Mountain Hardwear Women's Petra Pant
25th Nov 2011
I have used these versatile trousers for a range of activities but they came into their own on a recent trekking holiday. They looked good enough to wear casually as I travelled, were comfy to travel in but also performed on some days of long walking and variable weather. In terms of design the adjustable waist is really good for fit, although with a very heavy rucksack it could get a bit uncomfortable and needed rearranging. The roll-up snap tabs at calf height are really useful. They are meant for foot placement visibility during climbing, and they can also be double folded to raise the hem even more when you just want to hop on a bike. However, they are also useful for cooling down; I just wore these when my friends were changing into shorts in the middle of the day. They felt plenty cool enough in moderate temperatures and were breathable. The articulated knees also helped with freedom of movement.
The best thing about these trousers are the fabric. The four way stretch make them the most comfy walking trousers I have worn and suitable for climbing too. Light moisture rolls off the fabric, yet they are very breathable. I have really taken these trousers through their paces, sliding down rocks on my bum, not washing them after continual use, getting ash all over them and after a wash they still look and feel as if they are off the peg. I thoroughly recommend them.
