The Vertx Cutback Technical Pant is a lightweight, fast-drying pant that’s packed with tactical-ready and EDC pockets. Better yet, it also uses 37.5 Technology, which helps regulate temperature and humidity, which also makes it an interesting hiking pant.
To get us a closer look, Vertx and 37.5 Technology sent Man Makes Fire a review unit for in-person testing and review. I wore the Vertx Cutback Technical Pants on multiple hiking and fishing trips to test the fit, stretch and cooling properties in the outdoors.
This is what I learned:
Review: Vertx Cutback Technical Pant
I wore the Vertx Cutback Technical Pants while hiking and fishing.The Vertx Cutback Technical Pant delivers a very interesting, versatile design that different kinds of people can use for different reasons.
First, as a low-profile tactical and EDC pant, the Cutback Technical Pants are designed for tactical gear enthusiasts who might travel in dangerous urban areas and need to carry concealed weapons. The Cutback pants have 14 pockets that are capable of carrying smartphones, communications gear, and even rifle magazines. More importantly, the Cutback pants sort of fly under the radar compared to typical 5.11 tactical pants because they look more like a fitted travel or hiking pant.
At the same time, all the pockets are great for EDC-focused survivalist-type enthusiasts. Or just guys who like to carry multitools and such every day and want tidy places to stow their gear.
Last of all — and this is where my interest and experience comes into play — the Cutback Technical Pants are very interesting hiking and travel pants. This is in part due to all the handy pockets — I very much appreciate side thigh pockets for my smartphone. Plus, when I’m fishing or hiking, I’m often carrying odds and ends — a knife, bear spray, chapstick, snacks, etc. Lots of pockets are great when you’re not wearing a backpack!
And then there is the 37.5 Technology. So let me tell you about my 37.5 Tech experience and why it’s cool.
The 37.5 Technology
Cocona Labs created 37.5 Technology, which provides its “37.5 Technology” to apparel brands that use it in various fibers and fabrics. Basically, 37.5 Technology is a thermoregulating active particle technology that is made from volcanic sand that has billions of micropores. The micropores increase the surface area of the fibers, which should make any fibers made with it better at absorbing and releasing moisture.
But that’s not all: Cocona Labs says 37.5 Technology particles also absorb infrared light in the spectrum emitted by human bodies. When no moisture is around, the particles retain heat. What about sweat vapor? The particles use the energy to move the moisture out of the system. Dozens of high-quality clothing companies are using 37.5 Technology in their apparel, including in sportswear and cooling pillows.
My 37.5 Technology Experience
I first ran into 37.5 Technology when I wore the First Lite Wick Short Sleeve Crew base layer top while archery elk hunting in Idaho in September. During the season, I would start out hunting before dawn in the dark in cold weather where a base layer was necessary . . . but then the sun would come out and we’d be dealing with hot afternoons.
It seemed as if the 37.5 Technology was doing its job keeping me cool.
At that point I’d stuff my mid and outer layers into my hunting pack and only wear the merino base layer with the 37.5 Tech built into it. And guess what? It seemed as if the 37.5 Technology was doing its job keeping me cool.
This is hard to test because your own body is in a constant state of thermoregulation . . . but it seemed as if the First Lite Wick Short Sleeve Crew was a bit cooler than I expected based on its material thickness and I my experience in similar situations wearing similar base layers. In addition, it was faster to dry than typical merino-only base layers I’ve worn before, but I can’t necessarily prove it was the 37.5 Technology and not due to the merino/polyester blend — just that it was a very good base layer that’s still in my hunting kit.
Enter the Vertx Cutback Experience
I waded in a river to see how fast the Vertx Cutback Pants dried — despite the near 50% cotton, they dried surprisingly quickly, it turns out.Back to the Cutback pants. I wore them while hiking in Idaho, as well as on fly fishing trips. On one warm autumn afternoon, I wore the Cutback pants underneath a pair of stockingfoot waders in full sunshine. Because the water level was low in the area I was fishing, I didn’t wade deep and I expected to get a bit too warm. However, I didn’t. I remained surprisingly comfortable. Again, I can’t claim for certain that the 37.5 Tech was doing its job — but over my long years of wearing waders in sunshine on low water, I would have expected more heat in that particular situation.
What about comfort? They’re very comfortable. This is due to the athletic, fitted cut: You get articulated knees, a gusseted crotch, and thighs that are roomy enough for guys who hike or bike a lot or work out regularly. In addition, Vertx doesn’t skimp on size options: You can choose from 10 waist sizes with 4 inseam lengths to dial in your fit.
Plus, one feature I particularly appreciate is the built-in stretch in the fabric. When I tested the Cutback pants while hiking up and down very steep terrain — and scrambling over deadfall and logs — the stretch helped keep the pants feeling agile and comfortable.
Pockets!
There are more than 14 pockets! And in this photo, you can see 5 pockets….Long-time Man Makes Fire readers know I’m a fan of good pockets. The Cutback pants have 14 pockets.
Most importantly, the front pockets are deep and roomy — which makes them useful. Better yet, the front pockets and thigh phone-ready pockets are built from breathable mesh. Your thighs can hold a lot of heat, so this bit of mesh is a great design feature to help reduce warmth.
Of course, these are tactical-ready pants, so if you’re wearing these as outdoor pants, there are many pockets you can use to tuck firestarters, multitools, mini survival kits, or protein bars.
Vertx also covertly placed some hidden escape and evasion pockets you can use to stash things like handcuff keys or lock-picking tools — again, more for dangerous urban environments in international locations than for North American mountains.
Overall Fit
Key interior pockets are made of mesh to help keep the pants cool and breathable.Compared to most hiking and hunting pants I wear most often, the Vertx Cutback Technical Pants fit slightly large around the hips. I’m not sure if this is to give you extra room to carry more gear in all the pockets . . . or if they fit just a bit large. If you want a trimmer fit around the waist and hips, you can likely drop down in the waist size. I thought the inseams were spot on, though.
The thighs are roomy but not excessive.
For reference in the photos, I’m about 6’3″ and 215 pounds and wore a 38 waist with a 36 inseam.
The Fabric
Vertx adds reinforced cuffs to prevent wear and tear.The fabric is a comfortable cotton/polyester blend: 48% cotton, 27% 3.75 polyester, and 27% T400 polyester. It’s not shiny. It has almost more of a matte-like appearance to it, but the weave is pretty dense so it doesn’t seem vague. To me, the feel and look of the fabric is something between a chino and a typical lightweight hiking pant. Which is what I think Vertx was going for with the Cutback, which is supposed to not draw attention if you’re carrying in dangerous places.
(When I’m in dangerous places, it’s usually in the forest among bears, wolves, and mountain lions, so I’m more likely to be overtly carrying.)
Despite the nearly 50% cotton, the Cutback pants dry surprisingly fast.
The Bottom Line
All-in-all, the Vertx Cutback Technical Pant is a high-quality, comfortable lightweight pant that is versatile. It’s primed for urban tactical enthusiasts, but it’s agile and fast-drying enough to work well as a hiking or travel pant. And if you like pockets, the Cutback Technical Pant is for you. Very highly recommended.
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