MontBell Ultralight Thermawrap Insulation Pant - Men's - 2009 BCS

These are lightweight insulated pants with 3/4 zips, a zippered fly and two hand pockets. I use them in fringe seasons to boost the warmth of my sleeping system (particularly when I use a quilt) and in the winter as around-camp insulated pants.

I wish I would have gotten a larger size because I have trouble fitting them over my softshell pants (in winter) without compressing the insulation. However, they fit nicely of my baselayer bottoms and I do not compress the insulation then. As such, I usually spend the few minutes in camp in winter to remove my softshell pants and put on these, despite the issue of removing my boots and/or gaiters (depending on my footwear choice).

Like all MontBell insulated garments, the DWR is supurb. The fabric is wispy but durable. The tech specs @ Backcountry say the pants used 80 g/m^2 insulation, but that is not correct. Montbell uses 50 g/m^2 insulation in these pants (and their synthetic Thermawrap vests and jackets, too. MB uses the 80 gram weight in their Thermawrap parkas).

With full zips, these would be an easy five stars. But alas...

Just got my Ultralight Thermawrap Pants, can't wait to try them for real.I got this as an extra warm layer on mountaineering trips/expeditions. The pants seem warm enough for use in the mountains and are large enough to fit over other layers (i'm 6'4/170 and got the XL). Off course they're also very light!When I ordered the pants, the website said they had full side-zips, when in fact they are 7/8-length zips. Backcountry has adjusted the info on the site and has dealt with the situation quickly and fairly.Full-length zips would have made these pants better though.Edit: I summited Aconcagua on 12/2/2010 wearing these pants under my softshell pants. Under the thermawrap I also wore BC.com powerstretch pants. Everyhting combined I was more then warm enough. Never cold.Size XL weighs 343 grams.

It's too bad that these do not have full zips. The side zippers do go up way high (like 8-9 inches from the waistband). I'll try to remember to update this review when I get time to try them on with boots & crampons. The weight of these is what has me hooked. It's *half* the weight of the Mtn Hardware Compressor pants (which are also awesome) & takes up way less space. If trying to decide b/t this & MH, consider if the destination is cold enough to want to carry the extra 10 oz. I got the small. I just tried them on & they fit nicely over my jeans. Not too tight & not too much extra room. I'm 5'8" 135 ibs, wear a men's S in Prana Zions, usually S or M in Patagonia W's pants, 6-8 in MH W's