Mixed Hardshell/Softshell pants - too good to be true? (Climb+Tour)

I'm looking for a new pair of winter pants that can pull double-duty for both Ice Climbing and Splitboarding.

Most of my gear is pretty old, so I'm not sure if the newfangled promises of "breathable 3L ProShell" or "Ultra-water-resistant softshell" hold any water... it seems to me that having a mixed hard/softshell layer is a much more intuitive solution.

I've searched the forums here and most of the recommendations seem to be for either discontinued models (Rab Calibre) or top-of-the-line expensive models (NW Alpine Salopette / Arcteryx Alpha Comp).

Any opinions on your favorite multi-purpose cold-weather pant? Has Softshell / 3L ProShell tech gotten good enough to invalidate the idea of a hybrid pant? Or does the mixed-material idea only sound good on paper?

Many winter climbers here have more experience with newer models of clothing, so my data point is several years old at this point.

That said, I just haven't found the need for hybrid pants. I have full softshell pants from a generic fabric that I use for ski touring and ice climbing, typically it's cold enough that I am not getting wet in those and they stretch and breath fantastically. If its going to be very windy or very wet/heavy, a set of 3L goretex proshell pants seems to work well for the ski touring. I don't like to ice climb in hardshells is I can avoid it. I'm sure some of the high end mixed fabric pants work well (Arc'Teryx Alpha Comp), but it doesn't seem to solve any problems I currently have (like getting wet from precip while ski touring or climbing).

Agreed on not feeling a need for fancy hybrid pants. I'm a big fan of the old NW Alpine softshells (not the salopettes). Best pair of all around pants I've found for winter use are the OR Cirques and the old Patagonia Alpine Guide or Knifeblade pants. The Cirques are obviously still sold, but you can sometimes find a pair of the Alpine Guide and Knifeblade pants on the Patagonia Worn Wear site.

The thing with wearing softshells is that I need to stay moving when it's wet outside, otherwise I don't generate enough body heat to keep them dry and I end up soaked and miserable.

If I feel the need for hardshells I've come to really like stuff made with Neoshell, especially for pants.

If your just climbing, the OR Iceline Versa's are really nice,  I just picked up a pair and love them.  However they taper really tightly around the ankle so i suspect they are to small for big boots (did not have a chance to try yet)

The OR Cirques are really nice as well, however they are just DWR treated, not a membrane system.  I have not spent a day in wet conditions in them yet, but i suspect they will be fine as long as i keep moving in them to keep dry. 

they aren't made anymore but this is the niche that the patagonia mixed guide filled. more "hardshell" style material on the lower legs, knees, and butt, and softshell everywhere else. i think they are sweet pants and am glad i got a pair.

No. Softshells and hardshells are still two different things. Neither will perform as well as the other in it's intended use (breathability and waterproofness respectively). It's all marketing hype otherwise.

IMO hybrid pants are great. OR Trailbreaker is a pant that's still made and what you want. Softshell upper, hardshell from the knees down. I've gone through two pairs ski touring and ice climbing in the PNW, Canada, AK, Iceland, and Japan. I highly recommend it for what you're looking to do in them.

I have a pair of mammut base jump touring pants in grey. They are bomber. 
Never worn a pair of the OR cirques but i bet they are similar. 

+1 for the OR Cirque pants for ice and touring

However, as mentioned, they are not waterproof. They seem to do totally fine if you sit on snow for a lunch break. But I did find that my butt was getting a little wet when sitting on chair lifts at a resort since the snow does melt under the body's warmth. Overall though, they do perform very well for snow and ice

How does the Cirque compare to the OR Offchute? I just picked up a pair of those for skiing and the fabric is softer and more flexible than any hardshell I have owned so far. It's advertised as a 2L fabric called "Ventia".

I see a lot of people recommending OR Cirques... I currently own an old pair of Patagonia Mixmaster softshells that I love except for the fact that I have to worry about them wetting out when I sit down or kneel (and I find myself doing this often when the angle gets steep... hence the quest for a mixed-material pair).

Do other people have problems with their softshell pants quickly wetting out in the seat or knees? Or do i just need to re-up my water resistance treatment?

Cortney LeNeave wrote: I have a pair of mammut base jump touring pants in grey. They are bomber.

I own a pair of Mammut Trion pants (now discontinued) that I think are made from the same Schoeller Dryskin fabric as the Base Jump. It's excellent material. Mammut calls it softshell, and it's highly breathable with some stretch, but somehow it manages to be almost as waterproof as a hardshell - much more so than any other softshell that I've come across.

Where you do ski / climb?  In the Cascades where it is kinda wet and not that cold I'm all about the Cirques for basically everything winter.  I find that if the seat  / knees get wet I basically stop noticing it very quickly because they dry so fast, and I don't stay on top of DWRing them like I perhaps should.

I think that for some it's almost a philosophic choice wherein people I know who wear hardshells seem convinced that they are absolutely necessary.  I am pretty much convinced that no one needs them like ever in winter conditions, but then again I don't climb ice in New England.  Worst I've ever dealt with is some kinda wet knees at semi-hanging belay stances, and that hasn't bugged me.

I have a pair of Patagonia Mixed Guide pants in black size 30 for sale if anyone is interested, great shape. I agree the pants are great for variable days, just don't fit anymore.