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.
Gallus pair of strides!
They look toasty.
The first thought that came to mind was they look similar to those anti G thingies that fighter pilots wear. That or motor cyle trousers? Sort of trendy looking too. Bet they are warm though. To be honest I like the look of them. Dawn
I'm with Dawn on the high tech, aviation-type look. Indeed, spacemen could wear those.
"Astrobreeks", that's what they are!
;0)
I reckon the pics are a tad misleading - they make the fabric look quite thick and leathery, like bike-leathers. The truth of the matter is that the face-fabric is very thin and shiny, not unlike the Pertex used to make Montane Featherlite windproofs.
I wore them in the rain yesterday, the DWR treatment did a fine job of keeping out the wet.
Ah, so you are trying to tell us those are all rippling muscles underneath?????????????????????
Modesty prevents me from posting a suitable photo.
Anyway, I'm off out into the freezing darkness to peer into the Eastern sky - there's a fine meteor display going on right now - the a-Monocerotids http://www.imo.net/calendar/2008#amo
Said astrobreeks should fend off the cold quite nicely.
It is cold this weekend. Of with you to the hills and try them out. PTC is the guru on kit ain't he.
@Martin Rye - If only such adventures could be arranged and authorised at the drop of a hat... sadly, it doesn't work like that here, where sneezes have to be booked in advance, and spontaneity is regarded as the inverse of responsibility.
FWIW, I sat outside stargazing for 4 hours at -3C last night/this morning. The astrobreeks, in conjunction with the Alpkit Filo and the Skee-Tex boots, were brilliant - not a hint of coldness.
Dammit. Just when I thought I had everything I needed. They are seriously covetable trousers.
I haven't had such a good laugh in ages.
Michelin Man meets the Village People look!
But they do look warm...!!!
@Mike Bell - LOL!
Some of us don't have natural bulk for insulation, Mike. 🙂
it's not fat it's fuel for a sex machine..
Mike Bell, the man who put the gland into England!
I have a pair of the Montbell thermarest pants for the same purpose. They're really nice and warm. I wear them over a patagonia capilene base and a MH cohesion pant, but they are wind proof as well and can just be worn over the base layer.
Some of those poses look as if they've come straight out of Readers Wives, or, er, something like that!