Insulated Pants Yellowstone mid September backpacking trip

[Joey G]

I’ve shopped for insulated pants and need a little help. It could get down to the 20’s and I’m looking for some insulated pants. I usually run a little warm. This is for static at camp use. I don’t really think I would need active insulation for my legs.

I’m looking at Patagonia nano-air light pants, Arcteryx proton pants, and Montbell Superior pants.

I know that the nano-air light and proton are breathable and therefore for active use. However, my thought process is because I run a little warm they might be more the level of warmth I need and if I need more warmth, I’ll put on a shell pant on top of them. My main concern for the Montbell pants is the that they could be too warm and might be a more delicate fabric.

We will hike above tree line but our camps will be below tree line in coverage.

[Phong D]

I have the Enlighted Equipment Torrid Jacket that really like.  They make matching pants that weight around 5ish ounces.  They let you pick your fabric thickness.  I haven’t tried the pants but the jacket is nice.  The thinnest 7 denier fabric I used was very thin and light, definitely not something for bushes.  I would guess with pants I might go thicker but maybe someone else who uses them could chime in.

[Terran Terran]

I’ve had the Torrid pants since December 2020. 20D outside, 10D inside. I’ve wear them most everyday in the winter. Hiking, yard work, I’ve slept in them many times. I put them on this morning and could hardly get my foot through. All the inside seams are going. I did gain some weight that didn’t help. Just a few small tears on the 20D. I don’t like the thin elastic on the waist. No elastic to cinch the cuffs and personally, I missed having pockets. With that I’d buy another pair. I’ve gotten good use from them. I’m tempted to replace them with a pair from Patagonia, but for the price. I think they’re a good deal.

[Jerry Adams]

I need less insulation than the average person

When it’s 20F I just wear single layer nylon pants.

When I put on insulated pants, I over heat.  I can’t open it up to vent like I can a jacket.

[Joey G]

My issue is that I’ve never backpacked where it could get down to the 20s. I might be the same Jerry.

[Jerry Adams]

yup, I just gave one data point :)

the other thing is wind.  Now that I think about it a time when it was 20F and windy, I wore single layer pants and was quit cold.  Insulated pants would have been good.

 

[Terran Terran]

When hiking, I mostly wear them for warm up or in camp. With size 9 feet, I can take off the Torrid pants off without much trouble while leaving my shoes on. I find that important. If they’re hard to take off, I tend to keep walking until I get hot. They’re like a good pair of sweats that don’t wet out easily.

[Alan W]

In temperatures down to low teens, I use the relatively heavy REI Activator pants when hiking.  (In warmer temps, I prefer the lighter OR Ferrosi pants.)

For in camp use, I love my Torrid Apex pants down to low 20s F, but I switch to packing down pants if colder.

I cannot recall having hiked in the Torrid pants, except maybe a short water run. For me they are too hot when hiking in the 20s.

You will enjoy the Torrid pants in a Yellowstone camp in the 20s.

[Steofan M]

You’ll be fine with lightweight pants and lightweight insulation. Anytime after Labor Day weekend is the best/most quiet time in Yellowstone.  Check to see which shops are still open for the odd resupply you might need.

 

[Thom]

I do like my torrid pants . No frills but comfy

thom

[Luke Schmidt]

I hunted in Alaska (lots of sitting) in September and was fine with just long underwear and nylon pants. You might like insulated pants but I don’t think it will ruin your trip if you go a bit light on pants.

I would not bother if you hike dawn to dusk and go to sleep right after dinner. If you plan to sit around a fire all evening I’d take them.

For Yellowstone I’d seriously consider Binoculars. What if you see a grizzly or wolf 500 yards away?

[Phong D]

If its just for static use, do you plan on sleeping with it?  If so, I think down maintains its fluff better than synthetic.  But I’m not sure how many nights you plan on using it before replacing.  Also, if its just for static, it probably wont get rained on?  Maybe down is the better bet here.  Also, I think down also compresses smaller too.  My Torrid jacket is fairly hefty in size (although only 5ish ounces).

[JCH]

I picked up the Montbell Superior pants on Gear Swap 7 years ago and LOVE them.  High quality all around and look/function today exactly as they did when I got them.  I thought they might be too warm but find they work well over a very large temp range.  I have worn them over a light base layer from 40 to 0 degrees.  Great for around camp and for extending the range of a bag/quilt.

Were they to need replacing, I would not hesitate to go with the current Montbell Light Down pant.

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