REI’s Activator Pants are softshell pants that are perfect for winter climbing with an amazing stability of heat, water resistance, and stretch. They’ve been my go-to winter climbing pants for over 10 years in New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, and Massachusetts.
- Gender: Males’s (Girls’s additionally obtainable)
- Pockets: 5
- Materials: 63% nylon/26% polyester/11% spandex (bluesign authorised)
- DWR: Nonfluorinated sturdy water repellent
- Closure: Zipper fly with double snap closure
- Match: True to measurement.
- Weight: 15.1 oz
- Execs: Windproof to 30 mph, nice pockets, water-proof, breathable
- Cons: Belt not included.
Out there for each males and girls, these softshell pants are extremely breathable to forestall sweat build-up, with articulated knees and a gusseted crotch for freedom of motion. They’re rated windproof to 30 mph wind and coated with non-florinated DWR (sturdy water repellent) for moisture safety. The DWR prevents the pants from turning into soaked whenever you fall on snow.
The Activator Pants have 5 pockets. There are two facet pockets and one over the knee that shut with zippers, and two rear pockets that shut with snaps. The ladies’s mannequin has a barely completely different knee pocket that zips up alongside the inseam and never over the knee. All 5 of the pockets are mesh-backed for enhanced air flow.
The pant’s material is sort of stretchy, which additionally enhances their consolation. The pants shut in entrance with a burly zipper and two strong snaps on the waist.
The Activator Pant legs are barely flared to suit over insulated winter climbing boots however they don’t have ankle zips or snaps. Nonetheless, they do include a drawcord adjustment on the ankle that allows you to cinch your pants down over your boots to maintain out particles or roll them as much as ford a stream. Thoughts you, I discover these pants too heat in something however winter temperatures when most streams are frozen over.
Softshell Pants are Superb in Winter
Whereas everybody’s metabolism is completely different, I’ve discovered that softshell pants alone present probably the most consolation when it comes to breathability, temperature regulation, water resistance, and wind resistance for winter climbing, snowshoeing, and snowboarding. I can put on these Activator pants all the way down to 15-20 levels F earlier than including a wind layer on high for added safety and heat after I’m actively climbing, snowshoeing, or XC snowboarding.
I normally put on my Activator Pants with 6″ Below Armour boxer shorts, insulated Oboz winter boots, and excessive gaiters. Whereas none of those are thought-about layers within the strict sense of the phrase, they do considerably enhance the vary of the Activator Pants in chilly temperatures, overlaying all the things besides my knees in a second layer of insulation.
Breathability
Water Resistance
Ease of Motion
Consolation
Sizing
You really wish to run slightly cool when winter climbing or snowshoeing as a result of your physique is producing a lot warmth. That’s why it’s vital to have additional layers useful whenever you cease, like a puffy insulated jacket or a pair of rain or wind pants you could pull over your winter climbing pants, to gradual the discharge of physique warmth. The mix will heat you proper up in case you’re standing nonetheless.
Suggestion
REI’s Activator Softshell Pants can be found in 30, 32, and 34″ lengths and in waist sizes from 30 to 50″, together with girls’s common, tall, and petite sizes. If that is your first pair of winter climbing pants, I’d advocate getting them a bit shorter than regular because you’ll be sporting winter boots and gaiters: any bunching of additional pant material round your toes shall be awkward and make your calves sweat considerably extra.
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