REASONS TO BUY
The lightest and most breathable pants
Convert to capris
Added sun protection
REASONS TO AVOID
Baggier fit than preferable
Outdoor Research Reverie Pant Review
OR Reverie Pant - Women's
Credit: Outdoor Research
Price: $75 List
By McKenzie Long ⋅ Senior Review Editor ⋅ Jun 27, 2012
Our Verdict
Outdoor Research has discontinued the Reverie Pant
The OR Reverie is the lightest pair of pants in this review, stripped down to the most necessary functional attributes for hard outdoor use, which is what wins them the Editors' Choice Award. They are water resistant, protect against the sun, and are extremely breathable. They are not a full convertible pant that zips off into shorts, like The North Face Paramount Peak Convertible Pant, but they do button up into capris to allow for a larger temperature range to wear them in. They are very comfortable and easy to move in, though the stretchiest and most comfortable pants were the Patagonia Simple Guide Pants. The integrated belt helps tailor the fit of the pants as they stretch slightly over multiple days of wearing and is much more functional than the drawstring on the Paramount Peak Pant or the belt snaps on the Patagonia Byway Pant. If you are a hiker interested in traveling light and fast, the OR Reverie is the hiking pant to buy.
Our Analysis and Test Results
Features
The OR Reverie is the lightest pant in this review by far, weighing only 5.7 ounces, which is half as much as the Simple Guide pants, the next lightest pair. For the weight conscious hiker, these are the pants to buy.
The Reverie has multiple useful features. They convert to capris with 2 snaps on each pant leg, there are 2 hand pockets and 2 rear pockets with snap closures, and one thigh pocket that doesn't interfere with a pack waist belt and zips to keep important things, such as a car key or chap stick.
The OR Reverie and the Arc'teryx Palisade pant are the only pairs of pants in this review that seem to have successfully solved the problem of pants getting baggier over multiple days of wearing them in a row. They have an integrated belt which keeps them from slipping down and can be cinched tighter as the pants stretch. This is a much more useful feature than the drawstring on The North Face Paramount Peak Pant, which slips and doesn't help to keep the pants up, or the belt snaps on the Byway Pant, which always pop loose and don't actually tighten the waist of the pants.
Comfort & Fit
While wearing, the OR Reverie feels light and airy. The fit is slightly baggier than on other more form-fitting styles, such as the Patagonia Byway pant but this makes them extremely comfortable. The integrated belt makes the fit of the pants the most consistent on the waist, even when the pants stretch.
Movement
These pants, like the Simple Guide Pant have articulated knees, making them move easily and comfortably with the wearer while hiking
Sweat Wicking/Breatheability
The Supplex Nylon of these pants breathes the best of all the pants in this review and dries quickly when wet.
Wind/Water/Sun Resistance
They are made out of nylon with a DWR finish, making them water resistant, and they are rated to 50 + UPF to protect the wearer from the sun.
Best Application
Due to their light weight and their airy, breathable feel, these pants are perfect for long hikes and backpacking trips. The pants have just the right amount of features to be useful and very functional, but have no unnecessary features, which keeps them light.
Value
All the hiking pants in this review are very similar in price, ranging from $70-$80. The OR Reverie falls right in the middle of this range, which is very reasonable, especially for such well made, functional pants.
Other Versions
OR Reverie Shorts- Women's
—
McKenzie Long
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