I just got my new pair of Bone Flats pants in the mail yesterday, and I thought I'd share my impressions. I needed to replace my BPL Thorofare pants which, after glissading too much last year in the Sierras, are in danger of vaporizing in a stiff wind. My size is still in at the BPL store, but I wanted to try RR's mesh ventilation system.
What I loved about the BPL Thorofare pants was the light weight (3.9 oz for my pair, size S), exceptionally quick drying time (mere minutes after fording a stream), and the minimal design. They did get a bit hot in direct sunlight, and ventilation was never quite as good as with shorts.
So far, the Bone Flats pants look good to me. They're more than twice the weight of the Thorofare pants (Size S, 30" inseam, weighed on my scale at 9.5 oz, which is 1 oz over spec). The mesh panels on the outside and inseam of each leg seem like they will be very nice for hot summer days. The fabric is very light, although clearly thicker than the BPL fabric. Design is pretty minimal, but there is added weight from a webbing belt, elastic and belt-looped waist, a zippered fly with a top button, and two zippered pockets (one butt pocket and one inside the right hand pocket).
The look of the RR pants is quite nice, although the BPL pants were sufficiently snazzy for town stops on the PCT. I'll certainly be treating the new pants a little more delicately since I'd like them to last longer. No glissading in these!
Just thought some folks might like to see the comparison. Anybody else try these out yet?
