ProView – Outdoor Research Men’s Ferrosi Transit Pants Review

I recently had the opportunity to test out the Ferrosi Transit Pants from Outdoor Research over the course of six weeks of heavy use in various mountain activities. I have lived and worked as a full time mountain guide in the Eastern Sierra for the last few years and am obsessed with everything that this place has to offer. I’ll often find myself having multi sport days multiple times a week, especially with this years record breaking snowpack! A half day backcountry skiing is often only a short drive away from finishing up the day bouldering or biking in the Owens Valley. 

I am constantly on the search for gear that can transition seamlessly from one sport to the other. I often find it takes more time to change all of my technical clothing in between activities than it does to actually drive between them. As I’ve been testing these pants, it has made my transitions between seemingly unrelated sports feel smoother and more efficient than I thought possible.

I used these pants extensively on multiple Sierra mountaineering trips that I was guiding including multiple trips up Mount Whitney and Matterhorn Peak as well as on personal bouldering, day hiking, and backcountry ski outings. 

Versatility

 This is really where these pants stand out when compared to other similar soft shell pants that I’ve used. They performed at an extremely high level in many different environments and activities. From keeping me warm on the summit of Mount Whitney in the winter, to becoming my go to pair of pants on leisure town days, these very well may be the most versatile pants I’ve ever worn. 

Durability

I’ll admit I was skeptical of how these pants would hold up especially on rock climbs that would be very abrasive. I was surprised with how well they held up for how light these pants are. They’ve accrued a couple small pinholes but only when exposed to abrasive and sharp rock climbs. 

Fit

When I first tried on these pants they fit like a glove, but as I started to move around in them, they started to sag. I realized I would need a belt even though the rest of the pants were extremely form fitting and other similar lightweight soft shell pants of the same size have fit me great. When paired with a low profile, technical belt, these pants became all what I had hoped they would be. The waistband doesn’t have any kind of synching mechanism and the waist button doesn’t provide the most secure of clasps. Other than that, the fit is form fitting in a way that I’ve had trouble finding in similar models which makes up for the slightly loose waist. 

Comfort

These are my new warm day sweatpants! The material is soft and feels like it molds to my legs without the feel of bulky seams, zippers and buttons in places that would cause any discomfort. 

Look/Style

As I mentioned earlier, these are now my go to town pants. They look great! I’m not one to prioritize the look over the functionality of my gear, but this piece genuinely checks all the stylistic boxes without sacrificing any functionality. 

The Final Word

Overall, I would highly recommend these pants. They’re extremely light, breathable and stretchy pants that are one of the most versatile soft shells I’ve ever used. Good for everything in the mountains, day hikes, and everything in between, the Ferrosi Transits have kept me warm, comfortable, and performing at my best regardless of my environment or activity. 

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Check out other reviews of the Ferrosi line:
Outdoor Research Men’s Ferrosi Crux Pants
Outdoor Research Women’s Ferrosi Grid Hooded Jacket