Softshell Pants

I am coming close to needing some new winter softshell pants, and ice is one of my main uses for them so I wanted to post here instead of the main gear forum.

I have been using the OG OR Cirque pants for a few years now, and have repaired/patched them a few times, but a zipper or two is starting to snag and my local repair person is hesitant to replace them. I've also lost a bit of weight and could go down a size, and they offer a tall inseam in all sizes.

I love that they are slim fitting, have a gusseted ankle and fit around ski boots, have a thigh pocket, and the overall fit and fabric weight is great. They're great all around winter pants and I use them on almost anything I do without major approaches in the winter unless its super cold, wet, or I'm skiing powder. They also offer a short, regular and tall inseam which is great.

I looked at the Cirque 2 pants and was concerned that a few reviews mentioned the fit was roomier and they were snagging crampons on them more than the original Cirque pants.

My questions are:

• Does anyone have first hand experience with the Cirque 2 pants that can speak to the lower leg fit and crampon snagging?
• What other pants do people recommend that could serve as a good all around winter pant that are slim fitting and offer a tall inseam? I've had great luck converting some of my clothing to Montbell in the past couple years, if anyone has insight into one of their softshell pants. Arcteryx and Patagonia often fit well too. Open to others though!

Anyone had these Montbell's? One of the Japanese sizes would fit me well according to their sizing and they look pretty close. The description claims GoreTex but they look more softshell than shiny/full waterproof to me.

https://en.montbell.jp/products/goods/disp.php?product_id=1102537

I don’t really love my cirque ii’s. They don’t have the most athletic cut in the world. They’re a little snaggy in the cuff, not baggy like a ski pant but not close fitting like the Mammut pants I like live in now, the taiss guide so pants. The waist band is so-so and the crotch is a little snug but otherwise they’re great, I climb/ski in them like 4 days a week.

That being said, if you of anyone wanted a used small pair of cirque ii’s I’d send them to you for shipping cost….

I have the Cirque II’s and the lower leg is flared enough that I can fit them over downhill ski boots. I wore them ice climbing a few times until I purchased Arcteryx Gamma LT pants. The Gamma leg is more tapered and less likely to snag on crampons as frequently although I have managed to do it. The Cirque II’s are a heavier material but I do just fine ice climbing and skiing with just 3/4 length base layer pants underneath.  Of the two, I prefer the Gamma LT’s. I have considered getting the Cirques legs tailored for a narrower fit but then I wouldn’t be able to ski in them.

Edit: Those Montbell pants look like a similar style to the Cirque II’s. 

I have not tried these out yet but I just bought a pair of Patagonia Alpine Guide Pants. I tried them on in the store and they fit me so well so just I went for it (there was also a small sale going on at the time). 

The fit is slimmer than my Cirque pants (which at this point have too many holes in them and I just never liked how heavy and loose fitting they are). 

Although the Patagonia pants fit slimmer, they have more range of motion because the material is a lot stretchier. They feel a lot more agile but still feel durable (obviously I have not tested this). It felt amazing to move around in the store. They also have good pockets, vents, a little stretchy inner cuff at the ankle, and the ankle zips open to get over a touring boot. Biggest con so far is that they are pricey. 

I'm looking forward to getting out in them very soon. 

Thanks everyone!

So confirmed the Cirque IIs are baggy.

The Gammas look nice but I'm afraid they're a bit on the lighter side for my use, aren't they more of a summer weight compared to the Cirques or are they kind of in between?

The Patagonia ones look pretty sweet but they don't offer inseam options and the only review on patagonia.com claims the inseam was ridiculously short. I hope you enjoy them though!

I just bought a pair of Mammut Eisfeld Advanced SO pants. Haven't worn them ice climbing yet, but I really like them. They are an actual slim fit. Very trim on my thighs, and pretty trim on the calves, which I hope means less crampon catching. Fabric is nice and stretchy, so while snug, they flex very well and the cut doesn't impede movement. 

I bought the reg 32" inseam. They also come in a long. Waist measures pretty true to size, and comes in 30", 32", 34", etc instead of generic S, M, L. 

Perhaps very slightly thinner than my Arc'Teryx Sigma AR softshells and Gamma AR pants. Gamma AR aren't that trim and don't have crampon protection fabric. (Gamma LT, now called Gamma, is too thin for my winter use).

Cirque II's are like flared pants vs. the Mammuts. 

