What Are They For?
The new, second generation, G2 Ultimate Mountain Pants are designed as all-day mountain legwear for cooler conditions. The idea is you put them on at the start of the day and take them off at the end, no need for over trousers and comfortable enough and weather-resistant enough to take everything the mountain can throw at them.
The Techy Bits
The new G2 Pants are the incarnation of the design. The main difference between the new version tested here and the originals are that the fabric is a new, lighter and more comfortable legwear-specific Gore Windstopper Soft Shell developed specially for trousers.
The idea is that the lighter fabric is more versatile, so where as the original G2 Pants had a super-sturdy, extreme conditions only feel to them, the new ones are intended to function in slightly less gnarly weather.
Windstopper itself is totally windproof and also effectively waterproof, though the seams aren't taped, so in heavy rain, garments made from it will leak there. It's also more breathable than waterproof Gore-Tex fabrics.
How It Performed
We've had the G2 Pants for a while. Over the autumn, with mildish temperatures, although the fabric was light and flexible, it also felt slightly clammy. All that changed when the thermometer started to drop and winter conditions arrived.
Suddenly the fabric felt a lot more comfortable. Still not quite like 'normal' trouser fabric, but definitely a lot less industrial feeling than the older, heavier version in the Mk1 G2s.
We've always liked the cut of the G2s, close without being tight and quite jeans-like and flattering without being restrictive. They come with adjustable and removable braces for an instant wedgie - great when climbing - and an integral belt, which worked well enough but was a little fiddly with gloves on. Fortunately the fly-zip is double ended, so you don't have to undo it too often.
We also like the integral snow gaiter which fitted comfortably over normal walking boots and kept deep powder from getting into the boots and neat curved ankle zips designed to make removal and donning easy and accommodate fat mountain and ski-mountaineering boots. Kick patches protect inner ankle areas.
The fabric doesn't give much insulation, but copes brilliantly with wind and any amount of snowfall and light rain. In sub-zero conditions, you might want to layer them over a baselayer tight if you run on the warm side. The leg vents do help if you get hot on, say, a sustained climb.
Verdict
We found the new G2 Pant excellent as all-day, cold-weather mountain legwear with a neat cut, good weather protection and versatile, non-restrictive feel. You simply stick them on at the start of the day and take them off at the end. In heavy rain you'll want a lightweight overtrouser as well, but they cope just fine with light rain and snow, which is what they're designed for.
Buy if you're looking for a neat, well thought out, all-day, cold-conditions mountain pant for walking or climbing and toilet access isn't a priority as there's no drop-seat arrangement.
