Need Recommendation on Soft-Shell Pants

[airmoss]

My Mountain Equipment Co-op Ferrata pants finally bit the dust so I need to replace them ASAP. I am so bummed that they don't make these any more. They are the perfect alpine pants. I've done everything in them from winter accents of Hood, summer scrambling, and lift skiing. I really like the Schoeller fabric for ease of movement and the way it sheds the weather. The other great thing about these pants is that they don’t have ankle zips, but have a nice stretchy shock cord sewn into the bottom of the pant that makes for a nice snug fit over plastic mountaineering boots, or ski boots.

 

Please help me with recommendations on alpine soft-shell pants!!

 

[Le Piston]

I also love the Schoeller fabric. I tend to like knickers as some of the full length pants are too warm for me. I have some Ibex knickers that I love. For colder weather I use Arc'teryx Gamma AR pants. I keep looking for Schoeller pants with zip off legs...that would be my perfect pant. I have used Mammut pants in the past with good luck, but they got chewed up over many years of abuse. The Mammut Courmayeur pants were pretty sweet.

[hafilax]

I love my Patagonia Alpine Guide pants that I bought last year. I used them for all skiing including a big wet storm at baker and the Garibaldi Neve traverse + summit. Dry and comfortable the whole time.

[t_rutl]

Mammut Champ - But a little warm for summer

Arc'teryx Gamma AR - Bit lighter, nice pockets

Marmot Cortina - My new fav

http://marmot.com/fall_2009/mens/outerwear/pants/cortina_pant

 

those are some I like...but like anything tho...comes down to personal pref and fit!

[robpatterson5]

I really like my Gamma AR pants, the pockets and fabric is nice. I hear Valhalla Pure uses the same fabric in their pants? I'd suggest getting any other color then black.

Hope that helps.

[Dane]

Pair of lg, black, Arc'teryx Gamma AR pants in the yard sale.

[LeTiger]

I own a pair of the Gamma AR as well, and have to say they have failed to impress me. They look nice, feel nice, but when it comes to repel-ency after 3 or 4 uses, I have not had much luck keeping them treated.

 

I would have bought the Patagonia "Guide" or "Super Guide" pants had they been available at my store, as I have heard nothing but rave reviews for patagonia's softshell line.

 

my 2c

 

- Guthrie

[ColinB]

I really have liked the Mammut Champ pants for winter climbing. They're way warm for anything in the summer, but they shed snow great and the long version gives you a 35" inseam if you're a tall one. They use a Scholler softshell, instead of a proprietary fabric.

[ASmith]

I second the Champ pant which I choose after comparing the guide against the Champ. Mamut also makes a lighter version for summer.

[letsroll]

Check these guys out.

 

Beyond Clothing

 

Granted you have to order them but and that takes some time but the pants I got from them are the BOMB. They are my fall, winter, early spring pants. I got an older version of the Cold Play pant. Full side zips and what not. Last year I only wished for tights under them one day and that day was windy cold. Oh and they are the ONLY company I can get pants that fit. What only short people do outdoor activities?

[TMO]

I've got some super light mammut pants that are probably the best I have used yet for summer... just checked their website and they don't make them anymore Eye balling the Champ though.

[Le Piston]

Are they the Talc? I had a pair of the Talc knickers and tore the seat out on Dorado Needle. I really liked them, but no soft shell pant should rip on their first climb. Took em back to REI for a refund.

[ASmith]

No the were the Cordemeyer. Mamutts Champ, Castor, Base Jump, Alto or Granite are all great depending on what you are looking for.

 

http://www.mammut.ch/en/productOverview/products_apparel_mens_apparel_hosen__shorts_usa/Pants+and+Shorts.html

[Le Piston]

The Courmayeur pants are great. I just wished I had bought 2 pair. I couldn't find them again locally in my size after being retired after years of climbing.

[billbob]

I ordered the softshell pants from First Ascent. Looked great in the ad, figured for $200 they would be just what I was looking for. Upon arrival discovered they lacked crampo-guards, better known as the snag- and tear-resistant hard patches on the lower legs. My old softies lacked them as well and I ended up shredding both lower calves with my crampons over the past couple years, forcing their early retirement. Sent the VA pants back to the company for a full refund. Bought Patagonia Guide pants, a bit heavy but otherwise excellent.

[letsroll]

Billbob, you know you can sew your own crampon patches on, nothard at all. But for $200 they should come with them.

[billbob]

Didn't know that, maybe that is for the better given the size of my digits. Prolly become a danger to myself and others if holding a needle and thread. Iron-on patches are OK, I can handle that much as long as someone else remembers to turn off the iron.

[crackers]

... lacked crampo-guards, better known as the snag- and tear-resistant hard patches on the lower legs.... Bought Patagonia Guide pants, a bit heavy but otherwise excellent.

 

But the Guide pants don't have them either...