I also debated the Mammut Taiss Guide SO pants but wasn't sure if they'd be as stretchy with their membrane. I also didn't need their thigh vents. 

“The Gammas look nice but I'm afraid they're a bit on the lighter side for my use, aren't they more of a summer weight compared to the Cirques or are they kind of in between?”

The Gammas are thin, but for me that makes them more versatile. When it’s very cold I can wear heavy base layers or even fleece pants to get me the warmth I need. My preferred layer for skiing and ice climbing is a pair of 3/4 length merino wool base layers. 

I can't comment on the OR, but I've been really liking the Rab Ascendor Alpine.  They come in 3 lengths. I wear 33"waist X 34" inseam jeans, 190 lbs, 6'0" and I got the large-long.  They fit me perfectly.   I typically climb with a medium weight wool base layer.   They are quite thick, durable, stretch, and warm.  I haven't noticed any binding when high stepping or stemming.   The inner leg cuff is nicely reinforced.  I can't comment on how they fit over ski boots but the is a zipper that opens up a gusset at the ankle.  The integral gator works well with my LaSportiva Nepals.  The included suspenders can be removed if you prefer to go without.   I like suspenders as I can have a little looser waist which gives me more versatility for the base layers and is more comfortable.   They stay put when hiking with a pack.  They are a true winter pant.  I dont use them for anything but cold weather rock and ice climbing.

For what it's worth....

Check out TNF Chamlang softshell pant. Athletic fit with suspenders. 

John Sigmon wrote:

I am coming close to needing some new winter softshell pants, and ice is one of my main uses for them so I wanted to post here instead of the main gear forum.

I have been using the OG OR Cirque pants for a few years now, and have repaired/patched them a few times, but a zipper or two is starting to snag and my local repair person is hesitant to replace them. I've also lost a bit of weight and could go down a size, and they offer a tall inseam in all sizes.

I love that they are slim fitting, have a gusseted ankle and fit around ski boots, have a thigh pocket, and the overall fit and fabric weight is great. They're great all around winter pants and I use them on almost anything I do without major approaches in the winter unless its super cold, wet, or I'm skiing powder. They also offer a short, regular and tall inseam which is great.

I looked at the Cirque 2 pants and was concerned that a few reviews mentioned the fit was roomier and they were snagging crampons on them more than the original Cirque pants.

My questions are:

• Does anyone have first hand experience with the Cirque 2 pants that can speak to the lower leg fit and crampon snagging?
• What other pants do people recommend that could serve as a good all around winter pant that are slim fitting and offer a tall inseam? I've had great luck converting some of my clothing to Montbell in the past couple years, if anyone has insight into one of their softshell pants. Arcteryx and Patagonia often fit well too. Open to others though!

Have the cirque IIs and while I can’t compare to the OG cirques I can say these soft shell pants are amazing and haven’t had issues with crampon snag at all. I also don’t think they’re that roomy. I’m a pretty fit 190-195 at 6ft and have the mediums as the L was too big. I’d say go for them. The quality for the price is unmatched unless you want to pay 250+ for patagucci or deadbirds that will probably have their own problems eventually anyway.

OR always has solid deals too where you can regularly find gear at 25-70% off if you’re patient and get in quick to pull the trigger when they announce a sale. 

Marmot 

I've been using these so far and they are an incredible value at $105-150, depending on the sale price.  Kind of a do it all climbing/touring pant.  No complaints at that price. 

Dr Illogical wrote:

+1 to these. Specifically the alpine version. I've had a dog bite me and they didn't tear. They fit snuggly over my g2s. Not as slim fitting as some, but I rarely catch the pant with my crampons. But because they're Rab, the zippers are garbage and I've had a zipper fail on each pair (fixable). 

Which zipper failed?  I haven't had any problems yet.

Dr Illogical wrote:

It's the zipper handles keep breaking. One on a pocket and one on the fly. 

The metal pull or the cord attached to the metal pull?  Just preparing for the future. :)

Well, that sucks.  I love these pants.  Fingers crossed for the future..

Charles Iguana wrote:

I just bought a pair of Mammut Eisfeld Advanced SO pants. Haven't worn them ice climbing yet, but I really like them. They are an actual slim fit. Very trim on my thighs, and pretty trim on the calves, which I hope means less crampon catching. Fabric is nice and stretchy, so while snug, they flex very well and the cut doesn't impede movement. 

