Arc’teryx Women’s Sentinel Pant – First Impressions
Arc’teryx makes some of the finest gear in the business, and today we’ll find out if the Women’s Sentinel Gore-Tex Pants live up to that reputation. The Sentinel Pant isn’t aimed specifically at the backcountry crowd but are meant to be multi-purpose. They’re suitable for riding at the resort or for long touring days, so owning multiple pairs of ski pants isn’t a necessity.
Arc’teryx also has one of the best warranties in the business on their gear so even though the price point is high, you can rest assured that the investment will be worthwhile.
Mrs. HikeForPow has had these out for a few days of early season touring and is ready to share her thoughts on them. Read on to find out what she thinks of these pants.
The Details
MSRP: $499.00
Colors: Baja (pictured), Black, Rhassoul, Crimson, Titanite
Material: Gore-Tex Pro 3L softshell
Fit: athletic
Seams: fully taped
Vents: outer thigh zipped
Zippers: WaterTight
Instep protection: Keprotec patches
Belt: removable
Gaiters: yes
Pockets: 1 hip, 2 thigh
Insulation: none
RECCO: yes
Warranty: lifetime
Buy Now: Backcountry.com, evo.com, Amazon, REI.com
Description
Designed to be suitable for either resort skiing or backcountry touring, the Sentinel Pant will keep you dry in any situation. The 3 layer GoreTex membrane keeps you dry and the super durable exterior fabric will withstand any abuse you throw its way. On the inside of the pants, soft lightweight flannel makes these pants comfortable all day long.
A somewhat athletic fit keep the Sentinel pants free of bulk – Arc’teryx says these are a ‘regular fit’ with a contemporary freeride look. Translation: they aren’t quite as fitted as a lot of Arc’teryx gear. Anatomical shaping around the knees and a gusseted crotch provide comfort and ease of movement when skiing or touring. Vents with water proof zippers on the outer thighs keep you cool if you’re running hot.
First Impressions – Fit and Features
The first thing our tester noticed is that these pants are a bit roomier than her previous pair, leaving more room for layers. She’s around 5’4″ with fairly muscular legs and the small size fits her well. She typically runs a bit cold, so the extra room is definitely an upside. On that note, the side vents are a generous size and would provide great ventilation…but as I said, she runs cold so they haven’t been used yet.
The vents have double zippers which makes them easier to adjust for optimal ventilation. There is no mesh on the interior of the vents so airflow is uninhibited. With the vents closed, Mrs. HFP didn’t notice any drafts at all. Arc’teryx did a great job taping those zippers.
The second thing she noticed was the pockets. “There are so many pockets!” That’s a direct quote, even though there are only 3. I’m not sure if the hip pocket is meant to be a lip-balm holster, but apparently it’s perfect for that. Dry lips rejoice! The other 2 WaterTight zipped pockets are much larger. Note that these zippers aren’t completely waterproof, but are highly water resistant. Don’t keep your phone in there on a really wet day. They’re big enough to hold a decent sized sandwich if that’s your thing, or a trail map if you’re riding at a new resort. The left pocket has an integrated key leash.
Belt, Powder Snaps and Materials
Around the waist the Sentinel pants have belt loops and a removable belt so you can use your favorite belt if you have one. That said, the belt that comes with the pants does the job and the snap buckle is easy to use. There are also snaps to attach your Arc’teryx powder skirt for super deep days. The Arc’teryx Women’s Sentinel Jacket is designed to mate perfectly with these pants.
We haven’t had terribly wet conditions yet this season, so haven’t been able to test the waterproofing of the 3 layer Gore-Tex, but it’s Gore-Tex. It will keep you dry. These pants are also windproof – that was tested and confirmed. The Women’s Sentinel pants aren’t insulated, but being a 3 layer pant they’ll keep you warmer than thinner backcountry pants out there. With a good base layer, our tester was plenty warm during 2 surprisingly chilly days for November.
The outer material looks and feels like classic, durable 3 layer Gore-Tex found in many Arc’teryx products. The interior is nice and soft and is said to be moisture wicking so it shouldn’t ever feel clammy against your skin if you head out without a base layer.
Other Notes
A hidden Recco reflector will help keep your mind at ease, and ultra durable Cordura PowderCuffs will keep the powder out of your boots on deep days. The insteps also have a pretty beefy guard to protect against abrasion from ski and snowboard edges. Some of the colors may not appeal to everyone (neon green anyone?), but they do come in black if you’re looking for a more neutral color.
The Bottom Line
It should be no surprise that the Arc’teryx Women’s Sentinel Pant look like a high quality piece of gear that will keep you warm and dry for many seasons. First impressions are definitely positive. We’ll report back later this year after more riding to confirm that they’re as durable as they look.