Jack Wolfskin Activate XT Pants Review 2023

A well-featured pair of 3-season pants that come in a great range of sizes and have a premium feel.

PROS

• Great range of sizes
• Excellent style and cut
• Texashield fabric is super stretchy

CONS

• The side pocket comes over the thigh

Late last winter I reviewed and featured the brilliant Activate Thermic pants which not only proved great outdoors but I wore constantly when writing at home during that period when fuel bills went through the roof – I’m reckoning I’ll be using them again this winter! This season I’m trialling the 3 season version: the Activate XT Pants (or trousers to UK readers). Made using the same 4-way stretch Texashield, double weave soft-shell fabric they are great for days in the high mountains and moors when the summer temperatures are behind us and the autumn chill sets in.

The Jack Wolfskin Activate XT pants are well-featured with belt loops, elasticated side panels, a flat, press stud waist button and plenty of pockets the pants are suitable for all mountain activities such as hiking, rock climbing, scrambling and even mountain biking. Of course they look good too so there’s no problem with wearing them for valley walks and to the pub apres climbing. I’ve also used them a few times for wet cycle commutes to the climbing gym and shops and they have been good for that too.

The fabric is well-proven throughout the Jack Wolfskin range and provides a warm layer that is breathable and offers some windproof and water resistance. The water resistance is provided by a PFC-free DWR treatment so you should expect it to wet through in persistent rain though it did shed showers well. The microgrid backing on the fabric does a good job of retaining some heat although when the wind got up I could feel it coming through the weave, so the Activate XT are not as warm as the Activate Thermal pants but are perfectly fine for most UK type weather conditions if you have back up hardshell (surely you’re not going into the mountains with a hardshell are you?). They have great stretch and that is enhanced with non-aggressive articulated knees and a diamond gusset.

The Activate XT Pants have four-way stretch and great freedom of movement for rock climbing on cooler days.

One of the benefits that attached me to the pants is the great sizing options. They are offered in European sizing but the size guide is pretty accurate. I tested a size Eur 50 which equates to a UK size W34, I’m usually a W33 and there was a little room left so I needed to wear a belt with them. The leg length range is excellent and all sizes come in Short, Regular and Long so you should find a size that fits without them bagging at the ankles. The cut is straight so they should be comfortable for most thigh and calf sizes, I’m not such a fan of the more modern slim-legged pants as they feel too tight on my thighs so these look great, not too baggy and the cuff is generous enough to go over sit well on top of a boot without bunching up. There is some adjustment at the cuff with a press stud flap, so if the grounds get overly technical and you feel you need to see your feet then you can, I also find these useful to do up when rock climbing or when I need to use ice grips or crampons in the spring.

The snap adjuster is great for when you need to get technical.

As I said earlier the waistband has elasticated sides which will give about an extra inch to the waist. The waistband also has a mesh lining so sits comfortably with the thinner baselayers that you would expect to be wearing during the transitional weather of late spring and early autumn. The belt loops are generous at 5cm so will fit most belt sizes and are bar-tacked so shouldn’t come apart. The Activate XT pants have 4 zipped pockets, 3 pockets that come with reversed YKK Vislon zips and reflective zip pulls, I like the way the front pockets sit flush and this makes the pants comfortable to use with a climbing harness. Again the pockets are finished with bar tackling at the top and bottom, which is something I always look out for when assessing the quality of outdoor pants. There is also a thigh pocket, situated on the right-hand thigh and is in line with the leg seem. It is big enough to carry smaller items such as food bars or folded A4 maps you may have downloaded and printed out. I’m not a fan of these but that doesn’t mean to say that you won’t be. I don’t use side pockets in general but they have been occasionally useful at rest stops when I’m looking to quickly stash gloves or something similar. The thigh also sports a discrete Jack Wolfskin logo which finishes the look off nicely.

The Activate XT pants are perfect for autumn days when the weather is changeable.

So overall, the Jack Wolfskin Activate XT pants are great soft-shell pants that will be useful throughout the spring and into autumn. They would also be generally fine for low-level winter hiking and rock climbing. The Polyamide fabric is durable and the 9% Elastane makes them stretchy enough for fast-paced activities as well as more technical mountain days. They are well made and come in a great option of sizes. 

The Activate XT pants come in sizes Eur 46-58 and three leg lengths; short, regular and long. This coupled with 5 cloud choices means that there will be size and colour to suit you.

The SRP is £100 and they can be purchased directly through Jack Wolfskin UK and specialist retailers.

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