Cold weather pants (15-40F)

[Theo Diekmann]

Hi everybody,

I want to start doing some winter hiking this year. I roughly estimate temperatures on my trip to vary between 15F to 40F. While I am set up pretty well in terms of top clothing, I am unsure what to choose as pants. For temperatures as low as ~30F I have always sticked with my usual hiking pants (pretty light and thin) in combination with longjohns. However, even at these temps, my legs would occasionally get a little chilly when the wind would blow.
I could just wear my rainpants all the time, but I fear they might accumulate too much moisture which would cool me down significantly during breaks. The other option seems to be switching to softshell pants. However, I'm not sure if softshell pants might not be to warm during party of the trips, again leaving me sweating and thus freezing during breaks. Carrying both pants of course bothers my inner gram-counter ;)

Long story short: What is your preferred clothing in temperature ranges indicated above? I know that the range is pretty broad, so it is perfectly okay, if you don't come up with a simple solution but rather redivide the indicated ranges.

Thanks a lot!

[James Couch]

I use a pair of softshell pants (Ibex, but there are a lot of good ones out there) for most of my hiking. If it is very cold I will add a lightweight base layer.

[Mike Henrick]

I have a pair of 3 ounce Montbell windpants that work great over hiking pants for snow and temperatures down into the 20's. In the teens I switch to actual softshell pants – Marmot Scree pants are really nice. As it gets colder a pair of thermal tights under the softshells are nice but it's easy to overheat on the climbs and get your legs sweating.

[Dave @ Oware]

My son has some side snap basketball/track brushed tricot pants (synthetic) that add a layer quickly, weigh little, dry fast, are compact and were $5 at the thrift store. He just pulls them over what he is wearing-shorts, wind pants, whatever. They are a good inner layer,or pajamas in the sleeping bag as well.

[Owen McMurrey]

Marmot Scree here, too.
They're comfortable for me over a very wide range of temps, though it may help that I'm not particularly sensitive to either hot or cold to begin with.
I may start out chilly at 15F, but am good to go after a mile or two, and just wear boxer briefs under them.
On the flip side, I've used them up to 80F a few times, and haven't been uncomfortably warm, either.
Wonderful pants, and very durable. I'm very active, and have been using the same pair for all my outdoor stuff(wear them mountain biking, too) fall through spring for over 3 years now.

[Theo Diekmann]

Thanks for your input, guys!

I also thought about windpants at first and in fact, I own a pair (but I don't have them with me in the US – dough!). However, they seem a little too flimsy for me for everyday hiking (ab-)use.

@all the guys who own softshell pants: Is there anything specific I should pay attention to when looking for a pair? I have never owned a dedicated softshell, this is why I ask.
I'll definitely keep the Marmot Scree in mind. Also, I have a TNF outlet nearby and I could try to get something there. Any recommendations on their products?

[Bob Gross]

Sometimes you can find some U.S. Army Class A wool dress trousers at an army surplus store. The good ones that you want are worsted wool, so they are very smooth and non-scratchy. They are very good in cold weather.

More commonly, the surplus stores have European army wool field trousers. They are made of softer wool that is a little scratchy.

I skied for years wearing wool trousers.

–B.G.–

[Travis B.]

My recommendation would be a pair of power stretch fleece pants. I picked up pair made locally and they are warm, and great for cutting wind. So far I have only used them on their own down to -10C and been comfortable. My plan for their use in our cold winter is as follows:

In mild conditions – just my power stretch fleece pants.
In cooler conditions – MEC long underwear and power stretch fleece pants.
Cooler yet – MEC long underwear, power stretch fleece and my usual hiking pants

In really cold windy temperatures I'll throw on a pair of rain pants and a pair of puffy pants if I'm inactive (ice fishing, around camp, etc.)

The power stretch pants offer enough warmth, and might be durable enough that I'll just do away with the hiking pants all together in colder temperatures.

Might be worth giving it a try.

[Max Dilthey]

I've found that wind matters a lot more than temperature for your legs. not so with your core, but for my legs, if I block the wind I stay warm.

I say the Power-Stretch fleece pants are the way to go. Those will keep you warm through about anything and are resistant to damage.

