Black Diamond  Dawn Patrol Pants - Women's

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Upon receiving the new Black Diamond Women's Dawn Patrol Pant, I was first pleasantly satisfied by the beautiful blue hue color that was offered. Let's be honest ladies - we love a good color when touring in the backcountry ! I took a look throughout the material, and was psyched to see that not only is it considered a soft-shell pant, but the material is stretchy and appears to be quite durable. The side zips are exactly the right length, and the ability to tighten or open up the cuff with a zipper is absolutely ideal for the ski mountaineering traveler to the powder seeking hound. Lastly, the beacon pocket has the ability to attach the beacon to your pants, with a durable pocket protector so that your screen stays safe. What I like most about these pants is that they are light suspenders, with a beacon pocket. Most of the ski pants offered these days either have one or the other. As a guide who likes to carry her beacon in her pocket, the constant question that we get is "but what if your pants get ripped off in an accident ?" Well - here is our answer : suspenders that don't ride too high as a female. I can't wait to take these pants into the wilds of the mountains and see how they perform in the snow ! :)

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review. Off the bat the fit is nice, loose with adjustable Velcro waist band and removable suspenders. The fabric is lovely, stretchy and with excellent articulation at the knees. As an Avalanche Educator and Ski Guide, I am planning to put these through the wringer and see how well they last! One of the best features is built in Recco as well as a dedicated tether and pocket on the thigh for a transceiver, which is stout and secure. I love the waterproof internal gaitor which I can’t wait to put to use on a ski day! These may be the perfect lightweight soft shell pant.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Unfortunately we don’t have any snow for skiing yet but this review is my initial thought of this free product Black Diamond gave me to test and to give honest feedback. Thank you Expertvoice and Black Diamond for the opportunity. I will however update my review throughout the ski season with more information on the Women’s Dawn Patrol Pant. I have a lot of experience with testing and review of different products. I always give my most truthful opinion so others can make an informed choice. I have a video added so I could show what I loved about the pant. I’m super excited to get out in the Sierra and tour in this pant. I have had a lot of experience with Black Diamond products so I know the quality I’m getting. Stay tuned for updates.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Black Diamond gave me this free product to try. I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review. I've only gotten to try them on and walk around the house so far, waiting for the snow for a full review! Pros: The stretch fabric is comfortable and allows for great mobility. The fit is flattering and super adjustable around the waist without feeling too tight or bulky, and the ventilation zips are a huge bonus for temperature control. The length is really great, I'm 5'2" and they seem like they'll be perfect with boots on, might be a bit short for taller folks. Cons: No matter how much I adjusted the straps they seemed to keep falling off my shoulders. Might be different when I'm out and about with a jacket on.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Unpacking it, I immediately found the color very attractive and fabric pleasing to the touch. My initial thought was it will be stretchy and comfortable enough for the uphill. The large, ample three pockets excited me. I appreciated the dedicated beacon pocket and how deep the two lower pockets are. I also liked the smaller pocket on the top, right side for snacks and lips balm that can get buried in the deep pockets. I also noticed the inner gaiter and the reinforced inner, bottom parts of the legs. I felt neutral about the suspenders. In another backcountry pant I own, I ended up taking them off. Before buying my recent pair of bibs, I used to wear my beacon on a strap. With suspenders, I found all the straps cumbersome particularly to use the restroom out in the wild. At first, I was pleased to see the stretchy, embedded belt that you can adjust using the Velcro. However, once I wore them, I found the Velcro belt did not make the waist any tighter as one would expect and as others pairs of my backcountry pants do. So, the Velcro belt feels like more of an aesthetic addition rather than a functional one. I would recommend Black Diamond revisit the design of this feature. Wearing them, I also found the waist a lot tighter and more rigid than I expected. The waistband has no give and is narrower than other backcountry pants I have. I have found Black Diamond sizing to be inconsistent (sunshade hoodies, approach shoes, etc.) with other brands and within its own product lines. Some products run large and others run small. I tend to consistently fit a size small in many other backcountry pants and was surprised at the waist fit. Since the temperature in Colorado has not dropped enough and snow is not yet here to wear them in a true mountain setting, I wore them during my travels in Monterey, CA (not snowy or cold conditions) to get a sense of all-day comfort. Toward the end of the day, I found the waistband unforgiving and less comfortable to sit in for long periods of time. Since I found the waist to be on the more narrow end and is not stretchy, I ended up unbuckling the pants during a 3-hour drive. With the current sizing and personal fit preferences, I would feel better in a medium. I did, however, like the fit around the legs. I recommend Black Diamond revisit the sizing, waistband, and Velcro Belt, and make adjustments or at least add some disclaimers on their website about the sizing. I tend to fall hard in love with products once I find great fit, durability, and pleasing appearance. Plus, I also tend to use my gear across multiple activities (alpine skiing, backcountry skiing, ice climbing, mountaineering, etc.). I love gear that will be a dependable workhorse but also fit well. I stick with tried and true brands that I know, especially those that fit my shorter frame and allow for comfortable flexibility for the uphill. (I am 5'2" for reference.) Given the thickness and breathability of these pants, I can see them taking me from winter to spring skiing. I like this product overall and would recommend to others. However, I still prefer the fit and comfort of another soft-shell, backcountry pair of pants that I have more but those are a heavier weight. So I may reserve those for colder skiing and ice climbing days. Time will tell as I continue testing the product. I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review.

Look no further - these are the pants you want! So impressed that BD nailed such a good balance between breathability & storm-proofing, all the while fitting like a dream. The range of motion I have in these pants is excellent, and I love the dedicated beacon pocket.