Hello. I'm in the market for a pair of winter pants. I don't spend much time in the snow. I climbed two peaks while traveling in South America last year and rented pants both times. I'm now planning for a summit attempt up Mt. Shasta this summer and thought it might be time to purchase a proper pair of winter pants. I've taken a pair of Patagonia Rockcraft pants to hell and back (twice), and I'm intrigued by the new Simul Alpine Pants.
Patagonia ambassador Tommy Caldwell has raved about them. At 13.2 oz, the Simul Alpine Pants aren't much heavier than my Rockcrafts that I use year-round, and I'm wondering if they are truly suitable for winter activities. Patagonia also makes a heavier-duty model called the Dual Point Alpine Pants. On the one hand, the lighter-weight Simul Alpine Pants might be perfect since I'm not in the snow too often. On the other hand, perhaps it would be smarter to optimize for something more heavy duty that compliments my 3-season Rockcraft pants.
I've seen reviews on BPL for the Simple Guide and Alpine Guide pants. I think they have been discontinued, but I've included the specs below for comparison. I appreciate any feedback.
New Models:
Simul Alpine Pants:
13.2 oz / 5.2-oz 100% polyester stretch double weave
http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/mens-simul-alpine-pants?p=83060-0
Dual Point Alpine Pants:
19.2 oz (6.8-oz 63% nylon/26% polyester/11% spandex stretch double weave)
http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/mens-dual-point-alpine-pants?p=83050-0&pcc=1128
Old Models:
Simple Guide Pants:
15.2 oz (6.2-oz 91% all-recycled polyester/9% spandex double weave)
Alpine Guide Pants:
19.7 oz (7.1-oz and 9.5 oz Polartec® Power Shield® stretch-woven 46% nylon/46% polyester/8% spandex)
