Patagonia zip-off pants

Hybrid pants for women

Product

Women’s Borderless Zip-Off Pants

Promise

Save on sunscreen with hybrid pants that combine two styles of trousers with built-in 40-UPF protection.

Performance

Flattering and versatile, these trousers should be part of every woman’s outdoor wardrobe. It’s not just because they go with anything or because they are superbly comfortable, it’s also because they go above and beyond the call of duty. We rather clumsily fell in a river not once but twice while wearing these but, while we got soaked, the trousers escaped unscathed and remained bone dry.

They’re made from environmentally-friendly fibres, including 95% recycled nylon, and are durable, stretchy and versatile: unzip them just under the articulated knee and they instantly become a pair of Capri pants, which is handy when the weather can’t make up its mind.  Then you can stow the extra material in one of the several strategically-placed pockets, leaving your hands as free as your calves.

At £75, these are an investment buy but one you won’t regret. Besides, you can step out safe in the knowledge that you’re doing your bit for the environment as 1% of Patagonia’s profits is donated to their charity ‘1% for the Planet’, which supports organizations such as Surfers Against Sewage and RSPB Scotland.

Verdict

Light as air, you’ll barely notice you’ve got them on as you scale hills and power through brooks and streams. Well worth the price.