Intresting UL wind pants from dance world

[Dale Wambaugh]

I found a pair of used dancer's warm up pants in a thrift store and I think they have excellent UL potential. And they are cheap too :)

Body Wrappers makes a full line of dance clothing. Their warm up pants are light ripstop nylon with an elastic waist and cuffs. Just plain pull-on pants, as Spartan as you could ask for, 3.5oz for size large on my scale and all of $20. The DWR on my used pair passes the sink sprayer test too.

See http://www.discountdance.com/dancewear/style_701.html?camp=Froogle_701&utm_source=Froogle&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=701&utm_campaign=Products

[Steven Paris]

I know I'm not the only one thinking that you have nice legs, Dale.

[Ken Thompson]

All that hiking keeps him trim.

[Mary D]

As he dances down the trail and tiptoes through the (oops, no tulips out in the wilderness, maybe balsam root or lewisia?)….

Seriously, it's a great idea to look elsewhere than normal hiking/backpacking suppliers–you can find interesting and suitable items in the strangest places!

[Dale Wambaugh]

Steven Paris quipped, "I know I'm not the only one thinking that you have nice legs, Dale."

Noooooo. If I am made in the image of the Creator, then He looks somewhat like a hairy bowling pin, as I sure do :)

At $15-$20 a pair, it would hurt less to shred a pair of wind pants. Montane Featherlight pants are $79US and weigh 4oz/pair!

[b willi jones]

never mind the pants, those shoes look pretty darn light, toe protection to boot

[James holden]

ive been saying it over and over again … "brand name" outdoor clothes are generally overpriced … you can get stuff much cheaper that is just as functional, and perhaps just as light for much less at discount stores and other places

the only time "brand name" stuff is worth it IMO is if you have a no questions asked warranty and intend to use it … or its something that you cant find anywhere else (which is getting rarer as everyone copies everyone)

an ember put a hole in my $19 old navy puffy … and u know what, i dont give a darn … cause it cost 19$ ;)

[Roger Caffin]

Hi Eric

> "brand name" outdoor clothes are generally overpriced … you can get stuff much
> cheaper that is just as functional,
Functional??? What's that mean??? Who's he???

Most of it is FASHION stuff for street cred. Ten times more profit in the fashion market. (or 100x)

Cheers

[Gregory Stein]

Maybe combine both?
…+ Photography :D

[Daryl and Daryl]

Dale,

Those look like something I could use. I ordered a pair to see.

Thanks for the tip. Never thought to look in the dance clothing area for options.

Daryl

[Paul Magnanti]

Great timing. My Montbell wind pants that I've had since 2004 somehow tore this weekend.

Did not feel like shelling out another $80. These pants are the same weight and a 1/4 the price and should work just as fine..and maybe a little more durable.

Now to explain to my fiancee' why a package is coming from a dance company. She loves to dance; I loathe it. :)

[Eric Blumensaadt]

What's that "ruffle" around the hips just below the waist?

Better call and ask B/C it looks like it's not too functional but a bit TOO effite.

Maybe it can be unstitched and let out to better accomodate you "bowling pin" posterior. ;O)

Seriousnessly Dale, Thanks for the info. I'm looking at them as a possible purchase.

[Dale Wambaugh]

The pants have a very plain elastic waist. The dancer has folded them over to make them fit her better. The ones I found are a quite
standard size large.

[Daryl and Daryl]

Dale,

Mine arrived and they are everything you said they were.

I got the medium size and they show 3.4 ounces on my scale (rounds to nearest .2 ounces).

I have a 34 inch waist and they are a little tight on me around the butt area. They are cut in a way that allows for good leg movement, however, so they are still useable. If I order another pair I'm going to go back to my old strategy of buying the biggist size of everything. I like baggy.

I've been looking for pants without pockets and zippers for years. These fit the bill. Thanks for the tip.

Daryl

[Raquel Rascal]

I got a pair of these today in the large size, and they are nice.

Question about them though- how would you use them? As your primary hiking pant, or as a layer in your pack to wear with your hiking pant? If so, would you wear them over or under your hiking pant?

[David Thomas]

>I have a 34 inch waist and they are a little tight on me around the butt area

So, Daryl, they make your butt look big?

[Dale Wambaugh]

I would use them exactly as I would a windshirt, for protection from wind and light precip. I think the best use for UL wind pants is when you would wear running style shorts and want the extra protection of long pants for cooler mornings or late evenings, if the weather turns cold, pretection from bugs, and so forth. I think this $20 alternative is better than shredding a $60-$80 pair of Pertex wind pants, or spending that much for very occasional use.

I haven't been a fan of wind pants because pants tend to take more of a beating than tops do. I normally wear nylon zip-offs or soft shell pants. If the weather turns bad in my locale, I would usually be turning to rain pants for more protection.

I would love to see this style offered in a lighter color for sun protection, or bug protection in sunny weather. I think the black color would be too hot in full sun.

[Raquel Rascal]

I appreciate you sharing your expertise. I don't think I'll be hiking with them normally, but I do think they would be great for 14ner day hikes in the Rockies, if you aren't expecting rain– to be kept in your pack– pulled out if the wind kicks up over your hiking pants. I tried the large size over my hiking pants and they fit well.

[drowning in spam]

Cold windy weather is around the corner. Thanks for suggesting these Dale.

[Dale Wambaugh]

Eugene wrote "Cold windy weather is around the corner. Thanks for suggesting these Dale."

Midsummer backup for UL shorts is what I had in mind. I think typical nylon hiking pants would provide as much protection and more durability. Carrying both would be needless duplication. The UL shorts with wind pants would make a good day hiking combo. Note that Andrew Skurka has used running shorts and wind pants for many of his treks.

I could make a case for wind pants used with tall gaiters and a long poncho, with the wind pants helping to close the gap and add some warmth on a day with miles of light drizzle.

[drowning in spam]

There's some duplication, but it's lighter than insulated pants, and less expensive than a new pair of hiking pants with a thicker/tighter weave. Wash it in Nikwax and it'll probably be useful to wear under a poncho too. I'll give these a shot if the tyvek pants I already have don't work out.

[Alex Wallace]

Yeah right! There is no way I can explain the charge from "dance world" on the credit card. Especially after ordering from "dirty girls." I mind as well file the paperwork in advance.

[Pete Staehling]

Thanks, these sound like exactly what I have been looking for. I was planning to make something very similar.

[Brett Peugh]

How do these differ from some of the just plain cheap nylon 'workout' pants that many retailers carry for around $20? I guess possibly the weight but 4 oz does seem really thin and lightweight. What are people's experiences with them?

[Harald Hope]

Great tip, I was going to make myself some wind/camp pants out of pertex or something, but this costs about the same as 2 yards.

I've been trying to cut down the weight of my poison oak camp clothes, this knocks off about 3oz give or take, and little work.

With long johns should also be fine for winter use.

For those who don't know, one of the better techniques for avoiding poison oak problems once you have lost your resistance to it is changing out of hiking clothes when you get to camp, that keeps you from accidentally spreading it from shoes/pants in particular to hands and face. Works, with care.

Eric Chan, thanks for pushing your point(s) so consistently, don't always agree, but I am glad to see someone who at least cares enough to say it.

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