If there is one thing to ruin a perfectly good day out on the slopes, it’s a wet frozen butt from a pair of snow pants that refuse to keep up with you. Luckily the Dakine Control Pants are here to protect your posterior and help keep you warm and dry all day and night. When we were asked to review the Dakine Control Pants we looked forward to the test. It’s gear like this that makes us carve harder on the slopes, so we can really test the limits of our gear. Simple and clean looking yet functional, the Dakine Control Pant held up better than expected.
Key Features:
- SHELL
- 2L GORE-TEX Plain Weave
- Face: DWR finish
- Lining: Taffeta, Brushed Tricot
- Scuff Guard and Reinforced Hem:
- Heavy Oxford
- EXTERIOR FEATURES
- Fabric loops for attaching powder skirt
- Zippered lower leg hem vents with gussets
- Left thigh pocket
- Right thigh media pocket
- YKK regular zippers
- Zippered inner leg vents with mesh
- Articulated knees
- INTERIOR FEATURES
- Fully taped seams
- Inner waistband adjuster
- Boot gaiters
Design
The Dakine Control Pant is made from a DWR-treated nylon fabric. But to ensure even more waterproofing (with breathability), Dakine incorporated a two layer Gore-Tex membrane to keep you dry and protected. So you can plow into that fresh powder with confidence. There are a total of 6 pockets, all of which include YKK zippers.
I like how you still get one cargo pocket on the left side without feeling like you’re wearing parachute pants. Plus the media pocket on the right thigh is a good size and location for easy access. The internal waist adjustments came in handy for me since they were a tad large. I was able to tighten the waist without wearing a belt which made everything much more comfortable. That leads me to our next stop… Comfort.
Comfort
While the outside has a nice design, the inside has great comfort. Starting with the taffeta and brushed tricot lining, which felt nice and cozy. The regular fit also allows you to have a couple base layers on as well. I normally wear a spandex base layer then a cotton layer over that or just a pair of shorts. So having this little extra room in there was nice to either layer up, or down depending on the weather and how active you get on the mountain. Plus, the boot gaiters seal out sneaky snow from creeping up your leg just in case you aren’t wearing any layers underneath (only the brave… or dumb).
Performance
I like having room to move without feeling like my pants will drop at any second. The regular fit is perfect for my build and the articulated knees definitely gave me the added mobility I needed without feeling any restraint. So while I was shredding the mountain, I had the freedom to move how I wanted. While shredding the mountain, I did get a little toasty, so the zippered inner leg vents came in handy. However, don’t forget to zip back up after going out again unless you want a couple snow balls 😉 . Plus, these pants come equipped with a scuff guard and reinforced hem that adds the durability you need to last more than just one well used season.
Value:
For a pair of waterproof Gore-Tex snow pants, the price is not bad at all. A price tag of $290 is about average for a pair of snow pants that will last. With the simple look and versatile features the Control Pants have, you might want to check out a pair for yourself.
Buy Now: $290 or to learn more, check out Dakine.com
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