The North Face's Satellite trousers have a very simple design and cut along with a low weight (average weight is 320g) and are another pair of trousers that works equally well as casual or travel wear, provided you don’t mind the prominent branding, as walking trousers.
Made of TNF’s Apex Aerobic fabric, which is the lightest and most breathable of the company’s soft shell fabrics, the Satellite trousers are designed for high levels of activity and also offer a good amount of stretch.
There aren’t a load of technical features here, with the Satellite simply offering a DWR finish, low-profile waist construction, anatomical lumbar area and two zippered hand pockets. It also need to be said that the hand pockets have a tendency to gape open somewhat when walking/sitting down if you leave the zips unfastened.
You can get them with a regular or long inseam, and there’s an adjustable hem, which means they can be tightened around the ankles in bad weather. But that’s about it in terms of features, meaning the Satellite is among the most basic of the walking trousers we have tested.
That said they feel plenty comfortable and stretchy in use and other than the minor problem with the pockets should appeal to anyone looking for something utilitarian and simple.
