Outdoor Research Cirque III Pants

Jump to: Our Verdict / Features / Specifications

UOG TOP PICK: Outdoor Research’s Cirque III Pants are durable and versatile for outdoor adventurers. They offer excellent mobility and protection and are made with a tough, breathable fabric, a top pick for robust mountain trousers.

Outdoor Research says: 

Best-Selling Breathable, Stretchy, Weather-Resistant, And Durable Alpine Performance
The Cirque III Pants are built for alpine exploration. Weather resistant, fully featured, and designed for three-season performance, they are a quintessential ally for the modern mountaineer.

Crafted from a bluesign® approved blend of nylon, polyester, and spandex, the 90D stretch double weave fabric offers unparalleled abrasion resistance and breathability, while the movement-mirroring stretch and articulated knees ensure freedom of movement while climbing, skinning, or descending. Thermoregulating ActiveTemp™ treatment on the brushed tricot-lined waistband adapts to the body’s temperature, while the avalanche beacon pocket with clip secures critical safety gear. Gusseted ankle zippers and reinforced scuff guards allow the pants to fit over various boot shapes and sizes and protect from crampons and ski edges. The secure waist with an adjustable embedded belt ensures a perfect fit, and YKK® DWR-treated zippers, alongside zip hand and thigh pockets, keep essentials safe and dry.

Specifically designed for climbing and backcountry skiing in the high alpine, the Cirque III Pants are a three-season mountaineering staple.

Our Verdict

Outdoor Research’s Cirque III Pants are a rugged and versatile option for any trail, providing durability, stretch, and thoughtful features for demanding mountain conditions. Designed with a robust 90D double-weave fabric, they’re built to withstand scrapes and abrasions while remaining highly breathable. The flexible material and articulated knees offer unrestricted movement, ideal for mountaineering or scrabbling, while reinforced scuff guards protect against crampons.

The pants come with practical touches, like an integrated belt that sits comfortably and doesn’t shift. I’m not usually one for integrated belts, but this one is very functional, and I see no reason to swap it out. The adjustable cuffs, lace hooks and ankle zips keep snow and debris out, making this all-rounder across various terrains. The waistband’s ActiveTemp lining adapts to body temperature, enhancing comfort during fluctuating activity.

These pants are a reliable and adaptable choice for serious outdoor adventurers. They offer excellent protection and mobility for multi-season use.

– Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear

Features

Fabric Performance:

• Water Resistant
• Wind Resistant
• Breathable
• Abrasion-Resistant
• Movement-Mirroring Stretch
• Thermo-Regulating ActiveTemp™ Treatment at Waist Band

Design Features:

• Updated Fit for Multisport Function
• Secure Waist with Adjustable Embedded Belt
• Avalanche Beacon Pocket with Clip
• Zip Hand and Thigh Pockets
• YKK® DWR-Treated Zippers
• Grommets for Instep Lace
• Boot Lace Hook
• Drawcord Cuff Adjustment
• Reinforced Scuff Guards
• Brushed Tricot-Lined Waistband with ActiveTemp™
• Articulated Knees

Specifications

• Small (30″ waist) weighs: 620g
• Medium (32″ waist) weighs: 635g
• Large (34″ waist) weighs: 667g
• XLarge (36″ waist) weighs: 698g

Material & Construction

• bluesign® approved 50% Nylon, 43% Polyester, 7% Spandex 90D Stretch Double Weave
• 85% Nylon, 15% Kevlar Scuff Guard

Help & advice:

• The Bluesign System