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Thread: What pant- Soft shell, beacon pocket, and vents

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Posts
    15

    What pant- Soft shell, beacon pocket, and vents

    I'm looking for a pair of soft shells for spring/summer ski mountaineering here in the PNW any recommendations?

    Soft shell
    beacon pocket
    vents (bigger the better)
    suspenders preferred

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    Lat 44
    Posts
    472
    May want to look at Outdoor Research - not sure what they have now, but they used to have a pant called the Valhalla - pretty sure it ticks the boxes on your list

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Boulder
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    1,396
    OR Trailbreaker are great.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Posts
    559
    BD Recon have worked well for me.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Posts
    625
    No suspenders, but the Strafe Cham2 pant ticks all the other boxes. I only have a few days on mine, but their elastic+Velcro integrated belt system is the best I've ever tried for holding pants in place. Much better than similar systems from Patagonia and Arcteryx. Don't really need suspenders IMHO.

    Polartech Neoshell + big posterior thigh vents + light colors (I went for the off white/light gray) means they are pretty damn breathable and cool on the sunny skin track.

    They are definitely burlier than some of the super thin, super lightweight soft shell options. So if you run really hot they might not be the best choice. But for me they are the best combo of uptrack breathable soft shell and downhill actual waterproof ski pant I've tried so far.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    Boise, ID
    Posts
    967
    Quote Originally Posted by ski-wpk View Post
    OR Trailbreaker are great.
    this

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Central OR
    Posts
    1,157
    Black diamond dawn patrol hybrid bib if you can find it. It's the shit.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    NW WA
    Posts
    336
    I'm a fan of Dynafit Chugach pants, have attachments for their branded suspenders too if you're into that. Beacon pocket on right thigh, vents on outside of thighs. Gore Windstopper with more breathable softshell in the crotchal region and waist.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    northern BC
    Posts
    33,168
    Arcterxy procline AR

    https://www.liveoutthere.com/arctery...-ar-pants.html

    they got a reallly nice gator that still works well with the Vulcan one buckle cuff, nice minimalist suspenders (which I gotta have), a good belt & waist closure, horizontal hip pockets which leaves more room for good sized vents with cloth backing to keep out snow while open , good fit for a skinny person
    Last edited by XXX-er; 03-04-2017 at 07:30 PM.
    Lee Lau - xxx-er is the laziest Asian canuck I know

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Wenatchee
    Posts
    15,695
    I'm digging the First Ascent Nail Driver pant for skiing and ski touring. Highly water repellent and breath really well. Touring with a wicking boxer brief underneath is great. Two thigh cargo pockets with loops for beacon lanyard and tools. No vents but the hip pockets can be left open, not really necessary. two back pockets, one zippered and one not. Double knees with pocket for knee pads and reinforced cuffs. These really are a bargain, especially if you get them on sale. I paid $97 for one pair and $109 for another.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
    Location
    roaming into the gloaming
    Posts
    648
    Here's another vote for the OR trailbreaker. Excellent features - nice beacon pocket and clip, big vents, comes with suspenders AND belt loops, pretty durable ankle patch, the newest version gaiters have a slot on either side to feed your power strap through to keep your gaiters in place when postholing, lower legs are completely waterproof and have a knee pocket where you can insert foam padding (if that's your thing), two way crotch zipper.

    I had ~250 days on my first pair before I blew a zipper. On to my 2nd pair now.

    Bonus: OR has one of the best warranties in the biz, IMO. They have REPLACED several high-end jackets and pants for me after I contacted them asking for a REPAIR.

    ^ This is the reason that I will keep buying from OR and deadbird. Their gear might be more expensive (arc), but they stand behind their product for life. I have had bad experiences with other companies telling me to basically get lost when their product failed.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    northern BC
    Posts
    33,168
    I delamed the crotch on my 1st set of arcteryx softshell and they sent me a full credit for the list price which was > what I originaly paid SO I bought another pair and they are new improved over the 1st pair

    yeah so some people complain about the price of everything but the way I look at it I can't afford to pay less
    Lee Lau - xxx-er is the laziest Asian canuck I know

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Sep 2016
    Location
    NAZ
    Posts
    500
    I love my Rab softshells but looking at their site it seems they aren't made anymore and have been replaced by the Upslope which might fit your needs. Mine have a beacon pocket, can't tell if the Upslopes do.
    It sucks to suck.

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