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charlenelieu
Oct 17, 2009, 8:24 PM
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I'm a clothing designer and am tired of ripping my pants on the wall... about to design "the perfect climbing pants" and wanted to know about what you would like to see in climbing pants.
I've heard tons of ideas at the crag already... everything from stretchable material to rip stop to mesh croch (for breathability).
Tell me about your favorite climbing pants and why you love 'em!
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sbdivemaster
Oct 17, 2009, 9:44 PM
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DuraFlex® Woven Nylon reinforced knees; maybe on the butt too.
(This post was edited by sbdivemaster on Oct 17, 2009, 9:45 PM)
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johnwesely
Oct 17, 2009, 9:59 PM
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I love my black diamond schoeller shorts. If they were pants, I would still love them the same amount. As long as they are happy, I am happy.
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rgold
Oct 17, 2009, 10:53 PM
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For cragging, Stonemaster Gear is already making the closest thing to perfection I've seen, although the red prom dress is going to give it a run for the money.
(This post was edited by rgold on Oct 17, 2009, 10:55 PM)
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gblauer
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Oct 17, 2009, 11:06 PM
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I love my verve leda capris and long pants. Two issues:
1) They do rip, but, I would gladly take that rather than go to a tougher non stretchy fabric
2) They fade when you wash them. I think that must be fixable.
I like them due to the fit, stretchiness and the slim leg. I climb in these pants exclusively.
(This post was edited by gblauer on Oct 17, 2009, 11:07 PM)
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acorneau
Oct 17, 2009, 11:41 PM
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charlenelieu wrote: Tell me about your favorite climbing pants and why you love 'em!
My favorites: Mountain Hardwear Runout pants.
-Tough cotton/canvas holds up well on the rock.
-Close enough fit to be perfectly comfortable under a harness.
-Available in a 34" inseam, which a lot of pants do not.
-Hidden elastic drawstrings in the cuffs, if you want to get them out of the way of your shoes without having to roll them up.
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jaablink
Oct 17, 2009, 11:54 PM
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Jeans have always worked well for me. They are very comfortable, and at 20usd or less, they last a full season of abuse.
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caughtinside
Oct 18, 2009, 12:01 AM
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Hard to go wrong with a gusseted crotch. Belt loops that are low profile so gear doesn't get clipped to my pants. Cargo pocket a plus.
But truth be told price is the most important factor. I abuse them and expect them to wear out fast, so I don't pay more than 20 dollars. Outlets and thrift stores is where I shop for climbing pants, but I see lots of climbers with $70 pants so the market is there.
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charlenelieu
Oct 18, 2009, 12:06 AM
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caughtinside wrote: But truth be told price is the most important factor. I abuse them and expect them to wear out fast, so I don't pay more than 20 dollars. Outlets and thrift stores is where I shop for climbing pants, but I see lots of climbers with $70 pants so the market is there.
But would you pay $70 if there's a 5 year guarantee and lifetime repair service?
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johnwesely
Oct 18, 2009, 12:08 AM
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acorneau wrote: -Available in a 34" inseam, which a lot of pants do not.
Picture your self in my shoes. 36 inch inseam 28 inch waste. Buying pants is really fun.
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Vinny_A
Oct 18, 2009, 12:18 AM
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My favorite pair of climbing pants are my Levi 514 Slim Straights, the best pair of jeans I have ever owned. I have had one pair for years with no rips/tears in them.
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charlenelieu
Oct 18, 2009, 12:20 AM
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doesn't jeans restrict your movements for high steps and heel hooks?
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caughtinside
Oct 18, 2009, 12:23 AM
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If there was a guarantee like that I think you would lose money. No material or seams can hold up to a large volume of climbing for that long.
The alternative would be to have heavyweight fabrics and triple stitching, which wouldake them hotter and stiffer.
So I guess the direct answer would be no.
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Vinny_A
Oct 18, 2009, 12:27 AM
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charlenelieu wrote: doesn't jeans restrict your movements for high steps and heel hooks?
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charlie.elverson
Oct 18, 2009, 12:28 AM
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I hate jeans for climbing. especially when it's hot. I find them restrictive. Usually I like a light, fast drying material. I really like the kind with essentially a built in belt (it's some flat webbing inside the waist of that pant. they're on some prana pants) and reinforced knees.
