Thread: Poll: Would you purchase custom waist, inseam, fabric ski/ride pants?

Ski / Ride Pants
Tired of being between S, M, L, XL sizes. Or, if you are a medium waist but a toothpick and all pants are high waters, or, having pants that been field tested by gaper designers sitting in cubicle, who don't pee in the the trees, or try using the zippers with gloves on, or even worse designed by non skier/riders, etc....then....

I am sewing samples right now for a pant to possibly be available commercially next year. There would be a finite number available each season. You could pick fabric from my stock. Polartec and gore softshell laminates. You could choose your waist and inseam sizes. Price would probably be in the mid $200's


NEW Updated pictures of outer pocket and inner pocket models at bottom of Page 2 of this thread

I have purchased custom ski pants and I love them. Custom outerwear makes all the difference because the fit is designed to maximize thermal efficiency. Work smarter not harder.

Mags ought to be all over this. Git 'er done MiCol!

I'm down. Never had an inseam that was long enough, sick of waiting for the flood . . .

Originally Posted by Cruiser

I have purchased custom ski pants and I love them. Custom outerwear makes all the difference because the fit is designed to maximize thermal efficiency. Work smarter not harder.

Mags ought to be all over this. Git 'er done MiCol!

Thanks. Had lots of requests for pants. I figured might as well make them something special. I am personally tired of finding the fabric or waist fit I like, but then having the inseam length terminate way to high. Or vice versa, get the right inseam length , but the ass and waist are so baggy I have to consider wearing my pants down with my boxers hanging out with some tall tees...

right now I have sewn in 12" side vents located at top of outside waist. There are 8-10" zippers at bottom cuff outside leg. Working on final powder boot skirt. Back pockets have velcro flaps and are on outside of pants (like the old Schoeller cloudveils), zippers are large plastic molded not coil for vents and cuff, maybe a big #10 coil Ykk for fly. Belt loops, 2 front velcro pockets , not zipper....reinforced knees

Originally Posted by biff chalupa

I'm down. Never had an inseam that was long enough, sick of waiting for the flood . . .

you and me both

Sounds great

Removable suspenders with a tall back? Helps when a powder skirt on the jacket isn't quite enough. Or a half bib like the Alpha LT. I have the Salomon Chillout bibs, and love that feature (REALLY well designed pants overall):
http://www.backcountry.com/salomon-c...-bib-pant-mens

You may want to consider dual vents. Ones on the inside of the leg AND ones on the outside of the leg. With dual vents, you can get some natural air circulation that you won't get with a single vent. Makes a huge difference on calm days.

I guess I am just generic, but I have never had a problem finding off the rack pants that fit.

I voted maybe before I saw the details. Pricing sounds good, so yeah I'm all for it.

I'd love to hear about some bibs.. If you go that way count me in!

I wouldn't hesitate to pay $250 for that. And I'd certainly spend twice that if I could get exactly what I want: add a bib (preferably removable, maybe Shoeller fabric) with additional vents on the inner thigh/crotch area, two hip pockets (small pockets, since I'd use them only at the resort: one for money and one for keys, snow gaiters, maybe scuff guards). No pair of stock pants out there seems to check all my boxes, and it sucks having three pairs.

Stuff usually fits pretty well off the rack, so it's probably not something I'd pay more for. However if the custom pants came in at the same price as competitors and had similar functionality, durability and style to gore pro pants out there, I'd be interested, especially in the option of custom colors.

There is a gap in the market, I believe, for high-end bespoke or MTM outerwear. Rather than a moderately-priced pair of pants where one could only change the inseam and waist, I would be more interested in a pant and jacket that I could set exact measurements for the rise, the width, taper, chest, etc. so that the garments fit me perfectly. I am an average height and weight person, so I dont NEED a custom fit, but custom tailored clothing really is nice once you have tried it.

I would pay top dollar (arcteryx alpha sv prices) for a setup like that (given construction is also excellent) as it would last me forever, and I would be able to end the continual search for the perfect ski getup.

I think that what you propose, a moderately priced, and moderately tailored option, is pretty good, but I would want to go whole hog MTM given the choice. If anyone knows of a company that does this, I'd love to hear about them.

These are on track. I will post up some pics soon. Currently sewing from Polartec Neoshell with thin microgrid polar fleece layer in charcoal color. Fleece low like pool table felt. Have had these out in extreme conditions and they are as good as anything I've ever worn. I am down the sample path multiple pairs at this point. But right now at a functioning, dependable level. Last time I traveled with them (yesterday and few days before) I packed no back up pants. They did not let me down.

Question for the masses: due to the slight stretchyness of the fabric, the waist size when custom still provides some room for IPA waist expansion. A belt is really a must, but I have always hiked, skied, skinned with belt anyways. I can eliminate or tone down the stretch with a support layer sewn into the waistband. However, in its current state there is really no need for those pesky waist adjusting systems that many times dig into your sides.

So, my question is would people prefer a static waist band whereby you could outgrow your pants when gaining weight? Or, not use support layer to eliminate stretch thereby creating a nice some adjusting fit based on your IPA/Stout intake. I like the stretch. (btw if you went on some crash diet and lost several sizes you would have to repant. Its not miracle cloth.

One more question: How do you feel about velcro only on front and rear pockets? They stay sealed very well. However, I may need to add a small pull tab to get them open when hands are gloved.

These pants are going on an Alaska expedition in April. Sadly its not me getting to go...

+1 on stretch. These with an arcade belt could be the ultimate sweatpant setup.

Originally Posted by biff chalupa

I'm down. Never had an inseam that was long enough, sick of waiting for the flood . . .

