Review: Women’s Patagonia Regenerative Organic Pilot Cotton Stand Up Pants

As a leader in environmentally-centered advocacy within the gear industry, Patagonia’s role in environmental activism goes far beyond making puffy jackets and swimsuits. Patagonia currently supports a slew of activism-initiatives informed by the outdoor adventure that underpins the company’s history and future. From partnerships with outdoor athletes committed to driving positive change socially and environmentally to funding grassroots organizations working to address climate change issues through long-term and sustainable measures, the climate crisis and associated environmental issues remain a cornerstone in Patagonia’s values and embedded in the very products they create.

Enter: Regenerative Organic Cotton. Regenerative farming practices incorporate a scope of methods that help ensure soil is healthy, robust, full of nutrients, and carbon-capturing. Patagonia now works with over 1,100 farmers who are a part of their Regenerative Organic Cotton program, implementing holistic farming practices that benefit soil health, animal welfare, labor, and farmers. These benefits ultimately effect us as consumers and residents of Earth by helping to undo some of the past damage gravely affecting our climatic future. As implied in the name “regenerative,” it can actually help repair some of the harm inflicted by a century of industrialized big agriculture.

Where this gets really cool is watching sustainable initiatives like this one also become a tangible, useful product. I spent the past couple months wearing the Women’s Regenerative Organic Pilot Cotton Stand Up® Pants a lot. Like, more than any other pair of pants I own. These pants are dreamy, and made of 100% regenerative cotton. A win, all around.

Women’s Regenerative Organic Pilot Cotton Stand Up Pants Features:

• Made of 100% Regenerative Organic Certification Pilot Cotton with a classic canvas feel
• Double front and rear for increased durability (would make a great work or garden pant!)
• High-waisted, straight leg fit with a 27″ inseam
• Roomy front and back pockets
• Back pockets secured with a velcro closure
• Fair Trade Certified
• MSRP $99.00

Organic Pilot Cotton Delivers

Let’s start with the fit. It’s a somewhat looser, straight leg fit, and I’ll be candid in saying that this fit might not work for curvier or more muscled wearers. Patagonia describes these pants as having a “traditional, fitted high waist, [with] a roomy upper leg designed for movement and a straight lower leg.” However, the pants don’t have much stretch and the shape seems catered to a rather tall/slim build. For context, I would say that my body type is “athletic” in that I am not remarkably thin in the legs, and there was some snugness in the thighs despite being intended to have a “roomy upper leg”. I was comfortable in these pants, and although they fit me differently than perhaps someone with leaner legs, I still felt cute and confident. I am between a 4 and a 6 in most pants, and a 6 worked for me.

Out of the bag, these pants were a stiff yet comfortable canvas. The waistband is a mid- to high-rise (right below the belly button) with a 27″ inseam that on my 5’4″ frame was right at the ankle. The pants have a double front and rear for extra durability. I would presume that because of this feature in the front they are knee pad compatible, although I did not test them with kneepads to ensure the fit. Nevertheless, the option is there.

The stitching is durable, the belt loops and button-hole details are strong and reinforced (who wants a blown out belt loop? Not me, ever). The pockets front and back are the classic Stand Up style, and they’re nice deep pockets. My phone fit! It didn’t stick out! The swooping shape of the velcro back pockets was fun, but it didn’t flatter my rear in the least and when I first got them had my partner asking if I was wearing my pants backwards. Do with that what you will, but I loved the style.

Aside from the relatively unforgiving fit, there was very little I didn’t like about these pants. They were cozy, and softened up beautifully every time I washed them. While I loved them immediately, I find the fact that they broke in so comfortably elevated my appreciation for these pants even more. The initial stiffness washed away, but the durability and comfort of the Women’s Regenerative Organic Pilot Cotton Stand Up® Pants remains unchanged. I found that there was some fading—particularly near the seams on the legs—which was a bit disappointing. That being said, the fading is the predominant criticism I have among a wealth of praises.

The Good

• Good looking, with a great environmental impact
• Canvas softened up really nicely during use
• The mid- to high-waisted fit was comfortable, and I find practical if used as a work pant where you’ll be bending over or kneeling often

The Bad

• The fit is not inclusive of a range of body types, and may leave out those who have more curves
• Some fading after a couple months of heavy use

The Bottom Line: Patagonia Stand Up Pants

These pants fulfilled my canvas pant dreams. Practical, comfortable and cute, I loved these pants and wore them most days of the week. The fit leaves a bit to be desired insofar as inclusivity, but if they work for you then you get the treat of a great casual pant supporting an important, necessary initiative.

Buy Now: Visit Patagonia.com

If you are interested in learning more about the Regenerative Cotton, Patagonia released a striking three part short video series on their fiber initiative on their website, available here.