I have been wearing Bergans of Norway Osatind pants (and Bergans of Norway Storen jacket) while skiing in America. I have previously reviewed the Storen jacket while hiking in Scotland. I have also worn the pants while hiking. The waterproof shells are great for both hiking and skiing.
The Storen jacket and Osatind pants have been specifically created for ski touring.
On test: Bergans of Norway Osatind pants
Bergans have designed the lightweight pants with a flexible softshell fabric that offers high breathability and good ventilation.
The Osatind pants are part of Bergans’ Slingsby range, which consists of ski touring and mountaineering products in which functionality, low weight and durability are “perfectly balanced”.
Bergans claims: “Slingsby provides exactly what’s needed with nothing surplus to requirements.”
Bergans of Norway Osatind pants feature:
Wind and water-repellent four-way stretch fabric that is quick-drying and has high breathability. The product contains bluesign approved fabrics.
Full-length ventilation zips with mesh lining on the outside of the thighs.
Front pockets in mesh for optimum breathability and ventilation.
Transmitter/receiver (avalanche beacon) compatible thigh pocket. Small loop inside the pocket to retain a transmitter/receiver.
Belt loops. Detachable and adjustable suspenders (braces).
Pant legs cropped at the front for enhanced fit with boots.
High-waisted back panel.
Velcro-adjustable waist (extra width for optimum ventilation in high activity).
Articulated knee sections and pant-leg cuffs.
Diagonal zip with gusset for adjusting the leg width.
Velcro adjustment at the ankles.
Reinforced sections at the bottom of the leg.
Detachable internal gaiter with stretch mesh for enhanced freedom of movement.
Internal friction elastic and adjustable Velcro opening for variable boot widths.
Reflective details.
UPF: 50+
Made in male and female specific fits.
Men’s Osatind pants.
What I like about the Bergans of Norway Osatind pants
The length and fit is really nice. I don’t like ski touring clothing to be too tight and the small female size fits me well. I am usually a tall UK10 fit.
The look is lovely. I know the look is not important when it comes to practical outdoor clothing but if they look good and perform well then that makes me happy.
The plum/hot pink colour scheme is really nice. There is also a female pant in blue and in black.
The stretch in the water-repellent shell is really good. It allows for great freedom of movement, especially during the very physical activity of ski touring. There is a lot of movement involved in skinning uphill, falling over, getting up and skiing downhill and I have not once felt constricted in my Bergans pants.
Ski touring in Bergans of Norway Osatind pants
I have fallen over many times while back country skiing and downhill skiing and never felt wet through to my baselayer tights or my skin, so the water-repellent fabric works well. (I have also walked in heavy rain in Scotland and found the fabric keeps the wet out so I would say the water repellency is excellent.)
All the many features, such as full-length side zips, waist adjustability, internal snow gaiters and reinforced sections of fabric on the lower leg, are well thought out and useful.
The full-length zips allow for easy venting, from the top of the bottom of the pants.
Until I tried back country skiing I wasn’t aware of the need for a place to keep an avalanche beacon. The thigh pocket in the Osatind pants is really handy and a great place to keep the beacon safely stowed.
How to improve the Bergans of Norway Osatind pants
I am surprised this hasn’t been thought out. The braces (the Americans call them suspenders) do not allow for easy access if you need a toilet break in the back country. I had to fiddle with the back brace and loop to allow me to pull down the rear of the trousers so I could have a quick bathroom break.
To refasten the back loop and braces is a real pain. On some occasions I removed all my top layers to gain full access to the braces but on a cold day in the mountains this is not practical.
In mitigation, a friend has pointed out that I could zip down the side of the trousers from the top and pull the back part away enough to have a toilet break. This does work but it would be far easier if there were two braces – and separated – at the back as well as the front. If this was the case you could simply pull the pants down at the back to go to the toilet in the wilds!
The pants also feel quite big. I like this because I like to layer with tights underneath but other people of a similar size might prefer a smaller fit.
The pants work very well with the Storen jacket. They both offer good water-repellency, breathability, stretch and looks. I like that you can mix and match the colour schemes of the jacket and trousers.
More details: Bergans of Norway women’s Osatind pants and Bergans of Norway men’s Osatind pants
Buy online, for example, Blue Tomato priced £132.
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