Mountain Project Logo

What’s the best “do it all” soft shell pant?

Original Post
Marshall Allen · · Lehi, UT · Joined Oct 2018 · Points: 10

Once upon a time Marmot made the Pillar Pant, a soft shell pant that was slim fitting and reinforced in the knees. It was my go to pant for most rock/ice climbing, skiing and everything in between pant. Unfortunately they don’t make it anymore and I can’t find anything that fits what I’m looking for. Any recommendations on a slightly thicker, slim fitting soft shell pant? 

Fabien M · · Cannes · Joined Dec 2019 · Points: 5

Honestly many softshell pants will do.
If you really want to do everything with it I would look for one with zipped ventilations for summer mountaineering and while going up touring
Integrated gaiters is also something I want on "do it all" pants
Dynafit, La Sportiva, Mammut, Norrona, Arc'teryx, Salewa, all have such pants. 

I use the same pants all year, on its own for summer mountaineering and with a merino long john for touring, winter mountaineering and ice climbing.

DeLa Cruce · · SWEDEN · Joined Nov 2018 · Points: 0
Marshall Allen wrote:

Once upon a time Marmot made the Pillar Pant, a soft shell pant that was slim fitting and reinforced in the knees. It was my go to pant for most rock/ice climbing, skiing and everything in between pant. Unfortunately they don’t make it anymore and I can’t find anything that fits what I’m looking for. Any recommendations on a slightly thicker, slim fitting soft shell pant? 

best all rounder I know, that is a biiit warm for summer but a great snow all round pant is Norrona Svalbard soft shell. Norrona Falketind flex 1 good for warmer weather

Evan Gerry · · Estes Park, CO · Joined Nov 2016 · Points: 15

I've used Montbell's Cliff pants for five years now and they are still going strong, use them for ski touring, hiking, climbing, casual. Stretchy, warm and durable.

Will Anderson · · Phoenix, AZ · Joined Apr 2019 · Points: 5

OR cirques, warm enough for ice climbing when it's not frigid but also not too insulated where you could still climb rock in the summer wearing them, assuming it's below 70. 

Mike V. · · Logan, UT · Joined May 2010 · Points: 55

Big fan of the black diamond dawn patrol pants. DWR is great, thigh vents, deep cargo pockets. Only downside for climbing objectives is they're a little baggy and the integrated gaiter is beefy (so you can't roll them up to your knees like some other softshells).

Sam Oudekerk · · Flagstaff, MN · Joined Sep 2017 · Points: 0

I got a brand new pair or arcteryx gamma LTs for $80 on eBay a few years back. They’re awesome (way better than Prana) and are still looking great even after lots of hard use.

greggrylls · · Salt Lake City · Joined Apr 2016 · Points: 276

If you're looking for slightly thicker OR cirques are slim fitting and classic for a reason.  A bit warm for summer months but great for ice/skiing/mountaineering 

ClimbingOn · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2008 · Points: 0

Make sure you look at the Arc'teryx Gamma MX pant. For me, that pant does everything you're describing.

Jack Crackerson · · Denver, CO · Joined Jan 2019 · Points: 10

Love my OR Cirques, but would like to have upper thigh zippers for venting on the uphills. Otherwise, perfect pants. 

Fabien M · · Cannes · Joined Dec 2019 · Points: 5

Going into specifics here are a couple of models that fit my idea of an all around softshell pants:

Ternua K9 pants
Dynafit Mercury 2 pants
La Sportiva Bernina 2.0 (I have a similar version you can only buy in Switzerland and Iove it)
Norrona Lyngen Driflex3
BD Dawn Patrol Touring/hybrid pants
Mammut Courmayeur So pants
Salewa Rozes 2 DTS Pants
Ortovox Bacun Pants

I m sure you can find a dozen additional and similar options 

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Climbing Gear Discussion
Post a Reply to "What’s the best “do it all” soft shell pant?"

Log In to Reply
Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.