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Breathable, Stretchy, Weather-Resistant, and Durable for Alpine Climbing and Backcountry Skiing — the Cirque III Pant is built for alpine exploration, featuring weather-resistant materials and an alpine-forward design set, perfect for 3-season use and a quintessential ally for the modern mountaineer. Crafted from a bluesign® approved nylon blend, the 90D stretch double weave fabric offers unparalleled abrasion resistance and breathability. Movement-mirroring stretch and articulated knees ensure freedom of movement while climbing, skinning, or descending. Thermoregulating ActiveTemp™ treatment on the brushed tricot-lined waistband adapts to the body's temperature, and an avalanche beacon pocket with clip secures critical safety gear. Gusseted ankle zippers and reinforced scuff guards allow the pants to fit over various boot shapes and sizes and protect from crampons and ski edges. The adjustable waist tabs ensure a perfect fit, and YKK® DWR-treated zippers alongside zip hand and thigh pockets keep essentials safe and dry. Specifically designed for climbing and backcountry skiing in the high alpine, the Cirque III Pant is a three-season mountaineering staple.
Built for Alpine Exploration
"The Cirque III Pant is built for alpine exploration" — the Cirque III is designed for serious alpine activities where weather protection, durability, and mobility are all essential. The 3-season design covers spring, summer, and fall use (the deep winter months require heavier insulation). The pant's combination of weather resistance, stretch, and reinforcement makes it versatile for the full range of alpine pursuits.
90D Stretch Double Weave Nylon
"The 90D stretch double weave fabric offers unparalleled abrasion resistance and breathability" — the 90D (denier) nylon double weave is the sweet spot for alpine pants. The 90D weight is heavy enough to resist abrasion from rocks, crampons, and ski edges, but not so heavy that it becomes stiff or noisy. The double weave construction provides mechanical stretch (built into the fabric structure, not from spandex) for natural stretch and recovery.
bluesign® Approved for Environmental Responsibility
"Crafted from a bluesign® approved nylon blend" — the bluesign® approval confirms the fabric meets strict environmental and safety standards throughout the supply chain. The bluesign® certification system evaluates chemicals, processes, and materials to ensure sustainable textile manufacturing. For the modern mountaineer who cares about environmental impact, the bluesign® approval provides assurance that the Cirque III is made responsibly.
Movement-Mirroring Stretch and Articulated Knees
"Movement-mirroring stretch and articulated knees ensure freedom of movement while climbing, skinning, or descending" — the mechanical stretch from the double weave provides natural stretch and recovery, while the articulated knees (pre-shaped at the knee) allow the pants to move naturally with the body during high-step climbing, skinning up slopes, and dynamic descents. The combination of stretch and articulation prevents the pants from binding or restricting movement during technical alpine activities.
ActiveTemp™ Thermoregulating Waistband
"Thermoregulating ActiveTemp™ treatment on the brushed tricot-lined waistband adapts to the body's temperature" — the ActiveTemp™ treatment is applied to the brushed tricot waistband lining, where it provides thermoregulating comfort against the skin. ActiveTemp™ adapts to the rider's body temperature and activity level, helping to keep the core warm during low-output moments and preventing overheating during high-output moments.
Avalanche Beacon Pocket with Clip
"An avalanche beacon pocket with clip secures critical safety gear" — the Cirque III has a dedicated pocket for an avalanche safety beacon (the most critical piece of safety gear for backcountry skiing and snowboarding). The integrated clip secures the beacon so it doesn't shift during skiing or climbing, and the dedicated pocket keeps the beacon accessible for a quick reference check.
Gusseted Ankle Zippers
"Gusseted ankle zippers... allow the pants to fit over various boot shapes and sizes" — the gusseted zippers at the ankles expand to fit over a range of boot types (mountaineering boots, ski boots, approach shoes, etc.) and sizes. The gusset (an extra panel of fabric at the zipper) provides room for the boot without the zipper binding or failing. The zippers also allow ventilation when needed.
Reinforced Scuff Guards
"Reinforced scuff guards... protect from crampons and ski edges" — the scuff guards are reinforced panels at the inside ankle/cuff area that protect the pant fabric from damage caused by crampon points, ski edges, and rock abrasion. The reinforcement extends the life of the pant in high-wear areas where standard fabric would quickly fail. Essential for technical alpine use where crampons and ski edges are constantly in contact with the pant fabric.
Adjustable Waist Tabs
"The adjustable waist tabs ensure a perfect fit" — the waist tabs (velcro adjusters on either side of the waistband) allow the rider to fine-tune the fit without a belt. The tabs provide a secure, customizable fit that accommodates layering changes (thin base layer vs thick fleece midlayer) and prevents the waistband from slipping during dynamic activity.
YKK® DWR-Treated Zippers
"YKK® DWR-treated zippers alongside zip hand and thigh pockets keep essentials safe and dry" — the YKK® zippers are the industry standard for reliability and the DWR (Durable Water Repellent) treatment causes water to bead off the zipper face, keeping the interior dry in wet conditions. The zip hand pockets provide secure storage for hands or small items, and the zip thigh pocket offers additional storage for maps, snacks, or a phone.
