UKC

Hi,

I'm after a pair of winter climbing/skiing trousers or preferably bibs...

Something like this:
http://www.thenorthface.co.uk/tnf-uk-en/men-s-kichatna-bib/p88063.html

Does anyone have any suggestions that don't cost a fortune? I've not found anything much for less than £250, and that is a lot for something I won't be using for more than 2 weeks a year.

Thanks,

H

In reply to sweenyt:
Keep an eye on sportpursuit? They had a load of reasonably cheap 'dermizax ev' bibs recently, and I wouldn't be surprised if they turned up again in the near future.

Alternatively, cough up for some expensive bibs, and consider that at two weeks use a season they'll last for years.

In reply to Shearwater:
I'd love some expensive ones, but its a toss up between bibs or actually getting out to use them at the moment!

Thanks for the sportpersuit tip though.

In reply to sweenyt: ME Karakorum pants?

In reply to sweenyt: Montane terra xt. Excellent bit of kit.

In reply to Kelcat:

Are they still a current product? I considered them a little while back, but they're hard to find in shops, don't seem to get reviewed and now I can't even see them on Montane's website. I've got a vague recollection that they didn't have snow gaiters in either, something I rather like (but you may not care about that).

In reply to Shearwater:

My current ones have gaiters in, and I do like that.

The ones I'm using now are softshell type, which seem to be pretty waterproof too... some of these suggestions seem to be hardshells... Is this right?
I'd like to stick with softshell. The ME ones look good, assuming they're softshell, I don't know enough about the fabrics though.

In reply to Shearwater: hmmm, don't know. I bought mine last winter. I find the integral snow gaiters are a hinderance when climbing, I prefer gaiters under the pants so that they can move independently.

In reply to sweenyt: bought a pair of the new Paramo Enduro trousers last week. Been very impressed with them. Two days of rain and snow in the Brecon Beacons last week, and a couple of days in the Peak District this week. I'll probably get a pair of braces for them, but I can see they will get a lot of use over the winter. Not cheap, of course, but I can forget about having to carry extra overtrousers. Stretch panels on the knees, snow gaiters, and tougher crampon patches on the instep.

In reply to sweenyt: Those ones in your first link, the TNF ones are goretex so hardshell. Do you want hard shells or soft?

If soft how about the Marmot 'semi bib' pro tours http://www.facewest.co.uk/Marmot-Pro-Tour-Pant.html Quite a lot less than hardshell ones.

If you are really short of money and want softshells consider: http://lightfromthenorth.blogspot.fi/2013/03/simond-alpinism-pants-review.h... Add on a light packable full zip over trouser http://www.mountain-lite.co.uk/?action=shop.detail&pid=4DDC6506-FF29-08... and the two would still be only about 100 quid.

In reply to Shearwater:

a vote for dermizax. its not the lightest or most breathable (tho not far behind and better than many), but from everything ive used its the toughest and most water resistant (ive worn it in comparison with neoshell, gore products etc).
its the stuff of choice for a lot of responder wear, so if youre going to be thrutching up abrasive chimneys etc id think about it.

In reply to sweenyt:

Try these from decathlon http://www.decathlon.co.uk/forclaz-900-warm-trousers-id_8282495.html

They've loads of kit, mail order and good enough quality at really good prices.

In reply to sweenyt: Montane XT Salopettes are excellent bit of kit, If you can find them that is.

In reply to Dave Perry: or these decathlon trousers http://www.decathlon.co.uk/mountaineering-trousers-id_8010075.html

£40 what more do you want. I have a pair they have been great. They have been recommended many times on the forms.

In reply to mikedelderfield:

Between the Forclaz 900 Warm and the Simond Mountaineering troos, I'd suggest the latter for winter climbing & skiing. If soft shell is wanted.

The Forclaz are nice trousers, but they're a much closer fit, and I doubt they'd go over ski boots. Much more 'winter walking' than climbing or skiing. I'm still waiting to hear that the second pair (in grey, dahling) I ordered has arrived in store...

To the OP: Also have a whizz around TK Maxx. A lot of dedicated skiing stuff at the moment, but pure hardshells are sometimes to be found. In fact, if you're the right size (I'd need to check), I might have a pair of Marmot waterproof salopettes (Flash II Membrain) in the "captain's bargain kit cupboard"...