They remembered to add all but one feature that I requested, the gusseted ankle zips. They remembered to add the ankle zips but forgot to add a fabric gusset behind it, meaning that wearing the ankle zips unzipped would expose socks/skin. I don’t mind this too much as the primary function of ankle zips is to unzip for putting the pants on due to the extremely sharp taper, but it is definitely worth mentioning. Another partial flaw was that while I asked for the ankle zips to be on the rear of the leg, they were instead added onto the outside seam. I will explain why this is a flaw later.

The only visible external branding is a Ventile tag beneath the waist band. Not a big deal to me. Have left it until now and don’t intend to remove it. Forgot about it until writing this review.

The knee articulation is pretty simple and stock standard, featuring two sets of darts on the front of each knee and a single set of darts on the rear of each knee. While this is generally more than adequate for my use, it is significantly less intricate than the P10s the pants were ordered to emulate, and this is often reflected in the fit, with knee/shin fabric stacking often appearing less visually pleasing than they do in the fit pics given above and below.

Worth noting is that despite the fabric offering 0 stretch, the knee and crotch articulation has meant that these pants offer me a greater range of movement than my 0 stretch or even 3% spandex/elastane shorts. When walking the lack of stretch is near unnoticeable, with the only time I’ll notice the lack of stretch being when fully kneeling down to tie my shoelaces, or getting too comfortable at work/uni and having a big stretch in my seat.

As for the ankle zips being sewn into the outseam rather than onto the rear of the legs, this changes how the pants stack, and boy does Ventile stack. As pictured below, the zips being sewn into the side can create a bit of a bulge due to the structure of the zips. Although I can’t speak from a direct comparison, I have been told that if the zips were sewn into the rear of the pants that this would occur less or at least less visually jarring.

However, that is not to say that I am unhappy with the pants. I am more than happy with this “experiment”. Happy enough to order again if I ever felt the need, whether that be to try a new style of pants or replace these ones down the road.

Worth noting is that the color isn’t quite a true black, it has a significant tinge of blue. However, I generally haven’t found it blue enough to complain, just worth noting for anyone that might care more than I do. I have offered a color comparison below.