Arc'teryx Levon Pant

The Arc'teryx Levon Pant uses midweight cotton-nylon stretch canvas for versatile casual wear that handles light outdoor activity. The gusseted crotch and articulated knees provide mobility that typical chinos lack, while the clean styling works for travel, office, and town use. A PFC-free DWR treatment repels light rain and stains.

I wear these on travel days, casual outings, and when technical pants look out of place. The stretch canvas moves with your body while walking, cycling, and on casual hikes, without the stiffness of traditional cotton pants. The DWR treatment has saved me from coffee spills and light rain showers more than once.

Cotton-Nylon Canvas with PFC-Free DWR

The cotton-nylon canvas uses a blend ratio that balances natural comfort with synthetic durability. The cotton content provides breathability and soft hand feel, while the nylon adds abrasion resistance and faster drying than pure cotton. The mechanical stretch comes from the weave pattern rather than elastane.

Arc'teryx designed the Levon with performance features hidden in casual styling. The gusseted crotch eliminates binding during movement, and the articulated knees bend naturally during walking and sitting. The PFC-free DWR treatment repels water and stains without the environmental concerns of traditional DWR chemistry.

How Do the Arc'teryx Levon Pants Fit?

The fit follows Arc'teryx's clean aesthetic with a straight leg and natural waist. At just over 6 feet and 165 pounds, I wear a size 32 with a comfortable, non-restrictive fit. The stretch canvas allows movement without the pants feeling tight or looking overly slim.

The waist sits at natural height and stays in place during movement. The rise is medium, avoiding both the low-rise discomfort of fashion pants and the high-rise look of traditional hiking pants. The leg opening is wide enough for casual footwear without looking baggy.

Travel, Office, and Light Outdoor Use

These work for travel, office casual, restaurant dining, and light outdoor activities. The stretch canvas handles walking, cycling, and easy hiking without restricting movement. The styling is appropriate for business-casual settings where technical pants would be out of place.

For dedicated hiking, the Lefroy Pant or Gamma Pant provides better breathability and technical performance. For purely casual use where performance doesn't matter, cheaper chinos exist. The Levon occupies the space between, delivering technical construction in casual styling.

DWR Fades After About 20 Washes

The PFC-free DWR sheds water and stains effectively when new. Like all DWR treatments, it diminishes over time and with washing. I've gotten about 20 washes before noticing reduced water beading. Tumble drying on low heat temporarily reactivates the treatment.

For sustained rain, these aren't waterproof shells. The DWR handles brief exposure and keeps light moisture from soaking through immediately. For heavy rain or extended wet conditions, waterproof pants remain necessary.

Technical Construction in Casual Styling

For versatile casual pants that handle light outdoor activity and travel, the Levon delivers. The stretch canvas, gusseted crotch, and articulated knees provide comfort and mobility that standard chinos can't match. The DWR treatment adds practical protection without affecting appearance.

The price sits at the premium end of casual pants. For pure office wear where performance doesn't matter, cheaper options exist. For travelers who want a single pair of pants that works across multiple contexts, the Levon's versatility justifies the cost.

The Patagonia Twill Traveler offers similar stretch-twill construction at a comparable price point. Both handle travel and casual outdoor use effectively.

For other casual Arc'teryx pieces, see the Captive Polo and Conveyor Belt.