Pants for Fall/Winter?

Well my recommendations are a bit out-of-date in that some of the specific products don't exist though they have evolved into current models from the same companies.

A lot depends on the weather I expect to be hiking in. Until the temperature is routinely below 50-55*F I tend towards shorts unless I am expecting a fair bit of rain. As the weather cools I find that simple nylon pants from most anyone work pretty well for me. Thin nylon pants work well for me on rainy days too since they dry pretty quickly especially if I'm wearing a longer rain jacket which is my preference if I am not using a poncho.

When the temperature really begins to dive down I switch over to my trusted old Ibex Guide Light pants which have been superceded by newer Climawool Light pants. I found these to work well at shedding snow and wind though they're less good in rain.

I'm not a fan of rain pants. They take too long to fiddle with to get on and off. Even with useful tricks like sliding the pant over a plastic bag you put over you shoe/boot to aid the process.

** Ken **

I've had good luck with polyester running pants by New Balance and Hind. Polyester is a lot more comfortable. Next step up is somthing like REI Sahara Pants (zip offs) and then I have some heavier nylon pants from REI. Mountain Hardwear makes some good hiking pants too. Their waistband design is the best– and should be at $100 for a pair of pants. Ex Officio has made some good long pants too, but most are summer weight.

Shorts and tall gaiters work for shoulder seasons too– really nice on a chilly morning with dewy brush. I like short gaiters with long pants to keep them out of the mud.

If I wear rain pants and it's not really cold, a pair of silkweight long johns under make a good combo in cold damp weather– less bulk than pants under the rain gear; the long johns wick and keep the cold fabric off your legs.

For fall/winter I wear merino wool long-johns at appropriate weight (two layers if necessary) for the warmth. over them, if weather is fair, nylon pants (Columbia "silver ridge" are lightweight and soft feel). If weather is wet, lightweight rain pants. If weather is around 50 or above, I just get wet.

I think it is hard to beat softshell pants for most conditions, as long as you plan to always wear them and not carry them. Mine are made of dynamic, which is not warm enough for winter use in Vermont (so I would like some thicker ones some day), but I can wear them spring/summer/fall. Schoeller dryskin would be better for fall/winter/spring.

Softshell pants are heavy relatively, but I am not sure why that matters if you are wearing them. For backpacking, softshell pants make much more sense than a jacket because of the weight issue.

http://beyondclothing.com/customize/cold-play-shock-pant/

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/00103.html

Here's what I use in winter:

http://marmot.com/fall_2007/mens/outerwear/pants/oracle_pant

I wear the Cloudveil switchback pants. These are my favorite pants for comfort and durability.

http://www.cloudveil.com/mens/v-pants/CV09008/

I second everything Michael B has said… his approach mirrors my own exactly.

After wearing nylons of various weights and types, Schoeller dynamic in two models (arcteryx and Cloudveil), I have taken to REI's Acme Dryskin pants. I wear them all year in PA and anywhere else.

They dry much quicker than nylon or dynamic and have withstood many rock climbs and some mountaineering as well as ice cragging. Even when the temps were in the 90s, I'd perspire in them at times but they would dry the moisture so quickly that it was never an issue (most people would wear shorts, but I never do). They do well with snow and dry quickly after rain. They have also not torn, which my Gamma LTs did the first time I climbed in them.

I use them alone, or layer over merion wool and/or powerstretch in the winter.

I wear the "5.11" brand heavy duty nylon pants. Go to their website. (These pants also come in cotton, which I would not recommend.)

The pants have a double seat and double knees. The double knees have an inside opening into which you can insert 5.11's neoprene pads. Great for canoeing or rock scrambling.

Compared to Railriders nylon canvas pants these 5.11 pants are at least equal in quality and offer much more in the way of good design features.

Eric

Up until now I used REI Saharas year-round, but the more I get into moving along rock the more I need something more durable. My Saharas tore last trip.
I just ordered a pair of those 5.11's in nylon. Thanks for that tip. The clip pocket on the RHS can be used I think for my cellphone, gps, or camera. Ill probably cut out the double knees and keep the double seat.
The slash rear pocket is great while wearing a pack; its also found on TNF hiking pants. Im looking forward to testing these.

another vote for soft shell pants here

The BPL article says they are comfortable from 20-80 degrees in just the pants, which is great versatility. I had a pair of north face soft shells, which were great, but the durability was atrocious. One washing cycle and the zipper fabric started to fall off. I personally think that a slightly heavier pant alleviates the need for a pair of long johns and could actually save weight. The important thing if you are seeing the product first hand, is to imagine what it would feel like to take the brunt of a winter gust while wearing them. I myself am pretty interested in the cloudveil softshell pants, and also the outdoor research exos, which has a thermolite backing for $160 and 17 oz. It would be a little warm for summer, but khaki instead of dark brown or black would increase the comfort range. Plus they could pass as dress code for my school…

Short: I wear Cloudveil Spinner Pants (light weight softshell with zipoff legs) for three seasons and switch to a pair of Marmot ATV pants (Scholler Dryskin + 3Dry) when dealing with snow.

