Stio Men’s OPR Pant

Review by Will Trail

Initial Impressions

The Stio Men’s OPR Pant is designed as a versatile performance pant that can move seamlessly between trail riding, hiking, travel, and everyday wear. Built with the same Pertex® Equilibrium® NetPlus® fabric found throughout the OPR product line, it focuses on mobility, breathability, and weather resistance while maintaining a clean, understated appearance. Right out of the package, the pants feel well made and technical without looking overly bike specific.

Specs

• Fabric: Pertex® Equilibrium® NetPlus® Doubleweave (68% NetPlus® recycled nylon, 20% nylon, 12% spandex, 170 g/m² with a PFAS-free DWR finish)
• Fit: Regular to slightly relaxed
• Features: Integrated belt with adjustable hook and webbing loops, zip fly with T-lock closure, two front hand pockets, two zippered thigh pockets, rear zippered hip pocket, inner ankle bonded kick patch, PFAS-free DWR finish

Design, Comfort & Fit

The Stio Men’s OPR Pant uses the same Pertex® Equilibrium® NetPlus® doubleweave fabric found in the OPR product line, and once again the fabric is a standout feature. Not only is the fabric highly capable, it is also crafted from end-of-life fishing nets, helping reduce plastic waste. It has a relatively smooth exterior and interior that helps manage moisture while preventing the material from sticking to your skin. The fabric feels midweight, striking a nice balance between durability, weather protection, and comfort. Stretch is plentiful and movement feels completely unrestricted whether climbing, descending, hiking, or simply moving through daily activities. I tested a size 38 Regular in Raven, which is my normal size. The overall fit is relaxed, with ample room through the seat, thighs, knees, and calves. The waist ran looser than I expected and required cinching the side adjusters down a fair amount to achieve a secure fit. Once adjusted, the pants stayed comfortably in place without issue. Riders who wear knee pads will appreciate the generous knee area, as the pants easily fit over standard trail pads without feeling tight or restrictive.

Storage and features are well thought out. The deep front hand pockets easily accommodate a phone, while the YKK® zippered thigh pockets provide secure storage for items such as keys and snacks. I would like to see a bit more volume in the thigh pockets, as they are too small to accommodate many of today’s larger smartphones, though this is a relatively minor gripe. A rear zippered pocket offers another secure storage option and remains comfortable while seated and pedaling. The waist adjusters allow the fit to be tightened, which I appreciated given the slightly roomier fit. The zip fly, T-lock slide closure, and zippers throughout the pants all feel durable and operate smoothly. Reinforced inner ankle panels help protect against crank arm rub and add durability in a high-wear area. The lower leg opening is on the roomier side, which contributes to the comfortable fit but may feel slightly less streamlined for riders who prefer a more tapered silhouette.

Performance

The Stio Men’s OPR Pant performed well across a wide range of uses, including XC riding, trail riding, hiking, office wear, and casual outings. Temperatures during testing ranged from the 40s into the 80s °F. The fabric blocks wind effectively and sheds light moisture with ease, causing water to bead and roll off rather than soak in. The DWR treatment continued to perform well throughout testing.

Breathability is good for a midweight pant, though it begins to feel a bit warm as temperatures climb past 70°F. Moisture management is solid, and the fabric dries reasonably quickly after higher effort rides. Despite offering foul weather protection, the material never felt heavy or cumbersome. There are perforated panels located along the waistband, front pockets and inseam to aid with ventilation.

The versatility of these pants is their strongest attribute. They are technical enough for long days on the trail yet clean enough to wear around the office or while running errands. If there is one area I would like to see refined, it would be a slightly more tapered lower leg opening. The relaxed fit works well for comfort and accommodating knee pads, but I occasionally noticed the pant leg brushing the chainring while pedaling. It was never a major issue, though riders who prefer a trimmer fit may notice it as well.

The waist fit remained my one notable fit-related observation throughout testing. The pants run a bit loose in the waist compared to their tagged size, and I found myself using the side adjusters more than expected to achieve a secure fit. Once dialed in, the fit stayed put and never became a distraction while riding or relaxing afterwards.

Care and Maintenance

Care is simple and low maintenance: machine wash cold on a normal setting, do not bleach, avoid fabric softeners, and tumble dry low. After repeated use and washing, the pants have maintained their shape, appearance, and performance with no noticeable signs of wear.

Closing Thoughts

The Stio Men’s OPR Pant strikes a nice balance between technical trail performance and everyday versatility. The Pertex® Equilibrium® NetPlus® fabric is the standout feature, offering excellent stretch, weather resistance, and comfort across a wide range of conditions without ever feeling overly technical or out of place away from the trail.

The fit is relaxed throughout, which works well for mobility and accommodating knee pads, though I found the waist ran a bit looser than expected and required using the side adjusters more than I typically would. I would also prefer a slightly more tapered lower leg opening, as I occasionally noticed the pant leg brushing the chainring while pedaling. Neither issue significantly impacted performance, but both are areas I would refine if given the opportunity.

What stood out most during testing was how often I found myself reaching for these pants, even when I wasn’t riding. They are comfortable enough for everyday wear, capable enough for long days on the trail, and versatile enough to transition between the two without feeling out of place. For riders looking for a durable, comfortable mountain bike pant that performs well on the trail while remaining easy to live with off the bike, the OPR Pant is a strong option and earns a solid “Trail Approved” rating.

Will Trail

Will grew up in Idaho (fifth generation!) where he enjoyed the outdoors, riding his bike, participated in multiple sports, and working on the family ranch from time to time.

During college at Montana Tech, he played football for a few years and worked as a wildland firefighter during the summers.  He met his future wife, Erin Trail, there and after graduating with a degree in Geophysical Engineering, they moved to Texas where he was involved with racing his Subaru WRX, camping and powerlifting.