Afternoon fellow hikers,
I was wondering if any of you knew about the make Direct Alpine? I'm a bit late to ask for advice as I was back in London this weekend and bought a pair of their soft shell trousers (Schoeller material). I bought them for the fit mainly and what seemed like good construction...but I've never heard of them. They also aren't mentioned under manufacturers here...so...any views?
Cheers.
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 Direct Alpine seem to be a Czech make, juding by the google search. If they're well made, fit you, and are made of Schoeller Dryskin, then I think you'll be happy with them; I think this is a great fabric for trousers. No hits for Schoeller on their website; maybe they've moved to cheaper but equivalent fabrics. Their stuff looks interesting, certainly. Where did you find them, out of interest?
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Hey Captain P,
Basically I found them in an establishment just off Covent Garden that specializes in gear for Rock & Snow...you know the one..
I´m a lanky piece of beanpole so have trouble finding the length in trousers. Following several attempts with other makes that were more bermuda shorts than trousers I came across these. They seemed pretty good. Anyway, as I was paying, the guy in the shop was raving about them. It seems the team put them through their paces (various pairs I hope) over a few days in Scotland. They held up better than most. Independantly the other assistant wandered by, saw the trousers and launched into the same story again...very breathable...effective waterproofing...blah blah..anyway, I´ll be taking on the Andes this summer so they´ll get their fair share of rain, snow and rock...
Oh, yes I had a look on the internet too and there does seem a lot of Czech connected to them.
Anyway, cheers and if you check them out, let me know what you think.
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Direct Alpine is definitely Czech company...this is its website Direct Alpine ..and I can say that they have good things to offer...
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 Ralph, Do you know which model they were - the direct alpine website seems to have a huge number of softshell trousers...I'm looking for something cooler than Rab VR but not summerweight for Autumnal hills with a reasonable shower/drizzle proofness. Cheers Rog
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 For alternatives in Schoeller Dryskin there are entries from ME (Liskamm and Combin) and Mammut (Base Jump) amongst others. Like Capt. P, I really rate Dryskin for trews. I have the ME Liskamms and while there are a few minor nigglets they're nigglets and the fabric is so good that if the cut suits you there's not much against. The Combins look similar but without the "technical bits" like crampon and knee patches: had they existed when I bought the Liskamms I'd probably have bought those instead... Pete.
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 Pete, I can confirm the Combins are superb. A bit lighter than your Liskamms and outside of crampon time, probably a better bet. I've used them in quite warm times this summer and been surprised that they didn't overheat. I looked at the Liskamms (especially as you rated them highly), but with a pair of G2s I could hardly justify having them too. The Combins have a much wider temp range for use and are my trousers of choice at the moment. Then there's that mmmmm Schoeller moment everytime I pull them on. Mountain Equipment trousers all seem to fit me well too, so all in all, pure delight. Ralph, Back to Direct Alpine - S&R introduced them about two years ago claiming to be the sole seller in the UK. From what I've seen of the gear, it looks to be right up there in quality of materials and build. I think it was the S&R in Mercer St you were describing. Quite a nice store (though not many bargains to be had), with some very good boot fitters.
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Hi All, Thanks for the suggestions on the ME Combin Peter and Paul, as it happens I spotted a pair in Snow and Rock over the weekend more or less in my size. Can I ask you if they shrink at all in the wash? - I'm wondering if the regular length might be a little short (31 inch) whereas I normally take 32-33. Not that that really matters on the hill as I generally wear gaiters but in th pub in the evening I dont want my red socks showing! Cheers Roger PS I couldnt find many examples of Direct Alpine softshells troos in the Chertsey store
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Can I ask you if they shrink at all in the wash? Mine haven't, at any rate... - I'm wondering if the regular length might be a little short (31 inch) whereas I normally take 32-33 They're also available in a "long" size which might work better for you, a couple of inches longer in the leg but otherwise the same. All you have to do is find someone stocking them... Pete.
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There's a pair of the excellent Mammut Base Jump trousers for sale here. Any decent offer accepted!
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Like Pete, I've not had any shrinkage so far. I also agree with Pete that the long option is worth hunting down, but probably not available cheaply. Sorry for the late response, but I've been away in Snowdonia for a few days (I know, I shouldn't allow my walking to get in the way of my forum participation, but I've always had this weakness - give me a few days off and I disappear to a hilly area somewhere). From my trip, I can confirm that the Combins are superb. They coped with the gales, rain, hail and even the odd small amount of sun. The stupid little lightweight belt also seems to work (unlike on Pete's Liskamms) - that's got to be a first for these things - normally you need to keep re-tightening them.
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Great, I did actually buy the regular combin. I later checked with s and R who said they could order me some in specially but would take several weeks. If they dont shrink I think I'll be OK with regulars as they seem fairly long - not much point carrying extra fabric rucked up on the boots anyway. Glad you got out Roger
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I've just bought a pair of these lovely sofshell trousers in Ambleside in a Sale model name is "Badile Lady". They are comfortable, soft, and longer than a patagonia (I also tried on) similar price, they look well built, and the braces are optional. Not heavy, but felt just warm enough last week when temperatures were around -5.
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 Another happy Combin user. I fell in love with Schoeller when I got a pair of Mountain Equipment Co-op "pants" a few years back. These are just as good. Stretchy, warm, water-repelling.
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