After wearing them for four months, I discovered what's new about the versatile "Journey Pant" that can be used for everything from travel to trekking.
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Takuro Hayashi is a freelance writer and photographer who works for ski, snowboard, and outdoor magazines, and also runs the outdoor equipment store "Transit Higashikawa" in Hokkaido.
These are my impressions after wearing the newly released "Journey Pant" this spring in a variety of situations.
I've been using the Journey Pant for about four months since spring. As the name Journey suggests, it's a product designed with various ideas in mind to be a useful travel companion.
In fact, I've found it extremely useful not only when traveling, but also in everyday life and many outdoor activities, and I'd like to share with you some of the good things I've found using it throughout the summer.
1) Sitting for long periods of time is stress-free
A distinctive feature of Teton Bros. products is that they have a clear image of how they will be used.
The Journey Pant is not just designed for active activities like previous products, but also aims to be a pair of pants that are comfortable even when sitting for long periods of time.
For example, when riding an international flight, you want to be able to bend your waist and knees for long periods of time without feeling any tension in your body, allowing you to relax. The three-dimensional cutting used in the spring/summer Ridge Pants plays a major role in achieving this level of comfort. The three-dimensional cut, which leaves room around the joints, means that the fabric does not feel tight even when you are crammed into a narrow seat. In fact, this feeling is not only pleasing in the compact seats of domestic low-cost carriers, but also on the Shinkansen, in the passenger seat of a rented light truck while traveling, and even while working at a desk.
These pants are comfortable to sit in. This was the first time I had ever seen trekking pants that focused on this, and the concept was beautifully reflected in the design.
2) No stretch, no stress
Last summer, I praised the running pants and wore them a lot.
They're thin, light, easy to maneuver, and above all, stress-free. The biggest factor in their stress-free comfort is the stretchiness of the soft shell material. The freedom of movement, without any tightness, even when squatting, makes them unbeatable not only for running but also for lifting your legs while trekking. They offer an ultra-comfortable fit that's perfect for multi-day camping and cycling trips.
On the other hand, Journey Pants have no stretch.
The material, Cordura, is a durable material that won't break even if you rub it against rocks, and it's also lightweight and quick-drying. It's perfect for trekking pants, but the material doesn't stretch. Having experienced the comfort of stretch pants, I honestly wasn't that attracted to non-stretch material.
However, there's no way to evaluate something without trying it out. I decided to give them a try, and the moment I put them on I exclaimed at how comfortable they were, and was so impressed I did some squats in them. After walking around here and there in them for a whole summer, I was convinced they were the best.
Stretching was not necessary.
Surprisingly, even though the fabric doesn't stretch, the pants don't feel too tight. When people with a deep understanding of the human body's movements, who have a thorough understanding of the fabric, exchange ideas with the pattern designers, and take into account the various issues involved in not only sewing but all other manufacturing processes, create trekking pants that are comfortable to wear, don't restrict movement, and are tough yet casual enough to wear for a quick meal.
Stretch is comfortable, but not essential. Learning this through experience was a huge benefit. And the stress-free comfort of these pants made them perfect for almost any activity, whether it was walking around all day while traveling, going on a hike, or even rolling up the hems and playing in the river.
The hardest use I've ever had was hiking up Mount Daisetsu, where I walked for three days straight, getting rubbed against rocks and getting wet in the rain, without any complaints. Their performance as trekking pants is above average. And yet, whether I was sitting cross-legged at the tent site or resting on a rock, they didn't feel cramped at all. I was simply impressed by their versatility, allowing me to walk, sit, and relax in them with ease.
3) Lightweight, cool, and packable
Supple and light - that's my first impression of these pants.
For comparison, the 2022 model Run Pant (size M) weighs 180g, while the 2023 model Journey Pant (size M) weighs just 173g. It has a front placket and two pockets in the front and two on the hips. The right hip pocket also has a zipper. The hem also has a drawcord, so you can roll it up when it's hot. This is despite the fact that the pants are packed with features that could almost be called full-featured.
Of course, what contributes to this lightness is the 100% Cordura material made with 65D thread. This is thanks to the fabric being lighter and thinner than the numbers suggest, but it is also the durability of Cordura that makes this thinness possible. In other words, it is because of its durability that it is able to be thin and light.
Cordura is known for its toughness, but the Journey Pants are also cool to wear.
In fact, Cordura has a cooling effect, providing a slight cooling sensation when it touches the skin. Furthermore, the loose fit creates space between the skin and the fabric. This summer, I reached for the Journey Pants over other trekking pants, no doubt due to their lightness and cooling sensation.
Another common feature of the Journey Pant series is the packable pocket. The Journey Pant also has a zippered pocket on the right side of the hip that doubles as a storage bag. What's more, it's a roomy size (approximately 16 x 16 x 4 cm) that allows for ample storage.
Another major feature of nylon materials is that if you stuff something into a packable pocket and it gets a little damp, you can hang it up for 20 minutes and it will smooth out any wrinkles. If you have time, you can wet it in water and hang it out to dry, and by the next morning the wrinkles will be completely gone. Knowing this feature means you can store your items in a packable pocket without any worries.
Other features include the signature high water repellency, and reflective tape at the folded-over hem for increased visibility at night, showing that every detail has been carefully considered. The way they're used is exactly as the concept suggests, making them a must-have for travel. With these pants, you'll be able to travel, participate in activities on your trip, and even attend restaurants with dress codes. We'd also like to emphasize that their durability and ease of use make them perfectly comfortable enough to wear as everyday outdoor pants.