what do people use to keep dry when hiking in the winter and in snow a bit.

I was thinking gortex pants.

I use an old pair of double layer nylon ski pants but my GTX PacLite rain pants would be about as breathable and lighter. Plus, if it's going to be very wet falling snow I'd go for the GTX pants to go with my GTX mountain parka and GTX/Thinsulate hunting boots.

Now if it's truly bitter cold (say 0 F. or lower) and windy I'd have my Cabela's GTX & Thinsulate ski pants W/ light poly long johns under. That's military Mickey Mouse boot, mittens and face mask weather.

Eric
BTW, As I get the money I want to convert to eVent clothing. The REI eVent parka will be high on that list. Very well thought out design.

Edited by Danepacker on 09/22/2009 11:39:35 MDT.

If my winter hiking involves uphills or carrying a pack I find Gore-Tex less breathable than required. I use a variety of stretch-woven softshell pants over Powerstretch baselayers. A pair of knee length Gore-Tex or plain nylon gaiters are more then enough snow protection. I need a new pair this year and would like Event, but will probably buy supergaiters for a bit more boot warmth.
If above treeline, I do carry a pair of full side-zip Paclite pants for high winds (old model Arcteryx at 10 ounces).

Edited by febbom on 09/22/2009 01:36:08 MDT.

In the winter not in snow - my ordinary Taslan trousers. See MYOG article. When I am moving I don't need anything more than that.

In the snow I often wear some quite light, vaguely fleecy stretch tights - I think they are Italian cross-country ski trousers. However, I have been known to wear some green Lycra tights in the snow at times :-) :-)

If the weather is bad I may put some GoLite Whims on over the other trousers. I have taken them to Europe twice now as overtrousers for rain. Not 100% waterproof, but they are extremely light and dry very fast.

Gore-Tex? Only for those who like carrying very heavy and very expensive things. One is tempted to say 'obsolete'.

Cheers

Edited by rcaffin on 09/22/2009 02:29:12 MDT.

If the temp is consistently down near freezing or colder then I really like my first generation marmot atv pants... mostly because the schoeller dryskin fabric is great. Water resistant, comfortable over a wide range of conditions, just the right amount of wind resistance more me.

I have also found that the BPL Thorofare pants work quite well by themselves down to around 30F when I am moving, and below that with a light or mid weight base.

Gore Tex is OK in cooler temperatures if I am not working too hard... but my experience is that if I am engaged in heavy activity (which includes hiking a good speed) then my perspiration condenses on the inside of goretex damping my clothing. When it's really cold the condensation freezes limiting breathability even more.

I'm a little surprised that no one has mentioned eVENT pants. There are quite a few options and each is endlessly better than GoreTex. I use a par of Rab Bergen's myself which are outstanding.

hey Hunter,
up in New England I wear a pair of Patagonia softshell running pants call the Cold Track Light's (now called the Traverse pants). They are simple uninsulated and weight around 9 oz. If temps are below 25 deg I add a thin Ibex wool layer under them. If it is windy, snowing or even raining I add a pair of Wind Things Epic wind pants over them. It is a pretty good system that I have used for a few years now with success.

+1 for the Rab Bergen eVent pants. Goretex doesn't breathe well enough in my experience (I just get wet from the condensation.).

For extreme cold (typically 10 degrees F. or colder, I like mid-weight long johns with old school heavy wool hunting pants.

The biggest issue about "staying dry" for me is dealing with my own perspiration more than the snow itself. Consequently, breathability is a huge priority for me. Another solution for this is some old North Face nylon microfiber pants (name long ago forgotten) layered over insulating long bottoms. Balancing breathability with wind protection is just that...a balancing act.

Edited by Beep on 09/22/2009 12:37:30 MDT.

I've used softshell pants (Scholler Dynamic) in temps. from 45F to 13F with 30mph winds and snow. At 20F or so with high winds I add a pair of windpants over the softshell pants. This year for 20F and colder I'm going with a slightly heavier softshell pant to eliminate adding the windpants. Softshells breath so well and keep you from having to make to many layer changes if any at all.

Edited by lightingboy on 09/22/2009 13:11:16 MDT.

+2 for the Rab Bergen eVents. What I love about these pants is the ability to vent through the side zippers when I'm really moving, closing that down a bit when I slow down, and then closing them completely when I stop. The side vents really 'assist' the eVent fabric for venting purposes.