Black Diamond – WMN’s Mission Pants with Pieps Pocket

Since its acquisition of the Austrian company PIEPS there have been some interesting new product developments from Black Diamond on the market, for example the debut of the Jetforce Airbag backpacks.

Today’s product may not seem as high-tech as the above-mentioned backpacks, but it offers several intelligent and most importantly comfortable solutions for the modern female freerider.

Black Diamond is introducing a completely new freeride collection this season: straight cuts, the best materials (GORE-TEX®) and innovative details like the Pieps Pocket™ on the thigh make the Mission Pants a good choice whether it’s stormy out or a sunny spring tour.

We had the chance to test the new Mission pants, and even though we didn’t get any powder days at the time, on the glacier we were able to check out what the new freeride pants from Black Diamond can do. We tested the new piece from the Americans during classic on-piste skiing, the first ski tours of the season, and the yearly avalanche beacon search refresher course.

The pant’s pre-formed knees guarantee a good fit, the straight cut allows for touring without unnecessary friction or extra material on and between the legs. The PIEPS Pocket™, which we were somewhat skeptical of at first, really works! At first it may seem strange to put your beacon on your hip rather than on your upper body, but when you realize that thanks to the PORON® XRD® foam nothing is pressing or rubbing, you’re glad not to have any additional rubbing or straps underneath your jacket in addition to your backpack. Your beacon is readily accessible without having to take your backpack off or open your jacket. The pocket can fit any normal-sized beacon—it doesn’t have to be a PIEPS.

Recco integration, well-placed ventilation zips, cuff zippers allowing boot access—these pants leave no item unchecked for a classic-fit freeride pant. The baggy crowd may not be well-served here—but they usually aren’t all that interested in alpine missions anyway. For those looking for an all-season pant that can do everything, we give the Mission pants a strong recommendation.