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Post by mcmike on Aug 20, 2015 8:55:42 GMT -8
Hi, looking for a pair of pants I can slide over my ski tights as an extra layer when xc skiing if a storm blows in, or for after skiing.
I ski hot, so I dress light. As a result, I freeze when the temp drops, if the wind comes up, or if I hang out outside after I stop.
Lightweight and packable a must. Full or 3/4 ankle zip a must. I could just use a backpacking rain shell pant I suppose, but prefer a soft shell for breathability. I hate exercising in the glorified plastic trash bags that are rain pants, even if they have side zips. I just need wind/water resistance; not proofness.
So I guess it is an ultra-light full-zip soft shell that I am looking for. Cut just a little generously to fit over tights.
I have found four or five models that might work, but all have of course been discontinued by the manufacturers.
Thanks
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Aug 20, 2015 9:45:51 GMT -8
LinkMaybe a little early in the season for most snow stuff, have you hit the REI page? (It was acting up when I just tried). I have some heavier ones from North Face ((their Mountain Light series) and a lighter pair from Patagonia. Tend to be paired with shells in their offerings. A large list: www.backcountry.com/mens-non-insulated-ski-pants
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Westy
Trail Wise!
Diagnosed w/Post-Trail Transition Syndrome
Posts: 1,952 
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Post by Westy on Aug 20, 2015 10:58:56 GMT -8
Am a Nordic XC skier using double-camber, waxless skis in Utah. My typical tour is usually 4-6 miles one-way, breaking trail and gaining 1,500' to 2,000' vertical in non-avalanche terrain. Elevations can start at 5,500 to 8,000 and reach 10,000 feet. Weather is a variable with wide fluctuations. I use SmartWool Micro 1 or 2 underwear in lieu of ski tights. My ski pants are similar to this. This is the current Arc'Teryx offering, the one was discontinued several years ago. Softshell Ski Pant |
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Post by mcmike on Aug 20, 2015 11:51:24 GMT -8
Re Westy: Thanks, but looks like those pants don't have leg zippers.
I should have mentioned this is for groomed XC trail use. So the regular tights with a windstopper face and fleece back work fine 90% of the time. I just need a packable extra layer to throw on when a storm blows up, or when I have to stop/slow down when skiing with the kids.
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Post by mcmike on Aug 20, 2015 11:53:27 GMT -8
re High Sierra. Thanks.
Alas, those items don't even include descriptions that tell about whether they have leg zippers let alone how much they weigh (or am I missing a link?). It's almost as if the vendors want to make it hard on us to comparison shop....
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BigLoad
Trail Wise!
Pancakes!
Posts: 12,911
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Post by BigLoad on Aug 20, 2015 11:54:34 GMT -8
It's hard to recommend something because models change so much faster than the useful life of the pants. My favorite bad-weather, XC-skiing, soft-shell bottoms are a discontinued Prana pant made from thick Schoeller Dynamic. They're pretty warm even standing around, so I only wear them in bitter cold. Instead, I almost always wear wool long unders and pull on full-zip Precips if the wind gets unbearable or precipitation demands it.
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Westy
Trail Wise!
Diagnosed w/Post-Trail Transition Syndrome
Posts: 1,952
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Post by Westy on Aug 20, 2015 12:09:26 GMT -8
That may be the quick answer for a 10% usage, inexpensive, available in many sizes, not a softshell but works in wind, rain. They are lightweight, totally smashable with a low pack profile. |
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Post by mcmike on Aug 20, 2015 12:13:45 GMT -8
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BigLoad
Trail Wise!
Pancakes!
Posts: 12,911
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Post by BigLoad on Aug 20, 2015 12:29:48 GMT -8
It depends what you expect from them. Ive seen those, and apart from being easier to get off and on, they're not much different than regular hiking pants. |
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Aug 20, 2015 15:15:01 GMT -8
re High Sierra. Thanks. Alas, those items don't even include descriptions that tell about whether they have leg zippers let alone how much they weigh (or am I missing a link?). It's almost as if the vendors want to make it hard on us to comparison shop.... The first link to deadbird had the weight stated in the description. The backcountry.com individual product pages have a "tech specs" tab that pops a page with weights etc. For ex. For the Theta SV Bib: from Backcountry.com " Claimed Weight: [M] 20 oz " also for that one it says the side zippers are "full length" |
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Post by mcmike on Aug 20, 2015 16:21:18 GMT -8
re High Sierra. Ok, thanks. See the descriptions now. Not sure what I was looking at before. Been rooting around for the "perfect" pant so long I've gone cross-eyed.
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Post by mcmike on Aug 20, 2015 16:29:54 GMT -8
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Post by mcmike on Aug 21, 2015 13:00:56 GMT -8
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Aug 21, 2015 13:21:20 GMT -8
10 ozs. seems a good weight (to the extent ANY weight can be "good").
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tomas
Trail Wise!
Posts: 1,906
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Post by tomas on Aug 23, 2015 11:07:45 GMT -8
I dunno if they still make them, but my REI Acme soft shell pants sound like what you are looking for. I run warm and only really use them when it is wicked cold or overnight in temps that don't require down.
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