Does anyone here have any experience with SoftShells? I'm looking for some good trekking pants for spring/summer use. I was looking for quick dry pants that aren't swishy like most nylon. Apparently there is Polartec Powersheild and Schoeller Dryskin though I don't know what the differences are. Are they quite tough also? Any reviews or recommendations would be appreciated.
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Soft Shell Pants and Jackets
- Thread starter elelbean
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- Oct 24, 2005
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I've got a Moonstone softshell and a pair of Mountain Equipment Co-Op soft shell pants. They're both made of Shoeller Dryskin and I'm very pleased with them. I don't have any Powersheild stuff, but I tried some jackets made from it and I wasn't as impressed as I felt it was too hot for my uses. It felt more like an insulated jacket to me and I was looking for products for higher output activities. The stuff I have is great for most conditions except for high precipitation(I opt for my hardshell then). It breathes well and has good range of motion. It is more close-cut for better performance, but not binding. I find it pulls a bit from scrapes with thorns, but nothing of concern. My stuff sheds water quite well. They say it works well for 90% of the weather, barring downpours and I'd agree with that. For some reason , it doesn't seem to get as dirty after a couple of days being worn(the most I wore mine was 3 days straight-hold your nose
) MEC makes great product at the best prices and it's made in Canada. Shoeller is probably the big name in soft shell fabric like Gore-Tex is for waterproof-breathable. That doesn't automatically mean they're the best, but the are probably the benchmark by which others are judged. If you want something more for lower output or colder temps, I'd look at something with a fleece lining like Powersheild, but I'd stay away from it for warmer use. Overall, it's good stuff.
) MEC makes great product at the best prices and it's made in Canada. Shoeller is probably the big name in soft shell fabric like Gore-Tex is for waterproof-breathable. That doesn't automatically mean they're the best, but the are probably the benchmark by which others are judged. If you want something more for lower output or colder temps, I'd look at something with a fleece lining like Powersheild, but I'd stay away from it for warmer use. Overall, it's good stuff.Softshell stuff is awsome and really the best overall thing out there. I use the Arcteryx Gamma LT pants, and the Patagonia Dimensions jacket. Both are phenominal.The Gamma pants are the lightest weight out there, ideal for what you want, but expensive. Pretty much everyone makes softshell pants, just try them on and chose a confortable pair. They also are made in different levels of warmth. You want the thinnest lightest there is.
Will
Will
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- Oct 24, 2005
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I really like the Arcteryx stuff and was lucky enough to get an Alpha SV at an amazing price two years ago. I wouldn't have likely paid full retail for it before, but owning some of the stuff makes me think I'd buy it if I really wanted it as it really is worth it. That said, I talked to a fella at MEC and he hinted that much of their product was designed by some former Arcteryx employees and they used the same plant to make quite a bit of their stuff. I'm not sure it's true, but some of MEC's stuff sure does "look" similar. And as I had said before, you can't beat MEC price-point wise.
Off the topic a bit. Two years ago, I bought a pair of double boots from MEC and used them for a couple day climb(winter) and found they were just a bit too tight. MEC took them back after taking 5% off the price I paid for them, no questions asked. I find them to be very solid to deal with:thumbup: .
Off the topic a bit. Two years ago, I bought a pair of double boots from MEC and used them for a couple day climb(winter) and found they were just a bit too tight. MEC took them back after taking 5% off the price I paid for them, no questions asked. I find them to be very solid to deal with:thumbup: .
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Fifteen years ago or so, industry came out with texturized nylon fabric - no swish. Garments made of this material, which feels like cotton but wears like iron, are widely available.
I bought a couple of pair of hiking/treking pants made with texturized nylon with the North Fact label at greatly reduced price ('cause North Face is a "hot" label [= extra price for label]) from Sierra Traders, a clearance place (catalogs and .com).
You should have no trouble finding what you want among the many choices available.
I bought a couple of pair of hiking/treking pants made with texturized nylon with the North Fact label at greatly reduced price ('cause North Face is a "hot" label [= extra price for label]) from Sierra Traders, a clearance place (catalogs and .com).
You should have no trouble finding what you want among the many choices available.
- Joined
- Aug 10, 2005
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- 274
Use the OD light weight Canadian Forces combat pants. They have big pockets and dry very very fast!. while hiking through high grass a got my pants entirely wet. less then an hour later they were dry.elelbean said:
http://www.angiesoutdoor.ca/military_surplus/canadian/pants.html
(and don't buy it at this site the price is way to high go to your military surplus store)