Pants

I am in the market for some new pants, looking for recommendations from our crowd based on others experience. I would like to have a full zip, GoreTex. I am leaning towards the Marmot Randonee, or the Arc'teryx Minutman bib, though I am open to other manufactures.

What works for you?

I have kind of bulky boots being on soft boots for the splitboard, and have had trouble w/ this pant dimension at the cuff in the past. I also hope to use these pants for spring and summer climbing.

any help great!

Chris

If you're open to soft-shell pants, you should take a look at beyond fleece .  Decent prices, and you "custom build" your pants with the features you want.

I ordered some WB-400 fabric pants from them a few years ago - they didn't have a full zip available, but instead a "3/4" zip, which is actually better IMO (more comfortable under a harness/pack).  They're the main ones I use in winter, and they're still in great shape (except where I sat on an ice tool). My only complaint is that they don't rise above the waist, but maybe they have some more bib-like ones now...

Last February I acquired a pair of Arc'teryx Theta LT Pants and I have used them for downhill and backcountry skiing in winter, spring and summer.  I am very happy with their performance.  They have a powder cuff which could be a problem with a large soft boot.

MEC has the ETHER on sale $169cdn. Climbing pant, but if the cuff fits, it may work. No internal gaiter. XCR, and a nice cut, slightly higher in the waist.

I will second MEC, that's the Canadian version of REI. They have a store in Vancouver and a good website. They have several versions of XCR gore-tex pants listed for what looks like a good price.

Hey Chris,

I remember riding with you once last year.

The zippers and options are limited but I can't say enough about army surplus wool pants. They can be as expensive as say $30 but they look cool, work well, and with a pair of gaters will keep all the snow out of your boots.