Women's Icebreaker Merino Blend Elevation Stretch Pants Review
I put these to the test over four days on the Nadgee Wilderness Walk in southern NSW, crossing into Victoria, in winter. The trail took in a little bit of rock scrambling, narrow tracks through spiky shrubbery, dunes, and long stretches of beach walking.
Firstly, given how common it is for pockets in women’s pants to basically be there for decoration, I was thrilled that these pockets were absolutely designed for functionality. The two side pockets and the single front thigh pocket are all large enough for an iPhone, and are secured with zippers, meaning you can keep your essentials and plenty of snacks in without worrying about anything falling out.
The pants are made from Icebreaker’s Peakflex canvas fabric, which is a blend of 48 percent merino, 48 percent cotton, and 4 percent elastane. I love the feel of natural fabrics, so this was already a draw for me. The merino made them slightly warmer than your average hiking pants, but was still comfortable when temperatures hit the low 20s during the day. And even after four days of constant wear the merino meant they didn’t stink nearly as much as some pants would have—I reckon they could’ve done at least another few days before they became offensive.
The slight stretch and looser fit meant they never felt restrictive, while the elastic at the back of the waistband kept them comfortably in place. This might not be the most flattering style for everyone, but I’ll go comfort over appearance every time in the outdoors— especially on this hike where we saw just one other human over the four days.
As well as that, they’re durable. Despite plenty of encounters with scrub and rock, the fabric didn’t pull a single thread. The slightly heavier fabric did mean they take a bit longer to dry though when the occasional wave got the better of me during a beach walking section. These aren’t the pants I’d choose for hot summer hiking, but for winter bushwalking, alpine trips, and outdoor climbing they’re an excellent option. The combination of natural fibres, durability, stretch, and genuinely useful pockets makes them stand out. I can see them performing well on a multipitch in cooler weather where a bit of extra warmth might be appreciated, alongside the functional pockets.
At $399.99 the price tag might be the biggest downside, but I’d call these pants a worthy investment if you can afford it.
You can find more icebreaker products on their website.
