Gear

has anyone got a pair of each? which do you prefer?

what are the differences? cant seem to find much info on them

was tempted to get some terra lites after seing them on offer in various places but wasnt sure how different they are from the standard terra pants!

cheers
Andy

The Terra Lite isn't actually in the shops yet, or is just appearing so I doubt you'll find anyone outside Montane who's used them.

They're made from a lightweight Tactel, which is light, fast drying etc and have thigh vents, articulated knees, same as the Terras. The main difference seems to be that there's no knee or seat reinforcement or ankle zips, on the Terra Lite and they're around 20 grammes a pair lighter, which is nothing really.

Oh, and they're around 15 quid a pair cheaper than the Terras, so you basically lose 20 grammes and the knee / seat reinforcements and save 15 quid to spend on beer :-)

oh thanks for that John, just saw them in stock and on offer on a few sites so wasnt sure if they were old ones they were phasing out or not.

cheers
Andy

The lites look good. Despite the good reviews that terras get on here, I've always found the knee fabric to drag a little when walking up hill. Hopefully, the lack of it on the lites will remove the issue for me.

Also, check out the stretch version made from pertex equilibrium - its a great fabric (much better than tactel, IMO)

I have a pair of each - the Terra Lites arrived on Saturday and I tried them out yesterday.

The two trousers are a little different in design, though with a very similar fit. I'd say the Lites are perhaps more suited to the warmer months of the year, whereas I would be happy to wear the standard Terras year round. The Lites have two mesh pockets each side, one of which is secured by a zip. The other mesh pocket each side is cavernous but cannot be zipped closed, so might let in icy cold breezes in winter. The Lites do not have the ankle zips of the standard Terras.

The really unusual geatuire of the Lites is the thigh ventilation panels, which are not in the usual position (a suprise to me). They actually angle from the side (at the top) down towards the centre front of the leg above the knee. I got to use the vents yesterday in very warm conditions and they do seem to work very well, the natural walking movement perhaps helping to open them up and encourage air flow. As the zip does run towards the front of the leg, I did wonder if it might drag and be uncomfortable, but it seems fine.

As with the standard Terras, the Lites are very well made and there is nice attention to detail (for example, the zips for the strangely positioned vents are cleverly covered in the Tactel fabric and are quite inconspicuous).

To answer your question Moggy, I think both are excellent walking trousers. I'd personally prefer the standard Terras for backpacking and walking in the colder months of the year, and the Lites when it is very hot, but most of the time they are both good. And if I could only have one pair - well, my personal choice would have to be the standard Terras.

Thanks for that Rob, i might see if i can get hold of a pair to try instore somwhere.

Ive currently got the green terra converts and have had my eye on the standard terra's in grey for a while ;o)