Gearzilla » Pants

Winter OR Round-Up: Gore Tex Introduces New Gore Tex Pro

nborchelt — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 18:00:09 +0000

www.gore-tex.com
Gore Tex’s most waterproof membrane, Pro Shell, got a significant upgrade this year. The 2.5- and 3- layer membrane has always been on top of the waterproof category, but breathability was an issue. The new Pro Shell is a rumored 28 percent more breathable than the original, putting its sweat management properties up with the best in the industry. The 100 percent ePTFE-based microstructure is bonded to the outer material, with a specially developed lining completing the system. To increase durability, Gore added a new patent-pending Micro Grid Backer technology for internal abrasion and snag resistance. We tested a new Arc ‘Teryx Pro Shell jacket for Fall ’13 on an Interconnect ski from Solitude to Alta to Brighten and back. This tester’s pants were last year’s Pro Shell, the jacket was the new stuff. The Interconnect is lots of steep skinning, followed by great backcountry ridges and bowls. The new material really does breathe well. We’ll report on ongoing tests later this spring, with special focus on not only breathability, but waterproofness as well. Expect to see this new tech in a handful of outdoor brands like The North Face, Arc’Teryx, Outdoor Research, Marmot, and Mammut.

Bergans of Norway Storebjorn Salopette Ski Bibs

nborchelt — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 13:01:22 +0000

www.bergans.no
Bibs may seem like the kind of ski product reserved for kids, but I love them—they give you really bomb-proof coverage against the snow, especially in the deep stuff, when snow can wiggle its way under your jacket hem. And these bibs from Bergans of Norway pull out all the stops. They incorporate full water-resistant zippers down the legs, easily adjustable suspenders, and removable gators, and two mesh pockets up front. The three-layer water- and windproof membrane kept me safe from the elements, but they had enough stretch to make ‘em comfortable and mobile, especially on long skins into the backcountry (or while pulling tricky moves while mountaineering). The zipper fly also makes attending the calls of nature much easier than I remembered when I was a kid—which is wonderful! A Recco avalanche rescue reflector has been integrated into the pants, offering some comfort when heading into the backcountry, but I’m not a big fan of the mesh thigh pockets. No matter what you have in them, they feel over-stuffed.
-Chris Boyle

REI Sahara Convertible Pants

nborchelt — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 12:00:32 +0000

www.rei.com
Converting from pants to shorts (when you’re wearing a two-in-one combo) typically means sitting down, unzipping the legs, and then wrestling them off over your hiking shoes. And if your kicks have gotten muddy, the pant leg interiors will get muddy, too—unless you add another step and remove your footwear. REI’s Sahara Pants have a simple, ingenious solution: they’ve run side zippers up the full length of the lower leg, providing both an easy method to cool off and an efficient way to remove the legs without so much as sitting down. Just unzip vertically, then unzip the loop at the thighs and you’re in shorts mode, no muss, no fuss, and no dirt or mud (the color-coded thigh zips also make it easy to put them back on). The lightweight nylon fabric has a UPF 50+ rating and has been treated with a DWR finish to help shed moisture and stains, and the elastic waist helps dial in the fit. We love the travel- and trail-friendly profusion of pockets, including side cargos, front hand, a zippered coin pocket, and two rear pockets (one zippered). The gusseted crotch also allows for freedom of movement on the trail. Sizing, however, might prove tricky; the inseams come in two-inch increments (which is great as the pant’s can’t be easily hemmed), but the S, M, L, XL designation could leave some between sizes.

