[at-l] question on pants recommendations

[rafeb@adelphia.net (rafeb@adelphia.net)]

On 4 Mar 2002 at 15:37, rick boudrie wrote:

> I have always been confused about what kind of pants work best when there is 
> snow on the ground.  Wool is too hot and bulky, and blue jeans tend to 
> freeze solid when wet.  I know that for a fact, as that's what I wore 
> through the Smokies into Georgia in late November.  Worked OK for me, but 
> not worth risking condecending eyes over these days. Nylon pants or tights 
> just dont seem right to me, although they probably are.


I got myself a very basic, very lightwieght Goretex top & bottom, 
from Campmor, for $200 (both pieces.)  With polypro next 
to the skin, the pants will keep you warm even when it's 20 
degrees out... 12 years later, I still have both pieces and they 
always come with me on hikes, of any duration.

Jeans are useless for hiking, IMHO.  I brought a pair, but they 
were sent home from the PO in Suches.  Especially brutal in 
winter.  On the wall inside the Adirondack Loj is a sign that 
says, "Cotton Kills."

Polypro is a godsend, IMHO.  I suppose there are newer fancier 
materials these days, but nothing gives as much warmth per 
unit weight.  You can cover your whole body with maybe 5  
oz.' worth of the stuff, and it balls up into a volume the size 
of a grapefruit.


rafe b.
aka terrapin