The first thing you'll notice when you put the Fast Hike Light pants on is how comfortable they are. They have a two way stretch and articulated knees that combine to allow for great freedom of movement on the trail. The fabric is soft and light on the leg with good next to skin comfort and although thin, it offers some resistance against wind and a degree of warmth when worn with a baselayer, down to a few degrees above zero. Durability is also good for such a light material, so you don't have to worry too much when battling through brambles.
The big plus point of the softshell material though is its breathability which is superb when on the move, not just in hot weather but also in cold British winters where, if you're not careful with your layers you can easily work up a sweat if you like to get your stomp on.
Being a pared down version of the Fast Hike pants the Fast Hike Light pants aren't equipped with many features, with just a couple of hand pockets complete with venting mesh inners and thin belt loops. We'd have preferred the integrated belt of the Fast Hike pants as we find standard belt loops can rise up above the waist line, a particular problem when the loops are as spaced out as they are on the Fast Hike Lights. The pockets are quite shallow and in our test pair there are no zips, so not the ideal place for storing valuables.
The popper and zip fly work well and the waistband has a fleecy backing so is soft and comfortable to wear.
As with many 'fast and light' trousers the legs taper at the bottom which is a love it or hate it look, it's a look that works when paired with some equally fast and light hiking shoes like the Berghaus FT18 GTX reviewed here.
If you're going on a walking holiday and have limited space in your luggage, you'll probably appreciate the small pack size which is about the size of a 500ml water bottle. You might also appreciate the fast drying times, allowing you to wash and dry the trousers overnight with ease.
Overall a decent effort if light weight is key, but if you can afford to add a few hundred grams and £20 then the 'full-fat' Fast Hike pants may well be the better option.
