Black Diamond Dawn Patrol Softshell Pant - Men's for Sale, Reviews, Deals and Guides

9.0
out of 10
13 Positive, 1 Mixed & 0 Negative
from 14 Reviews
Retail Price:
$198.95
Used Value:
$119.37
Sale Value:
$179.06

Wake up at the crack of dawn, pull on the Men's Black Diamond Dawn Patrol Softshell Pant, and hustle up the skin track to catch the rising sun light up the mountains and get some fresh turns on the way down. This DWR-treated pant is perfect for rugged rock and ice climbs, hardcore ski mountaineering, and alpine expeditions where you want reliable water resistance and weather protection without sacrificing breathability. Stretch-woven softshell material keeps vapor from building up around your legs, and mesh-backed vents help dump heat when you're pushing your limits on the ascent.

The Dawn Patrol also has articulated knees to keep you moving comfortably when you're  hop turning down steeps, gusseted cuffs with zips and drawcords to keep snow out of your boots, and Keprotec kick patches to prevent crampons and ski edges from poking holes in your shiny new pants. Throw in two zippered thigh pockets, belt loops with a removable waist belt, and key clip, and the Dawn Patrol will be ready to get after it before you are.

Specifications

Brand:
Claimed Weight:
1 lb 8.7 oz
Fit:
regular
Gaiters:
yes
Manufacturer Warranty:
lifetime
Material:
63% nylon, 26% polyester, 11% elastane, DWR finish
Pockets:
2 zip thigh, 1 key clip
Recommended Use:
backcountry touring
Responsible Collection:
Bluesign Approved
Side Zips:
yes, boot access
Venting:
offset mesh-backed
Waist:
belt loops with removable belt

