The Black Diamond Recon Stretch Pants are designed for skiers and snowboarders who venture both into the backcountry and spend time at the resort. These pants aim to balance lightweight design with durability, offering a versatile option for various winter conditions.
This review dives into the features, fit, and overall performance of the Black Diamond Recon Stretch Ski Pants, providing insights from testers who have put them to the test in diverse environments.
Move aside black pants, azurite (deep turquoise) is definitely my new favorite. This is one beautiful pair of pants! The fit and features of Black Diamond’s Recon Stretch pants combine with top-notch materials and a striking color.
Key Features and Design
The Recon Stretch Pant is fully loaded with features designed to enhance the backcountry skiing experience without forgetting about resort skiers. Overall, testers found these pants to be fully loaded with features that are actually useful and appreciated. Here's a breakdown of its notable attributes:
Read also: Comprehensive Review: Rossignol Black Ops
- Fabric: Black Diamond utilizes a flexible, 3-layer fabric that doesn't lose waterproofing or durability despite being stretchy. The fabric specs for these pants are impressive, and in tests and on-snow experiences, these pants kept testers completely dry.
- Waterproofing: Instead of a Gore-Tex waterproof membrane, Black Diamond constructed these pants with their proprietary BD.dry membrane, which likely helps to keep the cost of these pants down. The seams are fully taped, and the zippers are waterproof. The pants kept testers' legs dry throughout the shower test, and it successfully beaded water from the fabric without getting heavy from absorption.
- Stretch and Mobility: The Recon Stretch Pant's four-way stretch shell fabric is a big reason to recommend these pants. Testers found this fabric and relaxed fit to provide both a stretchy and comfortable feel that allowed for optimal mobility on the mountain.
- Fit and Comfort: Testers enjoyed the relaxed fit the pants provide, fitting snuggly at the waist but baggier around the thighs and knees. Testers found these pants to be true to size, fitting well in the waist and a little baggier in the legs, achieving the “relaxed” fit.
- Ventilation: These pants feature two vents, one on each leg, that allow for adequate temperature regulation, although there is room for improvement. The vents are located on the outside of the thighs, which is better for promoting airflow than those placed on the inside of the thigh.
- Additional Features: Like most ski pants, these include a scuff guard on the instep and an internal snow gaiter. The legs of the pants feature gaiters, as well as zippered access to boots. The Recon Stretch Pant also comes with a removable, built-in belt that allows for a customizable fit and a beacon-specific pocket with an internal clip that ski touring testers like.
- RECCO Technology: It also comes with RECCO technology that, while not meant to be used as a standalone snow safety measure, can assist in rescue endeavors at resorts.
Performance in Varying Conditions
The Recon Stretch Pant was designed, acting as a 3-layer shell that is intended to be worn with layers on cold days. Here's how the Recon Stretch Pants perform in different scenarios:
- Backcountry Touring: To my surprise, the Recon Stretch pants are very comfortable and breathable while touring. They stretch along with my movements seamlessly. I donned my lightweight wool long underwear and found stable body temperatures on days up to 25 degrees while earning my turns. The side zips are easy to operate and work well for extra ventilation.
- Resort Skiing: At the resort, I switched to a medium-weight wool long underwear and was comfortable on chilly 15-18 degree days while exerting myself in fresh powder.
- Waterproof Testing: During the shower test, the Recon Stretch Pant kept the testers' legs dry.
Pros and Cons
Like any piece of gear, the Black Diamond Recon Stretch Pants have their strengths and weaknesses. Understanding these can help you decide if they are the right choice for your needs.
Pros:
- Excellent Mobility: The four-way stretch fabric provides unrestricted movement, essential for both touring and resort skiing.
- Effective Waterproofing: The BD.dry membrane and fully taped seams keep you dry in wet conditions.
- Useful Features: The inclusion of a beacon-specific pocket, scuff guards, and snow gaiters enhances the overall functionality.
- Comfortable Fit: The relaxed fit allows for layering and comfortable wear throughout the day.
Cons:
- Ventilation: The vents are not very long, and on an especially warm, early-season day, we wished for a little more airflow found on models with more extensive leg vents.
- Beacon Pocket Design: The beacon pocket does not fully zip shut, which allowed water to enter during the shower test.
- Minimalist Design: For those who prefer a sleek, non-flashy look, the Recon's minimalist design may be appealing.
Comparisons with Other Models
When considering the Black Diamond Recon Stretch Pant, it's helpful to compare it with similar products on the market. Here are a couple of alternatives and how they stack up:
- Flylow Chemical: The 3-layer Flylow Chemical is also built to play double duty in the front and the backcountry, with a beacon pocket and vents on both the inner and outer leg. We think the Recon Stretch is by far the better design, but if you want a more durable 3-layer pant and don’t want to step up to a higher price point, the Chemical is a good option.
- Arc’teryx Sabre: The Sabre offers a bump in protection, too, with a Gore-Tex membrane and stiffer, thicker shell fabric, but lacks the mobility of the stretchier Recon. All told, the Recon is a better value, but in wet weather it’s hard to match the performance of the Sabre’s Gore-Tex.
Here is a table summarizing the comparison:
Read also: Your Diamond Peak Ski Resort Guide
| Feature | Black Diamond Recon Stretch | Flylow Chemical | Arc'teryx Sabre |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterproofing | BD.dry Membrane | 3-Layer Fabric | Gore-Tex Membrane |
| Stretch | Four-Way Stretch | No Stretch | No Stretch |
| Ventilation | Outer Thigh Vents | Inner and Outer Leg Vents | Outer Thigh Vents |
| Fit | Relaxed | Baggier | Regular |
| Price | Mid-Range | Mid-Range | High-End |
Final Thoughts
The Black Diamond Recon Stretch Pants stand out as a versatile and reliable option for skiers who demand both performance and comfort. Its combination of stretch, waterproofing, and functional features make it a strong contender in the market.
Black Diamond Recon Stretch Ski Shell | GH Review
Read also: Comprehensive Guide to Diamond Peak Lessons