Maloja may still be emerging as an easily-recognized brand in the United States but it reigns supreme in Europe, thanks to their unique blend of bold designs with modern innovation for cycling and skiing apparel. The Maloja BraidaM Ski Touring pants ($239), which I’ve been using for Nordic skiing, seamlessly carry out what I love the most from this brand that hails from high in the Bavarian mountains.
What I Loved
Wind-resistance
Howling, frigid wind that penetrates fabric and chills the legs is a major contributor to a lack of warmth and comfort. The Maloja BraidaM touring pants did not have this problem thanks to a wind-blocking front made from GORE-TEX INFINIUM™ Windstopper. The membrane, when integrated into apparel, blocks all wind while still retaining its breathability. This was a bit of a (nice) shock to me because Maloja doesn’t specify on their site that the BraidaM’s are made with GORE-TEX Infinium™ Windstopper but they are. They really should call this out because it’s an important justification of the $239 price tag.
Breathability & Ventilation
Another contributing factor to discomfort is when you work up a sweat and the sweat is trapped between your skin and the fabric. The Maloja BraidaM touring pants mitigate this problem in two ways. Two nicely long zippered ventilated slits on the thighs that open to a breathable mesh fabric and the GORE-TEX Infinium™ membrane. The breathable mesh fabric speaks for itself and anything with made with GORE-TEX Infinium™ is highly breathable and desirable.
Stretchy and non-Restrictive
Even with their attractive slim fit and a Brynje of Norway baselayer. We all like to show off our fine physiques on the trails but if that “sleek silhouette” isn’t done right, it’s an endless fight against constricting fabric. This wasn’t the case for me. The two contributing factors are its stretchy 4-way fabric that allows for an unimpeded range of motion and the sizing. I wear a size small and found the Maloja size small to be accurate.
Foot/bootstrap
This is a nice bonus because it holds the pant leg securely beneath your ski boot and does not impede ski bindings. The bottoms of the begs are also reinforced with a nice Cordura fabric for extra protection against twigs and branches, wet snow, or hard snow chunks.
What I Didn’t Like
Nothing to say here.
Final Thoughts
Like Braunschweiger and Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte, the wind-resistant, breathable, agile and GORE-TEX Infinium ™ Windstopper-infused Maloja BraidaM Ski Touring pants is another fine example of German engineering! Pairs beautifully with the Maloja OilinM hoodie.