Rab Hueco Pants

nborchelt — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 12:00:43 +0000

us.rab.uk.com

The fact that our tester was willing on more than one occasion to wear his Rab Hueco Pants instead of a pair of shorts during this summer’s sweltering heat is a testament to their comfort. In fact, the Hueco’s lightweight versatility almost runs counter to notion that this gear comes from a UK manufacturer presumably more familiar with Scottish Highland squalls than triple-digit heat and humidity. However, the Hueco performed admirably as the go-to camp attire at a weekend music festival in the Blue Ridge Mountains, not to mention on day hikes and short commuter bike rides (hell, they even made an appearance at a tony Georgetown Independence Day brunch, on one of the hottest days of the year amidst D.C.’s summer blackout). Plentiful and ample pockets, including one off the right thigh, offer room to stash incidentals and snacks, while the hems can be tightened via cords should you need to keep out crud or other nasties. A small measure of spandex (3 percent) with the polyester provides the right measure of stretch, and the fabric dries quickly should things turn foul. The one knock our tester had is that the front hip pockets can feel a little tight to access in those instances when you’re in a rush to extract some item. The fit for these pants is quite slender, too, so keep that in mind when ordering.

First Ascent Mount Rainier Storm Shell Pants

nborchelt — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 12:00:29 +0000

www.eddiebauer.com/EB/First-Ascent, 15 ounces
For many apparel manufacturers, “women-specific” often means that they shrink the length, narrow the shoulders, widen the hips, and add a lot of color—which is why brands like First Ascent rise to the fore in the outdoor industry. Their Rainier Storm Shell Pants benefit from all the same high-tech elements found in the men’s version, including three-layer waterproof/breathable material with reinforcement patches in the seat and knees, a feel and sound that’s far softer and quieter than any hard shell should be, and three-quarter length waterproof side zips that make on-and-off a breeze, even over bulky hiking boots. The combo of belt loops and an integrated belt system also let you dial in the perfect fit. The cut is tailored to a woman’s slimmer frame—but the real touch of genius can be found with the U-shaped rear zipper, which allows femme testers to easily commune with nature without having to shed the pants (or a climbing harness) in the process. (a detail that’s not part of the men’s Mount Rainier) These pants are ideal as an extra layer to toss on when conditions become nasty while hiking, backpacking, or climbing. But they do double duty as your backup ski or snowboarding pants for all but the gnarliest of conditions. As they’re designed to go over a pair of hiking pants, expect them to be roomy; go smaller if you want a truly trim fit or are planning to wear them over a next-to-skin baselayer.

REI Endeavor Convertible Pants

nborchelt — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 12:00:11 +0000

www.rei.com
Though our testers are often split on the aesthetic acceptability of convertible pants, the logic behind ‘em is hard to fault, especially on days that start off cool (legs on), shift to warm (zip off the legs for insta-shorts), and then get cold at night (back to pants). Unlike some of the transformable pants out there, REI’s Endeavor Convertibles boast a rugged fabric that’s wind resistant up to 30 miles per hour. They’ve also been treated with DWR coating for water resistance and provide SPF 50+ sun protection. Spandex—a modest 11 percent—has been blended with the poly to provide both a trimmer fit and ample maneuverability for stream-hopping and rock scrambling. Our tester loved that the zips for the removable legs are color-coded; no more guessing which goes on which leg. The zipper pockets (hands, rear, and a right-hand-side cargo) offer ample storage for ear buds, iPhone, and sunscreen, and also make them ideal for travel…if, that is, you vote that convertible deserve to be worn beyond the trail. The shorts stop about two inches above the knee, which may be too short for some.
Only available in men’s models.

Patagonia Sells Used Clothes and Gear—Thanks to eBay

nborchelt — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 12:00:57 +0000

Introducing Gearzilla’s The Future of Gear, a new column that will highlight some of the coolest trends in the outdoor and travel gear industry, profile industry leaders and their ground-breaking ideas, and preview some of the best new product slated to hit the market in the coming months.

Apparel and gear manufacturer Patagonia recently introduced the sale of used product on their web store. Part of the company’s Community Threads Initiative—which encourages consumers to buy only what they need, repair what breaks, share what they no longer need, and recycle everything else—this move continues to promote the company’s robust pro-environment identity.

The new feature displays product that’s on sale on eBay within patagonia.com’s Used Clothing and Gear section, filtered by gender and product type, as well as kid’s gear. Interacting with the specific products takes you to eBay itself, which handles product fulfillment in its typical fashion (Patagonia also includes instructions on how to sell your used product, aping the step-by-steps that lets you sell stuff on eBay.)

