5+5 Recommended Hard Shell Pants for Snow Mountain Climbing and Backcountry Skiing!
Written by Yasushi Hisatomi
summarized the points to consider when choosing hard shell pants , the perfect outerwear for winter activities . This time, we would like to introduce some of the most popular models this season.
First, to briefly recap what we discussed last time, there are three points to keep in mind when choosing the best hard shell pants
- Material (waterproof, breathable, and heat-retaining)
- Fit (size and ease of movement)
- Convenience (ease of use and functionality)
Another thing to keep in mind is that the shape you want will vary depending on the purpose of use, such as mountain climbing or backcountry skiing (for more details, please see article on how to choose hard shell pants
In that sense, the problem is that I'm a greedy person who can't give up either. My main activities are snow hiking and traverses, but I also do slope skiing and would like to resume backcountry skiing soon. I'd also like to try ice climbing. If I had to say, I'd say that I have almost no plans to snowboard. In other words, rather than a model specialized for one activity, I want a well-rounded, all-around model that's good for both climbing and sliding. I know it's selfish, but I think there are probably a lot of people like me
If so, the selection criteria would be something like this:
- 3-layer (no padding) with waterproof and breathable properties equivalent to GORE-TEX
- The silhouette is as tight as possible, but still allows for ease of movement, and the hem is at least wide enough to fit ski boots
- In winter, when you wear layers, you don't want them to be too tight or slip down, so if possible, choose a bib type with suspenders or as low a profile as possible
- Measures such as ventilation to prevent overheating when hiking. In the case of bibs, make sure they are not too hot
- Gaiters for deep snow and edge guards for crampons are essential. If possible, have lots of pockets
I've made a lot of unreasonable demands, but the pants I'm introducing this time are all absolutely excellent and will meet all of my requests. However, models that meet these demands perfectly inevitably come at a price. When pairing them with a jacket, many people will want to stay as reasonably priced as possible. So, for those of you who are even more demanding, I've divided my recommendations into two groups: "over 70,000 yen" and "under 70,000 yen," so you can use them as a reference based on your budget
The weight shown here is the official value
We also recommend this article about hard shells
table of contents
table of contents
- Editorially Recommended Hard Shell Pants for the 2016-2017 Season (Over 70,000 yen)
- Our Editor's Recommended Hard Shell Pants for the 2016-2017 Season (Under ¥70,000)
- summary
5 Hard Shell Pants Recommended by Our Editors for the 2016-2017 Season (Over ¥70,000)
Arc'teryx Theta SV Bib
Arc'teryx pants boast overwhelming ease of movement, and are extremely comfortable and high-quality for trekking, climbing, rainwear, and more. They are expensive, so they are definitely worth it. Of the diverse lineup, the model that best fits the requirements for this article is the Theta SV Bib
Unlike the "Stinger" series, this is not specialized for backcountry hiking, so it has a better silhouette that is neither too wide nor too narrow, and the side zipper that opens fully from the hem to the waist is a great feature for those who enjoy mountain climbing. Also, unlike the "Alpha" series, it is not specialized for climbing, so it comes with inner spats, making it safe for deep snow. Of course, the 3D cut provides comfortable mobility and ample durability with the 80D GORE-TEX Pro construction, which is also impeccable. The low-profile bibs are the highlight of this collection. They are perfectly balanced without forgetting to be lightweight. The only drawback is the limited number of pockets and color options
MAMMUT NORDWAND PRO HS PANTS
The moment I put them on, I was impressed by how easy they were to move in despite the fairly sturdy fabric. The silhouette is slim, but they're not tight at all, even when I squat
This is no surprise, as the fabric is constructed with a challenging combination of 70D GORE-TEX Pro, which promises superior durability, and stretch in key areas (for various reasons, only a limited number of brands can afford such special specifications). These pants are truly the finest model of hard shell pants. They feature a precisely adjustable hem, snow gaiters with hooks, side zippers that open from the hem to the waist, a comfortable waistband with a snug fit, wide suspenders, and a light weight—all of which are worthy of a model named "North Wall." The meticulous construction, with no corners cut, is nothing short of impressive
MILLET TRILOGY GTX PRO PANT
Millet's flagship Trilogy series, which fully reflects feedback from mountain rangers in the Alps, surrounded by steep rock faces and glaciers, really shines in the snow season. These hard shell pants are for serious mountaineers who cannot compromise on either lightness or durability
This jacket features a lightweight GORE-TEX Pro fabric and a three-dimensional cut for a natural feel, making it surprisingly light and soft for a hard shell, even in the harshest winter conditions. The lightweight Pro shell is also highly breathable, and the full side zipper provides ample ventilation and convenience. The suspender system, which fastens at just two points on each side, is a small but very comfortable feature
Patagonia Powerlayer Bibs
Patagonia also has a wide selection of snow pants, but after trying them all out, we finally gave our stamp of approval to their lightweight bib pants, which are suitable for all snow sports, especially backcountry. This season's model has been redesigned with a stylish cut, which is a recent trend, and many people, including brand ambassadors, are saying, "This year's powslayers are great."
