Pants for Three Seasons?

Check out BPL's Trekking Thorofare Pants. Very breathable, bug proof and lightweight. A XL comes in at 4.4oz. I have heard of people using them on bike rides also. Goodluck

I wear ExOfficio pants. Many seem to like REI saharas too. There are many good brands.

Dear Tim-

Always nice to see another Georgian posting (I'm a native Atlantan). I have the exact same concern as you, wanting to wear pants but contending with our heat and humidity.

Here's a post I made a short while ago on the subject.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=17027&skip_to_post=128999#128999

I still like the rolled up running pants w/ button idea.

Another option I find interesting, under 10 oz, and with a side zipper venting option, is the Rail Rider Eco Mesh Pant. On sale.

http://www.railriders.com/eco-mesh-pant-p-837.html?cPath=116_120

Hey-
I think you'd be happy with the Traverse pants. I've been using an older, similar version called the Talus pant. I think mine might be a little thinner? But great stuff. Stretchy, comfortable, adaptable to a wide range of temps.

I stick to shorts until it starts to get around freezing. No pant I've ever worn has been breathable enough for me to not overwhelm it. The Thorofare pant doesn't work well at all in our humidity.

I got the Thurofare pants on this site when they first were introduced. Now I don't wear anything else. I have a draw full of hiking pants that I will probably never use!

4.1 oz for size large. They are generously sized so you can easily put a baselayer under them like merino wool and the nylon pants will protect them. They are so light, you can't even tell your wearing anything. I have hiking shorts that weigh twice as much?

The pair I got are very light tan color, I'm thinking of ordering the dark ones, also.

I've always been a big fan of convertibles in the warmer months. Like Chris, I tend to really overheat in a full pant, especially in the summer on a big uphill climb. I use a soft-shell pant when it's cooler, but they're just too hot when it's 90F with 80% humidity! I find zipping off the legs gives me a bit of relief; when I break out on that windy ridge, I zip the legs back on, and they provide as much wind protection as most soft-shell pants I've used. Wear a thin, wicking, close fitting short (I like the Ibex Seamless bike short) to prevent chafing, and also to strip down to for river crossings or when it's really, REALLY hot, and your covered for most of the conditions I've encountered in the Southeast April-October.

Hi Tim

Convertables – YUK.

I use my Taslan trousers everywhere except in the snow. See
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/make_your_own_gear_trousers.html

But you can do similar by buying some cheap light nylon track pants at the local discount shop and ripping out any lining they may have. Less glamour than 'Extreme Mountain Super-hero Trousers' – but a whole lot cheaper and just as good.

cheers

Edited to fix URL: 'they' had changed the address on me!

Roger the link doesn't work.

Thanks for all the info guys.

I'm thinking that I have a pair of extremely light and packable Brooks running shorts that I trail run in and use for lightweight business travel. Fashion aside, I also run in lycra/spandex triathlon compression shorts as well.

Do you guys think that very light shorts like these with something like a pair of Arc'Teryx Palisade pants, Traverse or some of the other suggestions over the top will be warm enough in fall and spring when in camp or not actively hiking on the trail?

Chris, Jed et al., I'm in Cobb County. If you are runners then join me at Red Top Mountain State Park some evening for a trail run with the headlamps.

-Tim-

I use some Adidas running shorts to hike in, and when it's cold (like now here in the Pyrenees) I put a pair of Montane Featherlite Pants on top to block the wind. They are very breathable, and weigh only 114g wihout stuffsac and pack to nothing. I use them in summer at high altitude in the morning and evening. They dry fast when wet, and are very breathable.

I hope this helps.
cheers,
fred

Hi Tad

URL fixed – see previous posting.

Cheers