Returning Cocoon balaclava and pant

I can really understand about the Balaclava, which I tried but then opted for one of the Hooded Cocoons which have very nice hoods. I wrote a reader review on the Cocoon Balaclava—it was another aspect that I objected to. I have the pants and I'm not crazy about shock corded drawstrings but I really don't find it that bothersome. That being said, I have any number of pants, insulated or otherwise, which have less than optimal belts. My standard operation procedure is to replace the cord (and in one case, a super heavy web belt) and replace with a very lightweight and comfortable 5/8" to 3/4" grosgrain belt closed with a plastic watchband style center-release watch- band clip. It's not really very hard. But then again I modify a lot of my equipment—sometimes subtly and occasionally with major surgery. One of the pleasures of gearheadom. :-)> Oh, yes—I do intend to do this to the Cocoon Pants, too.

I personally feel that the other attributes of the Cocoon Pants easily outweigh the negatives. But of course, that's me and this is a highly subjective matter.
I can see some people not unresonably feeling that since they paid a not insignificant sum for their equipment that it should meet their expectations.
It's consumer feedback such as this that often leads to better equipment…

Incidentlally, if those Pants are a medium, Miguel D Arboleda, who often posts here, is desperately looking for a pair.

I can't help Miguel: I wear size large.

I thought about threading some other sort of belt through the pants, but I don't see any way to do that without ripping out stitching, which I'm loathe to do. I can tear clothing apart but usually am unsuccessful in putting it back together.

Yes, shock cord (elastic) waistbands are uncomfortable. I second Kevin's suggestion of replacing shock cord waistbands with grosgrain. I had spare grosgrain (or was it it non-shock cord) from thru-hiker that I've used to replace several shock cord waistbands including a pair of Montane Featherlite pants.

> I thought about threading some other sort of belt through the pants, but I don't see any way to do that without ripping out stitching

Completely agreed–but there's no need to rip out stitching! Just tape the new waistband to the old and pull it through. Given minimal overlap and no knots, it shouldn't hang up. But if that doesn't work, just tape/tie the new waistband to a paperclip of a reasonable size and work that through. Or use stiff single-strand wire.

With the Cocoon, the biggest issue would be removing the eyelets the existing shockcord goes through. I propose cutting slots for the grosgrain where the eyelets are and buttonhole stitch around the slots to prevent ripping or unravelling. The waistband itself wouldn't need to be ripped open—-use one of the methods suggested by Colin to feed the grosgrain through.

Kevin, thanks for mentioning that. I really appreciate it. Love the image of this guy kneeling on the sidewalk, begging for Cocoon pants. "Someone, ANYONE, please let me have a pair of Cocoon pants in medium! PLEASE! What? Money? No, sir! No thanks. Don't need money, just Cocoons!"

The Cocoon pants are not dire. May just get by without any insulating layers on my legs anyway for the summer.

i'm not sure yet that the cords on the balaclava will actually be a bother, but i did feel a clear need for ventilation.
you can see what i did to the pro90 balaclava in the reader's reviews.

the modification will increase it's usable range GREATLY!
…tim