I’m not one to spend a lot on clothes. When I need new suits, I wait for a sale at Joseph A. Bank. When I need new casual clothes, I wait for a sale at the Gap. But, after getting the $158 Passage Pant from Olivers Apparel, I was reminded that you often get what you pay for!
The Passage Pants arrived right before we headed to Ecuador to visit the Galapagos Islands last month. I figured I would put them to the test and wear them for the trip down. We were flying to Miami, had a six-hour layover and then had another long flight to Quito. If the Passage Pants were worth the price I would know it by the time we arrived. The bottom line? These pants are incredibly comfortable and looked good enough that I was able to wear them numerous additional times during the trip before needing to launder them.
The Passage Pants come in Steel, Dark Navy, and Olive. They look like a pair of lightweight jeans but are made from a material known as CORDURA that can stretch in all four directions. The material is durable, flexible, soft, and light. It is designed specifically to be ready for whatever activity or weather you encounter. The result is a pair of pants that are thin yet durable and fit like a second skin. As Olivers puts it:
Think your favorite jeans, updated for everyday performance. Your favorite commuter jeans on steroids.
More durable than denim and as comfortable as your favorite sweatpants, this is a performance pant you can wear on a bike ride into the boardroom.
The Passage Pants were made to look great and feel comfortable no matter what you might be doing.
That is the case thanks to the four-way stretch material used in their construction as well as the gusseted crotch that moves with, rather than against, you.
Top-notch construction and the use of stainless steel Italian hardware for the button and rivets round out the design of the Passage Pant and contribute to its premium pricing. A small, front pocket adds to the amount you can carry when on the move and offers a special place for small items that need to be kept close and protected.
Features:
- Fits true to size
- Fifth front pocket for secure carry
- Stainless steel Italian button and rivets
- Passage Stretch Weave: Durable, flexible, soft, and light. All weather and all-purpose.
- 4-way stretch
- Gusseted crotch for freedom of movement
As I mentioned, my review sample arrived shortly before we headed out for our trip to the Galapagos Islands this past July. I was excited to check them out but was highly skeptical. I mean, I’m not the kind of guy who spends over $150 on a pair of dress pants let alone something that is intended for far more casual use. Still, one of the things I have seen time and time again since I started writing here on Gear Diary is that there are times when a product that seems overpriced ends up being so good that it is more than worth it. Long story short – that ended up being the case here. Yes, the Passage Pants from Olivers Apparel are pricey, but they are great!
The flights and layover in Miami promised to make it a rather uncomfortable journey. Add to that the fact that I am 6’ 1” and we were traveling in coach seats designed for someone far shorter, and I wasn’t looking forward to having a full day of travel. I decided to wear the Olivers Passage Pants for the trip. I’m glad I did.
Sure, the pants look like a pair of lightweight jeans, but they are so much more than that. When I first put them on I was surprised by how light they were. Admittedly, I worried that they would quickly be pulled or otherwise look worn. I also wasn’t sure I loved the feel of the stretchy material. But I wore them around the house for a few hours the day before the trip and was amazed at how comfortable they were.
The day of the trip came. I put on the Passage Pants, and we headed for the airport. We were halfway to Miami when I suddenly realize how comfortable I was. The pants were lightweight, “breathed,” and as a result stayed cool. The material stretched just enough to keep me comfortable as I tried to find a comfortable position in the all-too-narrow seats. And, even after a few hours in the plane, they looked like I had just pulled them from the plastic in which they arrived. I was impressed.
After our lengthy layover we boarded another plane to Quito, Ecuador. Upon arrival, we had a 45 minute ride to the first hotel. That made for a long day and a lot of movement, and yet, after everything I put the pants through that first day, they still looked great.
The trip wasn’t about being fancy and, as a result, I wore the pants again the next day when we toured the Ecuadorian capital. At the end of THAT day, they still looked fresh. I even re-wore them during one of the more formal dinners on the ship and then wore them home about a week later. And when we got home, they STILL looked fresh!
And that’s the point. The Passage Pants aren’t jeans, and they aren’t dress pants, but they can be worn for just about anything that isn’t truly formal. They don’t look like travel pants but the material stretches enough to keep you comfortable, and the pockets are deep enough to keep your wallet, keys and other essentials safe on the go. They fit well and, to me, look great. If you are traveling any time soon, I highly recommend them. At the same time, if you have no plans to travel any time soon, I highly recommend them. These pants are just about as comfortable as anything I have ever worn. Add in the fact that they are easy to clean and dry quickly and, if you get a pair, I suspect they will quickly become your go-to pants.
I love my review sample and will likely be in the market for a pair in one of the other colors soon. Check them out here.
Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample of the Passage Pant from Olivers Apparel
What I Like: Light; Comfortable; Dry quickly; Look and feel great; Deep pockets protect what you carry and do so comfortably; Look good even after a long day of travel and then some
What Needs Improvement: Pricey; Only available in three colors