Me too. Gotta buy XL for the length, and Medium for the waist.


For MiCol's other question: I prefer velcro with waterproof/seamed zippers underneath. Even the strongest velcro comes open in a fall, and I'm not going to look for my lost keys in 17 feet of pow in a hudge backcountry or resort area. Zippers prevent this possibility, but still allow for the zipper to be open, should you decide you want quick velcro access to something in your pockets.

Missed this the first go-around. Love the concept and would be stoked on polartec neoshell + light fleece backing. Would love to see longer side vents, and ideally would prefer venting on the inner and outer thigh (a la FlyLow).

Originally Posted by butterscotch

Missed this the first go-around. Love the concept and would be stoked on polartec neoshell + light fleece backing. Would love to see longer side vents, and ideally would prefer venting on the inner and outer thigh (a la FlyLow).

YES! Flylow venting please.

I might consider just offering a Short and Tall in 30, 32, 34, 36, and 38 waist - maybe a 33 if you're feeling frisky. Arc'teryx and Mountain Hardware both offer Shorts and Talls and I notice that short thick dudes and tall skinny guys are often wearing one of the two.

If you need a field tester I'm in Leadvegas full-time these days.

Second on the zippers on the pockets under Velcro just in case.

I also love thigh pockets.

Seems like both of these would be easy to add if you were doing a custom job.

Like some mentioned, finding a pant that checks all the boxes is pretty tough these days. I too would be very interested in seeing custom pants with various options.

My requirements usually follow this list:
Waterproof
Dual venting (a la FlyLow)
Front, back and cargo pocket or two. The cargo is nice to shove my gloves into while fiddling with other things.
Stretch is nice, but no required.
Light fleece back is nice, but not required.
Inside elastic waist adjustments.
Tough scuff guards.
Powder boot gaiters (whatever they are called.)
High back. Suspenders would be nice, but no required.
Freeride fit. I'm not a rando racer, but I'm not some jibber skittle mafia expat, either.
Colors besides black and gray.

I have yet to find a pant like this that isn't crazy expensive.

Zippers a must for front pockets. Can do without back pockets entirely. I don't want to have to wear a belt, it digs in to my hip if I've got a pack on. I lean more towards a slimmer fit (but not tight). A loop in a right-leg thigh pocket for hooking a beacon to would be $$$, I refuse to wear my beacon on a harness.

Otherwise what Bobcat Sig said.

Custom size would be huge. Make it available in yellow or red and hit all the check boxes and I would order a pair in a heartbeat. I really dug your jacket but my arms are just too long, and I have constant issues with pants for the same reason. I'm giving up on yet another jacket and pants this season because they don't fit me properly.

Thanks all for input. Covered up today but will try to have pics on later today, tonight or even tomorrow morning.

But let me ask a couple more things and add some beta.

Q
1. I have had others ask for inside vents. I can deliver.. How long a vent and how far down from crotch are you talking?
2. Tape seams? It didnt effect me in my trials and so far not taped. I was planning on taping. looked at my old favorite cloudveils made out of schoeller (i think) and they are not taped. The membrane in the 3rd layer of neoshell seems to constrict around the thread pretty tight (like bj) I dont know if snow or water is going to get through that. it has not so far. taping is fine but will add more labor cost and + price. Target retail on this , sold on pre orders only- never available through retail store because its too hard to coordinate sizing and such at $250-275. This is a lean deal as it is. I also considered using nylon thread instead of blends so thread will not blead. checking with my engineer to make sure this wont rip on fabric. thread too strong will make any stressing go to the fabric and that could stretch thread holes...all my comparison pants from other brands (oops) appear to use blend threads which will give and stretch before putting undue stress on thread holes.

Beta
a. Outside vents currently 13 inches from top of waist band down before starting. Vent runs 12 inches. The vents have no
nasty netting to catch zippers. The vent is behind a small flap of main body material. see pics when i get them up.

b. Pocket velcro. I currently have it running the full length of pocket and it is 1 inch wide. It is hard as hell to open as
it is, which is why I am considering the pull tabs. I went down some (gaper!) and there is no way it will open up
on you. btw I keep a single car key (not the electric button huge one-but door only spare on ring in my jacket
breast pocket) I could have easily been comfortable with that key in one of the front pockets.

c. I am using big YKK coil zip on fly with oversize pull tab. It does not fall . Also zipper is big so you dont drip once your
junk goes back in . You can really take a leak with gloves on. Also, there is no ingress egress issues getting junk out.
no reach up and over. this zip situation is designed for taking a leak in the trees and possibly with gloves on.

d. I am still working on scuff gard materials. Even if I go ballistic nylon , they will still get cut up. ballistic stops blunt force
type objects and not blades slicing...chain mail anyone??? I dont think we can stand the weight. Positive is most of that slicing
when it happens is below the powder inside leg gaiter . so its really more of a visual thing. (btw i did not get the current sample
scuff gard positioned correct. its more of a boarder style on back so ignore that when photos get posted.



pics coming. also, there may be some pants once I reach my 2nd to last (last before final) sample run that people can buy for cost of fabric and labor only. (Neoshell +++$30 a yard/3 yards per pant)

Nice! Looks like I forgot two things that you mentioned; taping of the seems (not really required for Montana) and the vent netting. I'm either way on the netting. I never really seems to be an issue the fabric is stiff or the zipper is stiff.

You also bring up a great point about fly; the up and over is far too common. I like that being taken into account for the design.

Honestly, I could give a shit if my pants are a bit loose in a dimension or two, as it doesn't impact performance. Jackets are a much bigger PITA if they don't fit.