First Ascent Heyburn 2.0 Pant
Features:
- WeatherEdge® Plus 5.54 oz 70-denier fabric with a StormRepel® DWR finish
- 100% nylon shell with 100% nylon lining. 10K/10K waterproof/breathable rating
- Adjustable Velcro Waist Bands, Belt Loops, and band loops that attach to Heyburn 2.0 shell
- YKK Aquaguard® Zippers (Waterproof Zippers)
- Interior Brushed-Meshed Lining
- 60G Synthetic Insulation in the Knees and Seat
- Interior Thigh Vents
- Interior Beacon Pocket with stretch draw cord anchor point
- Cargo and Hand Pockets
- Integrated Gaiters with Cordura® cuff guard hidden at cuffs
- Weight 1lb 14 oz
- Inseam: Reg. 31″, Tall 33″
Size: Men’s Small
Color: Ascent Blue
Test Locations: Alta Ski Area, Deer Valley, and the Wasatch Backcountry
Reviewer: 5’5”, 135 lbs., inseam 30”, waist 28”
Days Tested: ~15
MSRP: $199
When I look at pants like the First Ascent Heyburn 2.0, I see a category of ski pants that I’d expect to last me about a full season of skiing, or roughly 70 to 100-plus days of pow storms, resort riding, and backcountry touring. They sport a thin, two-layer nylon shell, lack exterior protection around the ankle cuff guard, and come at a lower price point. In my experience, similar pants I’ve tried (TNF Freedom Pant, TNF Varius Guide Pant, and the Marmot Mantra Pant) have had similar lifespans.
The Heyburn 2.0 still offers most of what I look for in ski pants, from breathability to warmth, comfort, and steeze.
Sizing/Fit/Style
First Ascent developed the Heyburn 2.0 line with the backcountry guide in mind, and style-wise these pants are true to their design: great for touring, resort, and big-mountain skiing, and just as cozy on the chair as they are in the bar. I was happy skiing in them, as they sport more of an athletic fit than a baggy one. (I wouldn’t expect a park rat to be stoked on these.) The Heyburn 2.0 has enough room in the legs and waist for my heavy merino wool base layer, but is slim enough that there is no extra material to get in the way while skinning in the backcountry.
The Velcro on the adjustable-fit waist is very secure and holds no matter how wet it gets. I’m a thin guy (my waist is 28”), and a size small fits me great, with the Velcro pulled through the first belt loop. If I were any thinner, though, I may need to grab a belt. The knees have enough room for my Arc’teryx knee pads, but I’d say order a size up if you are going to sport more protective gear.
I dig the Ascent Blue color with the bright yellow zippers. It goes well with darker tops and just about any hoody I threw on in the spring. When heading to aprés-ski, the gaiters can also be rolled up and tightened around the upper ankle, with a small strap and plastic fastener combo sewn into the bottom of the gaiter. This keeps the bottom of the pants from dragging on the ground when walking in street shoes.
While skiing, however, the strap’s other purpose—to tighten the gaiter around the boot—was rather redundant. The gaiters are already tight enough around the boot top to keep snow out without the strap, and a rubber strip around the bottom keeps them from slipping. So having one more strap to deal with that didn’t add any functionality to the pants was a little annoying. But I can see how it adds steeze when moving indoors for a beer.