From a business perspective, they could potentially erode the sale of some of their latest and greatest (regularly priced) product by promoting the same stuff at half the cost. But there’s no real overhead for Patagonia, either; eBay’s auctioneers handle all the specifics of each sale while Patagonia product stays in the hands (and on the backs) of happy travelers and lovers of the outdoors, boosting brand loyalty. The play also reinforces the durability story of the brand and serves as a solid platform to promote their pledge to reduce the environmental footprint implicit in gear and apparel manufacturing—a pledge we encourage you all to take.

Got something you want us to cover in The Future of Gear? Let us know by adding a comment!

Arc’Teryx Alpha SL Rain Pants

nborchelt — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 08:00:17 +0000

www.arcteryx.com
If you love playing in the outdoors, eventually you’re gonna get wet. Some use this climatic inevitability as an excuse to stay inside, while the truly enthusiastic knows that surviving poor weather comes down to simply outfitting yourself with the right gear. Enter the Alpha SL, Arc’Teryx’s lightest, most packable rain pants. Gore-Tex Pac-Lite assures wind/waterproof breathability, with angled side zips that extend from ankle to knees, making them easy to put on without removing your shoes. Metal clasps at the bottom clip onto boot laces to obviate the need for gaiters, extra patches of durable fabric at the lower seams and inside of the legs make for seasons-long endurance, articulation at the knees and seat offer greater range of motion, and an elastic waist band with a draw chord assures a no-sag fit. The pants stayed warm and dry throughout a 24-hour melee with hurricane-force winds and rain while backpacking in “wet and wonderful” West Virginia. You won’t find easy access to your inner pockets, but at only nine ounces, these are the rain pants you’ll stash in your pack and forget–until the rain and wind remind you.

Horny Toad Postman Pants

nborchelt — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 08:00:32 +0000

www.hornytoad.com
Perhaps it’s an holdover from earlier generations, but we at Gearzilla have a hard time with those who wear sweat pants on airplanes (even in the world of the oxymoronic “fashion sweats”). We don’t carry this to the logical extreme of wearing a three-piece suit for an hours-long flight, but a bit of respectability can go a long way, which is why we’re thrilled to discover the Horny Toad’s Postman pants. At first glance, they look like a pair of traditional suit pants (which, we argue, is a good thing), with a slightly heathered twill that’s smooth to the touch and can be dressed up or down, depending on the occasion. But our inner gear geek is sated by the poly/cotton stretch fabric that provides all kinds of comfort, from continental globe-hopping to wandering the city streets of a far-flung metropolis for several days without evidence of wear or wrinkles. Ultra-deep buttoned hand pockets (one with a pocket inside a pocket) are supplemented with a snap cell phone pocket on the right leg. The back pockets are also button-secured, and while one tester thought the buttons on the side pockets (and that pocket within a pocket) were over-thought details, those weary of pickpockets may appreciate the added security. The fabric thickness makes these pants warm on hot, humid days, but traveling throughout spring and fall just got more comfortably stylish.

Outdoor Research Foray Rain Pants

nborchelt — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 08:00:24 +0000

www.outdoorresearch.com
Lions and lambs, showers and flowers—spring is chock-full of rhymes that remind you that winter is on its way out. But when you’re in the backcountry and the rain starts falling, those sun-kissed dreams of warmth can quickly give way to temps that echo the deepest, darkest cold months of yore. The Foray Rain pants offer hearty armor against such climate inversions. Though the pants weigh in at a feathery 11.5 ounces, you get full-on waterproof/breathable protection thanks to the Gore-Tex PacLite laminate and completely sealed seams. PacLite is one of Gore’s most breathable, lightest waterproof fabrics, and is plenty durable enough for pants while hiking, camping, and backpacking. Three-quarter-length zips run from the hem up to the upper thighs on the outer legs, which allows for instant heat regulation and easy on/off, with an elastic draw waist and gripper elastic cuffs at the ankles. The zippered back pocket doubles as a stuff sack. They won’t replace your go-to ski pants—and they’re not supposed to. The Foray Pants are meant to keep you dry in monsoon conditions, which translate into warmth and sanity on the trail from spring through fall.