I found a pair of used dancer's warm up pants in a thrift store and I think they have excellent UL potential. And they are cheap too :)

Body Wrappers makes a full line of dance clothing. Their warm up pants are light ripstop nylon with an elastic waist and cuffs. Just plain pull-on pants, as Spartan as you could ask for, 3.5oz for size large on my scale and all of $20. The DWR on my used pair passes the sink sprayer test too.

See http://www.discountdance.com/dancewear/style_701.html?camp=Froogle_701&utm_source=Froogle&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=701&utm_campaign=Products

Edited by dwambaugh on 05/30/2012 22:36:44 MDT.

I know I'm not the only one thinking that you have nice legs, Dale.

All that hiking keeps him trim.

As he dances down the trail and tiptoes through the (oops, no tulips out in the wilderness, maybe balsam root or lewisia?)....

Seriously, it's a great idea to look elsewhere than normal hiking/backpacking suppliers--you can find interesting and suitable items in the strangest places!

Edited by hikinggranny on 05/30/2012 22:59:32 MDT.

Steven Paris quipped, "I know I'm not the only one thinking that you have nice legs, Dale."

Noooooo. If I am made in the image of the Creator, then He looks somewhat like a hairy bowling pin, as I sure do :)

At $15-$20 a pair, it would hurt less to shred a pair of wind pants. Montane Featherlight pants are $79US and weigh 4oz/pair!

Edited by dwambaugh on 05/30/2012 23:46:23 MDT.

never mind the pants, those shoes look pretty darn light, toe protection to boot

ive been saying it over and over again ... "brand name" outdoor clothes are generally overpriced ... you can get stuff much cheaper that is just as functional, and perhaps just as light for much less at discount stores and other places

the only time "brand name" stuff is worth it IMO is if you have a no questions asked warranty and intend to use it ... or its something that you cant find anywhere else (which is getting rarer as everyone copies everyone)

an ember put a hole in my $19 old navy puffy ... and u know what, i dont give a darn ... cause it cost 19$ ;)

Hi Eric

> "brand name" outdoor clothes are generally overpriced ... you can get stuff much
> cheaper that is just as functional,
Functional??? What's that mean??? Who's he???

Most of it is FASHION stuff for street cred. Ten times more profit in the fashion market. (or 100x)

Cheers

Maybe combine both?
...+ Photography :D

Dale,

Those look like something I could use. I ordered a pair to see.

Thanks for the tip. Never thought to look in the dance clothing area for options.

Daryl

Great timing. My Montbell wind pants that I've had since 2004 somehow tore this weekend.

Did not feel like shelling out another $80. These pants are the same weight and a 1/4 the price and should work just as fine..and maybe a little more durable.

Now to explain to my fiancee' why a package is coming from a dance company. She loves to dance; I loathe it. :)

What's that "ruffle" around the hips just below the waist?

Better call and ask B/C it looks like it's not too functional but a bit TOO effite.

Maybe it can be unstitched and let out to better accomodate you "bowling pin" posterior. ;O)

Seriousnessly Dale, Thanks for the info. I'm looking at them as a possible purchase.

The pants have a very plain elastic waist. The dancer has folded them over to make them fit her better. The ones I found are a quite
standard size large.

Dale,

Mine arrived and they are everything you said they were.

I got the medium size and they show 3.4 ounces on my scale (rounds to nearest .2 ounces).

I have a 34 inch waist and they are a little tight on me around the butt area. They are cut in a way that allows for good leg movement, however, so they are still useable. If I order another pair I'm going to go back to my old strategy of buying the biggist size of everything. I like baggy.

I've been looking for pants without pockets and zippers for years. These fit the bill. Thanks for the tip.

Daryl

I got a pair of these today in the large size, and they are nice.

Question about them though- how would you use them? As your primary hiking pant, or as a layer in your pack to wear with your hiking pant? If so, would you wear them over or under your hiking pant?

>I have a 34 inch waist and they are a little tight on me around the butt area

So, Daryl, they make your butt look big?

I would use them exactly as I would a windshirt, for protection from wind and light precip. I think the best use for UL wind pants is when you would wear running style shorts and want the extra protection of long pants for cooler mornings or late evenings, if the weather turns cold, pretection from bugs, and so forth. I think this $20 alternative is better than shredding a $60-$80 pair of Pertex wind pants, or spending that much for very occasional use.

I haven't been a fan of wind pants because pants tend to take more of a beating than tops do. I normally wear nylon zip-offs or soft shell pants. If the weather turns bad in my locale, I would usually be turning to rain pants for more protection.

I would love to see this style offered in a lighter color for sun protection, or bug protection in sunny weather. I think the black color would be too hot in full sun.

I appreciate you sharing your expertise. I don't think I'll be hiking with them normally, but I do think they would be great for 14ner day hikes in the Rockies, if you aren't expecting rain-- to be kept in your pack-- pulled out if the wind kicks up over your hiking pants. I tried the large size over my hiking pants and they fit well.

Edited by flutingaround on 09/20/2012 18:16:01 MDT.

Cold windy weather is around the corner. Thanks for suggesting these Dale.

Eugene wrote "Cold windy weather is around the corner. Thanks for suggesting these Dale."

Midsummer backup for UL shorts is what I had in mind. I think typical nylon hiking pants would provide as much protection and more durability. Carrying both would be needless duplication. The UL shorts with wind pants would make a good day hiking combo. Note that Andrew Skurka has used running shorts and wind pants for many of his treks.

I could make a case for wind pants used with tall gaiters and a long poncho, with the wind pants helping to close the gap and add some warmth on a day with miles of light drizzle.