The Patagonia Backcountry Guide Pant has been an integral part of my winter wardrobe now for two winter seasons. Although designed for backcountry skiing and mountaineering, I have tested these softshell pants in wide variety of settings including: winter camping, backcountry nordic skiing, AT ski touring, ice climbing, and winter hiking/snowshoeing.
Backcountry Nordic Skiing to Winter Camp
The fit of these pants is fantastic. I bought a size snug enough to move with me but able to put a baselayer underneath. The Polartec Powershield softshell fabric enables great wind resistance but yet still ventilates well. The pants have a mini-gaiter to pull over winter boots and a scuff guard to protect the pants. The pants have zippered vents for thermal regulation and three pockets.
After two years of use, I am pleased to say that these pants are very durable. They barely look any different from the day I bought them, and I've used them for countless days. I normally wear them with gaiters for: ice climbing (to protect them from crampon punctures), backcountry nordic skiing (in powder conditions), and winter camping/hiking/snowshowing (in powder conditions). When AT skiing, the mini-gaiter is snug enough around my ski boot so gaiters are unnecessary. Using a harness with these pants poses no problems. In all activities, the pants seem to stand up to whatever demands I impose on them.
After two years of use, I am pleased to say that these pants are very durable. They barely look any different from the day I bought them, and I've used them for countless days. I normally wear them with gaiters for: ice climbing (to protect them from crampon punctures), backcountry nordic skiing (in powder conditions), and winter camping/hiking/snowshowing (in powder conditions). When AT skiing, the mini-gaiter is snug enough around my ski boot so gaiters are unnecessary. Using a harness with these pants poses no problems. In all activities, the pants seem to stand up to whatever demands I impose on them.
Ice climbing with underlayers on
My only beef with these pants is integrated waist belt. I can't seem to be able to cinch it tight enough. The metal fanged hooked slides into one predetermined sewn fabric belt loop but isn't tight enough to prevent fabric gaping when I bend over or being pushed down when wearing a pack. I normally pull the belt as tight as possible and slide the metal hook about one inch further in than the loop which helps, but isn't perfect. More versatility with the belt cinching would be beneficial for different shapes and sizes of women. A friend of mine sold these pants because of this issue. In the photo below it shows how I cinch it an extra inch, even then, that isn't enough.
Cinching an extra inch
Pros: Great mobility, durability, and versatility
Cons: Waist belt not tight enough, no lace hook on the mini-gaiter
Other similar brands tried: Arcteryx Women's Gamma SK pant
Cons: Waist belt not tight enough, no lace hook on the mini-gaiter
Other similar brands tried: Arcteryx Women's Gamma SK pant
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