It goes without saying, but when it's cold, your feet get cold too. Some men wear tights too. However, wearing tights means sacrificing ease of movement, so it's pointless. You want thermal pants that are designed for ease of movement and have excellent water repellency. Workman's thermal pants that are suitable for outdoor use also emphasize functionality, such as stretch and water repellency, in addition to being warm. I found two pairs that caught my eye, so I tried them out in the field
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Workman's winter pants review for hiking
HP001D Aero Stretch Climbing Pants (Outdoor Recommended Rating: ★★★☆☆) 2,500 yen
Breathability △ Stretch ○ Water repellency ○ Heat retention ◎ Windproof ◎ Ease of movement △
The insulation and wind resistance are quite good
It is pocketable, but it is undeniably bulky
Lightweight climbing pants. At first glance, they seem bulky, like down pants. But when you put them on, they have a surprisingly streamlined silhouette. Weighing just 500g, they feel light despite the padding. The climbing cut means they don't feel tight even when you spread your legs, and the active layer with adjusted padding in the calves allows for easy leg movement. Lifting your legs is also easy. Stretch tape is used for the waist adjustment. While it is adjustable to a certain extent, it feels a little stretchy. Those with a slim waist should be careful when choosing a size. (I chose the smallest size, M, but it kept slipping down during my descent.)
The crotch is cut to allow for easy movement
Although the pants are excellent in heat retention and wind resistance, they are not very breathable, and heat can build up inside the pants, causing the sweat-soaked lining to cling to your legs. The pocketable design makes them easy to carry, but they're so roomy that I think they could be a little more compressed. The hip pockets are large enough to fit a tablet, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks that, in reality, a tablet wouldn't fit in the pocket. That said, in addition to their heat retention and wind resistance, they're also water-repellent, so they're quite usable if you're only using them in a tent or mountain hut. The AERO SPARK (anti-static treatment) is also a nice feature, especially during dry seasons
With plenty of padding, it is excellent at retaining heat and providing wind resistance
Even if you spill water on it, it will remain water-repellent
HP004 DIAMAGIC DIRECT Warm Climbing Pants (Outdoor Recommended Rating: ★★★★☆) 2,900 yen
Breathable, stretchy, water-repellent, warm, easy to move in
Climbing cut and stretch fabric for easy leg lifts
Durable water-repellent DIAMAGIC DIRECT
These FIT STYLE (slim silhouette) climbing pants are made with a durable, water-repellent, and stretchy outer material made of 90% polyester and 10% polyurethane, while the fleece lining provides warmth and a smooth feel. They feature DIAMAGIC DIRECT, which maintains its water-repellent properties even after 50 washes. They offer a high level of durable water repellency and are easy to clean, making them a great choice for mountain use. Workman's confidence is evident in their catchphrase, "The Ultimate Durable Water-Repellent Pants." I wore these on a mountain climb, and while they retained their warmth and windproof properties, they didn't trap sweat or feel stuffy inside. The stretchy material allows for effortless leg movement, and the climbing cut makes them easy to move in
There is an elastic band around the ankle to prevent wind from getting in. It gets caught on your socks when you take them off, but that's unavoidable
The lining is made of warm fleece fabric
A buckle that is easy to put on and take off smoothly
Elasticated waistband at the back for unrestricted movement
There are seven pockets in total. In particular, the front zipper pocket is not advertised as having a waterproof zipper, but there was no sign of water seeping in. The pants also come with a water-repellent pouch inside, which also has excellent water-repellent properties. The waist is stretchy and adjustable, and the buckle can be easily fastened and removed with one hand. Although I was concerned that the stretch part of the hem would catch on my socks when I took the pants off, all factors considered, I feel that these are some of Workman's best pants for mountain climbing
The sacoche pocket inside the pants is also water-repellent
It's not called a waterproof zipper, but it would not be an exaggeration to say that it is
summary
While it's easy to wear the upper body, the same can't be said for pants. They are warm, breathable, water-repellent, and easy to move in. Workman's winter pants seem to be characterized by their emphasis on heat retention, water-repellent finish, and stretch. I tried out two pairs of pants this time. The Aero Stretch Climbing Pants were perfect for when I was resting. The DIAMAGIC DIRECT Warm Climbing Pants were perfect for both active and resting. I was honestly surprised that both were under 3,000 yen. I felt that these two pairs would be enough for mountain huts outside of snowy mountains
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