nylon vs supplex hiking pants?

Supplex is Dupont brand nylon. I like its lightness, its quick-drying property, and its feel next to skin. Aside from one pair of jeans and a "left over" Dockers cotton pants, ALL my pants are supplex nylon. Assuming there's an REI close to you, drive over and 'fondle' a pair of REI Sahara shorts or convertible pants. The REI convertible, like all convertibles, are ugly as heck — but the material itself is great.

As Ben said… supplex is a specific line of fabrics made by Dupont. There are different weights of it. There are a number of similar materials which are just fine as well such as MH Canyon Cloth, etc. There are some fabrics I like more than Supplex, like Cloudveil's Inertia Plus… the thing is, that all of these materials are significantly more expensive and less durable.

I would also note that a number of the folks that used to make 100% supplex pants, have converted some of their pants to be a nylon / spandex mix to give some stretch. I don't recommend these for backpacking… they take longer to dry and don't seem as durable.

–Mark

I think I want to go with 2 dark non-convertible pants for work and 1 lightcolored one that is convertible for hiking.

Is there anything except for the Outdoor Research that comes in a dark grey (peat) in a 38/XL?

I can make an addition to the differences others have described. Supplex (or generic called tasslan) has a peached (soft) finish.

My Royal Robbin and REI supplex pants all have a somewhat "slick / slippery" feel — not peachy/fuzzy.

The really couldn't find a supplex pant in a dark color this late int he season so I ordered two pairs of the MH Canyon Pant in Espresso to use for work. I found a pair of the Pat Island Hopper convertible in a retro khaki on sale so I thought I would try those out for the hiking. We shall see then. Thanks for the help

Brett:

One more thing about Supplex: durability!

In the old days when I used to wear Dockers, each pair lasted 2 years on average. But with supplex, I have yet to wear one out — my oldest pair was purchased 8 years ago and it's still going strong!

"My Royal Robbin and REI supplex pants all have a somewhat 'slick / slippery' feel — not peachy/fuzzy.)" -ben2world

http://www.supplex.invista.com/

"Peached" can may be subtle, but makes a difference next-to-skin. Compare it to ripstop or taffeta to help differentiate.

Thanks for the link. However subtle, I feel nothing peachy about my pants — although they still feel good next to skin, as stated earlier.

I suspect there is "market speak" here. Words can mean everything and nothing to marketers. Reminds me of Goretex brochures… :)

supplex in the backcountry – not a good idea. While they feel good, they attract seeds and pickers.

I call these my reforestation pants.

Dave

Static cling? :)

I've never had problems with "things" clinging to my pants — and I've worn them all around the world for 8 years and counting. Pray tell, where did this happen?

What have you people got me into?
JK

This was on a recent hike in northern Michigan. I have never seen this plant before, but it was everywhere. The seeds have a sticky end. The hikers that wore a slippery type nylon – similar to my rain pants- had no problem. It may be a good way to meet people, just act helpless and they will help de-burr you.

Dave

Thanks for the info. Imagine the last day — going straight from trailhead to Starbucks! :)

Looks like bone-seed. Global weed. Yuk.

Cheers