This is a long term user review from one of my favourite trousers for hiking, the Quechua Forclaz 900. I have been using the Quechua Forclaz 900 trouser since the end of 2013 and I have been extremely satisfy. Worn on multiple mountain ascents, such as Mount Olympus, Vardousia Mountain, Taygetos Mountain, this pair of trousers is very versatile and durable enough for various mountaineering activities. For my activities this is one of my main clothing items that I always wear from November till April.

These trousers resist wind, snow and rain fairly well. Forclaz 900 do not feature convertible legs or vents and this makes it unsuitable for temperatures over 20 C degrees. Although not waterproof, they dry off quickly which is a bonus for monsoon trekkers.

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DESIGN AND FIT

The trousers are comfortable around the crotch and thighs. The cut is athletic and unlike baggy cargo pants they do not flap in the wind. The fabric is easy on the skin and it will not scratch or rub you raw while wearing them. I particularly like the reinforcement parts in the area of the knees and the butt. These reinforcement parts besides providing extra durability, also provide additional warmth when in contact with snow.

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PERFORMANCE

I have been using long enough the trouser and the performance is superb. I have never had any issue with any parts of the trousers, such as zippers, leg cuffs etc. The material is durable and although NOT waterproof, is water resistant enough also after 4 years of full usage. The only sign of usage, is a small hole I have created from one of my crampons and that is definitely my fault. Although I have accidentally damaged a bit the trouser, the ripstop material, made sure this whole will remain as it is and will not expand.

The Quechua Forclaz 900 has been tested in low temperatures as -15 C degrees, and the highest temperature around 25 C. Bellow -8C one can start filling the cold but if the conditions on the mountain are good, there will be no real issue. When the weather is turning nasty, I use a Marmot Precip 100% Waterproof and Wind Resistant pants (A review on this item will follow). From this other side, the Quechua Forclaz 900 in my opinion can be used up to 20-25 C degrees. Above that temperature the user will certainly start feeling very warm by wearing the Quechua Forclaz 900. This means that from -8C till 20C (which is a very wide range of temperature) this hiking trousers are ideal and I highly recommend them.

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FEATURES

Although a not expensive item, the Quechua Forclaz 900 has many nice features. First of all the 2-way stretch fabric in combination with the reinforced areas make the Forclaz 900 very comfortable and durable at the same time. It has 2 zipped hand pockets, 1 zipped side pocket which is the one I use the most. This side pocket is seam taped and therefore there is no danger of water passing through the seams. In addition there is a zipped back pocket, which personally I never use. For a better fit, the Quechua Forclaz 900 is sold with a nice belt that one can remove it if he doesn’t like it. Another nice feature are the leg cuffs, a lower leg fastening system for perfectly adjusting the lower leg to your footwear.

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BOTTOM LINE:

This is a great clothing article that I have been using a lot for the past 4 years. I only have positive remarks for the Quechua Forclaz 900 and I wish I had bought more of them because I can not find them anymore at Decathlon stores (at least at the ones I have been visiting). It is a great choice of trouser for hiking but also mountaineering activities and is up to the same level of the high-end companies like Marmot, The North Face, Mountain Hardwear etc. Highly recommended. Period.

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