I bought these pants right before an impromptu ski trip because they were the first thing I could find, and I had other Patagonia equipment that I liked. I had no idea how excellent these pants were until I used them skiing, and then mountaineering. In fact, it was after getting these pants that I started doing serious climbing, including Mt. Rainier, where these pants were invaluable because of the full side zips and front zipper. The day started warm, so everyone was wearing lightweight hiking pants, including me, the guides, everyone. Once we got to a certain altitude, things turned ugly. Everybody started throwing on their heavy-weight gear, but of course crampons were a big problem. While everyone else was taking off their crampons and boots, I simply unzipped the sides of the Nitro II pants, and they never got close to the crampons. Getting dressed first meant I helped others with their boots and crampons, and I got a look at other people's pants, including the guide's, and none of them looked as tough as the Nitro II's. I do more skiiing than ice climbing, and thse pants are awesome. The front zipper is very convenient, and the built in gaiters snug around my ski boots perfectly. The extra heavy material around the ankles, knees, and bottom has never given in to some serious collisions with skis, trees, and sharp edges of crampons. The snow skirt above the waist keeps all the powder out on the best ski days, and the suspenders are perfect because of the quick-release mechanism. Because the pants are completely water-proof, I never get wet, even in the miserable weather around Mt. Hood. While others butts are wet and cold from sitting in ski lifts, mine is always dry.

Customer Service

I've used Patagonia's customer service for other items, and it's the best. They really do a good job.

Similar Products Used:

Patagonia Velocity jacket, Patagonia Fireball jacket, Helly Hansen Monterrey pants.

When it comes to naming a jacket to trust in prolonged core-numbing exposure - The Nitro II Jacket has come out on top in my book. Although most Patagonia jackets will keep one warm and dry - I´d say this one has the cut the least obtrusive. Mine is silt-black, discreet - even elegant. It will almost blend in with formal wear in the street - and still it is just the same jacket you chuckle in under a crag during a thunderstorm. It has the extras you deserve for the price: Really long two-way pit zips (invisible when not in use), an elasticized snow skirt to keep even the cruellest wind from the body, handwarmer pockets at exactly the right height. If in the end it was the matte silk titanium finished lining inside the geniously engineered hood that made me pay - I will never know. One point of criticism though: regular rubs from rocks or backpacks may "woolen up" the cloth surface in certain areas somewhat. Still, this isn´t likely to harm the breathing membranes underneath. ?

Customer Service

They´re said to be friendly and reliable. This is nice to know, should one need them. But I never had an excuse to pry into all that.

Similar Products Used:

Patagonia Storm Jacket, Patagonia Torre JacketÀ