Full Reviews

10
I got these for skinning up my local resort. I’ve only used them twice, but so far I’m impressed. They are light enough that I don’t heat up and start sweating. I live in a dry clime so I don’t worry too much about waterproofness. I might try something else if I lived in PNW. They are great for why I bought them. They fit more like pants, which I like. I could envision using them on hikes as well. I wear a layer underneath, but one might be able to skip it on nicer days. As mentioned in other reviews the cuffs are tight, but they fit over my snowboard boots just fine. I’m extremely happy.
Jon Pyle, backcountry.com
December 13, 2020
6
These pants have one fatal flaw, they don't fit over large ski boots. While they are perfect for cross country skiing, or general winter outdoor activities (sledding with the kiddos), the lower leg/gaiter simply does not fit over my ski boot. Granted, I'm using large Black Diamond Push telemark boots, so I could be on the far end of that spectrum, but be forewarned to check on fit before purchasing or taking them on a ski trip without checking the fit over your boot.
Ryan S., backcountry.com
January 14, 2020
8
I've used these for snowboarding and love them. Comfortable, flexible, and fit great. Repels water/rain excellently and the vents and gaiters have worked perfectly for me. Some have complained about the gaiter being too small but they fit comfortably around my snowboard boots. I love the look and the performance. I highly recommend them with these warnings: Have a good base layer. They are not insulated and I found that in my mid-weight base, I would get cold on the lift when it was below freezing and windy. Also, if you sit in a small puddle or in soft snow for longer than a few moments, it will soak through.
Bryce Bartelt, backcountry.com
January 13, 2019
8
Good softshell pants for ski touring, but could be much better. The Good: Breathable, lightweight, gaiters, 2 vents per leg (one mesh thigh, one open calf), great hand/beacon pockets, integrated belt The Bad: The lower vents are odd - they should have mesh backing and have 2 zippers (not just 1). The vents only open from the bottom, which lets in lots of snow if you're in deep powder. Gaiters - they barely fit over my Scarpa Freedom SL ski boots and the pants leg does not fit. Very lightweight overall, they block wind to a certain extent, not are very breathable. If you sit down in the snow or let show/ice collect in the folds of the pants, they'll soak through. Sizing: I wear 34x34 jeans and the medium pants fit well - size large are much too large (both waist and length).
David H., backcountry.com
December 23, 2018
8
...touring pant. Stretchy fabric moves in all directions without binding, great technical pant for the skin track and summit. Super ventilation as well. However be sure to wear an adequate baselayer, particularly if the wind is howling as the pant is not insulated.
Mark McEwin, backcountry.com
December 6, 2018
10
this is a great all around softshell ski pant.
rob, backcountry.com
November 30, 2018
10
Black Diamond did an amazing job with this soft shell. Stretchy material makes for full range of motion and makes for a breathable pant. It keeps the warmth in when you need it and gets rid of it when there's too much. All around perfect pant for anyone backcountry skiing or ski mountaineering.
Jackson Smith, backcountry.com
November 28, 2018
10
Just took these pants out on the skintrack, and Im already in love! Breathable, modular, nice colors, great fit, and super stretch! What more can you as for from touring pants?
Alex Blackmer, backcountry.com
November 18, 2018
8
Got these for ski touring and I have been very happy with them. I like the gator zipper feature. It is nice to just zip or unzip to tighten my boot instead of adjusting the gator every time.
Brandon Madsen, backcountry.com
June 29, 2018
10
Mine are slightly older/look a little different then the ones pictured but here is my review: I’ve used these while it’s been puking snow and on warm spring days, and never felt damp, cold or too hot with a light base layer underneath. Really amazed at the versatility of these things. The stretch is perfect, and never feel restrictive during my ugly ass tick-turns or making long strides. I’m personally not a fan of the suspenders while wearing a pack, but they are quick and easy to take on and off and the pants stay put with just a belt. Pockets are great and fit all my snacks, iPhone big size, and other random stuff with out me noticing it’s there, although I’ve never used the little pocket on the thigh. Only thing keeping these from being 5 stars is the gators are a little small, and I have to work a little to get them over my snowboard boots (splitboarder) so I’d imagine guys with large ski boots would find them a pain to deal with. Otherwise great pant for fooling around in the mountains.
Talina Carlon, backcountry.com
February 6, 2018
10
I am really enjoying this pant for ski touring. Pros: Quality seems high, but time will tell. Fit is spot on; not too baggy, but fits my larger legs well. I like the pocket size and location; comfortable while walking and skiing. I am fine with the leg zips; I can adjust my boots thru the opening (scarpa maestrale RS). The suspenders are great and stay up. The material is nice and stretchy and breathes pretty well. It repels snow and light precip well. Cons: nothing really, except it would be nice to have a D-ring in one of the pockets to attach a beacon. All-in-all a great pant.
Brett Garrett, backcountry.com
February 5, 2018
8
Bought these for my husband, he says "I love how comfortable these are, by far the best touring pants I have ever had. I really like the built in belt, I took the suspenders off right away but I am sure they work fine. There is a zipper on the outer lower leg above the gator that is supposed to give you access to adjusting boots, but it doesnt open wide enough for me to actually buckle my boot, get to my power strap or adjust the walk mode, it opens on the side of the boot in between all of these. I have to just pull the gator up over the boot so I can get to everything and then pull it down. The overlap of the gator and the pant is not long enough to just leave the gator over the top of the boot leaving easy access to my buckles, power strap and walk mode switch like I do with my pants that I use in-bounds. Also would be nice to have a dedicated beacon pocket, or at least a loop in one of the pockets that I can clip my beacon to. The two front pockets are huge and stretchy which is great. The vents are fine. These fit a bit tighter than the ski pants I am used to but I like the look. If the gator, zip access thing wasnt so strange (I have salomon mtn labs btw, these might work better with different boots) I would give them 5*."
Nicole Sumner, backcountry.com
January 18, 2017
10
I bought these pants in the men's version because the women's fit me strange. These pants have been through hell and back with me, and held up outstandingly. They've withheld 60+ days of snowboarding, backcountry skiing, white water rafting (in March, very cold), kayaking, backpacking, and day hikes. I've never been so impressed with a pair of soft shell pants. They withhold all the scraping, falling, and wetness that I can think of. I love that I can even turn the bottoms into gators with the drawstring and shoelace clip. I will never own another pair of pants, because these are literally the greatest!!!
Tabby Tyrrell, backcountry.com
September 4, 2015
10
They aren't called Dawn Patrol for no reason. These are the perfect pant for touring as the stretch allows for maximum movement, while protecting against the white stuff. The fabric is really durable, and I have found myself using these for not only skiing, but snowshoeing and hiking as well. They fit true to size, however the pant is a slimmer fit than most. If skiing, snowshoeing, or hiking aren't up your alley, throw these on, grab the kids and be the coolest looking dad on the sled hill. 5 stars
Chris Tremblay, backcountry.com
December 18, 2014