The North Face

Summit L5 Shell Pant - Men's

Life in the alpine isn't something you can easily explain to someone who doesn't already get it; why is being cold, tired, scared, hungry, and isolated fun, exactly? Sure, maybe it's not particularly logical to seek out these circumstances, but lack of logic has never gotten in our way before, and most of the things we like most don't make a ton of sense, anyway (although that hot tub/grill/TV combo your neighbor just bought really was pretty necessary). While the appeal of mountain adventures falls squarely within the illogical domain of "If you have to ask, you'll never know," that doesn't mean you have to be wet and miserable while you're exploring, especially when you have gear like the Summit L5 Men's Shell Pant from The North Face.

The technical, alpine-oriented Summit Series has been around since 2000, but it took last year off to get a top-to-bottom redesign, and this year's lineup blows previous iterations out of the water. It consists of a full six-piece kit, from the L1 baselayers to the L6 Jacket, and is designed to provide ultimate protection, mobility, and functionality in places where gear issues can be more than an inconvenience. The L5 Shell Pant is the lineup's bombproof waterproof and breathable lower layer, with a three-layer HyVent membrane that's been re-engineered to be even more efficient than past offerings. The North Face laminated the membrane to a rugged nylon shell that's been woven with thread-blending Fuseform technology to reduce the number of seams and increase durability for better mobility, less bulk, and lighter weight.

Because it's designed explicitly for vertical endeavors, the L5 is loaded up with climbing-friendly features like a gusseted crotch for smooth high-stepping and easy glacier travel, pack- and harness-compatible pockets, and an integrated belt that stops your pants from falling down while you're making your way across snow bridges and up tricky mixed pitches. While the aforementioned Fuseform construction minimizes seams, The North Face backed all the remaining joints up with waterproof tape to prevent wind-driven moisture from penetrating the shell and also built in side zips for temperature regulation, so you don't sweat on the climb and then freeze at the belay. The L5 also features ankle zips for easy access to your boots, so you can adjust laces and step into crampons in a split second.