sepultura Posted January 1, 2014 Posted January 1, 2014 Was hoping to get some opinions on what people think is the best. Maybe I am unrealistic or just plain hard on stuff but I can not seem to get more than a couple of seasons out of my pants! Been trying various brand over the years but nothing seems to hold up. Biggest complaint is the buckles on my boots rubbing through the fabric, seems like cuff protection all the way around would be wise. Does this exist? Thanks! Quote
JasonG Posted January 1, 2014 Posted January 1, 2014 Didn't you hear? Skiing is finished for the season. Time to saddle up the mini ponies for picnics with the little woman. Quote
sepultura Posted January 1, 2014 Author Posted January 1, 2014 I thought you would never ask Jason! Been looking for an excuse to saddle em' up!! Quote
Tyson.g Posted January 1, 2014 Posted January 1, 2014 I cannot say enough good things about my experience with Sherpa brand. YMMV but my convertible pants, zip-t and microfleece lined soft shell pants have held up extremely well. Quote
sepultura Posted January 1, 2014 Author Posted January 1, 2014 Thanks Tyson, I will check that out Quote
Bronco Posted January 3, 2014 Posted January 3, 2014 Are you talking specifically about the TLT buckle rubbing a hole on the outer ankle area when in walk mode? I have some Arcteryx pants that I'm thinking I'll reinforce the inside of the pant leg with some duct tape in that spot before the hole appears. Â Oh, and yes, you probably ski enough that you'll wear out most pants in 2 seasons. Â The Arcteryx Gamma SK are the best softshell ski pant I've used. Quote
sepultura Posted January 3, 2014 Author Posted January 3, 2014 Yes Ryan, that is exactly what I am talking about, that TLT buckle in walk mode! My Gamma SK's are thrashed because of it. Great ski pant, get some protection on those before they are shredded like mine! Â I think it is a problem that TLT boot folks must have..? Quote
JasonG Posted January 3, 2014 Posted January 3, 2014 I actually saw somewhere where a person had taken a new pair of pants and cut a hole for the TLT buckle. They reinforced the edges of the cut with some fancy stitching I think. So, perhaps that is what you need to do Scott, quit fighting it and just cut out the ragged part! Quote
genepires Posted January 3, 2014 Posted January 3, 2014 no real ideas about tlt boots but how about a small gator over the boot but under the pants? Â Quote
Bronco Posted January 3, 2014 Posted January 3, 2014 Scott, check this out:  http://getstrongergolonger.squarespace.com/journal/2013/2/18/making-it-better-dynafit-movement-pants.html  Seems like a lot of work to me but worth a shot if you can sew. Quote
mountainsloth Posted January 4, 2014 Posted January 4, 2014 I love my OR bc soft shell pants. Forget what they are called. Quote
PaulB Posted January 15, 2014 Posted January 15, 2014 I've been skiing in a pair of MEC bibs made of Polartec PowerShield for about 10 years. Other than the DWR having worn off, they're still going strong. PowerShield rocks. Â Sadly, it's almost impossible to find proper soft shell bibs anymore. Quote
astrov Posted January 16, 2014 Posted January 16, 2014 I love my OR bc soft shell pants. Forget what they are called.  http://www.outdoorresearch.com/en/mens-trailbreaker-pants.html  The trailbreaker? I've been curious about these for B.C. use. Quote
jakedouglas Posted January 16, 2014 Posted January 16, 2014 I looked at the Trailbreaker but found that it was substantially heavier than anything else I was considering. I just got the Gamma MX pants and like them, but can't comment on long term durability. Quote
BGardner Posted January 17, 2014 Posted January 17, 2014 OR Trailbreakers are great. They have a bunch of big pockets and some great vents so they may be heavier and more complicated then some want. I actually use mine more for climbing then skiing but they work for both. Â I also had a pair of Patagonia backcountry guides that held up for 4 seasons of skiing and guiding. Again on the heavy and featured side. Definitely baggier then the Trailbreakers. To baggy for me to use them as climbing pants. Â I was also on the search for softshell bibs and picked up a pair of BD Dawn Patrol hybrid bibs. http://blackdiamondequipment.com/en/pants-bibs/dawn-patrol-hybrid-bib-APGDB2_cfg.html?dwvar_APGDB2__cfg_color=Azurite#start=1 Â I've put about 25 days on them so far and am very happy. When I first tried them on they felt very snug, euro tight, but they quickly stretched out a bit on the first day and now they fit great. Not tight and not baggy. Only durability issue so far is that the little diamond logo on the pocket is pealing off. Since I'm not sponsored I figure that is more BD's problem then mine. Â I think any pair of pants is going to need a little bit of added armor to deal with the TLT buckle. Quote
sepultura Posted January 23, 2014 Author Posted January 23, 2014 Thanks for the input everybody! Choices, choices..... Â Â Quote
Doug_Hutchinson Posted January 23, 2014 Posted January 23, 2014 Regarding the TLT buckle issue (I am really not sold on this concept except for skimo racing); why not do do the surgical tubing mod for walk mode so the buckle doesn't have to flip open: Â http://www.wildsnow.com/11289/dynafit-tlt-6-modifications-mod-diy/ Quote
offroadfanatic Posted April 1, 2014 Posted April 1, 2014 I really like my NW Alpine Fast / Light pant.  They seem Durable, but I haven't worn a pair of softshell pants out in a long time! The Cuff expands really big for ski boots.  http://nwalpine.com/store/#!/~/category/id=5178964&offset=0&sort=normal  Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.