I'm not mountain climbing, just walking my dog in cold windy Iowa. I think my "record" was a -40 wind chill. What I really like about these pants is that they are not bulky, the length is so flexible that they are ok even for a short person, and that they keep me warm in cold, cold winds. My dog likes them too, because she knows she'll still get a long walk on the chilliest of days.

Picture it. Mid-October in the cedar hemlock forest along the MT/ID border. A light rain mixed with snow has been falling for days. You and your field crew, which consists of a compass and a scat detection dog, are walking transects through dense, soaking wet vegetation in search of fisher sign. Wet, cold, nastiness rules the day.

These are the pants you want to be wearing. Trust me. Ten hours later, my arse was toasty and dry for the drive home. The right trousers really can make your day. Really.

I bought these Arc'Teryx pants for my wife. She was initially rejecting it because of price. We went to southern Colorado together in late Oct. She wore them with under pants, and the combination kept her warm in 20F temp. We also encountered a sandstorm in Great Dune National Park. Nothing can penetrate these Gore-tex pants. The material and quality is top-rated.

The only complaint for this line of product is the pocket design. Too shallow and too small.

If you want the best, look no further. Definitely spendy, but there's no substitute for Arc'teryx quality. Some say they're waterproof, but they're not. These are 100% waterproof & top notch construction/materials. You'll end up going through several pairs of other pants before you realize that these are the ones you should have bought in the first place.

I became a huge Arc'teryx fan about 12 years ago when I bought my first real pack, the Bora 60 (which I still have and use on a regular basis). I have been a very happy customer ever since, and the Minuteman pants are just another positive testimonial to reinforce that. I was fortunate and found them on sale for half the normal cost, Arc'terxy is expensive but worth every penny. They make the most durable clothing and equipment I've used. I have put those pants through hell almost every day for two seasons, and they look and perform as if bought yesterday. Breathability, freedom of movement, water-resistance, weight and general fit are all optimum. I use them inbounds, for backcountry day trips, touring and multiple day winter camping. These pants do it all. Additionally, they wash easy and have lost none of their weatherproofing features because of it. I expect to be using these pants for many years to come, just as I have everything else Arc'teryx.

This is another great product from Arc'teryx. I've used these pants in the backcountry, skiing at resorts, & x-country skiing. They fit tighter than what I was accustomed to, but are surprisingly flexible. The bottoms fit perfectly over my ski boots with a snug inner layer to prevent any snow from entering. Despite how lightweight they are, with a just a thin layer underneath, I stay warm on most days above 15 degrees. I highly recommend this pair of pants!