I ordered my first pair of MAX Stretch Thermal Skinny Outdoor Trousers from Acai recently having seen their Facebook ads for years. I’m not a hiker per se so I hadn’t actually bought them even though I loved them from the start. I’m just a mum with a dog. Anyway, I joined their mailing list at some point so I’ve been getting emails too so I started to see their Acai Trousers much more.
They aren’t cheap so feel like quite the investment for someone who doesn’t feel they get out quite far enough to warrant that. Anyway I did a bit of digging and fell in love with the story of how Acai came to be. Kasia Bromley worked at Alexander McQueen until they decided to move to Scotland. When there she was teased at times for her outdoor wear but couldn’t find anything that ticked all the boxes.
So she went home and cut up her favourite pair of jeans and used them as a template to make a pair of trousers that were showerproof and stretchy/comfy for walking but fitted like your favourite pair of jeans! What an amazing story and I think we can all agree the idea of taking scissors to your favourite pair of jeans isn’t something we’d do lightly. So the Acai Trousers were born.
My first thoughts of my Acai Trousers
So I took the plunge…and then literally when they arrived. I HAD to do the cold shower test! I needed to know if the water droplets beaded or soaked in. They beaded! I couldn’t believe it and was delighted. I also didn’t get a cold or wet leg so that’s a win.
But let’s rewind a bit, I opened them as soon as they arrived. And I was pleased with the feel of them and the fabric. The fleece inside felt loved so I rushed to get them on. Well I’ve hardly taken them off since! Loads of people have asked me about them and complimented them. And they really do feel like jeans but comfier and warmer.
Appreciate I need to clean my boots but I did say you’d get the real me and the real me doesn’t clean my boots very often! The puppy (yes really – I know he’s huge), thought we were going out as it was so he wasn’t going to appreciate the delay.
How do the Acai Trousers wash?
I waited to do this review until I’d washed them because I wanted to do a full test. Taking them off was sad but I was fairly sure they would dry quickly. If I’d had heating that is! We ran out of oil so nothing was drying quickly – yes in January!! Anyway I digress. I threw them in with everything else, there had been some mud splashes from the dog walks I’d been testing them on. 30 degrees wash and they came out spotless and no creases at all. Threw them on the airer and they certainly dried quicker than my favourite pair of jeans.
Are the Acai Thermal Trousers true to size?
The short answer is yes. But, there’s always a but isn’t there. So I’m a size 10, when I got these perhaps an 11 but most people don’t make half sizes. If I go to the size guide I would be a 12. Because my waist isn’t 30 inches its more like 31-32. So, the but is because if I go to what I usually buy and ignore the measurements on the size guide then I’m a ten. And then they are true to size. If you go to the measurements in the size guide then you could size down I’m sure. These are supposed to be fitted. They have a 4 way stretch so no fear of ripping if you bend down etc.
The pictures of me bending in them were after I put them on the first time, not worn in like your tighter jeans may need to be. I find this to be the case in nearly all clothes I buy and if I buy a 12 I find them loose most of the time. Hopefully that helps you decide which size to go for as some say size down, some say they are true to size and some say they come small. I swear UK clothes sizes are a minefield but I’m sure it isn’t limited to us in the UK either.
What have I worn the Acai Trousers for?
Walking the dog, in freezing and snowy and generally muddy January conditions! The school run, working from home with my oil filled radiator instead of proper heating. Lounging about on the sofa having a cuppa. A trip to the snowdome with the kids – I didn’t ski but I would have worn these instead of getting my ski trousers out. I found that I was so much warmer on my legs than if I wore my usual Fabletics leggings (even the warm ones) or jeans.
It also reminded me of the comfort of chef whites. I used to be a chef for a when I was young and you shouldn’t underestimate how comfortable they are. It felt like going to work in your pjs!
So I did the shower test as you know but we all need a rest from time to time so I thought I’d test a wet bench in Scotland…in January no less! I sat admiring the view for a few minutes…no one else sat down because they had normal trousers on. Didn’t feel wet or cold when sitting and to my delight I didn’t have that cold or damp feeling when I stood up either. It’s a resounding yes from me! This was the last test I needed to complete to confirm I was delighted with my purchase. I just wish I’d ordered years ago.
Link to Acai Trousers
Have you tried Acai Outdoorwear before? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below! And do check out our other Love Life More Favourites too