Combat pants with interchangeable protectors (knee pads) were basically invented by Crye Precision. Also, Arc'teryx LEAF was not lazy and designed four different models for different temperatures/weather conditions: TALOS, SPHINX, GRYPHON, and DRAC. While the Talos is a pure summer pants made of 50/50 cotton/polyester, the GRYPHON features a hard and softshell combination, and the SPHINX/DRAC are made of softshell. The advantage is clear: one pants design for all weather conditions in combat style. All four pants are almost identical in terms of features - the pockets are all in the same place, all pants have reinforced knee areas and slots for protectors. Here, Martin presents the Arc'teryx Drac Pants - an unlined softshell combat pant for colder weather.

The Drac Pants is very similar to the Sphinx: both pants are made of softshell material and designed for bad weather. While the Sphinx is made of Tweave Durastretch for mixed weather, the Drac features a thicker and slightly warmer material: Burly™ Double Weave. It is not lined and intended for colder weather - so the Drac can be seen more as a 3 seasons pants, while the Sphinx is a true 4 seasons pants. The Burly™ Double Weave is very stretchy in all directions, giving the pants an incredibly comfortable feel. The only downside of the material: it is loud and rustles - comparable to Goretex or rain jackets.

As mentioned earlier, all four pants have a similar set of features listed in detail here:

• 2 flat thigh pockets
• 2 hand pockets
• 2 back pockets
• 2 reinforced pockets for knives/tools
• 2 lower leg pockets
• Slots for knee pads
• Inner leg closure with shock cord as a gaiter

Another feature found only in the TALOS are two eyelets at the end of each pant leg. These serve as attachment points for shock cord to secure the pants under the boot.

A special feature of the fantastic 4, of course, is the knee area. Lined with a strip of Cordura as abrasion protection on the outside, the pants offer perfect basic protection. Inside, there is an insert for the knee pads. Regular inserts can be used, or the Arc'teryx Knee Pads. Using the latter, you can thread the straps of the knee pads through four designated holes to the outside. This has the advantage that the knee pads fit perfectly - and stay in place. When "Off Duty," you can simply open the closures of the knee pads and let them hang - the knee pads stay in position.

The Drac jacket and pants are made in China, so they are not Berry Compliant (Made in USA) like TALOS/Chimera/Atom in Bangladesh and Salvador, which explains the unusually "affordable" price for Arc'teryx LEAF: The Drac jacket costs 215€, the pants 245€.

Just like the jacket, the quality of the pants is very good - all seams are done well and you don't feel for a second that you have a product from the Far East in your hands.

CONCLUSION: The Drac Pants provide perfect protection when it's windy, raining, or snowing. With the reinforced knee area, you can kneel on damp ground without getting wet knees. If you can live with the rustling, you get a great pair of pants that feel incredibly comfortable due to the stretch and you won't want to take them off.

The Drac Pants are available in the featured Crocodile and in Wolf at HQG.de and cost - as mentioned before - 245€.