2024 Gear Preview: Ortovox Mesola Pants and Jacket
Jacket
We love a pair of backcountry-oriented pants for men that don’t have a Euro skinny fit. That casual, freeride cut also comes with plenty of tech to let out the sweat and keep out the elements. The coolest thing about these pants, though, is that they’ve designed them with different materials: Waterproof-breathable Merino Deep Shell, which acts more like a hardshell, makes up the front and lower; and Merino Airsolation, which acts more like a water- and wind-proof softshell, makes up the hamstring, rump, hip, and waist. (If you couldn’t tell by the name, both fabrics incorporate temperature-regulating, moisture-wicking, odor-resistant merino wool.) The result is bomber protection when you’re getting blown off a ridge and supreme freedom of movement where you need it most. Huge leg vents dump heat, a Velcro belt micro-adjusts fit, and a wide thigh pocket with carabiner protects your beacon, should you choose to wear it there.
Pants
Again, we give kudos for this jacket’s casual style—a deliberate departure from “nordork.” Like the pants, Ortovox uses the waterproof-breathable Merino Deep Shell on the hood, shoulders, sleeves, and front, while that softshell stuff on the lower back, underarms, and sides. It’s lined with soft wool inside, helping it regulate moisture and climate, and it won’t smell bad when things get a little swampy. Includes generous vents, adjustable waist, and a hood that adjusts in both directions with just one motion.
Click here to see the women’s version of the Mesola jacket and pant.
