Black Diamond Recon LT Ski Pants Review: A Versatile Shell for All-Mountain and Uphilling Adventures

I opted for the “be bold, start cold” strategy, wearing only a light waffle zip along with the Black Diamond Recon Stretch LT Pant. It felt balmy for 7 a.m. as we set off on the skin track en route up Ski Hayden, a local off-piste jaunt accessed off Castle Creek Road outside of Aspen. One creek crossing, 3 hours of skiing, and over nearly 4,000 vertical feet in elevation later, I knew I’d made the right choice on layers.

The wind in the high alpine picked up, and the Recon LT pant proved its worth as both a breathable shell below treeline and a wind barrier at 13,000 feet. These women’s ski pants adapted well in the changing conditions and protected my lower half when we transitioned from uphill to downhill.

Over my test period, I realized that the Recon Stretch LT Pant is a great option for the backcountry, resort, or uphilling inbounds.

In short: The Black Diamond Recon Stretch LT Pant ($350) demonstrated its versatility across varying conditions and use cases. From wet chairlift seats to sweaty skin tracks, the Recon LT revealed its true colors as an ambitious all-mountain performer.

Read our full review or see how these pants stack up in the Best Women’s Ski Pants buyer’s guide.

Black Diamond Recon LT Pant Review

Ahead of the official launch, I tested the women’s Black Diamond Recon LT Pants at my home ski areas in the Roaring Fork Valley of Colorado. Owned by Aspen Skiing Company, these ski areas are known as the Mecca of uphilling with the largest number of uphill route options in the state.

I took full advantage of testing this ladies’ ski pant — which is a great option for uphilling and certain backcountry endeavors — on these uphill routes, as well as on backcountry tours.

This pair joined me on more than six different testing occasions, including 3 days crushing resort laps, two dawn patrol uphill sessions inbounds, and one spring backcountry tour in the Elk Mountains.

Fit & Feel

Here, the Recon LT represents a departure from Black Diamond’s traditional Recon Stretch line, offering a more streamlined silhouette that speaks to the growing demand for clean-lined technical apparel. The ultra-lightweight ripstop fabric delivers an almost silk-like feel against the skin, making these pants exceptionally comfortable for those spring days when you’re ditching the base layer.

This refined fit doesn’t come at the expense of mobility. Strategic stretch panels and articulated knees ensure unrestricted movement whether I was skinning up Tiehack, Buttermilk’s steeper ascent, or dropping into tight trees on Highland’s Soddbuster.

The pant’s lower leg design deserves special mention. The more I wore these pants — donning three different ski boots in total — the more I liked the base of these pants.

The reinforced Cordura cuffs and built-in gaiters demonstrate thoughtful engineering, easily accommodating both alpine and touring boots while maintaining a clean, snag-free interface with your boots. The wider pant cuff provides enough room for easy transitions but doesn’t feel baggy or catch on equipment.

Ventilation & Beacon Pocket

Black Diamond has taken a minimalist approach to storage, but what’s included is purposeful. The horizontal hip pocket is perfectly sized for a ski pass or a snack.

The dedicated beacon pocket on the right thigh includes an elastic cord leash — a feature that proves invaluable during beacon checks or, heaven forbid, actual rescue scenarios. The interior of this pocket includes a padded protective layer that not only shields your leg from beacon edges but also adds impact protection.

While this padding contrasts with the ultralight nature of the rest of the pant, the added functionality justifies the minor weight penalty. However, this pocket is built out for the most modern beacons, given further reason to upgrade a dated transceiver, due to the dimensions.

Ventilation is handled through knee-to-thigh exterior zippers on both legs. I found the absence of mesh backing to be a double-edged sword: It reduces weight and allows for maximum airflow but can leave you exposed to spindrift or wet snow in certain conditions. During testing, this wasn’t a significant issue, but it’s worth considering based on your intended use and comfort level.

Waterproofing & Breathability

The BD.dry 3L face fabric technology proves its merit across various conditions. During one particularly gray and wet spring day on Aspen Mountain, moisture beaded efficiently off the surface, while the membrane maintained breathability during high-output climbs. The fabric hits a sweet spot between protection and weight, making these pants particularly well-suited for backcountry pursuits where both factors are crucial.

The waterproof zippers performed flawlessly throughout testing, showing no signs of leakage even during sustained exposure to wet conditions. This attention to detail in the weatherproofing extends to the reinforced kick patches and gaiters, which stood up well to abuse from boot buckles and ski edges.

Room for Improvement

While the built-in ladder lock waist adjustment system aligns with the minimalist design ethos, it presents some limitations. The lack of additional belt loops means that once you’ve maxed out the built-in adjustment, there’s no way to further cinch the waist. This could be particularly problematic for users between sizes or those who prefer a more customized fit. And, with no added belt loops, the simple solution of throwing on a belt isn’t an option.

The absence of mesh backing on the ventilation zippers, while contributing to the pants’ lightweight nature, might be a concern for users in particularly wet conditions or those prioritizing modesty when opening vents with no base layer underneath.

Verdict

The Black Diamond Recon LT Pants embodies the evolution of modern ski apparel, where utility meets mindful minimalism. These pants excel in their ability to transition between disciplines: skinning up to Bonnie’s for pancakes on Aspen Mountain, exploring backcountry terrain in the Elks, or lapping the steep trees off the Deep Temerity chairlift at Aspen Highlands, all while maintaining comfort and protection.

The thoughtful details, like the reinforced cuffs and the beacon-specific pocket, show Black Diamond’s understanding of both resort and backcountry skiers’ needs.

While the design may run slightly large and the waist adjustment system could use refinement, these shortcomings are overshadowed by the ski pants’ overall performance and versatility.

For the mountain enthusiast looking for a shell ski pant that can handle everything from casual resort days to serious backcountry missions, the Recon LT offers a compelling solution that doesn’t compromise on essential features or performance.