Reviewed on March 20th 2023

At 7.1 ounces, the Montbell Light Down Pants are the perfect fit for early-season backpackers and alpine adventurers. I’ve carried earlier versions of the Montbell Light Down Pants everywhere, from the High Sierras to the North Cascades, and never once regretted the extra weight in my pack. The three ounces of 800 fill power down is enough to keep you warm in 30-degree temps in the evening (or 20-degree temps if you’re on the go), while still compressing down to about the size of a pair of socks in your bag when not in use.

While I looked at a pair of the newest model of the Montbell Light Down Pants for this story, I have a pair in my gear closet that I’ve had for close to a decade—it’s picked up exactly one tiny rip in that time, attesting to these puffers’ overall durability.

from Outdoorlife

Reviewed in Dec 2022



Montbell’s down pants offer a ton of extra warmth in an amazingly compact and lightweight sub-200-gram package. Diamond-shaped baffles keep the 800 fill power down in place, but other than that subtle aesthetic element, the pants are very minimalist in design, making them one of or favorite pieces this year. They’re also available in men’s and women’s cuts. If you’re looking to up your late fall and winter camping game, give them a look.

from BIKEPACKING

Reviewed in November, 2021

from Sackis Outdoor-Gear

Reviewed in June 14th, 2021

Montbell’s Light Down Pants were engineered to provide an extra layer of warmth when thermal leggings just aren’t cutting it. Designed to be worn during winter hiking, chilly nights around camp, or as part of a cold-weather sleeping system, these 800-fill pants are here to keep hikers cozy and comfortable.

from The Packable Life

Reviewed in March, 2020

This is the year of down pants. I know that’s a ridiculous statement, but it’s true. Leave it to the Tour Divide racers to push the limits of comfort and packability. Racers will sleep 4 hours or less and wake up before the sun rises, which makes for some truly cold starts. It’s not to say that these ultralight down pants won’t work on the bike as well. In races like the Silk Road and the Tour Divide - those passes that you trudged up must be descended too.

from benedicto:

Reviewed in March, 2020

LONG TERM REPORT

Over the past two months it's been more of the same with these Pants - day hikes, outdoor chores, camp loungewear. Though I haven't found a breakthrough new use and still think there's one unnecessary shortcoming, the Pants have earned a permanent place in my winter clothing closet.

All use has taken place in my home territory of the Northern Rockies, within 100 miles [160 km] of Bozeman, Montana. In one respect winter has finally arrived after an extraordinarily dry December; my home at 5800 feet [1800 m] has received several feet [about 1.5 m] of new snow in the past three weeks. This has required frequent shoveling the steps and breaking trail on local hikes, two tasks for which the Pants are very useful. For the latter I have worn knee-high gaiters or lightweight waterproof-breathable pants. That hasn't been necessary for chores, as I can prevent direct contact with accumulated snow by wearing tall rubber hunting boots that [usually] fit over the Pants.

from BackpackGearTest