By Jenn K.
Image courtesy of Outdoor Research
The Outdoor Research Solitaire Capri Pants are stylish and nice looking pants. They are not some overly baggy or frumpy hiking pant. The pants have a medium rise and taper nicely through the thighs. They are made of a soft, brushed, quick-drying, lightweight Supplex nylon that has UPF 30+ protection and a DWR finish to shed light moisture.
The Solitaire Capri Pants have a good fit through my hips and thighs. The pants are not roomy by any means. They just fit comfortable and not snug. The Solitaires have a double snap /zipper fly closure and five wide belt loops. They cover my calves entirely as they rest about 5 inches above my ankle.
I think what I like most about these pants is the quality in the detailing. They have two front pockets, two rear pockets with snap closures, and a cargo pocket on the right leg with a flapped snap closure and a small embroidered flower in matching threading. The inner waist band and inner leg cuff material is a contrasting color (beige) with a unique design that resembles leaves.
Another feature I really like about these pants is the gusseted crotch that allows more freedom of movement when I am high stepping, walking, or stretching.
I generally wear a medium size pants and I have these pants in a medium. I think these run a tad smaller than my other pants that I usually wear. These are a tiny bit smaller than my other pants, but not small enough to consider them snug or uncomfortable. I think it is best to try them on or take measurements (in comparison to the sizing chart) for an accurate fit. My Solitaire Capri Pants are the Fossil color which is an olive green shade. I think it is a nice color to wear while hiking and it coordinates well with my beige and blue tops.
The Solitaire Capri Pants retail for $65.00 and are available in the colors: Fossil (olive), Barley (beige), and Espresso (brown).
Update 7/26/10
So far I have been enjoying the Solitaire Capri Pants while hiking and walking on the beach path in Southern California. During the past month most of my hiking has been on the Irvine Ranch Conservancy Land (Fremont and Limestone Canyons). Here we have docent led hikes/fitness hikes and other activities. The temperatures have ranged from the low 60’s to the mid 90’s.
The pants fit me perfectly and are very comfortable. I like the lower calf length; it is not too long or too short. The material of these pants is great in my opinion. It is quick dying and very soft to the touch. The material has not caused any chaffing on my legs, even when hiking or walking at what I would call a brisk pace. The material does not become “heavy” when hiking in humidity, fog, or misty rain. The material has also held up fine after being brushed against trees and vegetation on overgrown trails. The sun protection of the fabric seems to working well. I can say this since my pasty white legs have not sunburned or became tanned.
I have tried a 1.25 inch webbed belt with the Solitaire Capri Pants. I typically do not wear a belt when hiking, but I wanted to give it a try. It worked just fine. My belt was not as wide as the width that the belt loops would allow., but there was no issue with that. The belt loops appear that they would accommodate a belt up to 1.75 inches wide.
I think that the cargo pocket is great. I wish there was one on each side of the pants to balance out the pants and to allow me to carry more items. I have not used the front or the rear pockets besides just to stuff a few papers inside of them. There is not enough give to fit much in these pockets without it being uncomfortable by putting pressure on my upper thighs.
The double snap closure on the pants keeps them fastened. There have been no issues of it accidently becoming undone, even while wearing a pack with a hip belt.
The pants have washed well in a front loading washer. They still look like new. I have yet to put them in the dryer. Typically I air dry my other items of clothing that are made with this same type of material. They dry fast overnight and are not stiff when air dried.
Update 8/26/10
Another month has passed and I have been enjoying my Outdoor Research Solitaire Capri Pants. During the past month the temperatures have been on the pleasant side until we got a heat wave last week. Now temperatures are in the low to upper 90’s.
I wore the Solitaire Capri pants on day hikes (San Jacinto Summit and local wilderness areas in Orange County) and on an overnight backpacking trip to San Jacinto State Park this month. The hikes ranged from 3-7 miles each day.
I am still finding that the pants are fitting me well and are comfortable. What I would have to say I like most about these pants is the material, length, and the cargo pocket (my favorite feature). The length is perfect in my opinion. Sometimes I purchase Capri pants and I wish they were just a tad shorter. The material of the Solitaire Capri Pants is still drying quickly and holding up well; even after several washings. I broke down and tossed them in the dryer once and I am happy to report that there was no shrinking. Typically I would not put these pants in the dyer just because of the type of material and the sun protection properties. I have brushed these pants against thorny bushes and they still look like new.
I love cargo pockets! I think they give pants a rugged/wilderness look and they have a functional purpose. I can stuff quite a bit of odds and ends into the cargo pocket on the Solitaire Capri Pants. I am finding the other pockets are not as ideal for me. I particularly do not care to place items in rear pockets, as I do not like being poked in the butt by the contents of the pockets. Front pockets have their purpose for small flat items. If I have a cargo pocket on my pants I could basically do without all other pockets. I still would like to see a cargo pocket on each pant leg to balance out the pants.
On my backpacking trip my pack was pretty stuffed. I had to take an excess amount of water with me. First of all because it was hot and I was uncertain how the water supply would be. The hip belt of my pack did not rub against the closure snaps or the waistline of the pants to cause any chafing or discomfort. Sometimes I had to readjust the pack to change the distribution of the weight, but that could be expected. The pants stayed up on this trip even without a belt.
Still no sunburn on my legs while wearing these pants. My upper legs are still pasty white from lack of sun exposure. While wearing the Solitaire Capri Pants I sat in the sun for a few hours at a picnic. My lower legs got some color, but that was it.
The Solitaire Capri Pants are stylish. They look great on the trail and I do not look like I am wearing so called hiking pants when I am running errands around town after my hikes.
If you are interested in more information on these pants please visit www.outdoorresearch.com.
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