Men’s Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants Review

Bottom Line

Tested in Alaska’s Chugach Mountains, the Outdoor Research Ferrosi delivers a lightweight and highly mobile pant that excels in a variety of conditions. In warmer weather, we love how quickly this pair sheds moisture and heat and in cool and rainy weather, with its resistance to light rain and wind. The Ferrosi continues to be one of our top picks for the best men’s hiking pants.

While these pants don’t offer the highest level of protection in conditions with heavy precipitation, we are impressed with the Ferrosi’s ability to dry quickly and breathe easily. We took these pants into the backcountry of the Chugach, for a light run and they took all activities in stride. We love how unencumbered movement feels in these pants thanks to their highly comfortable and stretchable design.

Outfitted with thoughtful features like five pockets, cinching hems at the ankles, an internal drawstring at the waist, and a highly elastic material, we will be grabbing these pants for many hikes to come as a jack-of-all-trades high performer.

Comfort & Mobility

The Ferrosi earns high marks for comfort and mobility. The material of the pants is among the most elastic and stretchable of any we’ve tested. We were particularly impressed with the level of flexibility through the crotch and knees and never felt encumbered or restricted.

While we did have to size down to fit these pants, once properly fitted, they provide a slim fit with a slightly wider cuff to accommodate slender and thicker bodies alike. These pants will best fit those looking for an active-cut pant that still retains the design elements of a more casual option. A brushed waistband provides on-the-skin comfort and an elastic waist eliminates any unwanted sagging.

Breathability

Along with their impressive comfort and mobility, the breathability of the Ferrosis excited us throughout our testing. When powering up a steep hill, the pants felt light and quickly dispersed heat. While we were otherwise dripping in sweat, these pants moved all moisture away from the body and quickly dried.

We were so encouraged by the performance of these pants hiking, we even took them out for a light run and were pleased with their high breathability. While sweating during high exertion, they quickly removed heat and moisture aided by lightweight mesh pockets that can be unzipped for even more airflow. For those wanting quick-drying and highly breathable pants, the Ferrosis are the right choice.

Weather Resistance

When taking these pants out in a fall rain, we were pleasantly surprised with the Ferrosi’s ability to shed moisture. The pants beaded precipitation like heavier pants and blocked wind to a higher degree than expected. That being said, these pants did meet their match in heavy rain and did wet through after some initial beading of light precipitation.

Where these pants shine is their ability to come out of a rainstorm and quickly dry off again. The quick dry materials that also make them highly breathable allow them to dry off quickly after being soaked through. We suggest these pants for those encountering light and intermittent rain and for those who do not need the highest amount of weather resistance from their pants.

Durability

When kneeling in gravel and passing through brush and trees, the Ferrosis do not provide the highest level of protection. There are no areas of double-layer reinforcement on the pants and the cuffs in particular were often stepped on and showed signs of wear and scuffing. We give these pants middle-ground marks for durability as their overall integrity still stands, they don’t quite go the extra mile that others do.

While we won’t be reaching for the Ferrosis for heavy use where kneeling or getting muddy and dirty is certain, they are sure to meet most uses where hikers aren’t expecting to be doling out the punishment on their pants.

Features

With five pockets (two front, two back, and one thigh) we were impressed with their functionality while still maintaining a trim and sleek look. A far cry from their sometimes style-lacking cousins the cargo pants, the Ferrosis can carry a large number of items with pockets that blend in seamlessly when not in use.

Cuff cinches are a highlight allowing hikers to dial in the fit or draw in the pants in muddy or buggy conditions. We loved this feature for keeping mosquitos out and warmth in. The waist of the pants comes with an internal drawcord that allows users in between sizes to dial in the fit. The metal backing of the button is larger than some which can lead to some awkward pressing on the user’s stomach, but otherwise, hikers can expect a pant designed with a high attention to detail.

Should You Buy the Outdoor Research Ferrosi Pants?

The Outdoor Research Ferrosi is a high-performing pair of pants across multiple categories and it continues to be one of our favorites. With their extremely elastic material and well-designed knees and crotch, we love how comfortable and mobile this pair is. The slimmer legs with slightly wider cuffs will fit slender and thicker bodies alike.

Extremely breathable, the Ferrosis are for those who sweat heavily or hike in warmer temperatures. While they do not hold up under heavy rain, the Ferrosis are a great option for blocking wind and for drying quickly in between rain showers. They may not provide the highest level of durability and protection from rocks and brush, but they come through with their superior breathing and quick drying abilities. With thoughtful features and a design that highlights the details while maintaining a slick appearance, the Ferrosis continue to be one of our favorite pants for the trail.

What Other Hiking Pants Should You Consider?

REI Trailmade Review: Lightweight and breathable like the Ferrosi, the REI Trailmade offers a lot of the same features while at a slightly lower price tag.

Rab Incline Light Review: With a similar cut and feel to the Ferrosis but even more lightweight, the Rab Incline Light is a great summer-weight option for warm days.

REI Sahara Convertible Review: If you prioritize a high level of breathability, the Sahara Convertible is the perfect option for all condition versatility.