Arc’teryx Micon pant

Arc’teryx Micon men’s pant

Size: Large

Technical Features

• Waterproof
• Breathable
• Insulated

Construction

• Micro-seam allowance (1.6 mm) reduces bulk and weight
• Tiny GORE® seam tape (13 mm)
• GORE-TEX® three-layer construction
• Smooth inner face-fabric allows for easy layering

Patterning

• Gender specific patterning
• Articulated knees and seat

Pocket Configuration

• Inner stash pocket hidden inside the cargo pocket
• Two cargo pockets with WaterTight™ zippers

Zippers & Fly Configuration

• Front fly with snap closure

Cuff & Sleeves Configuration

• Wide cuffs to fit easily over boots

Waist & Belt Configuration

• Adjustable integrated webbing belt
• Belt loops
• Snap waist closure

Reinforcements

• Keprotec™ instep patches provide superior protection against damage by boots, crampons and ski edges

Snowsport Features

• Mesh-lined powder guard vents for breathability, designed to prevent snow from entering clothing
• Hidden Recco® reflector
• Powder cuffs with gripper elastic

Test Locations: Taos, Alta, Niseko, NM backcountry

Days Tested: 40+ (including the incredibly warm past couple of weeks)

Over the years, I have been a big fan of Arc’teryx quality, but less of a fan of Arc’teryx fit. The company seemed reluctant to move too far away from a slim fitting, mountain guide-style. This didn’t bother me too much about their jackets, but when it comes to pants, the whole slim / skinny fit thing is not for me, and I skipped over Arc’teryx pants for years.

When I first saw the Micon, I couldn’t believe it: it looked like Arc’teryx had finally made a truly relaxed fit pant with a wide leg and even a wide, barely tapered leg opening. I got a little giddy. Could it really be?

The Arc’teryx Micon pants incorporate GORE-TEX Pro Shell, and exhibit the sort of quality and attention to detail that is emblematic of Arc’teryx’s A-game. So really, the sizing was the major question for me, and I think Arc’teryx got it totally dialed. The skinny jeans crowd will naturally disagree, but since plenty of companies are scrambling to follow the trend of clingy, uncomfortable-looking outerwear, the stove pipe set ought to be able to find plenty of options.

THE FIT:

I’m a size 32″ waist, with a 30/31″ inseam, and I went with the large. I’m sure that I could have gone medium, but I just wear a belt and appreciate the extra room through the legs. (The Micon actually has very nice and effective tabs that allow you to synch the waist as you like, so the belt is really more out of habit, I guess.)

Thankfully, there isn’t a ludicrous amount of room around the waist, but there is plenty of room through the thighs. These pants do have wide leg openings, so with certain bindings, I’m usually pulling up the pant cuff to keep it from getting stuck in the heel piece when I click in. This doesn’t bother me, but it might bother you. (But as BLISTER reviewer Will Brown likes to say, pulling your pant cuff out of your bindings is the sign that your pants fit. I guess he’s not really into the skinny cut, either.)