Outdoor Research

Cirque II Softshell Pant - Women's

Love these pants for hiking cold weather

Familiarity:

I've used it several times

Size Bought:

Small

Height:

5' 4"

Weight:

150

Purchased a size small and they fit perfectly with a little room in the waist for layering -- and they slide easily over baselayer. These pants do not restrict your movement (fast hike/jog) and they keep you fairly warm (with merino baselayers) at temperatures in the 20s (F). They are also stylish and don't make you look bulky or shapeless. Have recommended them to others and glad that I purchased them in another color too.

Get Cirque 3 instead of Cirque 2

These are fine, they do not look as sexy as the Cirque III pants which have a higher rise that I love. I also have a big booty and am unfortunately stuck with a waist gap even though it fits my bum and thighs well if not a bit trim there

Suitable for skinning and snowshoeing

Familiarity:

I've used it several times

Size Bought:

Large

I bought these for uphill skiing. I also snow shoe quite a bit. They are great. They keep you warm and dry but still seem breathable. It's nice for snowshoeing that I don't need gaiters like with my other pants. These pants may be too warm for the spring snowshoeing. I am 55 yr, weigh 150, height 5' 4," and the size large fits nicely, but I do have to wear a belt as the waist is a bit too generous. I tried the medium but it was too small for me.

Horrible downgrade

I bought these because I had a pair of the original Cirque that I would have died for...but I HATE this version. - Sizing is bizarre. They are about FOUR inches longer than the previous model and insanely tight compared to the Cirque I in the same size. - No good place to put your phone. They got rid of the back pocket, so you can put it in your front pocket (where it rubs your thigh and digs into your lower abdomen with every step), or in the RH thigh pocket - see next point. - RH thigh pocket is useless for anything that's not soft - because the pants are so much longer, the bottom of the pocket is at the knee and anything in the pocket rubs a raw spot on my knee. It gets more than 1 star because it still mostly functions the way I need it to, but I can't wait for them to wear out so I can replace them with a Cirque III...which I hope has returned to the original configuration.

my new favorite pants

These pants carried me through Alaska;s fall and into the beginning of winter until it got into the single digits. They are my go-to pants for running, biking and hiking outside in the snow. They fit me perfectly. I am 5'4" and 130 lbs and a size small fits great. The pockets are so convenient for anything. the reinforced ankle areas make me confident they will last a long time. I ordered 2 more pairs.

Sweet pants!

Size Bought:

M

Height:

5' 7"

Weight:

155

These pants PERFORM. They kept me warm and dry, they stretch and fit well. I didn’t need to, but you totally could add a layer underneath them. I LOVE the adjustable waistband. They have a reinforced panel on the inner side to protect from boots. LOTS of good pockets! These pants are tough. I would definitely recommend them for cold weather activities. I wore them on Rainier and they were perfect!

Not only would I buy again - I did!

This is my second time purchasing these pants. I bought my original pair for a trip to Everest in 2021 and I wore them for weeks straight. They have great stretch, and I loved the adjustable waist and venting in particular as I tend to run hot. We had many days of cold rain on the way up and these pants kept me warm the whole time.(paired with lightweight base layer leggings). The inner leg protection for the boots is rugged and I agree with others that details such as the many zipper pockets made these pants an excellent value. These are my go-to winter hiking pants in cold-weather conditions. You will not be disappointed with these pants.

All time favorite soft shells!

I absolutely love these pants when guiding out on trips in the winter. Along with wearing them for long winter hikes. The adjustable waist Velcro is a huge win in my book since most pant waists don't fit me properly. A few other features I love on these pants in the boot lace hook, the brush guard on the ankle, and the zip close pockets. This is my second pair and they hold up so well, highly recommend them!

Seem great, why do only the men's version come in tall?

Why do you only release a tall inseam of the cirque II pants in mens? What about the tall women?

great touring pants!

love these pants, on my 3rd pair. Only complaint is the newer version is cut a lot more snug than my last 2 pairs in the exact same size (broke the leg zipper of my last pair and sadly had to get a replacement)