I purchased these pants to supplement my Dynafit Mercury Pros for early/late season tours but have also ended up using them for fitness laps and nordic skiing. In the Susan ranking of Pants these score a solid 9/10 (versus the Mercurys, which earn a 7 for being functional but much less visually appealing).
Sizing for bottoms is always a little tricky because I'm short and have a small waist and larger thighs. In the Dynafits, I straddle the XS/S size range and was worried that I wouldn't be able to squeeze into the B-Sides in a small given how tiny Italian clothing seems to run. I went up to a medium but probably should have stuck with a small. The mediums fit well enough that I kept them to save the hassle of returning/exchanging but I do wish the waist was a few inches smaller or had a drawstring like the men's version. The little velcro adjustment in the front doesn't do a whole lot but helps. Additionally, I have about 4 extra inches of leg material at the bottom that I don't know what to do with, but if you are a taller gal, these should work swimmingly for you. The next pair I buy will be smalls.
These pants are super comfy and feel like warm, stretchy yoga pants. I like that the back panel isn't wind block because it helps keep me cool. The cuffs are more than ample enough to go over my F1s when unzipped and the abrasion patches do their job.
According to my spouse, the view from the rear is especially flattering. This probably explains why I'm the one who gets to set the skin track and break trail when I wear them.
The B-Side is the women’s version of the Century pant. That should be enough of a description to get you pumped on these pants, but we’ll continue since information is what we are all about here at Skimo. The B-Side is an all-round mountain pant that is excellent for ski mountaineering and touring. With cuff reinforcements that extend up through the knees, these pants are ready for an uphill fight. The Magic Silver yarn battles bacteria which helps to prevent the odors that come with outdoor activities. This material is woven into a protective softshell that is flexible and comfortable. Two side pockets are slanted for easy access and zippered for security. The elastic waistband and athletic fit won’t give you fits while you’re skinning. When it's time to adventure to the backside of your local mountain, Crazy Idea's B-Side pant is happy to be there every stride of the way.
- Zippered cuffs can be locked into place over your ski boots.
- Women’s cut with articulated knees will be well received.
- Two side pockets might be invisible if they weren’t colored.
- Reinforced cuffs and knees should last a good while.
Update 2022/23: This pant was replaced by the Electra.
| Specifications | |
|
Weight |
351g [M] |
| Ventilation | N/A |
| Pockets | 2 hip |
| Waist | Elastic |
| Cuffs | Zips, scuff guards |
| Specs Verified | Yes |
| Design | |
| Fit | Athletic |
|
|
Vuelta, Protection magic silver |
| Insulation | N/A |
| Seams | Overlock stitch |
| Lining | Brushed |
| Coating | DWR |
| Skimo Co Says | |
| Usage | Ski mountaineering, other mountain sports |
| Notes | Reinforcements run up the knees |
| Bottom Line | Womens pant of the century |
| Compare to other Women's Touring Pants | |
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Questions & Reviews
Comment on this review:
7/20/2017
Is the fit accurate for this pant ? Or does it run a little big or small? I'm not sure whether I should be a Small or a Medium. I'm usually a U.S. size 6, UK size 10.
7/20/2017
Hi Madeline, they like 'em tight in Italy so round up if you're unsure. I would go with Medium!
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3/29/2016
Are these pant water resistant?
3/29/2016
Hi Karen, these don't have a waterproof membrane such as GoreTex, and as such are more breatheable. They are reasonably water resistant due to the weave.
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