Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Pants Review

Water Resistance

The main material used to make these pants is Mountain Hardwear’s own branded fabric, Dry.Q. They don’t release figures for the waterproof rating of Dry.Q, but independent testers rate it at about 20,000 mm. The zippers on both the legs and the pocket are protected with flaps to prevent rain from leaking in, and the seams are all taped.

Breathability

Mountain Hardwear claims that one of the advantages of its Dry.Q material is that its air-permeable membrane allows not just moisture but also air to pass through it. They say their fabric is up to two times more breathable than industry standards.

When tested, the two-layer Elite measured 40,000 g/m2/24 hrs, and the three-layer Elite measured 30,000 g/m2/24 hrs. They do not give the breathability of these pants, but independent testers have calculated it as 15,000 g/m2/24 hrs.

However, these waterproof pants have 3/4-length zippers on the outside of the legs that can be opened from either the top or the bottom. So, if you are exerting yourself, it is easy to open the zips as much as is needed to keep you from getting sweaty.

Comfort and Mobility

One thing that makes these such a good pair of hiking pants is the fabric’s stretchiness. I think they feel comfortable to wear, and they don’t restrict your movements at all. While the knees are not articulated, the ‘anatomical cut’ means they fit well. The waist is elasticated with a drawcord to secure it.

Materials

Mountain Hardwear worked with GE to develop their Dry-Q fabric, which is based on the technology used for the eVent membrane.  They removed the continuous PU layer over the PTFE membrane so any moisture inside the pants immediately passes through the material.

The version of Dry.Q used to make these pants is a 2.5-layer fabric. The face fabric is 50 denier, stretch, ripstop, and 100% recycled polyester, and the inside of the membrane has a printed pattern to protect it.

Durability

As you might expect with lightweight, 2.5-layer material, these hiking pants could be more durable. They are fine for walking along a trail, but they are not robust enough to be worn for activities such as bushwhacking.

These pants come with Mountain Hardwear’s limited lifetime warranty. The cover is valid until the manufacturer deems “the product to be worn out beyond reasonable repair or replacement”. Your pants will either be repaired, or you will get a Virtual Merchandise Credit.

Weight and Packability

These rain pants are designed to be light enough to carry in your backpack in case it rains. The thin, stretchy material means these pants can easily be stuffed into the pocket and zipped close to make a compact package. The Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Pants weigh:

Men

10.9 oz / 310 g

Women

10.6 oz / 300 g

Features

The stretchy fabric, the lightweight materials, the 3/4-length zippers, and the packability of these pants are their most attractive features. In addition to these features, they have some other helpful points that hikers like.

A welcome but seldom-seen addition is the generously sized pocket on the front of the right thigh. The zip to open the pocket does not have a flap to protect it, which is disappointing as rain could drip inside.

Flaps protect the 3/4-length zippers, which are secured at the ankle by a press stud. The cuffs are elasticated to ensure a good fit to your boots. The waistband is also elasticated, and it has a drawcord that can be knotted to secure the fit. There is a zippered fly that is fastened with a press stud.

Sustainability

On their website, Mountain Hardwear says: “We are committed to exploring innovative ways of doing business that will support a sustainable future. Our current focus is on putting in place industry leading systems and reporting mechanisms to enable efficient measurement of our social and environmental performance and to provide increased transparency into our practices.” They give no other details, and they do not appear to have Bluesign or Free Trade certification.