Zip-off insulated shorts

[SKIP IN7RO]

Melanzana WindPro sweatpants, size up and have a seamstress add the full side zip

[Tjaardbreeuwer]

^^^ Huh? Many of the options folks have listed are synthetic, use lightweight fabrics and weigh in about 200-240 grams. Is a pocket that big of an issue?. How much lighter are you looking for? Lighter on the wallet maybe??

I didn’t see any 200g ones. Maybe I missed one?
Lighter weight ones would not be more expensive, they would be cheaper. By leaving off extra fabric, snaps or zippers, and the labor to sew those, they would be both lighter and cheaper.
The lightest ones I saw mentioned were the Norrona ones. I confess I didn’t look at their listed weight, because my kid has a pair, and they are definitely seem big and bulky. Maybe the current ones are bit lighter? I’ll check, maybe it’s not as heavy as I thought.
Enlightened Equipement makes their Torrid pants, that would weigh hypothetically weigh about 162 g in a 20” inseam. Add some lightweight zippers and I bet you could stay under 200g. My kids both have the Torrid jackets, and they are really nice and light and compressible.


Different styles of short/pant for different use cases for sure.
I usually ski with an airbag, which means I am very limited in pack volume, and it’s already quite heavy.
For winter camping, or maybe real cold weather day trips, I do have some ME Compressor pants. Nice and warm but way too big to take if I also have technical gear in the airbag pack,or just to heavy if I am going for a big day.

[toast2266]

I have a pair of 3/4 length insulated zip-off pants from Backcountry (older ones, I don't think the current ones they make have the zips anymore unfortunately). I wear them frequently inbounds, especially on stormy days where the first half of the day is likely to have considerable waiting around in line. If I wind up getting too warm once things really get going, it's pretty quick to drop your bibs, zip these off, and stash in my pack.

Edit: I have an older version of these, but it looks like maybe the full-length zips are back? https://www.backcountry.com/backcoun...ated-pant-mens

I just got a set of those for Christmas. Can confirm - full zips. I'm liking them a lot.

[rod9301]

I recently got a pair of these

https://www.hellyhansen.com/en_us/li...-4-pants-65702

Full side zips. Really toasty warm.
A wee bit on the snug side in my regular size but not sure I’d want to size up unless intending to wear over other layers

Wifey has the Strafe’s. They’re definitely thinner and lighter but don’t appear to be as warm as the Helly’s

Dunno what rod is talking about upthread cos Strafe’s OP posted have full zips for easy removal (as do the Helly’s )

Ok, sorry i didn't realize they had full zips

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[skisurfmirth]

I’ve had several pairs from different manufacturers. Right now the quiver is OG orthovox (2016ish), Majola and Haglofs. The Haglofs sound like what you are looking for. 150g, side zips, 1 pocket, primaloft gold. Really simple but good for touring. Pack very small. Fit in my mammut RAS45pro no problem.


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[sb]

So far i have HH and the Backcountry shorts.

The HH is a tad nicer but i ordered a medium, per the site, and i really need the large.

[whatsupdoc]

FWIW I recently picked up the Rab Mythic down shorts. Nice piece of kit. They are light, easy on/off, zip fly, and they have a synthetic seat for water resistance.

I wear a medium in all soft shell pants (including some Rab skiing soft shells) and the medium Mythic down shorts fit great as over shorts.

I would look at something else to wear under your resort shells, but for winter camping, belay duty, and standing around in the cold, they should work nicely.

[Tjaardbreeuwer]

@skisurfmirth thank for the heads up on the Haglöfs! Hadn’t thought of them for a while. I don’t see much about them, so the brand kind of slipped my mind, and google wasn’t helping either.

[Karl_H]

Does anyone have a strong preference: Shorts vs 3/4 length pants?

It seems like the 3/4 length pants that end at the top of your boot would be better for situations you are not moving (injury, camping, belaying, etc.)

It seems like shorts and skirts don’t make much sense, unless you are moving and generating heat. If I was going to opt for shorts, something lightly insulated, like the Dynafit Mezzalama Shorts makes the most sense to me.

https://skimo.co/dynafit-mezzalama-p...lpha-overshort

[adrenalated]

Does anyone have a strong preference: Shorts vs 3/4 length pants?

I like shorts because I wear kneepads 99% of the time, so extra insulation over my knees is already covered.

[Tjaardbreeuwer]

Does anyone have a strong preference: Shorts vs 3/4 length pants?

It seems like the 3/4 length pants that end at the top of your boot would be better for situations you are not moving (injury, camping, belaying, etc.)

It seems like shorts and skirts don’t make much sense, unless you are moving and generating heat. If I was going to opt for shorts, something lightly insulated, like the Dynafit Mezzalama Shorts makes the most sense to me.

https://skimo.co/dynafit-mezzalama-p...lpha-overshort

I am sure it’s different considerations for everyone, but for me:

• I do have ~boot top length insulated pants as well, and love them for their warmth. But, because of that, they are bigger and heavier to pack, so I often leave them behind.
• Shorts would provide a compromise: not as big, not as warm, but covers the most important parts.*
• The shorter they are, the easier on and off they go, including layering them inside your shell pants if needed.
• I agree with you that super thick insulted shorts don’t make much sense. Most models are only lightly insulated though.
• Those Dynafit ones are probably great for active use, because they are very breathable. But, that also means they are not nearly as warm/weight as something with a more windproof, lighter shell fabric and traditional high loft insulation.

*https://www.sciencedirect.com/scienc...60132319306456



That said, if you don’t have longer ones, and have room in your pack, just over the knees might be a great middle ground for lots of people too.

[whyturn]

I prefer 3/4 lengths in merino, puffy or down pants for skiing Comfy and warm


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[frorider]

Since this is an extra layer that generally lives in the pack, shorts rather than 3/4. My 190 g mtn hardwears arrived & seem fine so far. Large enough to fit over my slim fit dymafit soft shell pants but compressible enough to fit under my hardshell pants.

I’ll do the down nikwax treatment.

Initially was thinking synthetic fill but IME even the best synthetic fills don’t like being stuffed small for long periods of time ie lose more loft than down. Also I wanted the option to wear under my hardshell pants, and IME down is more comfortable in those applications…more conformable.