 Hi folks.
I need some winter legwear that'll suit two purposes.
1) They'll work for snowboarding/skiing/snowshoeing.
2)They'll work for winter skills weekend.
So, should I just get something specifically designed just for this task, such as the Paramo salopettes or should I be looking for more flexibility, by choosing a schoeller type trouser that'll work with my snowboard boots and then get a pair of toughish waterproof trousers when it's rainy/for sitting down in the snow?
Any suggestions or first hand experiences would be very much appreciated. And please, no nay-saying about Paramo UNLESS you have first hand experience!! ;)
Cheers,
James
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Sorry, this is in Soapbox. Any chance it could be moved into 'Gear'.
Apologies all.
J
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 Worth having at look at the patagonia mixmaster trousers. Insulated soft shell trousers so not fully waterproof but the bees knees for winter stuff(aparently). I've only had mine a week and wore them in the rain last weekend got a bit damp but it was throwing it down and wasnt uncomfortable. Hoping to use them properly in scotland end of feb. Rock and run are selling them at £170 at the moment which is a good deal considering i paid £240 last week :(
very well cut for me, powersheild fabric with a R1 lining (about polartech 100 weight), they have a great ankle cuff with zips for putting around different boots and they also have tabs for fitting an under foot strap if you wish.
HTH
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Cheers Boris. They sound great but blimey, what a price!! I was hoping to get the whole 'system' for £170!
I guess these would require some lightweight waterproof overtrousers too if you wanted to ensure they didn't get wet through.
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 This is in the Gear section now.
Btw, if you're only going to be in snowy conditions then waterproofing isn't essential, though water resistance and windproofing is.
An alternative and arguably more versatile system, would be some baselayer leggings layered under a Schoeller or Schoeller-type pant with a cheap, lightweight overtrouser for when it's chucking it down.
Or take a look at the Macpac Mission Pant, which is one of my faves. Or possibly something like ME's G2 Pant, though Windstopper is probably best in high, cold mountain environments.
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Thanks Jon.
Any particular faves in the Schoeller type camp? As for overtrews, any that are good but keenly priced?
The Mission pants are on my legwear 'system' short list, along with the paramo salopettes in the one pant for one job camp. If you've tried the Mission pants, do you happen to know whether they'll they fit over the cuff of bigger boots such as snowboard boots?
Windstopper is *probably* too much for me, as I know how sweaty I get even in January in the Alps, simply throwing myself down mountains and I'd like to be able to use them for winter walking/scrambling here in the UK.
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 Had some of the Paramo Aspira salopettes for Christmas, may get some use out of them this weekend, real comfortable.
Will be using them on the 1st OM winter skills weekend.
If looking at other brands have a look for the kick strips on the inside of leg/ankle, would be a shame to bugger them up with crampons.
The Aspira has abrasion resistant areas around the backside, knees and ankle.
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Hi Nick!
So you've got a pair of these puppies, have you! Yes, thanks for the tip on kick strips/my first pair of 3 layer GTX berghaus overtrews got sliced and diced by the edges of my skis way back when.
How warm are the aspiras?
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 I shall be using either Mammut or Marmot Schoeller trousers over a pair of icebreaker longjohns. Toasty.
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Will use them on saturday on Pen y Fan (the met office say it's due to feel like -10 towards the tops), will post monday with findings.
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Cheers Nick.
Gotta make a decision on Monday, if I'm to order online...
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 aspira salopettes are excellent. they have removable foam inserts in the knees in case you want to kneel a lot on uncomfy ground.
as an alternative, take a look at the aspira trousers, high waisted but without the bib as on the salopettes.
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Will try to post Sunday evening.
Got mine from Hitch n Hike, rrp less 15%, allways had good service on Paramo gear from them. They got mine sent direct from Paramo, 2-3 day turn-around.
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 Lowe Alpine Guide pants - windstopper and reinforced everywhere - toasty warm but I don't know if they still make them
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 Old fashioned I know, but I still like my karisma fleece/ reinforcement patch pants.
I've tried to like my Mammut schoeller pants but I still go back to my faves.
I wear 3/4 length Xstatic leggings underneath and I've hardly worn my shell pants in the last two winters because it works well for me.
Don't overlook the cheaper alternatives.
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Thanks Parky and Nick, re: paramo. Badger, those trews you suggested appear to be no longer available...
PTC, my first ever fleece (c.87) was Karisma. Was a hideous colour but, boy, was it a tough piece of kit. Great for winter mtbing.
I don't want to overlook the cheaper alternatives, I'd love for folks to suggest them SO I don't overlook them!! :)
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have a look at extreme clothing for made to measure goodies. karisma trews for example.
http://extremecc.virtualave.net/home.htm
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http://extremecc.virtualave.net/index1024.htm
or the above even!!!
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 I've got the Aspira salopettes and they are good. There's enough room under them for a pair of longjohns if it's seriously cold but I've always worn them by themselves and found them warm enough. If the ambient was below -10c or windchill below -30c, I'll be wearing my newly purchased Rohan merino longjohns (£35 in the sale!).
What jacket do you have? I use an Aspira smock and it's a neat combination.
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 James,
I also have the Aspira salopettes and as Geoffrey says,you don't need anything under them unless it's ball freezing weather!!
Extremely comfortable and saves the bother of putting overtrousers on later on.
They also come in a cool black version now!!
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