ashenAnother great hiking pant for the outdoor community by Arc’teryx. Specifically targeted for the skiers who despite the cold weather, will not hold back. These pants is designed to tackle and conquer the Canadian winters. Popular as one of the best performing pants for skiers, this is a go to outdoor wear despite the price tag. Here’s why the Arc’teryx Sabre AR pants have won the hearts of many.
Arc’teryx Sabre AR Pants Specs
- Nylon shell and polyester lining. N80p-X GORE-TEX Fabric 3L lo-loft soft shell construction
- 600 g
- DWR (durable water repellent) finish
- 100D Cordura PowderCuffs
- Three-layer membrane reduces abrasion
- Articulated knees & gusseted crotch
- Meshless outer thigh vents
- WaterTight zippered thigh pockets and small zippered, flap covered stash pocket
Arc’teryx Sabre AR Pants Review
The manufacturing and design has been done with the aim of providing sufficient protection to the user against the cold. The inclusion of GORE-TEX itself ensures that the pants are waterproof. But we do know that most of the prominent outdoor apparel brands embed GORE-TEX in their fabric, so what is the specialty of N70p 3L GORE-TEX? Well, it means that the fabric is 5.7oz/yd2 ,193g/m2 developed in conjunction with GORE. Thick construction reduces the exposure of yarns to abrasive contact, reducing damage to filaments and maintaining surface integrity. Warm, moisture wicking polyester flannel backer with DWR finish.
In slightly simpler terms, it is very less prone to wear and tear. Highly waterproof, retains heat and is durable. These are all too important when considering a skiing pants. The fully taped seams are better responsible for the windproof and waterproof nature. However, you will feel a bit of cold when the outer layer is in contact with water.
The brushed liner does not provide a world of insulation, so you need a layer underneath. However, the 100D Cordura keeps out the snow and moisture. The double side zips built for rapid ventilation (meshless) is what freeriders require specifically during an area descent. Although it has the features required to optimize mobility, experts state that the pants are very slightly stretchy. We’ll talk about the customer feedback later.
The abrasion resistance of these pants are a highlighted feature. Even the inside of the pants has a protective layer to withstand any cuts from ski edges, the only vulnerable area being the heel. Additionally, the waterproof zippers are true to their word and more importantly, don’t open up on their own. Heat management is controlled using the rear thigh zip vents used to remove excess heat. The key feature of these pants is that they are designed to be attached to the Arc’Teryx Saber AR jacket using the Slide ‘n Loc system.
User Feedback
The user feedback appears to be a mixed approach with quite a few complaints. To start off, a client has complained that the cinch belt wasn’t that effective and the fly should be a bit longer. The sizing also appears to be a bit of an issue with some complications in the XS category. A few customers complain that the overall fit is trimmer around the waist and the fit is tighter around the crotch and thighs.
As a result, the range of motion is limited and mobility gets restricted. Also, the complaints extended stating that the bottom is too large resulting in them practically covering the whole boots. What we noticed is that most of the sizing issues were seen among the 5’10”-5’9″ group. In other words, the Arc’teryx Sabre AR pants medium sizing was a bit out of proportion. Surprisingly, the 6 foot plus folk are pretty pleased with their purchase with no sizing issues whatsoever.
Aside from the drawbacks mentioned above, there is no arguing about the quality of the pants. The fabric delivers as promised and works well with the Sabre AR ski jacket. Conclusively, what we can say is that material wise, the pants deliver true to their word but the update in sizing is a major drawback from the previous version as stated by many users. By the way, you can also check out our review on the Arc’teryx Unisex Conveyor Belt, one of the top recommended hiking belts in the industry.
