185 ROCK’N’WOOL SHORT PANTS

I was initially very surprised by the reviews on the Ortovox website stating that the merino base layers had holes after one wear, or in obvious high wear areas, like the knees. I thought, well, if someone is rough on their merino, this will happen eventually. I've worn merino base layers for almost 13 years now, and never had serious issues, despite having been an outdoor guide for long periods. Well, these are certainly a disappointment. I haven't even worn my pair of 3/4 length bottoms yet and there is a hole. I took them out of the box, put them in a pack, and brought them with me from the US to Austria. That's it, and there's a hole. I planned to use them for walking in the city -- not "alpine climbing": Ortovox only allows pretty ridiculous options for the sport for which the product was purchased. To top it off, I have tried to contact Ortovox, but, following their instructions to first make a customer account, then go through their claim process, well I tried three times and never received the confirmation email to complete my registration with the website (I tried three different email addresses to make sure). Pretty horrible first experience with Ortovox. I can't recommend the product or the company.

Easily the most disappointing $100 I’ve ever spent on outdoors gear. I bought these in a pinch at a small, locally-owned retailer in Leadville, CO. The first problem was the length; unless you wear thigh high socks they will eventually create a gap between themselves and the ski socks during any activity, even just walking, which not only feels cold but is generally awkward and uncomfortable. Secondly is the durability. After just a year of light-medium use and care when washing (always hang dried) these leggings are falling apart at multiple seams. Just a throughly disappointing product.

Bought these a month ago and after two weeks of wear they are falling apart in the crotch didn’t even wash them yet. I’ve had wool long johns that my grandfather gave me over 20 years ago and I’ve worn them every winter with no holes or issues. They don’t make things like they used to. Waste of money. They look great though.

I wore these many days this winter teaching Alpine skiing in Colorado. I liked their weight and length. They were comfortable in all but really cold weather. Sadly, they did not stand up to my kneeling to adjust clients' boots etc. I wore the knees completely out where they rubbed against my Ortovox ski pants.