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Bolder

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I've been skiing in these https://www.outdoorresearch.com/us/en/mens/mens-pants/mens-cirque-pants/p/2430500008009 for the past 4 years. However, I think the DWR coating is breaking down, if there even is one, as they seem to be taking on water more easily. (though they dry fast and I wear merino long johns.

And, I'm thinking that I'd like to have bibs, or maybe something lightly insulated -- could use a bit more warmth, especially on my butt, and maybe some coverage for my lower back -- these have a "regular" rise, so sometimes they gap in the back.

However, I love skiing in softshell fabric -- really comfortable, doesn't flap in the wind, these pants have just the right number a size of pockets.

Is there anything new on the market I should look at, for no more than $200-225? I'd like to avoid a hardshell if possible.

TIA!
 

Analisa

Making fresh tracks
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Have you tried reapplying a topical DWR (like the Nikwax or Acteryx Nu)? They don't last quite as long as production treatments on the bulk yardage before sewing, but if you've gotten 4 years out of them without a refresh, it'll probably make a big difference.

In terms of newness, I think the biggest shift in the market has been the shift towards better breatheability and stretch in the hardshell space, so if you haven't shopped the category in a while, some things may have changed. Some people consider them "hybrid pants" - but that goes for both pants like the OR Trailbreaker where there are panels of hardshell and panels of softshell fabric, and pants like the Patagonia Descensionist that are hardshell pants with the look and feel of a softshell. They use more stretch and/or knit fabrics over wovens. Customers are responding to the changes, but the one big asterisk is that knits aren't nearly as durable or protective of the waterproof membrane.

A few options I'd look at:

-Marmot Pro Tour: Similar to the Cirques, but adds Gore Windstopper and suspenders. Very similar nylon/poly/span double weave to the Cirque that'll be quite durable.
-Rab Upslope: Similar to the Pro Tours except no Windstopper.
-OR Trailbreaker: Similar to the Marmot Pro Tour, but includes some waterproof paneling instead of Windstopper.
-OR Skyward: These are the latter type of "hybrid" pants. I'd expect fabric durability to be middle of the road.

I'd keep an eye out for a good deal on the Mammut Eisfeld Guide (checks the box on everything you listed), Arcteryx Sabre (checks everything except the bibs piece), or the Patagonia Descensionist, which is really similar to the Skyward.
 
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Bolder

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Thanks for the detailed answer!

I'll try nikwax, have a bottle somewhere. I would like a little more warmth, also, so any excuse to buy more gear is good...
 

EricG

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Thanks for the detailed answer!

I'll try nikwax, have a bottle somewhere. I would like a little more warmth, also, so any excuse to buy more gear is good...

Are you looking fir an inbounds insulated pant? Or something you can hike in with some light insulation?

This year I ended up buying 2 sets of pants.

I bought the Patagonia Snowshot shell pants since they had a short length (offer regular length too) which I really like. The H2NO I’ve found works great. Maybe not as good as Goretex Pro, but damn good for the price. I’ve never wetted out with H2NO products.
https://www.patagonia.com/shop/mens-snow-alpine-pants?start=0&sz=24#tile-2

I also bought a set of a Obermeyer Force suspender pants. They have 40g of insulation for those cold days. I was drawn to these fir the comfy fit and different lengths. The flex fabric, decent waterproofing/breathability and nice big vents seem like a great combo.

https://www.obermeyer.com/catalog/mens/force-suspender-pant-0?v=19741
 

DanoT

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I dress for a 22 minute Burfield chairlift ride at ski area that is colder than most ski areas in western Canada. A light merino long john base layer with a light polyester long john as a mid layer, underneath a Gore Tex shell works for me.
 

Uncle-A

In the words of Paul Simon "You can call me Al"
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Are you looking fir an inbounds insulated pant? Or something you can hike in with some light insulation?

This year I ended up buying 2 sets of pants.

I bought the Patagonia Snowshot shell pants since they had a short length (offer regular length too) which I really like. The H2NO I’ve found works great. Maybe not as good as Goretex Pro, but damn good for the price. I’ve never wetted out with H2NO products.
https://www.patagonia.com/shop/mens-snow-alpine-pants?start=0&sz=24#tile-2

I also bought a set of a Obermeyer Force suspender pants. They have 40g of insulation for those cold days. I was drawn to these fir the comfy fit and different lengths. The flex fabric, decent waterproofing/breathability and nice big vents seem like a great combo.

https://www.obermeyer.com/catalog/mens/force-suspender-pant-0?v=19741
I have both sold and used the Obermeyer line and have found them to be a fine product that is at a fair price. They did not disappoint me or my customers.
 
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Bolder

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I'd really like to stick with a soft shell pant -- I like the versatility (can use it for occasional ski touring, winter hikes etc) but as I mentioned, the particular ones I have could be a little warmer (guess I could invest in super heavy long johns) and have better back coverage. And, yeah, would like to keep price around 200-250. It may not be a terrible idea to try to rehab them with dwr and then get a shell pant like the patagonias above, that have room for 2 layers underneath for super cold or wet days. In the end would be spending the same amount of money, I guess. What I'd really like to find are a pair of softshell bibs, but I really haven't seen any...
 

Tricia

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Helly Hansen has an amazing bib that I've been wearing since February.
Its a shell, waterproof with HellyTech 5 Ply and a zipper that goes to the knee for easy Drop without taking the straps off to use the bathroom.
I thought I wrote a review, but can't find it. I'll get one up.
 

Slim

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What @Analisa said.

I you want to keep multi use functionality, and soft shell, I don’t think there are many warm ones. However, I find a trimmed piece of closed cell foam pad or similar in the butt of the shells keeps that part of my anatomy warm and protects from wet chairlifts seats.

Warm pants/tights for underneath can be dirt cheap, far less than buying another shell. It also gives you the flexibility on a trip, not to have to pack 2 pairs of shell pants.

You can use anything to add warmth: different weights of long underwear, running tights, polyester sweatpants or the dedicated zip off high loft pants:

https://www.swixsport.us/shop2/Apparel/Pants/Menali-Quilted-Short-Mens/(color)/11003
 

jmeb

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I want to know what @Analisa does for work...because her overviews and gear recommendations are spot on across everything from soft goods to bc skis.
 

Analisa

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I want to know what @Analisa does for work...because her overviews and gear recommendations are spot on across everything from soft goods to bc skis.

Thanks! I run a softgoods brand. Core retail, but I could see making the jump to outdoor gear at some point. I also help run a women's outdoor group in the PNW with around 35,000 members, so I also invest a lot of time helping women navigate gear selection as well.
 

Ron

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