Carry a pair of ripstop wind pants ($20 for Body Wrappers Dance Pants @4oz, google that). If things are really windy, it's likely that there won't be a lot of stuff that will abrade your pants. In thick brush, the wind is reduced. Windy conditions for me are always summits, bare areas, treeless areas, etc. and there's not much to damage my wind pants there.

[Anonymous]

I just go to the thrift store and get some poly-wool or wool-poly blend dress pants. Sometimes i will treat the lower half with a DWR.

If it's cold enough, then some kind of baselayer pants underneath. Preferred is Cap 4 with polygiene, but plenty others work well enough.

If it's really cold and windy, then the two above combined with a windshell of some kind.

[Theo Diekmann]

Max, I agree in that wind is the biggest issue. You suggest wearing fleece bottoms and putting on a windshell if needed. I'm not sure if I like this concept. Although fleece offers superb breathability, it is not windproof at all (at least in my experience). I recall that walking through the woods (=minimal wind) in the winter w/ regular hiking pants and merino longjohns would leave my inner thighs pretty chilly b/c of the wind. My main point being: I will almost always want the wind-protection. However if I put on fleece bottoms AND windpants at all time, I fear that I run to hot. Thin windpants alone on the other hand do not provide enough insulation. Hence my partial bias towards softshell pants right now. But I'd be happily convinced otherwise, especially because of the cheap price of the windpants you mentioned (btw. which model are you exactly referring to?).

A little side remark: I also do most of my hiking above freezing in a baselayer+windshirt rather than base+midlayer, so I sacrifice additional insulation for wind-protection.

@Bob: Having been in the military, I have made mixed experiences w/ army pants. When dry, they are pretty good, however once they're wet, it's pretty horrible. I might consider this option, if I find that dedicated softshell pants are too expensive for me, though.

[James holden]

all the guys who own softshell pants: Is there anything specific I should pay attention to when looking for a pair? I have never owned a dedicated softshell, this is why I ask.

get a lightish softhsell … something around 10-14 oz …. any heavier and they get a bit too warm at 40F

any good brand will do … make sure you get ones that FIT

stretch woven (no membrand such as windstopper/powershield/etc) are the most breathable

if it cold. simply wear long underwear (or thicker long underwear)

if you want to preserve the DWR dont wear em except in winter (the more you wear em the more the DWR will wear out), and wash/dryer em properly every now and then

;)

[Justin Baker]

Those of you using softshell pants, do you find them water resistant enough to skip out on hardshell pants in above freezing conditions?

[Sean Passanisi]

I noticed Patagonia has a new product called the Wind Shield Hybrid Soft Shell Pants featuring a soft shell material mixed with Cap 4 PowerDry HE. The pants weight 6.7 oz and the jacket weighs 8.1 oz. The company markets these products for active use in cold weather. Has anyone seen these in person?

http://www.patagonia.com/us/product/mens-wind-shield-hybrid-soft-shell-pants-for-trail-running?p=24100-0

[Justin Baker]

I have seen them in person. They are nice pants but I wouldn't use them for hiking. The cap 4 fabric is going to wear out quickly after sitting down a lot, not to mention any rock scraping or sharp sticks from brush. Probably fine for cold runs or biking though.

The cap 4 panels are not windproof at all and would be a huge problem hiking in the mountains with wind. With the jacket, the entire back is cap 4. These are desinged fro running or biking when you need wind protection in your front because you are moving so fast. Ok, with a pack that wouldn't be a problem but you aren't going to have any breathability on your back anyways with a pack, so no point in it either way.

[James holden]

Those of you using softshell pants, do you find them water resistant enough to skip out on hardshell pants in above freezing conditions?

yes providing you take a pair of very thin long johns such as the cap1 or phase sl

the purpose is to provide wicking when your pants get totally soaked in extended rain …. the body heat will push the moisture away from the skin, otherwise you may get a clingy wet feeling that saps the heat from your legs (especially the thighs that have large blood vessels)

a light softshell pants will dry quickly once its out of the rain and with the application of body heat

in very sustained heavy rain light rain pants would be a good idea

;)

[James Couch]

>Those of you using softshell pants, do you find them water resistant enough to skip out on >hardshell pants in above freezing conditions?

Not in real rain. In fog/light drizzle they are fine, but they are no substitute for real rainwear.

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