waterproof pants

[Gloria]

I am in need of a new pair of pants. The Mountain Hardware bibs I currently have get soaked when I am on the lift and it is snowing. We have a pretty extreme elevation change from top to bottom of mountain and when it is snowing it is not uncommon to have really wet or even sleet or rain for the first half of the chair ride. I find my pants are soaked by the time I get to the top on days like this. I need some bomber pants to keep me dry. I am not interested in anything super bulky like obermeyer types, but just a lightweight shell type pant or bib that repells water really really well. Any suggestions?

 

[tradygirl]

I love my Cloudveil Koven pants that I use for touring. They're lightweight, breathable, but extremely waterproof. Full side zips and removable bib straps. They are only a shell, so there is zero insulation - you definitely need to bundle up underneath if you're riding lifts.

 

[Jilly]

I noticed when I was at Whistler years ago, alot of the people were in Helly Hansen. I thought they only made sailing gear, and found out a whole new line was there. Being an easterner, most of their stuff isn't warm enough, but from what I've seen since, its a manufacturer I would look at. Also North Face and Sierra Design.

 

[sibhusky]

Gore Tex XCR. Accept no substitutes. I have some Spyder Tarantula pants that aren't too bad, but the REI GoreTex XCR shell pants rule, as did my LLBean All-Conditions jacket that was cut off last spring.

 

[altagirl]

I love my Cloudveil Koven pants that I use for touring. They're lightweight, breathable, but extremely waterproof. Full side zips and removable bib straps. They are only a shell, so there is zero insulation - you definitely need to bundle up underneath if you're riding lifts.

My husband wears those and I have a pair of Arc'teryx shell pants (full sealed zips) that I've had for years and they still repel water nicely. Just make sure whatever you get, that when you need to wash them, you buy the stuff to re-treat them for waterproofness (Nikwax or other similar stuff) and then put them in the dryer on high heat to re-activate it. (Follow the directions, obviously, but it's one of those things where I don't tend to put fancy fabric in a dryer at all, let alone on high heat, so if you didn't read it you may not know.)

If your Mountain Hardwear pants used to repel water but don't anymore, they may just need to be washed and re-treated. Once they get dirty, it interferes with the waterproofing. Might be worth a shot if they're something you like otherwise.

 

[Gloria]

one down, two to go

How funny, I was trying to decide between three pairs of pants a patagonia, the same cloudveil tradygirl mentioned and an arcteryx.
I was pretty happy to read tradygirls post but then I saw AG's and thought jeez, I guess I still have to think about this some more.
( Other than the fact that I am so cheap I kept the leakers for 8 years, it shouldn't be that hard of a decision excepth I probably won't break down again for another 8 or 10 so this time.... ) Thanks for the advice though, especially for the reminder to follow directions,
I ussually don't. Unfortunately with my old pants they leaked from day 1, worse the rest of them held up so well that it was hard to break down and buy a new pair despite the minor inconvenience.

 

[Quiver Queen]

RPK pants by Cloudveil.

 

[tradygirl]

Arc Teryx does make a mean ski pant if you want to drop some coin. My husband has the half-bib shells like AG and I wear them whenever he's not skiing because they are SO NICE. Just depends on how much you want to spend.

The Cloudveil RPKs are super nice too, and I believe they have a little bit of insulation. QQ, am I wrong?

 

[Gloria]

Coin is right

Tradygirl, you hit the nail on the head, if those bibs weren't so dang costly, there would be no decision. I really like the lower cut of those bibs and I secretly lust watching the water stay in drops on those pants instead of spread out and soak in like it does on mine, but I was hopeful that maybe just maybe there would be a cheaper alternative out there....
Sib husky, I haven't alot of experience myself with the REI women's gear but I did love their one piece kids suits when my daughter started skiing. A nice waterproof shell lined with thick fleece and if you've ever dealt with 3-4 y.o. kids on rope tows and old chairlifts,
and learning to ski in general, you know that one piece is crucial for those first couple of years. I would reccomend nothing less for these circumstances. ( They were pretty inexpensive too as I remember )
We went through a handfull of them until she could ride and board well on her own. I will definately take a look. Thanks.

 

[Gloria]

I noticed when I was at Whistler years ago, alot of the people were in Helly Hansen. I thought they only made sailing gear, and found out a whole new line was there. Being an easterner, most of their stuff isn't warm enough, but from what I've seen since, its a manufacturer I would look at. Also North Face and Sierra Design.

I am a little curious about Helly Hansen, they used to be a non-sweat shop brand, but now that they are at the mall, I wonder where they are manufacturing. Now I am curious to see.
As for North Face, I looked far and wide when I was looking for a jacket a couple years ago, and all of their stuff, has gotten so padded and bulky. ( The shell I ended up with is a pound if that, no lining what so ever and I love it ) My husband has a north face ( what I call costume because it is a matching set ) he bought because he is even cheaper than me and it was on deep deep sale, old school stuff
simple shells, but...Although he won't admit there is anything wrong with it ( because he doesn't want to throw down money for new ) the welded seams are all hanging off the jacket and the pants are torn to shreds around the knees and ankles and the fabric is completely frayed at all the exterior seams. I know too well that I will be stuck with what I get for several years and although I don't go for vanity, I don't know that I would want to go around looking like him either. It's hard enough being seen with him.
I am pretty unfamiliar with Sierra Designs newer products, although I owned plenty of it in college when it was first coming out and therefore less expensive, I would be interested in seeing their new stuff, it's definately not as cheap as it used to be. I wonder what their technology is like these days. I will check it out thanks.

 

[Gloria]

SAC OMG

The alpha bibs on SAC today for $159.00 holy$#!@. What are the odds, damage done, if you can call that damage. Thanks for the input gals.

 

[tradygirl]

^^^ How cool is that? Talk about Diva karma. Now if you could all start thinking happy thoughts about a free heli skiing trip for Tradygirl....

 

[Gloria]

++++Vibes++++

^^^ How cool is that? Talk about Diva karma. Now if you could all start thinking happy thoughts about a free heli skiing trip for Tradygirl....

You know we will....And actually they do happen, really when you least expect it, as I can tell you from experience they are ussually on short notice. So keep your bags packed and your fingers crossed.