I’ve been contemplating a pair of insulated pants for winter camping/coldest winter days, rather than carrying a spare pair of heavyweight softshell troos. Looking for people’s experiences?
Instinct suggests that in a British climate synthetic is probably superior to down.
Options include:
Montane Prism (very light, but short side zips and is 40g/m2 primaloft warm enough?)
Mountain Equipment Compressor (also light, full length side zips, 80g polarloft)
Haglofs Barrier (slightly heavier, but full length zips and 74g of their insulation)
Rab Photon (heaviest, full length zips, 100g/m2 insulation, waterproof bum and knee patches)
Anybody tried any of these or have any wisdom to offer?
Greatest things since down booties. Research easily shows how much heat is lost through the legs so in my mind a no brainer. Just be wary of trouser guilt as you pull yours on and others look on enviously.
Without question you want synthetic. Aside from moisture thing, used as belay pants they will get trashed so you don't need the expense. Grab a roll of spinnaker tape when you get them.
If you can, try them on and factor in, if they're intended as belay pants, they need to go over other layers and a harness. Don't buy too slim.
I've had a few pairs, from OR, the ME ones, Montane, Arc'teryx and Rab.
The ME's were quite ridged and bulky (years ago, maybe the insulation has changed now).
The OR's are the slimmest, similar to the Montane's, though you do want the full zips for belays, getting them over crampons etc. They'll be fine for the UK - unless you ever try the Rab or Arc'teryx ones and see what you're missing out on.
The Rab's and Arcteryx about the same warmth and weight and very comfortable, the extra grams are probably worth it. The Arc'teryx's of course more expensive and I don't think made any more anyway and not perceptibly any better than the Rab's for it. Both have heavier duty arse and knees which is worth having.
Ha, in the same position, I picked up a pair of salomon primaloft shorts which were great in Norway this spring, but an over the top layer is attractive.
as well as the ones in the first reply:
PHD do some synthetic trousers, as do As Tucas
OMM have a synthtic set with funky zip options
biggest issue with the more niche suppliers is getting to try them on!
I have got both Montane Prism and Rab Photon (old so may be different now). Rab are definitely warmer, but probably overkill unless you camp on very cold days. Montane Prism have been fine for me when the temperature outside the tent is about minus four centigrade. Assumes you have a decent sleeping bag too.
I have the ME Compressor trousers. They're great, I took them along last night on a bivvy in the Pentlands with a 5 degree bag and was toasty enough to lie on top of my bag for an hour before going to sleep. I also use them for winter camps, winter lunch stops and camping on summits in the Spring and Autumn. Every time I put them on, I love the fact I purchased them.
Play hell with your sperm count!!!!
> Play hell with your sperm count!!!!
I've always struggled to count mine anyhow: my eyes are buggered.
The standard response I see to insulated trousers debate is that keeping the legs together and insulated is warmer for its weight than apart eg gloves/mitts. It’s the only thing that stopped me buying some for camping, Obviously if you want to use them actively or aren’t bothered about the extra weight they are nice
> The standard response I see to insulated trousers debate is that keeping the legs together [...]
Makes walking rather difficult, though...
I've been using insulated over trousers for the last few years. They are always in my bag when I go skiing or winter climbing now. The thigh muscles are a big set and can loose a lot of heat so therefore its a no brainer for me. I use the ME trousers, there quite old now so I have no idea of the model. The Haglofs are lighter and less bulky but the ones my wife has don't have a full zip like the ME ones which is obviously important if you have skis or boots / crampons on.
I can put them fairly easily on/off at stops, even at belays over the harness. It looks a bit weird, and there has been some comments, when people see you belaying out of the fly
I see here in Norway girls have these insulated skirts they use, they look super easy. They just rap them round at stops, no faffing. If they made a kilt variation with handy sporen for a snack I am sure they would be a winner for boys as well.
I got myself a set of ME Fitzroy pants in the sale a couple of years ago for some high altitude climbing in the Andes. They were a size too big, but with the braces it wasn't really an issue and they went easily over my normal climbing trousers.
