Knifeblade Pants Vs Alpine Guide Pants

In the market for some softshells. I get a discount on patagonia so that is the brand I will be buying from. Does anyone have any experience with either of the pants? I have heard the polartech pro is alot less breathable than just polartech. Any recomendations? They would be used for water ice, ski touring, and alpine climbing

The alpine guides have a lot more stretch, but won't be quite as waterproof. They also might not do as well with the wind?

But I'd go alpine guides.

KB. Owned both and I ended up selling alpine.

I found the KB to be more comfortable, stretched well, more windproof, shed rain/snow better and can ski in them.

Alpine is great too but didnt perform as well.

Dont believe me look at Colin Haley's review: thecleanestline.com/2013/04…

I also like the KB much more.

IMO better cut, more wind/water resistant, and still very breathable. The high waist with suspenders is comfortable under a harness, and seals out wind/spindrift.

I haven't really noticed a difference in stretch between the two.

I ordered the Knifeblade pants from Backcountry.com last week. I'm 5'10" & 166 pounds and I ordered the men's medium. The Knifeblades are minimal as they come. No hand pockets and the one pocket that does come with the pant is pretty useless with a harness on. They are super light weight and wear the same.

The Power Shield Pro feels pretty bomber. I like the feel of it, but I can't comment on its performance in the field. I sent the pants back due to fit. I felt like the 32" inseam was way too long on me and the pants felt quite baggy. I hate that, especially when wearing crampons. The opening of the leg is a bit too wide for my liking. I wish Patagonia would offer more inseam sizes. Say goodbye to $300 pants with one "oops" from your spikes.

The waist measurement was dead on for me. I wear a 32" waist in jeans. There was just enough room for a base layer and light insulation (R1).

I was planning on using them for ice/alpine, but they just didn't work for me. Plus, I hated not having hand pockets.

I've been using the Alpine Guide for Ski Touring. In aerobic activities they work very well. I also ice climb in them. They can be breezy in heavy wind.

I like pockets on my pants, especially thigh pockets to stash gloves.

I agree that Patagonia should offer more lengths for us shorter folk.

I really wanted to like the KBs with the Power Shield, mini-bib, and lack of gussets on the legs, but they did not fit as well as the Alpine Guides. Guides in a 34" waist were perfect, KB's in a medium (33" waist) were a tad too snug, KB's in a large (36" waist) were too baggy, especially in the thigh - I was looking for something trim for ice climbing.

Even in the larger size, I did not have the same knee flexibility in the KBs as in the Guides. Agree that it would be nice if Patagonia had more size offerings -- I really, really wanted the KBs to work, but they just didn't fit me well.

Agree with the above re: knifeblade Inseam is oddly long for a Medium. I'm a 32x32 in jeans. KB fits perfect in the waist and down to the knee. Then, the cut seems like a ski touring pant. too much material in the lower leg. Not ideal for a specialized ice / alpine climbing pant IMO.

Love everything else about these pants! Simplicity, weight, half bib, drop seat, powershield pro. Thinking about having them hemmed, cut out the cuff drawcord, put in proper grommets. Expensive pants to take a sheer to though! Hmmm.

Who else makes powershield pro pants?

Alpine guide pants were really nice, but too tight at the thighs for my taste. Go figure.

i've owned the alpine guide pants for a season now and are really pleased with them. Awesome stretch and durability, and with the right layers underneath are great in the cold temps

I've really enjoyed the Alpine Guide Pants. They're a little pricey. But you get what you pay for. I'm of average build, with bigger than usual thighs and I find the fit to be great with or without thick base layers underneath. The material is super durable and as close to waterproof as any soft shell I've ever worn.

The one caveat I'd throw out with the Alpine Guides is that they are a bit too burly for four season use. These are strictly winter pants. Bit I'm okay with that.

Jeff Maurin wrote:I really wanted to like the KBs with the Power Shield, mini-bib, and lack of gussets on the legs, but they did not fit as well as the Alpine Guides. Guides in a 34" waist were perfect, KB's in a medium (33" waist) were a tad too snug, KB's in a large (36" waist) were too baggy, especially in the thigh - I was looking for something trim for ice climbing.

I bought both and kept the KBs. The AGs are tougher, more feature rich and reinforced.

However, I love the bib style of the KBs. Every single other pair of pants I've owned (including other suspendered pants) fall down with my pack, the KBs do not at all and, for me, that was the #1 selling point. Plus they are not black, which is my favorite color for climbing pants.

$300 is stiff for the pant, I was able to get them 25% off by being lucky.

Alpine Guide!!!!!!!!!!!!! Best pants I'v ever owned. Didn't care for the bib style on the KB's... Love my KB jacket though.