Zipper (crotch) design for winter climbing

[fishstick]

Hi All,

 

I was wondering if anyone would be willing to share their thoughts (sans spray) regarding their preferences as to zipper (crotch) design in soft and hardshell bibs for winter climbing. The focus of the question is to assume that a climbing harness will be worn during the call of nature. Feedback from active female winter climbers is appreciated.

 

The feedback is to aid in the development of products for MEC.

 

Gender?

 

What system do you use now? Moon, through the crotch, drop seat, nothing (system must be dropped).

 

How long have you used that system?

 

Why do you use that system?

 

In a perfect world what system would you use (ignoring a potential need to update under-garments)?

 

Final question for women only: For winter climbing (not skiing) would you prefer to wear a pant or a bib (soft and/or hardshell)?

 

Please answer here or PM me.

 

Thank you.

 

GB

[PaulB]

Gender?

- Male

 

What system do you use now? Moon, through the crotch, drop seat, nothing (system must be dropped).

- Through the crotch for all layers (otherwise it just doesn't work!).

 

How long have you used that system?

- 8 years

 

Why do you use that system?

- It is warm, versatile and convenient.

 

In a perfect world what system would you use?

What I'm using now.

[willstrickland]

Gender: Male

 

Current Systems: Nothing, moon.

 

Previous: Through crotch zip.

 

Why use current system: Through-crotch didn't work well in practice. To elaborate:

 

Although through-crotch is great in theory, the stiffness of the zipper makes climbing and walking in them uncomfortable. Also, for it to work perfectly you need a base layer and insulation that also has the same zip-through.

 

The base-layer/insulation issue also renders most of the other systems useless as well. You can drop the seat, but still have to wrestle the capilene bottoms to bare ass.

 

Perfect world: A through crotch that used a closure system that was not stiff and underwear/insulation with the same system. Obviously zippers are out. Velcro would also be problematic because of snow clogging the velcro. I don't think there is a way to make through crotch work because of the closure.

 

SO...perfect world: Rainbow/moon style drop with some type of mini snap or velcro or something on the top edge of the drop seat (i.e. closest to your waist in the back)that mated up with something on the front so that when the drop-seat was dropped, you could secure it open and avoid that ever so embarassing. "I just smeared shit all over my shell" scenario when the drop seat flaps in the wind right into your growing, steaming pile of intestinally processed freeze dried Chicken ala King.

 

Also, always a fly zipper or snaps or something that allows me to rock out with my cock out , without having to drop trou. Seriously, I have some full side-zip windstopper fleece pants that are great...except to urinate I have to unzip a side seam, wrestle half the waist out of my harness, etc. How hard is it to include a fly opening eh?