The best feature of these bib pants is their light weight (572g). The shallow upper body has convenient pockets and no need to worry about stuffiness. Lightweight doesn't mean they're skimpy on durability, and the reliable 40D GORE-TEX Pro fabric means you won't have to worry about them getting stuffy all season long. And as always, the impressive three-dimensional cut ensures excellent ease of movement. The ski-oriented construction makes them a little bulky, but the silhouette isn't vulgar and is just the right amount of refined, as expected. The side zipper doesn't open all the way, but only from the knee up, but it opens all the way to the waist, so there's no problem with using the restroom. There are plenty of pockets, which should come in handy
Peak Performance BL CORE Pants
When the snow season arrives, the Swedish outdoor brand Peak Performance suddenly becomes more and more prominent. Founded by a professional skier, a magazine editor, and an art director, all of whom share a passion for skiing, the brand produces high-performance, high-quality products that are also characterized by the streamlined beauty of Scandinavia, ensuring the ultimate snow experience
Among them, the flagship Black Light series hard shell pants incorporate the latest GORE-TEX technology, "GORE C-KNIT," making them incredibly light and comfortable to wear. While they may be less durable than the Pro Shell, their high breathability more than makes up for it, making them the perfect choice unless you're doing extremely strenuous activities. The moderately slim silhouette and clever design in key areas are truly impressive
5 Hard Shell Pants Recommended by Our Editors for the 2016-2017 Season (Under ¥70,000)
OUTDOOR RESEARCH Maximus Pant
This may be the biggest surprise of the season. The new bib-type hard shell pants this season are unexpectedly well-made in terms of both specifications and comfort
Last year's flagship Mentor Pants didn't have a bib section and felt a bit stiff, but this year's model is completely different. The secret is that, like MAMMUT NORDWAND, they've made the key areas of the GORE-TEX Pro stretchy. This makes them incredibly easy to move in and gives them a slim, stylish silhouette. And what's more, this model's inner spats are removable. If you're looking to specialize in climbing or want to attach a gaiter to the outside, you can remove them for a sleek, lightweight fit. You can adjust them to suit your needs without any hassle. There are plenty of pockets, and the low-profile bibs around the waist make them extremely comfortable. And best of all, this price, considering all the attention to detail, is simply amazing
MILLET K EXPERT GTX PANT
Although the materials are different from the high-end Trilogy series, this model is still excellent
While they're not Pro Shell, they're a little heavier and bulkier, thanks to the durable GORE-TEX 3-layer fabric, they still offer ample protection. The three-dimensional cut, while slim, allows for effortless movement and is comparable to higher-end models. After trying them on, I noticed that the inseam isn't as long as the Trilogy, so I think these might actually fit better for Japanese people. The suspenders, which allow you to urinate with them on, the full-length zipper, and the two-way adjustable hem are all very convenient, and aside from the limited number of pockets, these pants are highly versatile and suitable for everything from serious snowy mountain climbing to backcountry skiing
Teton Bros. TB Pant
Teton Bros. is a high-quality Japanese outdoor brand that I trust highly, and not only their jackets but also their bottoms are excellent.
I think Polartec Neoshell's "softness and breathability" make it the perfect match for the challenges of hard shell pants, which require ample movement and need to vent moisture. Made with the same high-friction SURPLEX nylon used in military jackets, these Neoshell pants are carefully cut for durability and a relaxed fit for backcountry adventures, yet not overly bulky, creating a well-balanced silhouette that's perfectly suited to snowy mountain climbing. The detachable bibs feature a mesh back for good ventilation, so they won't be too hot. The right pocket can hold a radio, the left chest pocket can hold a beacon, and the side ventilation and inner spats' shoelace hooks address every need, making this a truly outstanding design
finetrack Everbreath Sibiro Bib
There are several hard shell pants from the up-and-coming Japanese brand finetrack, all of which have unique features designed with the user in mind, and among them, the perfect pair for someone as demanding as us is the bib-type model from the Sibiro series, which is suitable for all winter activities
As I mentioned in my first recommended jacket, the unparalleled ease of movement is still evident in this jacket thanks to the unique waterproof and breathable membrane "Ever Breath," which provides incredible mobility with its 4-way stretch. The durable, thick, and sturdy fabric may seem hot, but it also features a side zipper for ventilation. The zippered hem allows you to adjust the width to accommodate boots without ruining the silhouette, and the pants can be pulled down at the back for toileting. The attention to detail and ease of use are impressive. The only thing I wish they'd done was to do something about the traditional silhouette, but considering the price, that might be asking too much
MAMMUT GORE-TEX QUANTUM STRETCH PANTS
In addition to the high-end model using GORE-TEX Pro introduced above, MAMMUT also has an entry-level model using their own material, DRYtech, as a winter hard shell, but the one we recommend this time is a mid-range hard shell that uses 3 layers of GORE-TEX
What's particularly noteworthy is that, as the name suggests, these boots are made with GORE-TEX but with a special stretchy material, and they also have a fairly tight silhouette. The inner gaiters are also removable, making them ideal for all-season climbing. They're also perfectly suitable for snowy mountain climbing, though you'll need to make sure they'll fit over your ski boots (though the bottom hem can be zipped up, so you can wear them with gaiters). Despite their tight fit, they offer excellent mobility. While they don't come with suspenders, they do have loops for that purpose, and the waist is adjustable with Velcro. The back is higher for increased comfort, allowing for plenty of room for improvement. With a relatively affordable price, stretch GORE-TEX, and ample comfort and ease of use, these boots are a great value for Mammut
summary
Unlike rainwear, hard shell pants are outerwear that you wear all day. Since they're such an expensive investment, we hope this article helps you find the perfect pair of stylish, easy-to-move-in, and convenient hard shell pants for you
We also recommend this article about hard shells
- Essential for the harsh winter outdoors! How to choose a hard shell jacket
- 10 Recommended Hard Shell Jackets I Impulsively Picked Up This Year [2016-2017]
Related reading
Snow Bibs You Need This Year 2021-2022 - 5 Reasons Why Snow Bibs are Recommended for Backcountry Skiing and How to Choose Them Wisely -
Hard Shell Jackets You'll Want This Year 2021-2022
10 Recommended Hard Shell Jackets I Impulsively Picked Up This Year [2016-2017]
Snow season is here! This season's must-have hard shell jackets [2017-2018]