I'm looking for soft shell pants that will double as both rain pants and pants suitable for glissading.
Right now I'm looking at the patagonia simple guide pants. Would these work? Any better suggestions?

Thanks.

The Patagonia simple guide pants are polyester, and I don't think they'd stand up to very much glissading. I think something with nylon would be more durable, but would repel less water and dry slower.

I just got a pair of Marmot Scree pants which are nylon (polyester inner). I've worn them on one dayhike in the mid-50's with a good wind, and they were very warm at that temp and fit great.

A soft shell isn't really a rain shell replacement. It works great as a shell in dry cold conditions (less than 15-20F) when snow can be brushed off rather than melting in. They do block some wind and dry faster, but they're still wet clothing in wet-cold conditions with precipitation or snow contact.

Edited by AndyF on 12/06/2011 08:37:15 MST.

I've been really happy with my Stoic Overhang pants. They are super durable and have held up to wetter snow just fine.

If you're planning on glissading on your butt I'd bring a pair of super cheap rain pants to toss over other pants before starting. Butt slides can be pretty rough on pants (depending on snow coverage I guess), and there's also a decent chance of them contacting your ice axe.

I haven't glissaded in softshells (well, non-membrane softshell) but I imagine the pressure could cause them to wet out as well.

I highly recommend the Scree pants, wearing them right now and getting ready to hike in 30 deg temp and they are perfect. The Dead Bird pants are great as well, but find myself drawn to the Marmot's because of weight, functionality, fit overall.

Cheers

ive glissaded in dead bird gamma lts and they were fine ... similar to the patagucci simple guides ... that said i wouldnt do it often ... simply bring a pair of cheap $10 oversized nylon shorts you can get from target ... and wear those over the pants

as to using em as rain pants ... they are very waster resistant for shorter period ... but for prolonged rain youll either have to live with them wetting out or carry a light/cheap pair of rain pants as well ...

i use em without using rain pants often ... but i can deal with the wetting out

and renew the DWR every few trips