Fantastic New Pant from Mountain Hardwear
I recently received a pair of Large LONG Returnia Insulated pants. These pants are extremely well-designed and made. The leg inseam is 34 by my own measure, for anyone who wants to know. Size charts are not always accurate, but in this case it was dead on. The waist size is also dead on. These pants will accommodate a waist of 34-37 by means of two adjustable waist tabs and use of the belt loops. (I'm 6'2" tall, 35" waist). The fit is relaxed, fairly standard in the upper sections with wider leg widths to accommodate ski boots etc. Not radically baggy like some snowboarding pants, but generously cut, nevertheless. The outer material is very smooth and not too shiny, and while it makes some noise, is not as nearly crinkly and stiff as some other waterproof/breathable fabrics. The inside lining is warm and soft next to bare skin. All in all, its a very soft, cozy pant. The Thermic Micro insulation feels similar to other top-of-the-line synthetic insulations. I did some considerable research before buying these pants, and the consensus I found was that Thermic Micro was equal to and perhaps even better than the most highly regarded synthetics insulating materials available at this time. My tests of these pants have convinced me that they have an extremely good warmth to weight ratio. The pants also utilize the cutting- edge DryQ waterproof breathable technology which, if you believe the specs, is absolutely in the highest class of such materials. My tests support this, showing the pants to be completely waterproof with excellent breathability. As far as features, the side leg vents are very welcome, and are especially needed on a insulated pant of this type from my experience. My only wish, albeit a minor one, would be that the internal powder cuffs were removable. For me, these pants came out just in time as I am returning to Siberia for the winter. I snapped them up because they 1) were made with the highest quality materials 2) had all the essential features for this type of pants and 3) they came in LONG sizes, which aren't easy to find these days.