Emigrant Wilderness, California, USA. 7 nights; 32-75 F (0-24 C), hot and calm to gusty and freezing with even a spit of snow and hail; 7,200-9,000 ft (2,200-2,700 m); 6 camps. 72 hours wearing.
     2. June 13-14, 2021: Urban adventure, 24 hours.
     3. June 23-28, 2021: Stanislaus National Forest, California, USA. 5 nights; 45-80 F (7-27 C), sunny; 5,900-8,000 ft (1,800-2,400 m); 4 camps. 40 hours wearing.
    4. Jun 28-Jul 10, 2021: Home wearing, 166 hours including a continuous stretch of 4 days convalescing in bed.
    5. Jul 12-22, 2021: Emigrant Wilderness, California, USA. 10 nights; 40-90 F (4-32 C), mostly hot and calm with one showery day; 7,200-9,000 ft (2,200-2,700 m); 7 camps. 108 hours wearing. 
    6. Aug 4-9, 2021: Stanislaus National Forest, California, USA. 5 nights; 50-80 F (10-27 C); 5,900-8,000 ft (1,800-2,400 m); 4 camps. 22 hours wearing.

Impressions:
     I like these pants a lot for their comfort. Many camping days I spent the whole time in them between non-fire camp lounging and sleeping.

    The relatively slight angle of the opening of the upper pockets had me fishing to find the way in, though I've gotten more used to it. I did not have occasion to put anything in the pockets except my hands. On an urban outing I took advantage of the zipped pockets to stash my wallet (a rubber-banded wrap) in one and my phone in the other. Over two days I got used to the wallet hanging in there, but the phone was a chronic issue. The pocket is wide enough that the phone would slip sideways instead of up and down, making a troublesome width of protrusion. And making a supposition come true, I couldn't adapt to the weight of the phone banging around on my leg.

    For me, the pocket pleat is unnecessary and I'd say dispense with it. I find the zipped pockets too wide for where they are on the leg. The design priority for these pants is light weight and I don't get the idea of cargo pockets fitting into that priority.

    The waist cuff snap has been fine so far. It hasn't ever come undone on its own, yet does not behave stubbornly on an intentional release. I don't see any stress in the anchoring material.

    Leg length is perfect for sling chair lounging with bugs about. The longer leg still reaches below the top of socks while sitting; and being able to draw the cuff snug keeps bugs out. Though the material is thin, it evidently deters biting bugs. For example, mosquitoes can poke through denim weave. I haven't found any red spots to suggest bite success in getting through the Traverse pants. Perhaps I should moderate the comment with a note that most camping this year has been dry and hot enough to temper the assault ferocity of bloodthirsty insects.

    These pants remind me of the pantyhose commercial from way back that pitched 'like you ain't wearing nothin'. That's how these pants feel. Not having the weight of back pockets may be part of that feeling. I never use back pockets, and perhaps I'll adjust to not feeling them there.
   
    Most often I have to wash a new garment or it will itch almost immediately. And yet I've still not washed them even after 432 hours of wearing. Those hours have accrued from sleeping and chair-sitting, not the campfire smoke or trail dust that would lead to intolerable muck accumulation. As I've so far actively avoided getting them in muck, I don't know how the material would react to it.

    Sitting at the campfire has proven untenable. I already have enough pants with burn holes. I simply cannot abide the cinder gods in their lust to burn such a wonderfully comfortable pair of pants equally suited to urban endeavor where burn holes are not as readily recognized as badges of camping honor. I haven't backpacked in them as I never wear long pants for that purpose.

    The pants fold up to an impressively small bundle for packing, about 1 in thick and 11 x 7 1/2 (2.5 x 28 x 19 cm) in my clothes bag.

Accumulated wearing: 242 hours camping + 190 hours home/urban = 432 hours. Machine washes or hand rinses: 0.

Reviews > Clothing > Pants and Shorts > Mountain Hardwear Traverse Lite Pant > Test Report by joe schaffer