Mammut Champ pants

john mcallister 2
Reviewed: 11 January 2011

I'm simpley astounded how good these are.

Shoeller extreme
Sizing available,
fit,
Lightweight- when compared to things like Windstopper

possibly expensive??

Perviously always used powerstretch tights/goretex combo or buffalo sallys for winter. A friend had used them in the alps and recommended them, I relunctly shelled out the full price for a pair and braces for a Trip to the Tien Shan, i worn them for 6 days solid. Tabbing into ABC at 4000m and glacier recces up higher they were comforatble and as good as any other softshell. Then came summit day number one, i wore them with thermals up to 5000m in good weather and they kept the wind out nicely and were simply great. Summit day 2 on a new peak, forgot the thermals, foul weather, 1000m Gr1/2 snow slope i was stopping every 50m to remove/insert screws. I was on my knees oin the snow a lot and working hard. The champ pant came into it's own. To be blunt they felt like a second skin and i simply didn't feel cold or the wet at all. After that i was gobsmacked how comfortable they were and would recommend them to anyone. Since then they have been my regular choice for scottish winter and have been brillant. I always very sketical about these new technologies but i'm really am chinned at the preformance. Recently got some for my wife and she is equally happy with hers. Think the going rate is around £120 which i think is fair consider you can pay up to £200 for softshell if you wanted.

Mike Potts
Reviewed: 26 February 2005

HMMMMM....SCHOELLER....

Dead stretchy
Tough Material
Optional braces are good
Now 89 quid (down from 120) at Cotswold Outdoor

Still expensive for a pair of trousers
Can't think of anything else yet as I've yet to really give them a good going over outside

These stretch more than my cat, they're comfy to wear, and the reinforced knees, seat and ankles sit well without chafing.

From a fashion point of view, they're black (go with anything), ankle zips give drainpipe or boot-cut style, depending on which country you're in {tongue firmly in cheek here so no flaming!}

Admittedly, they haven't seen anything more hostile than Richmond Park at about 1 deg C with a light dusting of snow but they feel great. Roll on next weekend away - I'll let you know how it goes

I picked mine up at Cotswold Outdoor for 89 dabs, reduced from 120, and got the braces from Ultimate Outdoors for a tenner. They are also doing Mammut softshell jackets reduced too. Don't have a hood, though...

I'm really looking to use these for climbing, skiiing (X-country/ski mountaineering) and posing. Coupled with my Montane Soft Tech jacket (also a sale item from Cotswolds), and Marmot Precip jacket and pants, I'm now sorted.

Ratings below are based on what I feel so far. May alter following the good shoeing they're going to get soon.

Max Gough
Reviewed: 15 May 2004

SUPERB DO-EVERYTHING MOUNTAIN TROUSERS

Very comfortable due to stretch material. Great temperature regulation (have worn them in everything from -15 to 25° and been happy), very tough, enormous range of sizes (Jeremy, they do 3 different lengths for each waist size, you were unlucky not to get them to fit!). Snow/rain/wind resistance more than adequate if you're on the move. Thigh pocket useful for map / guide pages / compass.

Maybe it's just me, but I'd say the optional braces are a must. People seem to think the fabric is a bit heavy, but I'd trade that off against the fact that you can keep them on all the time in true softshell style.

Bl**dy brilliant, one of the best pieces of kit I've bought for ages. I don't even bother to take overtrousers out with me unless I know it's going to pee down all day, the rest of the time they're all you ever need. Thoroughly recommended.

Jeremy Hadall
Reviewed: 15 May 2004

TOUGH, DO ANYTHING, GO ANYWHERE TROUSERS

Generally more breathable than fleece or shell trousers but also wind and shower proof. Breathable in most conditions except the height of summer.
Good cut with plenty of stretch but not to baggy. Zips on the ankles are good and accomodate planty of boot sizes and also allow ventilation.

Not as light as other fabrics (especially when drenched) and mine have got scuffs and material pulls in a few places, particularly the backs of the thighs.
The thigh pocket is pointless as its too small and not strong enough for anything heavy.
I had to buy a size larger than normal to get a good fit but still feel they are a bit short in length and stretched around the waist.
Whilst Scholler washes relatively easily, getting dried in peat and mud out of the crampon patches isn't always easy.
At £120 a pair their not cheap.

Was put off by the cost at first but having now used and abused them can see why they are expensive. Scholler is great in all but the heaviest rain or deep snow.
The cut is good but the sizing was odd (maybe its just me) and was disappointed by by some of the damage they've picked up but generally this is only cosmetic.

joan collins
Reviewed: 18 April 2002

The perfect all weather trousers

Stretchy, durable, wind and water resistant yet highly breathable. The gusseted ankle permits a snug fit over all footwear from lightweight to ski boots. The breathability of the fabric makes them comfortable over a wide temperature range. The women's cut I have has a high, slim, waist, ideal under a harness and so much more comfortable than unisex garments.

They are not fully waterproof or windproof, but adequate in all but a deluge. The textured inner surface of the fabric catches on fleece underwear, so you need to wear a smooth fabric such as powerstretch underneath. The leg cargo pocket is somewhat redundant - not large enough for a map, and too stretchy to carry anything heavy in comfort. The fabric is somewhat heavier than some competitors' garments.

Weatherproof stretch fabric combined with a practical cut makes these pants suitable for just about anything you'd want to do outdoors. Light rain or snow simply rolls off. Any more sustained soaking dries out relatively quickly. Shameful knee-jamming and bum-sliding climbing techniques don't leave a mark on the tough fabric, which compensates somewhat for its weight. If you combine these with a pair of ultra lightweight waterproofs, you have the perfect legwear for any activity and anything the weather can throw at you.

They are slightly cheaper and much easier to find in Europe than UK.