Spring Skiing Rules!

By Silky-D Ranked #621 - Men's Softshell Pants June 9, 2008

The Seeker pant is lightweight, breathable, stretchy, and anatomically cut. After a chute skiing spree in the Wasatch and a trip to Tioga pass seeking out corn snow and steep terrain, I can attest that these pants get the job done.
The cut is trim but still roomy enough to allow layers underneath. The Arc'teryx cut is longish in the legs and this pant is even available in a tall option. I Have a 32" waist and a 33" inseam. I ordered the M tall and found the length to be plenty for full coverage over my ski boot cuff, even in a deep telemark position. A two way zip on the fly is a nice touch for answering the call of nature while wearing a harness. The minimal internal gaiter works well over buckle boots and there is also a buttonhole on the hem of the cuff itself, allowing the addition of another drawcord to cinch things down around lower volume climbing boots. Two zip close front hand pockets, one zip close rear hip pocket and two velcro close thigh pockets allow plenty of organization for snacks, gloves, maps, etc.
The fabric is holding up well in spite of lots of bushwhacking, post-holing, tele turns, and rock scrambling. A DWR finish helps in the face of light precip, but won't take the place of a hard shell if the weather really turns bad. I would prefer to have zippers on the thigh pockets as well. The minimal velcro doesn't seem that secure if you are really stuffing lots of gear in the thigh pockets, as often happens during a long boot-pack when you don't want to take your backpack off repeatedly in steep terrain.
Arc'teryx did their homework on this one. Light, breathable, simple, and functional. Add a light rain pant to your pack for unexpected bad weather and this is the perfect item for the Haute Route, The Dana Couloir in May or a roadside attraction in Little Cottonwood Canyon.

View Details: Arc'teryx Seeker Softshell Pant - Men's

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