ProView – adidas Outdoor Men’s Multi Pant

As a backpacker and mountaineer, finding gear that can adapt to rapidly changing conditions is always a challenge, especially when it comes to pants. Normal “softshell” pants can be too bulky for summer conditions, while lightweight and breathable alternatives may not hold up to high winds and cold temperatures. Enter the adidas Outdoor Men’s Multi Pant. Breathability and stretch make the Multi Pant excellent for summer trips for those who want sun protection as opposed to shorts. A water repellent finish and knit design that holds up against abrasion and snags keep the Multi Pant tough enough to bring along for alpine adventures like mountaineering, climbing, and mixed scrambling. 

I first put the Multi Pant to the test in the mountains of North Carolina in classic summer conditions: heat and humidity. I am a backpacking guide for Georgia Tech’s Outdoor Recreation program, and I was staffing an overnight training trip to Joyce Kilmer National Forest. Daily temps reached into the 80s, with humidity as high as 65% as well after rains earlier in the week. 

Versatility

I normally opt for pants on the trail for their sun protection and to shield against brush, which often comes at a sacrifice of breathability. 

The Multi Pant’s breathability and stretch were amazing for the heat and humidity on trail. The Multi Pant’s stretch fabric (91% nylon and 9% elastic) kept me feeling free as I climbed up steep trails through the forest. 

I completely switched up my testing conditions by taking the Multi Pant to the Tetons on a trip in October. Three feet of fresh, powdery snow, nighttime temperatures as low as 10 degrees, and gaiters and snowshoes instead of trail runners. . . a pretty big change from North Carolina. 

To combat the cold, I wore a pair of thermal long underwear underneath the Multi Pant. The combination of thermal long underwear and the Multi Pant worked perfectly. During the day, as I sloshed and post holed through the snow, the Multi Pant’s breathability and stretch were optimal. Later in the day, as the sun set and the temperatures plummeted, the Multi Pant became a little too thin of a bottom layer, and I threw on a pair of rain pants for additional warmth. 

Fit/Comfort

The Multi Pant fit is tapered and comfortable. The stretch fabric, which is 91% nylon and 9% elastic, has a unique feel; not quite like spandex, but with similar stretch and flexibility. The material is smooth; I did not experience any chafing, rubbing, or irritation. 

For reference, I stand 6’2’’ and weigh 170 pounds. I normally wear a 32’’ waist and 34’’ inseam. The size 32 Multi Pants fit me snug, not too much room but enough for comfort. 

Look/Style

The adidas Outdoor Men’s Multi Pant has a sleek, modern design with simple lines. I wore the Multi Pant around town, as well as in the backcountry. The Multi Pant does not look like a cargo pant or other “work pant.” 

There is a visible difference between the woven knee insert and the rest of the material, but in black the difference is minor. 

Features

One of my favorite aspects of the adidas Outdoor Men’s Multi Pant is the side zipper pockets. I kept my phone, wallet, snacks, keys, etc. in my pockets without worrying about them falling out. As a frequent airport traveler, zipper pockets are especially important to me; I don’t want to worry about dropping items as I hop from place to place. 

The pockets also have ample room; I carried an iPhone 7 comfortably in the side zipper pockets. The adidas Outdoor Men’s Multi Pants do not have any rear pockets, but I did not mind, as I do not normally use rear pockets. 

The adidas Outdoor Men’s Multi Pant has a drawstring waist, rather than an adjustable belt. At first, I did not like this, wanting more adjustability of the waist belt. 

After testing out the Multi Pant, though, I appreciated the slim profile of the waist belt. When wearing a backpack over the waist belt, the lack of a belt made the pants much more comfortable. I came to find that the drawstring provided enough tension to act similarly to a belt. 

Weight/Packability

The Multi Pants are lightweight and thin, and can easily fold up into a small backpack or be stuffed away into a suitcase. At 11.7 oz, the Multi Pants are lighter than similar model pants, like the Prana Stretch Zion, which weighs in at 14.1 oz. 

Function/Performance

The Multi Pants were versatile in both the heat and the cold but definitely did not provide a lot of warmth by themselves. This is not the purpose of the Multi Pant, though, and I simply added thermal layers as needed. The Multi Pant does not cut wind as a GORE Windstopper material will, but again, is not intended as an impermeable outer layer. When I was high up on mountain passes, such as Hurricane Pass in Grand Teton National Park, I had to add a layer of rain pants to cut the wind. 

When post-holing through the snow for hours, the Multi Pant’s waterproof coating kept me dry from the loose, powdery snow. The Multi Pant’s are NOT a waterproof pant, but have a water-resistant outer coating; even after five cycles through the washing machine, this waterproof coating still repelled light rain and occasional splashes. 

The Multi Pant is quick to dry after being soaked, which is a great advantage out in the backcountry. On the trail, after stepping in puddles or slipping in a stream, I noticed the Multi Pant dried in less than 30 minutes, when exposed to the sunlight. 

For a more “experimental” test, I completely soaked the Multi Pant and then hung the Multi Pant out to dry in my room. After 30 minutes the Multi Pants were “damp”, and after an hour of hanging, they were very nearly dry. 

Durability/Construction

The Multi Pants did not snag easily when pushing through brush and did not show any tears or punctures, even after 10+ miles of bushwhacking across a few different trips. 

In the three months I tested out the Multi Pants, I put them through the washing machine five times. I have already noticed some peeling of labels on the rear, in particular, the Terrex logo. The durability of the stretch material, itself, is still proving strong; as previously mentioned, there are no tears, punctures, or peeling of any material throughout the pant. Just the logo is starting to show wear. 

The construction of the Multi Pant is wonderful: tapered, trim, stretchy, sleek, and overall, comfortable. The reinforcement material on the kneecap provides ample protection and increased durability for a “high-use” area of the pant. 

Friendliness to the Earth

Adidas emphasizes environmental sustainability in their clothing design and materials, in particular, their polyester fabrics. According to Adidas, 

“We aim to replace all virgin polyester with recycled polyester in all adidas and Reebok products where a solution exists by 2024, and have set clear internal milestones for our product creation teams to help achieve this target.”  

In the description of the Multi Pant, Adidas does not say if the polyester used in the fabric is recycled or not; regardless, though, it is admirable to see Adidas championing environmental sustainability in their products and taking action towards using recycled materials. 

Additionally, the Multi Pant uses a PFC-free water repellent finish. PFCs, or “per- and poly-fluorinated chemicals,” are artificial and damaging to the environment. Many companies in the outdoor industry still use PFCs in their water repellent finishes, but not Adidas. 

The Final Word

The Multi Pant is a versatile, comfortable, and stylish pant that is a great option for all kinds of outdoor adventures. Day hike? Overnight trip? Snowshoe trip? Day at the crag? Even a light and fast alpine adventure? The Multi Pant can take it on. The stretch of the Multi Pant will keep you moving, while the breathability of the nylon and spandex stretch blend will keep you cool. Stash a snack, phone, or small camera in the zipper pockets and you’re good to go! 

The adidas Outdoor Men’s Multi Pant could add in some additional features, such as rear pockets and an adjustable waist belt; even without these, though I was pleased with the Multi Pant, and will continue to bring it on future adventures. 

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