Outdoor Research

Methow Pant - Women's

Inelastic Waistband is a Bummer

Size Bought:

S

Height:

5' 6"

Weight:

130

Brick house babes beware - if you have power-lifting thighs/booty, these pants will BARELY pull on. Once on, you'll find that the waistband gapes around the midsection and is incompletely rescued by the drawstring, such that sizing up would not help. The rest of the pant fits great - nice combination of warmth, stretch, and tough exterior (like all the best people!) I like the ankle zips. I'll keep them, but wouldn't purchase again.

Soo cozy, but tight in the thighs

They are pretty loose on my waist (but don't fall down) and tight in the thighs (seams on thighs generally result in tightness for me) but they work for me. I wouldn't wear them running; I'm thinking of them for snowshoeing and general hiking in PNW weather, but I haven't taken them on a trail yet. The fabric feels pretty robust and I like the strategically placed fleece. If you get the green, the fleece is the color of Oscar the Grouch!

Weird waist

Love these, love the high pile fleece lining especially. Only complaint is the surprisingly unstretchy waistband that almost doesn't fit over my hips. Once cinched up around the waist, there's a lot of fabric that has to be drawn up with the cord, making it pucker in back. Otherwise great and look forward to using them for snowshoeing season

Super tough leggings for places yoga pants are afraid to go.

As other reviewers mentioned, there isn't much stretch to these, but if they fit you, it really doesn't matter. I like how they stay put when they are on and the material is more durable than your typical legging material. I never understood why women wore leggings or yoga pants all the time, until I bought a pair of yoga pants, and I have seen the light. The Methow leggings are durable and comfortable and are now my go to yard work pants.

Survived the bramble patch!

My first day out with these leggings I was snowshoeing with a friend through unfamiliar trails when we found ourselves in a bramble patch with no way out but through. I figured there was no way my leggings would make it through without damage, but they didn't show an mark, and protected my legs as well! Warm, stylish and tear resistant!

After a season of use...

I bought these early in the winter for x-country skiing. I quickly learned that I need merino tights underneath for temperatures below -5C, and I've found the perfect combo of 3/4 tights with over-the-knee socks for cold conditions. The extra fleece is great in spots that I normally get too cold, and I've not had to wear my ski skirt this season because of it (which is great, because I find I have more mobility without the skirt), although I would have appreciated a bit more at the knees. I also like the phone pocket on the thigh. I'm 5'5", 135lbs, 35/29/39 and ordered the size medium. I'm swimming in the waist, but they fit everywhere else (with tights), but I can at least get them over my hips comfortably (there's nothing worse than popping a squat in the snow and then struggling to get everything back up). Thankfully there is a tie waist, so they don't fall down. Overall, I've grown to love these tights and find I wear them for winter walking as well. However, after a season of use, they are PILLING HORRIBLY anywhere and everywhere that the brushed fleece fabric is used, not just in high rub areas. They're still functional, but no longer fashionable.

The best winter softshell legging out there!

WOW. I REALLY like these leggings! I bought these to use for XC skiing and cold weather hiking and biking, and possibly for summer bikepacking and backpacking at high altitudes (when you need something a bit more cozy than regular leggings). They check all the boxes (durable softshell for backcountry use, windproof, warm, legging fit, zipper leg openings, stretch, and they're flattering to boot). I'm about 140#, 5'9" and somewhat triangle shaped (wider shoulders than hips) but have an athletic bum, and the small fits perfectly. Kinda like a looser legging vs. a compression fit (which I love!). Agree with other reviews that the waistband is not stretchy and I have to shimmy it up over my bum; but once it's up around my waist it's slightly loose. Wouldn't go up a size because the small fits perfectly everywhere else, and frankly I like the waist being a bit loose instead of cutting into my hips and creating the dreaded "spillover". I use the waist ties and call it done. Not irritating under a pack hip belt. I've worn them out XC skiing (temps around 30F but windy) and hiking (temps around 40F), so haven't had the chance to test them in proper Montana winter conditions. BUT, I was plenty warm, didn't overheat and they really blocked the wind. I'm getting them in the other color!

Runs small

Like the previous reviewer said, these run small and the waist band doesn't stretch. Please bring back the jeans style Methow pants! Those are probably my favorite OR item ever and I would purchase more.

My favorite leggings!

I don't want to take these off! I live in the mountains, these are warm AND breathe. The fit is fantastic. I work outdoors and have been recommending these to all my friends!

Waist band ruins them

Familiarity:

I returned this product before using it

Size Bought:

Small

Height:

5' 3"

Weight:

120

These would be perfect if not for the uncomfortably stiff waist band. Sadly returned. Fit is TTS if you want to give them a try.