Outdoor Research Cirque II Pants – Best Selling Soft Shell Pants for a Reason

Kate Agathon

Looking for technical pants that can accommodate larger boots for mountaineering, snowshoeing or ski touring?

 

Take a look at the Outdoor Research Cirque II Pants. Durable and stretchy, the company’s best-selling soft shell pants are designed for four seasons of outdoor fun.

 

While I was pleased with the technical pants I already have, I needed a pair that had a wide enough cuff to accommodate boots so that I could wear them snowshoeing or taking our Rottsky out for playtime in the mountains.

When they arrived, I was super excited to try them. I am in between sizes (size S and a size M), so the first pair (size S) I tried were too tight. The size M fit my waist comfortably, and I was pleased they didn’t have a saggy butt. In fact, my butt looked pretty good!

Outdoor Research Cirque II Pants review

 

The boot-cut Cirque II Pants come loaded with practical features that are useful for any recreational activity but are best suited for backcountry skiing:

 

• Brushed Tricot-Lined Waistband with Active Temp™

• Adjustable Tabs at Waist

• Gusseted Crotch

• Zip Hand and Thigh Pockets

• Avalanche Beacon Pocket with Clip

• YKK® DWR Treated Zippers

• Grommets for Instep Lace

• Boot Lace Hook

• Drawcord Cuff Adjustments

• Reinforced Scuff Guards

• Accepts Accessory Suspenders

 

What I appreciated most were the super deep zippered side pockets and thigh pockets, adjustable velcro tabs along the waist for a customized fit, and the super soft tricot-lined waistband that prevented chafing (this happens to me quite frequently).

Women’s Cirque II Pants

 

I liked that the fit was snug but not overly snug so that I could wear base layers underneath. What was problematic was the length. At a very petite 5’0”, even the short inseam pants seemed too long. Other than the length, the Cirque II Pants were great!

 

The stretchy softshell fabric felt a bit heavier than other technical pants I have, but that was fine since I intended them for winter use. Note that I get cold easily, so I would opt for insulated pants over these on very cold days when the temperatures plummet to single digits or below. On “warmer” winter days, when the temperatures hovered in the 20s, they were just fine.

The standard fit Cirque II Pants are available in three colors (black, light pewter, and naval blue), 8 sizes (XS-3X), and two inseams (short and regular). I loved the light pewter color because it was a nice departure from the usual black and stood out in the snow-covered woods.

 

Overall, these are well-constructed, thoughtfully designed technical pants that are ideal for activities where a boot cut is necessary.

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Kate Agathon

Dr. Of Stoke

Freelance writer, bicyclist, outdoor recreation enthusiast, social justice advocate, and mom to her furbaby, Sansa.

A Colorado native, Kate considers the outdoors her mother ship. She brings her passion for bicycling, the environment, and issues of diversity to her writing. Her primary outdoor recreation activities are mountain biking, fat biking, snowshoeing, camping, peak bagging Colorado’s 14ers, road cycling, and nordic skiing. After suffering two major knee injuries within four years, Kate hopes to return to alpine skiing next season.

 

Kate earned a bachelor’s degree in History from Colorado State University and later an MSEd and Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Purdue University. In addition to her education, Kate’s background serving on the Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Committee and experience working for non-profits and bicycle sales well position her to bring depth and understanding to the complex changes currently taking place in the outdoor recreation industry.