Simple Guide | Guide | Super Guide |
Clean front waist with adjustable drawcord | Snap closure at waist | Snap closure at waist |
No suspenders | No suspenders | Three-point, removable suspenders with soft fabric loop attachments; Soft fabric belt loops |
Two hand pockets with glued-in zippers, zippered back-hip pocket | One thigh (glued-on), two hand pockets; all with glued-in, reverse-coil, Deluge® DWR zippers | Two thigh (glued-on), two hand and one back-hip pockets; all with glued-in, reverse-coil, Deluge® DWR zippers |
Zippered fly | Two-way fly zipper | Two-way fly zipper |
Plain cuffs | Bottom cuffs have 10" gusseted side zipers for pulling pants on over boots, with two snap positions for the protective zipper-covering flap; one for when the zipper and gusset are closed, the other when open, scuff guards | Reverse-coil, Deluge® DWR zippered ankle cuff with gusset to open wide then zip-down securely over boots, with bottom snap closure; Scuff guard at inside ankle |
Plain cuffs | Cuffs have gripper elastic and loops for attaching an under-the-heel cord, to secure snug over boots | Full-featured internal gaiters with gripper elastic have loops for attaching an under-the-heel cord |
6.6-oz., 90 x (150 x 160) denier, 69% nylon, 24% polyester, 7% spandex doubleweave construction, with a Deluge® DWR finish | 7-oz, 90 denier 60% nylon/29% polyester/11% spandex, with a Deluge® DWR finish | 8.9-oz., 90 x (300 x 90) denier 47% nylon, 45% polyester, 8% spandex doubleweave construction, with a Deluge® DWR finish. |
369 g. (13 oz.) | 510 g (18 oz) | 567 g. (20 oz.) |
$125.00 | $145.00 | $165.00 |
Steve Larson - Feb 11, 2005 1:10 am - Voted 4/5
Excellent pantsThey do not restrict my motion in any way. They are breathable and yet reasonably resistant to wind and water. They are quite comfortable with or without a base layer underneath.
I have mixed feelings about the suspenders. I find that suspenders in general are a hassle, because they always seem to be in the way of layering/unlayering and heeding the call of nature. But for me pants tend to ride down below my pack belt, and the suspenders keep that from happening. Without a pack to push them down they stay in place just fine.
The front snap has been surprisingly reliable and easy to use. The two-way zip fly comes in handy when wearing a harness. Now, if they would just make these with a full through-the-crotch zip and a slightly higher waist I'd be one happy camper.
The zippered ankle cuffs are useful when putting on big boots, and the built-in gaiters work surprisingly well. On my last trip we wallowed through some pretty deep snow, and I relied the whole time on the built-in gaiters. Not a flake of snow found its way past them and into my boots. Impressive!
The biggest drawback? They are pricey. I got mine half price from an on-line clearance sale. Despite my enthusiasm for these pants, I can't help but think that there must be something out there that beats these in overall value.