Arc’teryx Micon pant

FEATURES:

I have certainly had pants with more pockets than the Micon, but I haven’t missed them or had any issues or problems. Initially, it took me a while to get used to my phone being loose in the relatively large, deep cargo pockets. Then I discovered the “stash” pocket on the inside of the right cargo pocket (it’s fairly easy to overlook if you don’t know it’s there), and the minor problem was solved.

The pocket zips and vent zips work great and don’t get pinched and caught in the surrounding fabric. The side vent zips are actually not centered on the side, but are set a bit further back. The position is pretty easy to get to, and the vents have allowed me to rock the Micons in some incredibly warm spring temperatures.

I thought for sure that I would be breaking out my non-insulated pants by now, but the Micon is breathable enough that, with those side vents open, I’ve stayed quite comfortable. I’m not, however, wearing long baselayers – just boxers – but while I’m stripping off my jacket and skiing in a thin, long-sleeved merino top, I’m not burning up in the Micons. Which brings me to:

TEMPERATURE RANGE:

We experienced a few of the coldest days of the season at Niseko, and I was still just wearing boxers (that worked better with a knee brace), keeping the side vents zipped shut, and my legs were totally fine and warm.

People who run colder than I do will likely want to wear base layers, but these pants proved to me that they will handle the coldest temperatures I will ever ski in—I just might have to break out base layers some day.

An insulated pant had better be good at cold; what really sets the Micon apart is how well it handles warm. This March, we’ve had some seriously warm days at Alta and Taos, and I’ve had a number of days where I’ve lapped the ridge all day at Taos and was never kicking myself for wearing the insulated Micon. The breathability of the Gore-Tex Pro Shell and the open side vents did the trick.

So, from boot packing above 10,000 feet in high 50-degree temps, to riding chair lifts in Niseko while the wind and snow blasted us at times, to skiing waist deep snow in Niseko and Alta, the Micon performed flawlessly.

WATERPROOF?

Yes, definitely. It’s GORE-TEX Pro Shell, and it works exceptionally well.

BREATHABILITY:

Given the above comments regarding temperature range, I would say: remarkably so. I’ve been surprised by how frequently I break them out.

PACKABILITY:

Compared to how well other garments pack down these days, I would call the Micon about average. These are insulated, after all, with a very effective Coreloft insulation. The Micon packs down fine, but they don’t pack down into some tiny little miracle ball.