Can't attest to the waterproofness (Andes afterall) but they kept me warm in -40 with windchill. Overall I was happy with them.
Biggest issue: they don't come in yellow
Hi Jamie - sizing question for the ME trousers - looking in my cupboard I’m normally a small for ME, are the trousers sized to go over other layers or do you tend to go a size up?
Hi,
The label says large, and I use medium.
They fit well over my winter trousers and ski boots although it’s a bit of a stretch over my harness around the waist. Nothing unpleasant.
I should say I bought them some 13 years ago so the model might have changed since then.
> Makes walking rather difficult, though...
It'd just be a sleeping bag, surely?
> I see here in Norway girls have these insulated skirts they use, they look super easy. They just rap them round at stops, no faffing. If they made a kilt variation with handy sporen for a snack I am sure they would be a winner for boys as well.
I see those all the time ski touring, all my skirt-wearing friends love them! I was actually planning on getting a skirt or having a kilt version made to spec this spring. Unfortunately, world had some other ideas. Considered insulated over-pant shorts as well, but these are more faffy to put on.
I have some insulated pants with ~66g/m2, usually too warm for most of my outings now. Great for winter camping though.
What would a true Scot wear under a insulated kilt?
Honestly, I have no idea!
Last time I saw a man-skirt (not a kilt, more of a "hippie" one) was at one grass scything contest and I didn't ask nor look. I guess wearing something under it would be very prudent when scything, you don't want to catch any ticks in some places! Otherwise, for scything, it seemed nice, much better ventilation than pants.
Unless you're spending considerable time inactive or below -15C I'd just pick up some fleece trousers from Decathlon. I have the Rab Photons, they're nice and warm, and pack into a little stuff sack, but for almost anything UK they're overkill.
Assumed camping meant camping. Very sorry
Dont be too sure - my kilts one of the warmest items of lower body wear I own - non-insulated, just stupidly went for the heavy weight tartan.
Have you considered wearing thermals under your regular trousers? I find them very effective on cold belays and very cheap.
Mrs B has a tiny lightweight down blanket (made by Terra, I think I got it in Gothenburg a few years ago) with popper closures. It packs down to the size of a tennis ball and makes a rather fetching super warm down skirt which I have been known to wear when no-one I know is around and the weather really cold. They missed a trick not making it in tartan pertex - that would have been a lot easier to explain!
Similarly, there are synthetic shorts out there (Elevenate ones pop up on sport pursuit quite frequently for half price) that could make excellent belay shorts. Full side tips, toasty warm, synthetic, pack down small.
With both the above the limiting factor is basically chutzpah.
So sod the doubters and unleash your inner skirt wearer!
b
Army surplus £20 full side zips good for lunch stops, winter camping , putting on cold children, doesn’t really matter if they get muddy/ ripped etc
I like the look of those. What do they weigh? Most issue kit seems to be double the weight of commercial kit to make it squaddie proof.
Going back to the OP, for winter camping I use a pair of down over trousers by the Polish company Cumulus that I picked up much cheaper from Rock + Run for around £85. I pair them up with a PH designs hooded down pullover. Used them together last winter 3 times in wildcamps on damp moors and felt so warm. Also dropped the sleeping bag down a season and slept in the down gear as my wife has claimed my winter bag, not sure how that happened. I get your point about damp climate here but I've not had issue when camping.
Has anyone seen the Rab synthetic skirt? I thought it was a bit of a joke but I might be way off. I would have thought it was a bit draughty up there? Never worn a skirt though.
Thanks for getting back to me That's pretty decent to be honest. How generous would you say? I'm a 32" waist and large looked okay over layers according to the size chart
wish I had gone for small, even over existing Layers (32” waist/ medium in normal clothes)
Thanks. That's very helpful. I will try to tack a pair down.
The second BMC Members Open Forum webinar took place on 20 March. Recently-appointed BMC CEO Paul Ratcliffe, President Andy Syme and Chair Roger Murray shared updates on staff changes, new and ongoing initiatives, insurance policy changes and the current...