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jh_angel
Oct 18, 2009, 12:31 AM
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http://www.carhartt.com/...amp;categoryId=10933
These work just fine with heel hooks and high steps, I can put my foot up to my chest with them on. You don't need a knee pad for knee-bars. They can take all kinds of abuse. Plus they are good for anything that doesn't require formal wear. Haven't every seen a pair of climbing/outdoor pants that come even close, they do worse when you do a price to value comparison.
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charlenelieu
Oct 18, 2009, 12:35 AM
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caughtinside wrote: If there was a guarantee like that I think you would lose money. No material or seams can hold up to a large volume of climbing for that long. The alternative would be to have heavyweight fabrics and triple stitching, which wouldake them hotter and stiffer.
With advanced technical materials, I think it's possible to have lightweight and rip stop... the seam is an issue, but there is now heat seal reinforcements... I've got beta testers lined up around the country to test the new designs... I'm not willing ot settle for hot stiff pants. I mean, whatever it is I design, I'm gonna have to want to wear em myself.
I don't intend to lose money on this, with advance wear test, I will know how long the pants would last before I offer the guarantee.
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charlenelieu
Oct 18, 2009, 12:38 AM
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Oh, and how much do you care about how they look? This is especially for the ladies... 'cause there are plenty of technical climbing clothes I would not be caught dead in.
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tigerlilly
Oct 18, 2009, 12:42 AM
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Things I look for in climbing pants:
Stretch - I can't stand clothing that binds
Slim or cinchable at the ankle
Thigh pockets - low enough to be out of the way of leg loops and big enough for a Clif bar
Nothing inside the waistband - size adjusters usually dig in when you have a harness on
No belts or cute little sashes at the waist - they just get in the way
Non-cotton
Mammut's Talc pants are nice, light, stretchy pants for warm to cool weather, except for the velcro size adjusters inside the waistband. They get annoying after a long day of trad climbing when I've had gear weighting my harness all day, grinding those little buggers into my skin. The Champ pants are better in this regard, as are Patagonia's Guide series, but both are better for cooler weather.
Kathy
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caughtinside
Oct 18, 2009, 12:55 AM
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That's interesstimg. Best of luck with your design! Personally I prefer cotton when not doing alpine because it is comfy, breathes well and I live in California.
A gal pal of mine often complains of fashion before function on womens pants. Womens harness rises are high, but most pants hang lower on thehips. I guess this is fairly uncomfortable. She wears unfashionable high waisted pants but she's in the minority.
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acorneau
Oct 18, 2009, 1:09 AM
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johnwesely wrote: acorneau wrote: -Available in a 34" inseam, which a lot of pants do not. Picture your self in my shoes. 36 inch inseam 28 inch waste. Buying pants is really fun.
I'm a 34" inseam and a 30/32" waist, but damn! You're one tall-ass skinny mofo!
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johnwesely
Oct 18, 2009, 1:12 AM
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acorneau wrote: johnwesely wrote: acorneau wrote: -Available in a 34" inseam, which a lot of pants do not. Picture your self in my shoes. 36 inch inseam 28 inch waste. Buying pants is really fun. I'm a 34" inseam and a 30/32" waist, but damn! You're one tall-ass skinny mofo!
One time, I went to Macy's to look for pants, and I asked if they had my size. They looked at me incredulously and said, "I doubt they even make that size". Shows how much they know.
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jsj7051
Oct 18, 2009, 1:42 AM
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Columbia makes the Lender ( no relation to Cris )pants , most of the time they have a full 3" gusset from end of leg to end of other leg. Would like a zip pocket on each leg down low ( below harness leg loops ) , not baggy but big enough to fit route beta , keys , eng. bar etc. Soft material med. to light weight , 65 to 75% cotton , for $60 or less so I could get a new pair every year. Kind of like the cheep tennis shoe I love and buy the same ones over and over. I prefer no warrenty , just so affordable and comfy I'll buy them to work in, casual and climbing. I have maybe 5 to 8 pair of the Lender pants in diff. colors . 
(This post was edited by jsj7051 on Oct 18, 2009, 1:51 AM)
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atlnq9
Oct 18, 2009, 4:30 AM
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Relaxed fit Wrangler with holes worn in them for ventilation. Durable, cheap, multi use (from chopping wood to lounging to climbing to working on the truck to mountain biking,etc.). Never quite understood the special climbing clothing fad... always seems like there is something better to spend money on like gas or gear...
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