So, did you look at the kit-list? If you did, you'll have noticed that I don't have a great choice of legwear. Montane Mojo shorts for the few days of summer (and for scaring kids and old ladies), and Lowe Alpine Schoeller trews (variant unknown - TKMaxx clearance stock) for the rest of the year. Together with baselayer LJs, windproofs and/or the shell-salopettes, they've been sufficient to cope with everything except the very coldest of the conditions that I encounter.
Well, now even that eventuality has been covered - after a renowned expert approved the choice, one pair of Mountain Hardwear Compressor Pants has been acquired.
I bought these to cope with several scenarios... I'll wear them while standing/sitting outside with the scope during the freezing hours of winter nights and mornings, I'll take them on colder wildcamps so that after-dark wanderings aren't so chilly, I'm even tempted to try them in conjunction with a belay jacket, sleeping socks and a 2-season sleeping-bag in the winter. I've been experimenting with them, and I've found that they're a quick and easy fit over the shell-salopettes with no loss of loft, so I'll try them as the leg-wear equivalent of a belay-jacket.
They're not over-specced, but they have almost all of the features that I wanted:
- Outer: Superlight 15D Ripstop
- Lining: 30D Micro Taffeta
- Reinforcement (seat and knees): Taslan
- Double Velcro® waist closures with laminated tabs
- Deep handwarmer pockets - zipped, microfleece-lined
- Adjustable Velcro® ankle-cuffs
- Articulated knees
- Elastic waist with drawcord
- Front zip fly
- Full 2-way side-zips with internal baffles
- Thermic Micro™ synthetic fill
- Drawstring bag included
Mine (size m/m) weigh in at 590g without the drawstring bag.
They're incredibly warm for their weight, and they don't restrict movement at all - the lining doesn't bind on midlayers, and is comfy over bare flesh. The only thing that's missing is a back-pocket, but I can cope without one.
And they really do make my arse look big!
Now all I need is a cold weekend wildie to put them to the test.
Thanks for your opinion, Petesy, it's much appreciated.
