Recommendations on hardshell pants for ice/snow?

MP Community -
I'm looking for a pair of hardshell pants that (ideally) include the following features (outside of being waterproof):
- Full side zips
- Suspenders
- Not insulated
- Alpine (i.e. svelte) fit

Intended use would be ice climbing and backcountry skiing.

I have a solid pair of softshell pants but plan on purchasing hard shell pants for certain conditions. I really like the the Patagonia Stretch Element pants but they no longer make those. Any ideas on anything similar or better?

Cheers,
Cotton

i rarely use my hardshell pants but I normally carry patagonia torrentshell pants on every climb. Light, not crazy expensive (like the full on bibs) and keeps me dry.

I know you wrote hardshell, but I'm loving the patagonia backcountry guide pant. I just climbed a dripping wet pitch of ice in a chimney, and they kept me totally dry. That pitch would have soaked many a hardshell pant.

For hardshell, I have very light pair of Marmot gore-tex pants that work great.

Arcteryx Alpha LT 1/2 bib.

Comes in a wide range of sizes (tall, short, medium)

Light weight, good cut.

Expensive.

arcteryx.com/Product.aspx?E…

Thanks for all of the info/advice...

JohnnyG - one of my climbing partners has the backcountry guide pants and loves them as well. I already own the Arc'Teryx Gamma SK bibs and can't rationalize another pair of softshells at the moment (budget!) since I don't own any hardshells...

Kai - another one of my climbing partners climbs in those as well and seems to like them. Unfortunately, a new pair is a bit out of my price range.

Anyone know of anything remotely comparable to the Patagonia Stretch Element (or a good forum other than GearTrade where I might be able to score a used pair)? That is pretty much exactly what I'm looking for...

I have a pair of stretch element bibs I would be willing to sell. They are practically new. Let me know if you are interested and I can post pictures. They are black size medium.

I just got a set of LLBean Ascent pants. They were on sale for $140 with free shipping when I got them (still on sale but sizes are now more limited). I need "Tall" pants so I got these in the difficult to find (or uber expensive) M Tall size. They are not cut steezy but aren't Euro tight -- a perfect blend to fit over the tops of my beefy AT boots but still be svelte. They have full side zips, suspenders included, no insulation, and are made from GoreTex ProShell -- all for under $150! Minimal pockets and no wanky extras, these are pretty minimalist pants compared to most of the ski industry. They are very light and pack down small, which I like, because it means I have no excuse not to carry them. These were a no brainer that I've wanted for years, but was happy to see them on clearance last month.

llbean.com/llb/shop/71916?f…

Also LLBean has one of the best warranties in the industry, which is a flat-out "must have" for me.

Tried 'em all, and I ended up with Loki Levity pants - they are eVent, full zipper, great fit and they absolutely rock!!!

www.lokigear.com

Hey Jason, still got the stretch element bib?

Right on...I'll look into both of those options - thanks for the suggestions.

Jason, I'm an L but thanks for the offer man. I don't think you'll have too difficult a time selling them!

Yes I still have them. I will post pictures tomorrow.

stretch element bibs

Leg pocket close-up

So these are the stretch element bibs I have had since 2008. They are in great shape and have seen limited wear. I can only recall taking them on one trip to Mexico and some winter 14ers in Colorado. I would like to get $200.00 for them.

thanks,

Jason

I've been happy with my Rab Latok eVent pants. I believe they offer another model with suspenders as well.

Kinda pricy but can be had on sale for 25% off at the moment. Also hard to find in sizes at this point but if you can the Mammut Norwand Pant is sweet for hard shell. If you want soft shell the Mammut Eisberg pant is just as sweet.

Cant go wrong with Patagonia Alpine Guide though 99.9% of the time if you are practically and budget minded.