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Helly Hansen Rapide Pant
Tested
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Price:
£52.99
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Weight: 324 grammes (men's
medium)
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Features: Woven HH
Interface B fabric - 94% nylon / 6% elastane - with DWR,
articulated knee, active cut, zip fly, elasticated waist
with belt loops, twin zipped pockets, available in men's and
women's versions
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Light, weather resistant, stretchy...
Nothing really...
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The Concept Manufacturers spend so much time blathering on
about 'fast and light' kit that it's easy to get cynical. But Helly
Hansen's V-Concept is just that, aimed at runners, fastpackers,
climbers, mountain bikers and the rest of the usual suspects. Think
reasonable weather protection with good breathability.
The fabric is something Helly call 'Interface B', a lightweight
Schoeller-type fabric that claims to be water and wind resistant with
high breathability and, because it incorporates 6 per-cent elastane,
stretch too. In short, the idea is that you can wear the pant in
variable weather conditions, the wind and water resistance mean you
don't need an over trouser unless it really buckets down.
Features Nicely cut trousers with an articulated knee and
two-way stretch fabric for added mobility. There's nothing
particularly radical about the cut, but you get a proper zipped fly,
which is always welcome under a harness, handy zipped pockets and
belt loops too. All in a discreet but fetching dark grey hue.
In Action We love the Schoeller pants we've tried for UK
conditions - the combination of high breathability, stretchy
toughness and wind and water resistance is a winner. Genuine
Schoeller though is fiercely expensive, which is why it's nice to see
companies like Helly with these and Berghaus with their Fastrek Pant
providing a more affordable alternative.
The Rapides make an ideal all round British hill pant. Lighter
than the Berghaus Fastrek, they fit snugly but without
Trackster-style revelations, and feel comfortable against the skin.
The fabric is very wind resistant, though not windproof and an
effective DWR treatment shrugs off showers and splashes.
You'll need overtrousers if it really buckets down, but let's be
honest, if you're really moving fast, you probably won't bother. They
also make good cragging pants with the combination of stretch in the
fabric and an articulated knee cut making for excellent mobility and
so far, they've proved to be pretty tough as well.
Simply ideal all round UK leg wear. The combination of stretch, wind
and water resistance, breathability plus no nonsense features and cut
make for a fit and forget pant that you can pull on at the start of
the day and simply take for granted unless things turn really
nasty.
The 53 quid asking price may sounds a little steep, but it's
around half what you'd pay for Schoeller pants offering similar
performance, which in our book is pretty good value. Very nice.
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Performance
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Value
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Pushed for time:
Light, comfortable, wind and water resitant, stretchy for
excellent mobility and they even look quite good on.
Available for both men and women, the Schoeller-type Helly
Hansen Rapide Pant is near perfect UK hill legwear. You
won't need overtrousers unless it really buckets down and
they're good value at the price.
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