Three-Season Mountaineering Staple
"Specifically designed for climbing and backcountry skiing in the high alpine, the Cirque III Pant is a three-season mountaineering staple" — the three-season design covers spring, summer, and fall use, making the Cirque III versatile for the majority of the alpine climbing and backcountry skiing season. For deep winter use, a heavier insulated pant is recommended, but for the bulk of the year, the Cirque III's weather-resistant stretch construction is the go-to choice.
Outdoor Research Quality and Infinite Guarantee®
Built by Outdoor Research — a Seattle-based outdoor gear company with decades of experience in technical apparel — the Cirque III Pant is backed by OR's Infinite Guarantee® (lifetime guarantee against defects in materials and workmanship). The combination of 90D stretch double weave nylon, ActiveTemp™ treatment, and alpine-specific design makes the Cirque III a long-term investment for serious mountaineering and backcountry use.
General
Category
Men's Alpine Climbing / Backcountry Skiing Pants (3-Season)
Type
Weather-resistant stretch softshell pant for alpine exploration and backcountry skiing
Use
Alpine climbing, backcountry skiing, mountaineering, alpine hiking (3-season: spring/summer/fall)
Construction
Fabric
Bluesign® approved 90D nylon stretch double weave (abrasion resistant, breathable, movement-mirroring stretch)
Waistband
Brushed tricot-lined with ActiveTemp™ thermoregulating treatment
Knees
Articulated (pre-shaped for natural leg bend during movement)
Features
Ankle
Gusseted zippers (fit over various boot shapes and sizes)
Cuff
Reinforced scuff guards (protect from crampons and ski edges)
Safety
Avalanche beacon pocket with clip (secures critical safety gear)
Pockets
YKK® DWR-treated zip hand and thigh pockets (essentials safe and dry)
Zippers
YKK® DWR-treated (reliable, water-resistant for interior dry)
Sizing
Fit
Men's-specific fit (designed for men's body shape, articulated for alpine movement)
Size Range
Men's sizes (specific range available on the OR product page — typically S to XL with inseam options)
Washing
Machine wash the Cirque III Pants in cold water with a mild technical fabric wash (like Nikwax Tech Wash or Grangers Performance Wash). Avoid harsh detergents, bleach, or fabric softeners, which can damage the 90D nylon fabric, the DWR coating, the ActiveTemp™ treatment, and the YKK® zippers. Close all zippers and pockets before washing. Use a gentle cycle and rinse thoroughly.
Drying
Tumble dry the Cirque III Pants on low heat or hang to air dry. The 90D nylon double weave dries relatively quickly. Avoid high heat, which can damage the DWR coating, the ActiveTemp™ treatment, and the spandex stretch fibers (if any in the fabric blend). If the pants are heavily soiled, rinse thoroughly before drying to remove dirt, salt, and body oils.
DWR Refresh
The DWR (Durable Water Repellent) coating on the fabric and the DWR treatment on the YKK® zippers will wear off over time with use and washing. When water stops beading on the fabric surface (the fabric "wets out" and water soaks in), refresh the DWR with a spray-on product (like Nikwax TX.Direct Spray-On). Apply per the product instructions and air dry. This is especially important for the Cirque III since it's used in wet alpine conditions.
Storage
Store the Cirque III Pants in a cool, dry place when not in use. Avoid leaving the pants in direct sunlight for extended periods — UV exposure can degrade the DWR coating and the fabric over time. Don't store in a hot car — extreme heat can damage the DWR coating and the fabric's stretch properties. The pants can be folded or hung.
Avalanche Beacon Pocket
The dedicated avalanche beacon pocket with clip is designed for safe and secure storage of your avalanche safety gear. After each use, check the clip to ensure it's still secure and the beacon is properly positioned. The pocket is designed to keep the beacon accessible for a quick reference check and to prevent the beacon from shifting during skiing or climbing activities. For deep snow days where avalanche risk is elevated, this pocket is a critical safety feature.
Repair
Small tears or holes in the nylon fabric can be repaired with Tenacious Tape (works on most technical fabrics) or by an outdoor gear repair service. For YKK® zipper failure, scuff guard wear, or ActiveTemp™ treatment issues, contact Outdoor Research for warranty service — the Infinite Guarantee® covers defects in materials and workmanship for the life of the product.
Shipping Policy
Components:
All component items (wheels, drivetrains, suspension, brakes, etc.) ship within 4-7 business days of purchase.
Bicycles:
Complete bikes typically ship within 2–3 weeks due to build, tuning, and inspection times. You will receive tracking information as soon as your order is ready to ship.
Gear & Apparel:
Outdoor Gear and apparel orders (helmets, jerseys, gloves, etc.) ship within 5-21 business days. Please reach out to us with the most up to date deliveries times as they vary per Manufacturer.
Returns & Exchanges:
If you received the wrong size or wish to exchange an item, it must be returned in original condition—unused, uninstalled, and with all packaging intact.
For full details, please see our Refund Policy before initiating a return.
