Oakley Unification Pro Pant
Size: Extra Large
Fit: Regular
Review Measurements: 6’0”, 160 lbs., Waist: 33-34” Inseam: 32-34”
Color: Jet Black
Features:
- 100% nylon bib pant
- 27K mm waterproofing with 20K g/m2/24hrs breathability and fully tape-welded seams
- GORE-TEX PRO laminate / GORE Micro-Grid Backer insert
- Durable SuperFabric cuffs
- Silicone gripper waistband and adjustable waist tabs
- Crossover suspenders with adjustment sliders on removable bib
- Boot gaiters / lower leg zips
- Inner thigh vents with zips / waterproof zips running down sides of legs
- Front pockets with waterproof zips
- Articulation
- RECCO avalanche safety reflector
- Storm skirt system
- Icon accents
Test Locations: Las Leñas; Alta Ski Area, Wasatch Backcountry, Park City Mountain Resort, Utah; Bridger Bowl, Moonlight Basin, Montana
Test Duration: 20 days
MSRP: $480
As part of Oakley’s Pro Rider Series, the Unification Pro pant is designed by skiing legend Seth Morrison. It seems Seth has made a slight transition in his focus lately, taking on several ski mountaineering challenges around the world. For his protection from the elements, he helped design shell pieces that spare very little to keep the elements out, keep internal temperatures comfortable, and offer highly functional accessories.
Materials
The Oakley Unification Pro Pants uses the same 3-layer Gore-Tex Pro laminate with Gore Micro-Grid Backer as the Oakley Unification Pro jacket. And as I said in that review, this Gore-Tex Pro laminate is considered by many experts (including our in house guru Sam Shaheen) to be the best available option for durable, waterproof, breathable protection. It may not be the absolute best at each of these functions, but it is the best when combining the three attributes.
As is the case with the jacket, the Micro-Grid Backer eliminates the need for an inner liner, protecting the laminate from the skin while also decreasing bulk. This contributes to the pant’s extremely thin, incredibly light feel, and exceptional pack-ability.
The cuff of the pants are made with highly durable SuperFabric to prevent scuffing and tearing, with more coverage on the inside ankle and less as it wraps around the outer leg.
Waterproof YKK zippers close all vents, pockets, and make the pant-to-bib connection (more on that in a second). As with most waterproof zips, I found these were slightly harder to open and close than a traditional zipper.
Features
One of the more noteworthy features of the Unification Pro Pant is the removable bib, which on deep days can be zipped in to help keep snow from piling into your waistline. With the bib removed, there’s also the option of zipping the pant directly to the powder skirt of the Unification Pro jacket, which, assuming you also have the jacket, is nice if you prefer the all-out protection of a “onesie.”
This pant-to-powder-skirt zipper is the only non-waterproof zipper on the pant, but because it is a fully internal zipper, it doesn’t need to be. This is very nice because it makes connecting the skirt to the pant much easier than it would be with a stickier waterproof zipper.
I have actually preferred this “onesie” option to the bibs, because I have found it to be more comfortable. The bibs have a fairly snug fit, and although they are made of a stretchy material, I don’t like the corset feel. Of course, if you don’t buy the matching Oakley jacket, the bib will be the way to go on deep days.
The two upper pockets on the pant are of average size. Otherwise, there are no additional pockets on the pant itself. The removable bib, however, has a handy zippered pocket, which has turned out to be a great storage spot for my Passport (in Las Leñas), cash, and cards.
The pant has both inner thigh vents (~12” in length), and ¾ length outer thigh vents. Both are sealed with 100% waterproof YKK zips. The inner thigh vent is mesh lined to keep snow from entering the pant, while the outer zip is not lined so you can access layers as needed.
As I mentioned earlier, the cuff of the pant is protected from sharp edges and other hazards by a large piece of SuperFabric. This fabric does offer a great deal of protection, and there isn’t a single cut in it yet. My biggest gripe here is that while the entire pant is very supple, the cuff itself is very, very rigid. It feels odd to me, especially the way it sits on my ski boots, like someone stapled a piece of cardboard to the bottom of the pant leg. With use, the SuperFabric has softened up a bit, but it is still one of my least favorite parts of the pant.
Additional features can be found at the cuff gator. There is a small loop, which can be attached to a boot buckle to keep the gator from slipping over the top of your ski boot. This is something I’ve never had happen, but if it has to you, this pant has a remedy.
The gator also attaches to the outer shell by a small strip of stretchable fabric, which looks to both protect any hard tugs on the gator from damaging the outer shell, as well as providing a slight bit of ventilation when the upper vents are opened.
I’m confused by the sizing. Size chart on oakley page states XL is 36″ waist, I’m a tiny bit taller and heavier than the reviewer and I’d be torn between M and L, definitely not XL.
What’s correct here?
like this comment said, the pant is very light and waterproof is good. but too thin and not that durable. after 2 trips, the latter in some tree area, i saw a 5mm hole in the back area, where i have to sit down as a boarder.
this is very annoying due to the color: purple… that means you would have to wear a black patch in your butt out of the purple color… which is super embarrassing… (99% of gore tex repair kit is black color)
the bib is also very fragile, don’t wear it while climbing, as direct contact to the backpack waistbelt would kill it, also, the white/grey part is easy to get dirty.
another thing, not sure good or not, the lower part of the pants is using plastic instead of some other material to prevent worn between 2 ankles, that makes it super strange when you take off the snow boots. feels like you are wearing some skirt or so….
in one word, if you are a skiier, and not gonna have much direct worn/torn to it, it is a really good choice, as it is very comfortable, light and waterproof.
but if you expect some tough situation, then i guess go somewhere else.