Arcteryx pants

[Bogen]

Based on Don's recommendation, I bought the most expensive pair of pants I have ever owned. I decide to use gaitors, mainly to preserve the pants against crampons. Sure enough, the first day I am climbing in them, I hook the inside of my left knee with the heel of my crampon (don't ask!) above the gaitors and hard enough to really yank on the pants. I was sick at the thought that I had already ruined my nice new pants. Unbelievably, I cannot see a single thread out of place. Only later, at home, do I find that a single thread in the double stitched seam is broken. I cannot, even with minute inspection, detect any damage whatsoever to the fabric. These pants ROCK! They are super light, stretchy, and insanely water resistant. Considering how hard on clothes I am, I am convinced that these pants will save me alot of money in the long run.

[John Frieh]

And if you ever are lucky enough arc teryx does beautiful repairs... I had a pair of pants and 3 different jackets repaired... each one was excellent.

[Dru]

mozy,

 

i seldom get into expressing opinions about gear and clothing, cuz so much of it is just personal opinion (not objective performance difference), but i'll make an exception here...

 

the Arc'terxy Gamma LT pants have got to be the finest climbing pants on the face of the planet. the Tweave fabric is way more real-world abrasion-resistent, puncture-proof, and snow- and water-repellent than any of the Schoeller options. i had water spewing over my leg on the pillar on red wall wanderers last winter, and arrived at the belay totally DRY - without gaiters! i fell off a log bushwacking out from the same waterfall and punched a snag-end into the back of my thigh, and did NO visible damage to the fabric. i've got lots of experience with Schoeller pants (various generations of MEC ferrata pants, plus North Face too), and the Gammas cut them dead in both situations. i was SHOCKED by the superiority.

 

i bought "talls" (2" longer inseams) so as to get lots of leg length, then installed a double-length loop of tent shock-cord and a cordlock thru the cuffs to cinch 'em down around my boot-tops. i haven't had gaiters on since.

 

[the one serious criticism i'd make of the pants is that for US$200/cdn$300, they ought to come with pre-installed cuff elastics! aside from that, i would not change a single detail on the design. the name, on the other hand...]

 

the fabric is not as "insulative" as any of the Schoeller options, which means u gotta pop on long johns when you might otherwise go without, but that same "thinness" keeps them cooler in warm weather.

 

some people don't like the relatively "hard hand" of the Tweave fabric (it has less "appeal" in the shop), but it softens up a bit with use and washing, and it's indicative of greater toughness, water-resistence, and snow-shedding.

 

you're making a GREAT choice...

(and, no, i do NOT work for the bird!)

 

oh, just a suggestion, but why not go for a CHEAP pair of shell pants (even just PU-coated waterproof, not breathable) - you probably won't be using them much.

 

cheers,

 

i found out today that the valhalla pure "softshell" pants, marketed as "dri-trek", are tweave by a different name. at $200 a pop vs. $300 for the arcteryx, worth looking at maybe. not quite as nicely finished as the arcteryx

[Potlicker]

Anybody know if the Gamma LT pants are still available? I have a pair that I put a gaping whole in and cannot find replacements anywhere. They are also not shown on the dead bird website anymore. The AR's have too much volume in the leg to be a good alpine pant. If anybody can find a black, regular length, medium, snag 'em for me!

[Rainier_Wolfscastle]

If you are just backpacking, why not just spend $30 on some Sierra Designs or REI rainpants? Lighter & cheaper. If you must spend more, you can get those Marmot precip pants with full side zips for less than $100. I know those Arcteryx pants are nice, but they are still way overpriced IMO.