I bought the Arc'teryx stingray pant and these in the same weekend. I did a short bc tour skinning and skiing about 600 vertical breaking trail both ways. I ended up returning the Arc'teryx pants since their cut was a little funny, they had no thigh vents, weak boot cuffs, and very limited pockets (granted, they're billed as an in area pant). On the other hand the TNF Light Smoke were perfect, I'm sure there's a lot of technology behind the stingray pant material but it felt fragile to me and would probably make that flapping noise in high winds. The light smoke material feels substantial and has good fit and stretch through the inner thigh which was great for skinning and climbing where you don't want resistance getting a leg up. The thigh vents are well placed and gape open when you step so you get good air flow, though the movement and fit changes slightly when they're all the way open. The light smoke is heavier than the stingray pant but I attribute that to stretchier, more durable fabric, a better padded waist yoke, more pockets, and real adjustable powder cuffs at the ankles... all positive trades for me.

I tried on a lot of ski/snowboard pants and these were the winners. Tough, stretchy, good pockets and venting and long enough (I'm 6'2"). They run a little large, like the rest of the Patagonia line.

Used these during a spring skiing weekend in Utah. Perfect with just a pair of long underwear underneath in a temperature range that stretched from 60, calm, and sunny to 30, windy, and snowy. Leg vents could use some mesh underneath, but the edges over the zips help keep the snow out unless you really open the vents up to the half thigh length. They are a bit baggy in the legs, but I never felt they constricted movement on a full range of runs. I also never felt the vecro scratching. With the light smoke flash jacket you can snap the back seal of the coat through loops on the pants, helping to keep out the cold and snow. Great gear for an athletic, on piste skier.

I'm 6'4" these pants fit great in length and aren't too baggy. The fabric provides great mobility. I'm so happy with the ski pant that I bought two pairs.

I purchased these pants and promptly returned them after a thorough design inspection. First off, these are pretty baggy throughout the legs and might be better suited for casual wear rather than true technical functionality. The cuff system on the legs is overbuilt and a little too much. I do like the pockets on these pants but that's about it. The leg vents could use some mesh to prevent snow from entering when zips are open.

One of the biggest downfalls is the adjustable velcro system on the inside of the waistband. Firstly, Patagonia might have included suspenders on these rather than the velcro system which is insecure and unpredictable. The worst thing about the velcro is how scratchy it is once your pack pushes it around and forces it to scratch your skin.

These pants might be well suited for someone who anticipates waist size fluctuations on the order of 2-6 inches (very possible during the holidays). Also, if you were just riding lifts and not needing much freedom of movement, these might be the pants for you.