Longer: Until temps are consistently below freezing I think any nylon hiking pants will work well. Combine with rain pants and mid weight tights and you should be good down to 0F. Softshells are *really* great in snow unless you are constantly sitting in snow (like building snow caves) in which case you most likely want a fully waterproof shell. The “3 season” softshells such as those made from Cloudveil Inertia, or Schoeller Dynamic and nice… but I think there performance is only slightly better than the classic supplex hiking pants while there cost is significantly higher.

Full: I have a recommended clothing for legs section in my clothing page.

I generally don't like to wear hiking pants and favor long underwear under shorts and wind pants. Last November, on a JMT trip, I wore a pair of Schoeller Dynamic pants that were purchased at REI. With out a doubt they are the best and most comfortable hiking pants I have ever owned. They wear like iron and feel like shorts because they stretch. Wind and water resistant too.

Mark: That's an excellent website. I've been reading it since you posted your link. Many thanks!

I appreiciate the suggstions and time from everyone.

Still sorting through the large number of softshell pants on the market.

http://www.rei.com/product/738371

Anyone have a pair of these? These seem to be more reasonably priced than most.

I'm not super fond of the Cloudveil Zip ones. I've never liked the feel of the exposed zipers one my legs. I wished they made a non-zip version.

Hi Brian,
Have a pair of the REI Minstral pants, big fan. Have the older style & they are my favorite pants for hiking, use them fall through spring. Great for a wide variety of conditions and are very durable, have slid down granite without any sign of wear, going on 5 years with these now, definitely recommended.

If you get the Mistrals, be sure to wear a pair of shorts over them if you do any glissading. The rear gets thin and shiny (speaking from personal experience). I like mine a lot, but I like the Golite Paradox pants better, because they're more water resistant to the point of being practically waterproof, and they're just as stretchy, breathable, and comfortable. However, the Paradox pants would not be suitable for winter, at least here in the Pacific NW. During the winter I switch to my MEC Schoeller pants.

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_listing.jsp;jsessionid=GydpFmLBtq2GHJz1NRsFQ3qNLjktr0hS26pd31z2ZLpPwwylMF9v!-1281010864?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302699325&bmUID=1189649886719

I think for the price of softshell pants, it is hard to beat having them custom made for you, with the features you want, in your actual size, by beyondfleece. Not much more than the MEC or REI models listed. I have some old BF steel pants, and love the fit, but am not crazy about the waist/belt, and I should have ordered more pockets. The new shock version looks like a better design.

I noticed that climb high has a website to outlet mammut gear. The advantage of these is that they come in a large variety of sizes and different lengths. I don't know the weight, but would guess they are heavy, but the purpose of pants to me is to wear them. Just another option.

link to climb high outlet: http://tinyurl.com/3btxh2

After all the talk about the Patagonia R1 hoodie does anyone own the pants? If so, what do you reckon?

Andrew – They are called pants but they are really tights. This material is not suited to the abrasion that pants must handle. I have a 5 year old pair of the Patagonia R1 pants (tights). They are of a similar weight and waffle grid polyester to my current R1 hoody. The difference is that the older R1 pants (tights) material has no Lycra stretch component which is now used in the Polartec Power Dry material. Consequently they have much less wicking effectiveness than my current version R1 hoody.

After reading your post I checked the Web to see if anyone had the R1 pants (tights) new version on sale. Backcountry.com has them in all sizes for 20% off and free shipping… I just ordered a pair.

I got a pair of Nau's Acoustic pants (lightweight and quick drying). I've found them very comfortable so far. I like Nau's stuff since it can do double duty of being outdoor clothing and clothing for around town. They will be my main pants for hiking.

Nau's Quintessential pants (waterproof/breathable) will be my main pants for playing in the snow.

Brian – the Ferrata ultras look like the ones I bought secondhand from a climbing friend. I don't see the women's version on their web anymore. They are tough, great pants. Last winter we were snowshoeing to a local summit in driving wind and sleet, and I stayed warm and dry in them.