I don't give things 5 stars unless they amaze me. These pants amaze me! I been making a transition from old school to lightweight backpacking/camping over the last 1 1/2 years. In the case of these pants it meant trading in the old faithful cotton fruit of the looms for a lightweight baselayer. I went back and forth trying to decide which brand and style to go with and the Capilene's seemed to be overall the most favored. I am glad I went with these for several reasons. First, let me get out of the way what I think may be important to some...

I am a 32/34 waist and am about 5'7". For those of you somewhat fitting my description and want the painted on pants look I suggest you get a small, not a medium. My mediums aren't 'baggy' but they arent exactly tight fit either. For me they are perfect as I don't like really tight fitting baselayers. My 'boyz' don't like the cramped quarters either, ya know!!! While they aren't overly bunched up around my ankles due to the longer length for my short legs there is a little. However, this is not a problem for me as I am pretty used to that with nearly all baselayer long johns Ive owned, fruit of the looms included.

Ok, here's what I love about these pants: the waist band is super soft and very comfortable. I have been wearing these all day and have not noticed the band rubbing around my waist like the old faithfuls are notorious for. The cuffs at the feet are a half inch hem as opposed to the 3 inch hem on old faithfuls. They helped keep my legs warm in the upper 30s this morning and didn't make me hot after it warmed up to the mid 60s. Even after it got warm and I was still rather active I honestly couldn't tell I was wearing a baselayer, especially since they wick away the sweat so great. That's deinitely a big change form old faithfull. These pants also weigh nothing at all and can almost be packed down like a pair of womens pantyhose; it's insane looking at the comparison between them and my old faithfull FOTL's. I can't believe it has taken me so long to get with the times and come around...my goodness at the weight and sheer volume I have been packing all these years. I understand you can run down to WalMart and get some FOTL undies for cold weather for bout 10 bux, but do yourself a favor and spend the extra 25 bux for some Capilenes. You will definitely be glad you did!!!! I highly recommend The Patagonia Caps and will personally be getting entire sets of these from tops to bottoms to briefs. Oh yea, one more thing I found people complaining about in reviews but I luv the easy access P fly. Who wants to fight to free Willy when ya gotta pee and its quite chilly? LOL, freal tho...those days are quite over as the Caps offer easy access to the Chief!!!

Wore these great pants on a glacier for 5 nights under either a softshell or hardshell only. Stayed nice and warm and dry. They have a great fit and are very comfortable. Not itchy or abrasive like some other base layers. Oh, and they didn't even smell bad at the end of the trip!

I've got an entire capilene 2 set-up to include long-sleeve top, bottom, and boxer briefs. Having bought other baselayers, I always end up wearing these. They're softer, less restrictive, and more comfortable than say, UnderArmor, but performs just as well.

Can be used for any occasion when a bottom base layer is required. Lightweight enough to pack year round. Essential for sleeping when the temperature drops below zero & you're in a 10 degree bag.

These tights have never let me down. I usually wear them when my patagonia Wool 2 pants are unnecessary but I still need a little extra protection from the cold. Not only do they insulate well, but they allow a full range of motion and they feel great against your skin.

These pants are great, but the Capilene 2 is very thin and meant for warm weather, not cold weather. I didn't realize this until the pants arrived. The Patagonia tags clearly position the 2 as for keeping you cool in warm weather, not the other way around. For cold weather, like skiing, you really want at least the Capilene 3. I returned these and got the 3 instead, and I am very happy with them. The 3 is also fairly thin, so they won't make you too hot when skiing. I liked the 3 so much, I also bought a pair for my 10 year old son.

I enjoy these a lot. They wear well, keep me very comfortable without getting too warm when active. These are ideal as the first of two layers in 35-55 degree active days. For more warm while less active I would suggest Capilene 3 Bottoms ,20-40 degrees.

This base layer is great. The only problem is they start to smell pretty badly pretty fast.

These underwear are very warm, fit well, and are very well made. The only complaint I have is that they are not stretchy, and they sometimes bind movement. I would definately reccomend them.

Just went running in these didn't need another layer in 44 degree weather.

They don't look like much...hell you can even see through them if you hold them up to a light. But the temps this morning at Jackson Hole ranged from 5F all the way down to -2F (up at the summit) and I was able to stay warm with only these and my Arc'Teryx Stingray softshell pants. I did get a little cool/cold (not freezing) going up lifts and standing around, but when I was moving these kept me warm and dry.

The cap 2 is the perfect balance of warmth and moisture wicking open weave. They just feel great, especially under a softshell!

They are super comfy, and super warm. I was waring then back country skiing at 25F, I have to take them off they were too warm. For down hill where you are not producing much body heat they would have been perfect. So they are great for winter activities. And they roll up to a super small package for backpacking.

Bought these in an XL as a gift for my boyfriend. Those were a bit too big, so I exchanged them for a large. He loves the new pair, and says that they are extremely comfortable. His office is pretty cold, so he wears them to work most days under jeans.

i love these they fit great. i'm 6'1 and 180 and the med fits great they keep me dry and warm.

Purchased the Capilene Bottoms as an everyday base layer. Recommend for anyone looking to stay comfortably warm throughout the day. Vent well to keep material smelling clean, go weeks without washing.

Bought for my husband who is a farmer. Very lite weight. He liked them. He said the heavier ones would have been to much for Illinois.

At first I thought that these pants were not going to do the trick on a cold\wet winter weekend trip with SAR. They work great. I am going to get another pair.

I have this pair and a thicker pair for colder days. Both are great; breathable, moisture-wicking, warm, and comfy. Patagonia Capilene is my favorite material of the synthetic undergarments.