Softshell Pants Recommendations/Experiences

Hello! I'm planning to add a pair of softshell pants to my wardrobe and looking for recommendations or any experiences/reviews of the following:

• Arc'teryx Gamma LT
• Patagonia Altiva
• Patagonia Simul Alpine
• Black Diamond Alpine

Open to the other suggestions as well, this is just want I found whilst perusing. I'm mostly interested in having these pants as a durable colder weather climbing pant and for alpine routes. I'm looking for durability, stretch/comfort, and prefer high waisted pants. I've heard softshell pants are also great for ice climbing and backcountry skiing, but I don't do any of those things yet...but maybe in the future?! (: If those pants have a place for an entry-level version of those activities that would be a nice bonus, but not a priority. Would love to hear all experiences and suggestions! 

Thanks in advance!

This isn’t 100% what you were looking for, but I found the BD Alpine light pants to be mega thin, and have weird pockets. The regular alpine pants may be different, but in my experience BD’s clothes aren’t quite up to the level of OR or Patagonia, especially soft shells

Also side note outdoor research makes awesome softshell pants, check out the cirque pants

Sorry for the second testosterone post here.  My gf is tall and slender and really has a hard time finding pants that fit "correctly".  FWIW, the Gamma LT are great pants, but they didn't fit her, and if you're in the alpine or weather that's near, at or below freezing, you will be cold without augmenting with some kind of under layer with the Gamma LT pants.  

I can echo the weird cut on BD pants- but this is for men.  Their women's specific pants might be a better fit.  Can't speak to Patagonia pants except to say that some people love them, but I've heard taller, more ectomorph body types say that the length is wonky. Again, take this with a grain of salt and if you're near a shop that carries them, it's probably worth a fit try on.

The setup she really likes is a thin insulating Patagonia layer (I think it's the thermal weight Capilene bottoms) with La Sportiva Mantra pants for the exterior layer. It's a pricey setup, but she raves about them, and the Mantras are pretty durable. Hope you find something that works!

Hey Sarah,

I own the Patagonia simul alpine and love them. I bought them for cooler climbing and alpine climbing and they work well for those purposes. They have a high waist with a stretchy band and a total of four zippered pockets, which is amazing. I wear them in a size 4, which is my normal size in most brands. 

I also tried on the altiva when I bought the simul, and I was concerned that the belt on the altiva would be uncomfortable with a harness. I've  owned a pair of gamma LTs in the past, which were lighter weight and seemed less durable as a result. They ended up blowing out in both the butt and the thigh pocket.

Honestly, the simul is my favorite climbing pant. I wish Patagonia made a lighter weight version with the same features. Feel free to message me with any other questions!

I have the Gamma LT, and older version of the Simul Alpine, and the BD Alpine. You can cross the BD Alpine right off your list if you're ever planning to use them for winter sports or cool weather. Lower leg is too narrow to fit over boots, thin material, uncomfortable/lack of stretch, the material tears very easily, and the pockets are awful. I've found the Gamma LT to hit the sweet spot for winter use. Durable, just the right weight for high exertion winter activities (I usually layer with running tights), good pocket situation, nice belt. If you're planning to ski, getting pants with a lower leg zipper is key, otherwise they won't fit over ski boots. The Simul Alpine are great for shoulder season/alpine rock, but I'm not sure they're the best if you also want to use them for skiing and ice climbing. A little thin, no way to attach shock cord to the bottom of the pants to keep the cuff down when postholing, no waist adjustment (irritating on long days when the material stretches and starts to sag), no lower leg zipper. I also have the OR Cirque...they're a heavier material than all the others and have an odd velcro waist adjustment. They're ok for winter sports, but I'm not sure I'd want to use them for rock; they're a bit bulky and heavy. 

I love the Marmot scree softshell pants! they also make a short size too 

I also have the simul alpine! I like the fit, and I usually have trouble finding pants that fit my proportions (small waist, bigger butt). Was skeptical about them since the waist isn't adjustable, but the elastic portion in the back takes care of that. They're fairly stretchy except for where the leg zippers are (duh), but when they fit a little snugger on my thighs prior to losing a few pounds I found that a little annoying. The rise is higher than most soft shells I've tried on, and since the back rises even higher than the front it takes care of your lower back being exposed while sitting in your harness on the wall. The pockets on the legs are great for accessing with a harness on, though they could be a touch bigger in my opinion. The cinch around the ankle is great for climbing, but it also opens wide enough to fit over mountaineering boots (not sure about ski boots).

In terms of use, I find them fairly thin on their own, but I've rock climbed in them with a thin layer underneath in 30-40 degree temps and was comfortable the whole time. I have ice climbed in them in the same temps as above, and I was comfortable with a wool layer underneath. For ice if it's below ~30, I go for a different soft shell. For durability, they've been great on rock, but while ice climbing I immediately put crampon holes in them without much effort, so you'd need gaiters in that case. If you are eventually looking for a soft shell that can be both a ski pant and an ice climbing pant, I like these from Mammut so far. They run small, but I've been ice climbing and skiing in them in low temps with no issues and the leg vents are great for long approaches where you're working up some heat.

The mammut pants mentioned above fit the bill as a “do everything softshell pants”.
i could also suggest the la sportiva bernina or alpine guide or the ortovox cevedale.
Wear it on its own in summer and spring and with longjohns in winter and fall.