I bought the reg 32" inseam. They also come in a long. Waist measures pretty true to size, and comes in 30", 32", 34", etc instead of generic S, M, L. 

Perhaps very slightly thinner than my Arc'Teryx Sigma AR softshells and Gamma AR pants. Gamma AR aren't that trim and don't have crampon protection fabric. (Gamma LT, now called Gamma, is too thin for my winter use).

Cirque II's are like flared pants vs. the Mammuts. 

I also debated the Mammut Taiss Guide SO pants but wasn't sure if they'd be as stretchy with their membrane. I also didn't need their thigh vents. 

How do you like the Sigma AR pants for ice climbing?  I think they're specifically designed for ice climbing, but I have read online people have torn open the buttocks region (due to being glued, not stitched).  What's your experience like (in general)?

Blue wrote:

How do you like the Sigma AR pants for ice climbing?  I think they're specifically designed for ice climbing, but I have read online people have torn open the buttocks region (due to being glued, not stitched).  What's your experience like (in general)?

Really like my Sigma AR's for ice climbing. They're sorta trim fit, not as much as my new Mammuts, but tight at the ankle over my G2 Evos. 4-way stretch fabric. They have stiff fabric inside the lower calf area to help keep the material next to your leg and away from your points. Haven't had many crampon snags as a result. 

Love the waist adjuster belt, which is necessary as they measure ~2" larger than stated size. Length is just slightly short if you're 6'2".

Haven't had any issues with any seams, been using mine since new in Nov 2020. Seams on the backside are stitched and factory taped.

Last I checked Arc still had them on their used gear site. 

John Sigmon wrote:

Anyone had these Montbell's? One of the Japanese sizes would fit me well according to their sizing and they look pretty close. The description claims GoreTex but they look more softshell than shiny/full waterproof to me.

https://en.montbell.jp/products/goods/disp.php?product_id=1102537

These are my primary ice climbing pant (also cold weather ski touring, mountaineering) that I've worn for 3 years. I think they're excellent, especially with the suspenders to keep them from sagging. I recently met a Japanese ice climber (WI5-6 climber) in Canmore who also wore them. I don't know what "look more softshell" means. They're 3L gore-tex and you will get hot on sunny days and have to use the zip vents. I've climbed in dripping ice and they are as waterproof as any other gore-tex.

Charles Iguana wrote:

I just bought a pair of Mammut Eisfeld Advanced SO pants. Haven't worn them ice climbing yet, but I really like them. They are an actual slim fit. Very trim on my thighs, and pretty trim on the calves, which I hope means less crampon catching. Fabric is nice and stretchy, so while snug, they flex very well and the cut doesn't impede movement. 

I bought the reg 32" inseam. They also come in a long. Waist measures pretty true to size, and comes in 30", 32", 34", etc instead of generic S, M, L. 

Perhaps very slightly thinner than my Arc'Teryx Sigma AR softshells and Gamma AR pants. Gamma AR aren't that trim and don't have crampon protection fabric. (Gamma LT, now called Gamma, is too thin for my winter use).

Cirque II's are like flared pants vs. the Mammuts. 

I also debated the Mammut Taiss Guide SO pants but wasn't sure if they'd be as stretchy with their membrane. I also didn't need their thigh vents. 

Another vote for checking out the Mammut Eisfeld Advanced SO pants. I have a pair of the original Cirques but now always reach for these. I can confirm the fit trim in the calves reduces crampon snags, but the calf zipper allows you to expand it to fit over larger ski boots. I use them for ice climbing and backcountry skiing in the north east, but have also lived in them for multiple for Cascade volcano climbing/skiing. I like them so much I’m considering buying an extra pair just in case they change the design/fit.

You can often find them heavily discounted or use the discounts of your part of certain alpine organizations too. 

Best value in a pant, 100% 

https://www.ems.com/ems-mens-pinnacle-soft-shell-pants/33569900133.html?utm_source=google_ads&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAqNSsBhAvEiwAn_tmxTCpkmC7iVLXj9ioikboF4Uva2j2EdZdiUTelbhqXGUIk6dogWYwrRoCaUMQAvD_BwE

Norrona trollveggen flex1 pants have been great for me from colder summer objectives to ice this winter. The zip in bib seems like a gimmick but I actually really like it. Sizing can be weird but they've got a lot of adjustment in the waist.