Hard shell pant suggestions

I've been searching for some hard shells and would like input regarding what you guys have that works well. The goal is to have the lightest possible pair of pants that have at least 3/4 side zips, hold up to abuse and keep me dry. I don't have any good stores near me, so I will have to purchase without actually feeling the material.

Any input is appreciated.

What's your use?

Marmot Precips are light, a full side zip, and cheap.

Depends on what you are doing when them and when. Winter, backcountry alpine, etc, definitely want full side zips. Suspenders and powder cuffs are a plus. I have an older pair of MH Goretex Pro-shell I carry and pretty happy with the weight. If you don't have a pair of burly winter weight soft shell pants, those normally serve me well for 90% of what I do in the winter (Patagucchi Backcountry Guides). Hard shells come out for only the nastiest of the conditions. I have a MH Gore Tex Pac-light shell that is even lighter. Check the For Sale forum for used gear, you may get more bang for the buck.

Arcteryx rampart all the way. They are the best shell. Not 3/4 zip but have no problem taking Em off over mountain boots.

I'm going to use these for ice climbing and big alpine routes. The marmot precips didn't hold up for me. I was constantly seam gripping and duct taping them. Now the "gore tex" layer is peeling off.

I have MH soft shells and they have been great. I'm concerned about using them for an extended period of time ( being out for over a week at a time). With a good hard shell, I won't need a soft shell, but I don't think it works the other way around.

I'll check out the options that you guys posted. Thanks!

Used the arx for those conditions. 7mo in Patagonia and held up better than any of my partners other shells... Still using Em too. Have a good season!

I purchased the Patagonia Mixed Guide Pants for ice climbing and winter mountain hiking in the Adirondacks. Honestly, after a lot of searching, I think I have found the best pair of winter pants. They are soft-shell hybrids, meaning they are softshell where you need them to breath and hardshell in areas that absolutely need to be waterproof.

I also recommend the Westcomb Chief Bib which is the same concept as the Mixed Guide Pants. Softshell / hardshell hybrid. Perfect for your needs! Good luck, man.

I'm going to use these for ice climbing and big alpine routes. The marmot precips didn't hold up for me. I was constantly seam gripping and duct taping them. Now the "gore tex" layer is peeling off.

You're right, the Precips aren't going to hold up to that sort of use.

Josh Wood wrote: I have MH soft shells and they have been great. I'm concerned about using them for an extended period of time ( being out for over a week at a time). With a good hard shell, I won't need a soft shell, but I don't think it works the other way around. I'll check out the options that you guys posted. Thanks!

Every person is different, but for cold weather climbing, I use a heavier weight softshell pant (something just over a pound is what I aim for). The new Patagonia types look solid with Powershield - 80% of the weather protection of hardshells with exponentially more breathability. If you're set on hardshells for your system, the Rab NeoShell pants might be the most breathable out there and have a touch of stretch.

I like the idea of the hard and soft shell combo of the mixed guide pant, although it's heavy. The chief bib is pretty nice too.

The Arcteryx Rampart is super light, but doesn't have any zips.

In the past I've primarily used soft shells for my climbing in the cold weather as well, but I usually had the precips in my pack. Now I'm looking to get on some more committing routes and need to shave some weight. Carrying only one pair of pants is a no-brainer.

Here's another question for you guys. Would you still wear only soft shells on big routes in the Alaska range or similar? It seems safer to have hard shells to me, although maybe I'm off on this one.

Josh Wood wrote:Here's another question for you guys. Would you still wear only soft shells on big routes in the Alaska range or similar? It seems safer to have hard shells to me, although maybe I'm off on this one.

Yes. All the hard shells I've ever used lead to more internal moisture buildup and extraneous sweat than the amount of snow soft shells keep out. Same reason I don't use gaitors on routes that matter - extra sweat is extra cold is extra energy lost. Plenty of folks do get away with hard shells and prefer them, but I'm not one of them.

I have a pair of super light 3 Layer patagonia pants up for sale. They are very minimalist, so they don't have the 3/4s zip you would like, but they are almost new, 50 bucks and size large.

mountainproject.com/v/10779…
trailspace.com/gear/patagon…

I've been rocking the north face point 5 pant, and I think they're great. Gore Tex Pro Shell with a full leg zipper. Check them out for sure if you're in the market.

Marmot Spire pants are pretty bad ass... own two pairs.

Another vote for cheap Precip's.

Josh Wood wrote:I'm going to use these for ice climbing and big alpine routes. The marmot precips didn't hold up for me. I was constantly seam gripping and duct taping them. Now the "gore tex" layer is peeling off.

Contact Marmot. They won't warranted the cuts in the fabric, but they will honor it on the goretex peeling off. Odds are they will replace them.

I've had that happen on a jacket and they gave me full retail price credit towards a different product I wanted.

I have the Marmot Exum pants with Goretex pro shell. They have full zips, very light, very waterproof, and they have suspenders which are nice.

My only gripe is their fragility, but that's a tradeoff with the lightness of the pants. Definitely recommend anything made with the pro-shell material!

Tits- I'm too skinny for those pants. Thanks though.

Thanks for all the great suggestions. Looks like I'm going to be cruising the Internet tonight.

I have a pair of Arc Beta AR pants. If you compare the equivalent models in all of the other major brands you'll find the Beta AR to be just as good if not better than the rest. They are by far the lightest and although I have yet to use them I am willing to bet they are just as durable as other models. They fit me really well too. Edit: To give you an idea on size in case you want to order a pair, I am 5'8 130 lbs skinny legs, wear a 30/30 pant and the Small Regular fit well.

You may also consider the Alpha LT 1/2 bib. Never tried them on. There is a 1 oz diff between the two. However the Alphas cost like 100 more and I was skeptical about the "1/2 Bib" concept.

Check out the OR Revel Pants. They are stretchy and great for walking, pack into their own pocket with a clip-in loop and pack down to the size of an apple. Full side zips. Kept me dry in crap weather. Excellent pant to have along just in case that doesn't sacrifice on performance when you need to use them.

outdoorresearch.com/en/or-g…

Arcteryx Beta AR Medium

Two hours left
ebay.com/itm/330833696373?s…

looks like the Beta AR and the Latok Alpine pants are what I'm looking for. The Arcteryx are much more expensive (of course), but my other Arc gear is great. I don't have any Rab clothing. Do you think that the Latok pants will hold up to abuse well?

Some of the other pants mentioned above seem too fragile to depend on as the sole pair of pants, or are 20+ oz and bomber. There are so many options.