UKC

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/mountaineering-trousers-id_8010075.html

Anyone used them for summer alpine mountaineering? Or are they too warm?

Thanks

In reply to aujayeb:

I found them great for summer alpine. They have good vents in the side for when it gets really warm.

In reply to ankyo:

Thank you, they are "soft shell" aren't they?

In reply to aujayeb:

yes - the nearly-neoprene type. They are quite stretchy and the side vents do work. I wear them in summer when working on cold days or when I am likely to be slightly wet all day, and with leggings in winter.

I've worn them in the alps and in all conditions in British winters - for the price they are the best you can get IMO.

In reply to richprideaux:

Agreed. Very pleased with them.

In reply to aujayeb:

I brought some for Nepal they were fine with leggings at 5500m

In reply to Sempafi:

Can't beat them on value for money. Went to 5000m with them. Side vent work great. Now in their 5th year of intense use (ski, winter trekking, climbing) they are giving up, the fabric rips with every small nick. I have the old "quechua" ones but they are identical. The inner gaiter is great, keeps snow out and you don't sweat like when using regular gaiters.

The fabric is the "soft" soft shell type, meaning it's air permeable. If static on a windy/blizzard day you'll want to add a (light) shell over it. But i wore them 95% of the time with 180g merino long jhons and regulating from the side zips.

The bad: heavy, can't be used with a belt, a "baggy" cut with a slight "bell bottom". This is great for using over ski boots but not so great when wearing crampons. The lower zip flap is closed with velcro and once full of snow the velcro will not be of any use. So you can't really tighten them up around your boots (not in the hills that is). The suspenders will sag but you can velcro them to the upper elastic band so no biggie.

In reply to aujayeb:
I've been happy with them although I might use something lighter for summer alpine http://lightfromthenorth.blogspot.fi/2013/03/simond-alpinism-pants-review.h...

In reply to TobyA:

thanks TobyA, i did read your blog

What do you use for summer alpine by any chance?

In reply to aujayeb:

I haven't been to the European Alps for years, but in the past I've worn very lightweight tactel trousers (like Montane Terras for example although my old ones were less techy than that) with longjohns under if going up high. Lightweight rain pants in the pack.

For mountain rock in Northern Norway I wear slightly lighter softshell pants than the Decathlon ones. I have a pair of simple Patagonia ones, (equivalent of the Simple Guide Pant now perhaps) which are great, or these http://www.ukclimbing.com/gear/review.php?id=2538 Both are lighter than the Simonds, which as I said on the blog are probably better as winter troos in my mind.

In reply to aujayeb:

The Simond Alpinism Light trousers instead?

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/alpinism-light-trousers-id_8157644.html
http://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/t.php?t=577615

Not worn them other than a wander around town (and conscious of the 'd!ck' look of wearing trousers with crampons patches around town...*) They're a lot lighter than the mountaineering trousers, and quite a bit less wind resistant.

* cf http://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/t.php?t=578122

In reply to TobyA:

I went to have a look at the Recon page on Westcomb's website, but then noticed the review date... If you click Men's Clothing/Pants, it comes back with "There are no products matching the selection."...

Looks like Westcomb don't make trousers at the moment... I wonder if it's 'season change time'.

In reply to captain paranoia:

No idea - not sure if they are being distributed in the UK anymore? They seem to win awards still in North America and they have an interesting story to the company, but its hard finding a niche in the market here for a small company I guess.