Reviews You Can Rely On

Flylow Donna 2.1 Review

This is a high-end pant that would be great for skiers who prefer a baggier fit while touring
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Flylow Donna 2.1 Review
Credit: Flylow
Price:  $330 List
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Manufacturer:   Flylow
By Sarah Sherman ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Dec 17, 2019
73
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Weather Resistance - 25% 8.0
  • Fit and Comfort - 25% 8.0
  • Ventilation - 15% 10.0
  • Warmth - 15% 3.0
  • Features - 10% 6.0
  • Style - 10% 7.0

Our Verdict

The Flylow Donna 2.1 Pant is a very lightweight, stretchy, and waterproof pant that excels in the backcountry or in the resort when paired with layers. It has a baggier fit and would be a great option for someone who wants extra room to move or needs to wear a knee brace. This would not be a great option for someone who gets cold easily or who does not like to layer. It is lightweight, soft, and comfortable, but also thin and does not provide much warmth. Furthermore. as the most impressive pair of pants regarding ventilation, we would lean strongly toward using this pant primarily in the backcountry.
REASONS TO BUY
Lightweight
Weatherproof
Stretchy
REASONS TO AVOID
Thin material not everyone's choice for the resort

Our Analysis and Test Results

Performance Comparison


flylow donna 2.1 - cruising resort laps isn't this pair's natural habitat, but they can...
Cruising resort laps isn't this pair's natural habitat, but they can certainly hang when layered effectively underneath.

Weather Resistance


This softshell pant, constructed of 3L Stretch Stormshell Intuitive fabric, has a waterproof rating of 20,000mm and a breathability rating of 20,000 g/m2. It's surprising that this comes in a softshell material. Pretty outstanding, really! That, combined with its YKK waterproof zippers and fully taped seams, means that it is set for success in the elements. It also has a DWR coating.

We put those ratings to the test in our 2-minute shower test. Focusing on seams zippers, and the outer material. Throughout the test, the pants remained dry. We noticed that the outer fabric of the Donna 2.1 actually repelled water better than the Foxy Bib, also from Flylow. We found no leaking during the shower test, remaining dry. DWR coatings often wear out over time, so if you have these pants for a couple of seasons or longer, they may need to be treated (this is to be expected from any model, is fairly easy, and increases the lifespan of the pant).

flylow donna 2.1 - shedding water like you may have never seen from a pair of softshell...
Shedding water like you may have never seen from a pair of softshell pants! The Donna kept water out well in our shower test.

Comfort & Fit


The Donna 2.1 excels in comfort and offers a unique fit compared to many other women's ski pants. From the first touch, we noticed that the Donna has one of the softest outer materials of the pants we tested. This can be expected, as it is a softshell pant.

The material moves with you incredibly well, and has a baggier fit than other pants tested. Not everyone may want this, but we liked it. We found this to be a great option that can be hard to find—any woman who skis with a brace or likes to have thick layers on can attest that most women's pants have a skinnier fit. If you prefer a baggier look with plenty of room to move and layer, you should check these out.

flylow donna 2.1 - soft, flexible, and baggy -- the donna 2.1
Soft, flexible, and baggy -- The Donna 2.1

Finally, its adjustable side tabs offer a more customizable fit, allowing you to tighten them at the waist as needed.

Ventilation


If you plan on frequently ski touring or run hot, you will appreciate the ventilation on these pants. With inner thigh vents that run from just below the crotch to just above the knee, paired with outer thigh vents, these pants provide maximum ventilation for those who need it. Max airflow!

flylow donna 2.1 - max out your ventilation by opening the inner and outer vents of the...
Max out your ventilation by opening the inner and outer vents of the Donna 2.1. On top of exceptional ventilation, the thin fabric is also very breathable.

Warmth


Warmth is this pants lowest scoring metric, and for good reason. Its thin, softshell material has no insulation and is meant to simply protect you from the elements, not to provide added warmth. However, if you are in the market for a shell pant, you will enjoy the room beneath these pants to add layers to adjust to the day's temperature swings.

Features


The Donna 2.1 has fairly basic features, but they all perform well. These feature two thigh pockets that are roomy and can hold your basics comfortably. The baggy fit of the pant is useful here, as your belongings are not being held tightly against your leg. We found it interesting that the hanging pockets were constructed from a mesh material. You'll want to stay away from sharper materials that may cut the mesh, but other than that idea, we did not notice any problems with this. Finally, the pant has snaps to attach to a Flylow Jacket, should you want to.

flylow donna 2.1 - perhaps to save weight, flylow installed mesh-backed pockets in the...
Perhaps to save weight, Flylow installed mesh-backed pockets in the hand pockets. It wasn't our favorite, but we didn't experience any issues with it during testing.

Style


If you like a looser, more freeride-focused fit, you will appreciate the relaxed style of the Flylow Donna. They wouldn't pass as streetwear, but if comfort is your style, you can certainly get away with wearing them aprés. We would like to see more color options in the future, but do like the colors currently offered.

Value


For the price, you get a technically sound, multipurpose pant that is ready for whatever you'd like to throw at it. The thin material has us questioning if this pant will be the most durable over time, but its reinforced cuff guards will help protect potential problem zones near your boots and ski edges.

Conclusion


A solid pant for those who want a relaxed fit while requiring high performance from a pant in multiple conditions. Despite scoring lower than many pants due to its low warmth and lack of features, if you're looking for a great pair of ski pants for touring, the “lower” scores in these metrics might be exactly what you're seeking. Seize the backcountry in this lightweight, comfortable, breathable, and well-ventilated pair.

Sarah Sherman