Dynafit Mercury Softshell Pant

Any chance you will be getting these in small?

I purchased these to use as my main touring pant for this season of resort skinning and backcountry trips, with the additional intention of use for some recreational racing.

The fit is athletic / Euro, as to be expected with a Dynafit product. I'm 5'9", 165lbs with a 33" waist, and the US small fits perfectly. In the past I have had trouble finding pants that are tight in the waist, yet fit over my rather large thighs, but these seem to do the trick. The upper leg fits snugly, though perhaps a degree looser than full-on spandex. Around the calf and boot line, the pant is more loose. Length is perfect, with the bottom of the pant covering most of my boot-top and buckles.

As far as fabric goes, for the described intentions, this pant hits the mark. The outer softshell layer is stretchy and breathable, and seems to repel modest amounts of liquid as well as shield from most wind. (I have yet to encounter any serious precipitation, so I'll have to reserve judgement for the time being.) Inside there is a thin layer of fleece, which is comfortable against skin and provides sufficient warmth. Thus far, I've been able to wear these in temperatures as low as 15F / -10C without a baselayer underneath. Breathability is quite good - if you're coming from a heavier shell outerlayer, the difference will be noticeable (though I suspect this is a rare Skimo.co customer). The side vents, which extend from waist to knee, do a reasonable job of preventing overheating. For cold temperature climates and casual touring, the ratio of breathability to protection is perfect. In warmer temperatures or at a more grueling pace, however, something lighter might be preferred (with the caveat that I tend to run warmer than most).

Pocket space is sufficient - the two hip pockets are easily accessible, even with the close-ish fit. The thigh pocket may be useful for a map or something of equivalent size, but storage of anything larger would be uncomfortable when moving.

As another reviewer mentioned, the velcro on the cuff is somewhat of a nuisance, as it catches on clothing underneath. Additionally, while the gaiter is nice, it is somewhat tight on larger boots. As a result, with some boot styles or sizes, one might have to leave the lower portion unzipped/unsnapped to accommodate a boot cuff. It's also worth noting that there is no cutout for Dynafit Ultra Lock system, unlike some of their other pant offerings.

Overall, this is a great pair of pants for anyone looking to move quickly uphill, but wants added warmth and functionality of something heavier than spandex (though still reasonably light) at a reasonable price.

Have 2-3 days on these pants so far.

The fabric is way more on the breathable side, which is hard to find and is exactly what I was looking for. "Weather resistant" is a good term - rely on these to stay dry from sweat, not weather. I wore them for a couple hours in warm and wet falling snow, and they were completely soaked through by the end. For going hard though, or taking it easier on cold and dry days, the fabric is great.

The thigh vents are smaller than on most ski pants and have a mesh to keep snow out, which also restricts airflow slightly. I have found them to be adequate though.

They are comfortable to wear without a base layer. Wearing them with a base layer, the fleece lining adds some friction.

The front pockets are roomy and this is where I store my beacon. I don't notice it adding much resistance, as items in the pockets end up riding more on the inside of the leg/groin area than directly on top of the thigh. There is no beacon clip. On my thick legs, the thigh pocket is tight and can't store anything thicker than an iPhone, as it does not bellow at all.

The cut is definitely "pants", not "tights", although it is a bit snug on my thighs and more loose through the knees and calves. There is not much excess material though, and they are snug around the boot cuff. I would not be afraid of catching a crampon.

The velcro on the gaiter will rip up the inside of the pant fabric if you leave it undone, so pay attention to that.

My only real complaint is the snap buttons. I noticed this season with these pants and a pair from another manufacturer that they are using small and recessed button snaps. They are tedious to fasten even at home, and near impossible with cold gloved hands. These buttons are on the waist, gaiter, and outer cuff. The lower of the two waist buttons inevitably comes undone simply from moving around or operating the fly. I have seen that on two pairs of these pants, so it does not seem like a one off defect. Expect to wear a belt or possibly find your pants falling down.

Overall these seem like a good pant for someone who likes to go fast and sweats a lot but isn't ready to commit to tights. They are my go-to pants now and I imagine they will shine in spring ski mountaineering as well.

How well does a beacon fit in the pockets? The cut looks on the slim side and I wonder if it would feel bulky.

My size is 32/30. what size would be best for me in either the Mercury or the racing pant?

what's the best size in Dynafit Mercury pants? My normal waist/inseam is 33/33.