Mountain Equipment Trojan soft shell Pant..

 

 

 

So I am not much into pants for what ever reason.  I like them to stretch and fit well.  I like to be able to hook them with a elastic cord under my boots and not shred the cuff even if that takes adding eyelets myself to hook them up.  I want them warm.  But not too warm. 

 

Did I mention I want them to fit?   Ya, I really want them to fit.  Not too long, not too short.  Not too tight and I want them to stretch.  I am going commando when it is warm  and I'll use a light weight base layer in them when it is cold.  I want them comfortable both ways just depends on what I'll need that particular day.

 

Not into side zips, vent zips, belts or other trash that I'd likely just eventually snip off anyway.  Give me a comfortable waste band, a reasonable crotch zip and a place to hook a pant gaiter up and I am pretty happy.  Make the material warm, but not too warm.  Durable but not a pair of Filson Tin pants either.  Weight?  Make them light.  But make them warm.

 

My last  blog on pants....??.

Like I said not really into pants for some reason.  Big jacket.  Big boots.  Decent pants..move quickly and you are covered is my thought process.

 

http://coldthistle.blogspot.com/2013/01/pants-quick-drive-by.html

 

I have Arcteryx Gamma, Gamma LT, Patagonia Alpine Guide Pants, Mixed Guide, North Wall and Knifeblade Bibs and a bunch of the NW Salopettes in differing weights. 

 

A few I climb in.  Most I will ski in.  A very few I really like.  All I typically shred in the the lower leg at some point.  That is because the lower legs are baggy and as I said I like pant gaiters to go over my climbing boots these days. 

 

 

 

 

Combine waist deep snow wallowing, crampons, baggy material in the lower leg and a clumsy climber like myself and you get shredded pants.  Nothing duct tape won't fix short term but annoying.  I am always going to be a klutz.  No reason to always climb in baggy pants.  Just never found a decent weight soft shell pant to date that had a tapered lower leg that actually fit me.

 

Till now.

 

Pant gaiter?  I can add the grommets to make them work easy enough.  REI sells a cheap grommet set worth twice the price.

 

M. E. Trojans (who in heaven's name thought that brilliant name up?) look like a pair of 501s from the '60s.  Better grease down your hair and put on your dancing shoes! (ya I am that old kids;)  Pegged leg 501s but with stretch.  ( so much left on THAT table for jokes)  But really, they are a nice pant!

 

 

 

Mine are black. 

 

 

But the picture of the white version above shows you the features better so that is what you get for a fashion picture.     Two side vents....which actually vent the pants while I was running in them today.  The vent worked.  I got over the extra set of zips pretty quickly.  I don't like them.  They work exceptionally well.  I'll use the vent zippers.  Case closed.  Snug enough around my ankles with running shoes that I though them rather natty and clean looking.  Good enough for date night if you are a bit eccentric.   They fit over my Dynafit SkiMo boots or the Scarpa 6000 unzipped at the cuff.  So the cuff isn't as annoying as say a Patagoinia Alpine Guide pant zipped or unzipped.  And I wear the Alpine Guide pant a lot.  Just never on a date night.

 

Two front patch pockets.  Double tab on the zip which I have really come to appreciate with a harness on. (yes, once again, I am that old)  Sometimes being quick is important.  The waist band is very comfortable,  No faff.  Just a couple of small Velcro tabs for waist size adjustment and a set of dbl snaps to hold them together.

 

Great patten for my bod.  Excellent coverage and flexibility/stretch in the fabric choice.  Better than most..and I have a good bit of the "most".   Gotta out last my Gamma LTs.  More akin to a Gamma MX for weight.   Feel warmer though.   Build quality and sewing seems exceptional...when you look at the competition.  Fit?  Which is really hard for me to praise generally, is exceptional on my weirdly proportioned bod for both.

Just when I think I have seen it all...I see some thing seemingly really new.  New at least to me.   A pant I have wanted for a long time.  This pant is well tailored and a really big hit with me.  That said while owning "every one's" pants.   I have not used Gore's Windstopper before so that much should be interesting.   Added wind and water resistance with little trade off hopefully.  Good enough so far for running in some chilly and wet weather.  Curious to see how the Windstopper material stands up against Polartec Poweshield Pro.   Even at retail the Trojan is 1/2 the price of the Powershield Pro pants I could fine!  If the Trogan didn't fit me I wouldn't care what the price was.  Finding out that they do fit me exceptionally well makes all the dfference on what I'd be willing to pay.

I was expecting to be unimpressed with these to be honest.   Mountain Equipment sent it over the moon for my own use on this pant.  I am surprised.  Which sent me immediately looking for another pair and found them here:

 

http://www.campsaver.com/trojan-pant-men-s?gclid=CIiHqNbZxLoCFaF_Qgod-BkAnw
(you snooze you loose..they sold out in less than 24 hrs after this post went live)

 

$150 seems like a bargain.  $90?  It is a steal.  Seriously..the deal of my week! 

FWIW I wear a 34 waist and a 33 inseam and a 34 Reg fits me perfectly.

 

 Gore sez:

"While plenty of products offer some level of wind protection, only WINDSTOPPER® products offer you the unique combination of total windproofness and optimized breathability. This combination yields an incredibly versatile product that gives you the freedom to enjoy being outside in a wide range of weather conditions, doing activities at various levels of intensity.
This performance is provided by the ultra light and thin WINDSTOPPER® membrane that adds total wind protection to any textile without perceivably changing its breathability. Windproofness stops your body from feeling the chilling effects of wind and weather, while protecting the warm yet highly sensitive micro-climate that surrounds your skin. High breathability prevents overheating and perspiration build-up by allowing moisture vapor to easily escape. Many WINDSTOPPER® products also offer high water resistance for protection in damp conditions.
Because this protection is inherent to the WINDSTOPPER® membrane and doesn’t wear out, garments or accessories made with WINDSTOPPER® fabric are easy to care for."

Mountain Equipment sez:
Trojan Pant, low in weight and bulk these highly protective stretch soft shell pants are perfect for big days on committing Alpine routes.

WEIGHT: 410g/ 14.5oz
SIZE: 30-38 Regular, Long
RRP: $150

SUMMARY:
Committing Alpine mixed and rock routes require fine choices in clothing, equipment and tactics. With every extra layer squeezed into a tiny rucksack you bet against yourself and the odds on getting the route done in a day lengthen. With the Trojan Pant at least your choice of leg wear is simple and the line between light and too light can be explored with confidence.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS:
• GORE® WINDSTOPPER® X-Fast 230 fabric; stretchy, windproof and
highly water-resistant
• Active cut with gusseted crotch and articulated knees
• Tapered leg with zippered expansion gusset for improved versatility
• Twin-needled and coverlocked construction
• 2 zipped thigh pockets and 2 zipped thigh vents all with laser cut and
bonded gasket entry
• Low bulk elasticated Velcro® adjustment at waist
• Wicking lined waistband for increased comfort
• Bonded hem for increased durability