Mountain Hardwear has come out with its new Swift technical pants. Positioned at a mid-price point, they are suitable for a wide range of backcountry activities. After taking them for a spin, what it lacks in comfort controls, it makes up for in durability, cut and weight saving. Trailpeak editors Shannon Burt on the East coast, and Trevor Helwig in Alberta were glad to get their collective legs into a pair of Swift technical pants. Here's what we came back to report...
WIN: You can win these pants as part of our monthly premium members draw, where this month we are giving away a pair of MH swifts to a lucky winner.
Shannon's take
Pac lite is Gore Tex's answer to a light weight material that will compress to a small volume in your pack. As is synonymous with Gore fabrics, it is a wind proof, waterproof and a breathable layered textile. Though not as rugged as perhaps XCR, the Pac-lite fabric is a fast and light solution. The finish of the fabric I believe is snag proof, a valuable feature when going through low brush and thorns. Worth mentioning is the seam taping Gore created by laminating all edges and taping the seams, making a durable and waterproof guard along all lines where fabrics merge.
The Swift uses Pac-lite for most of the surface, while reinforcing the articulated knees with GoreTex XCR. There are ankle scuff-guards well positioned to protect the rear and side sections of the inner legs, though gators will probably be the best line of defense from sharp crampon points. Mountain Hardwear always thinks of the little details, and such is the case with Uretec-type waterproof zips used on the fly and rear pocket. The cuffs can tighten with one-handed cinch tabs. I found them easy to tighten, but cumbersome to reverse due to the hidden tensioner. One thing missing, and probably why this is positioned as a mid-price product, is the lack of leg zips. Though their absence makes them lighter, having the option to vent or the benefit of not having to remove your boots to put them on and off would increase its versatility.
Despite the missing leg zips, the design of the pants are well thought out. The waist rides high, so that a jacket easily layers over it. The inner belt is positioned and fits well, and when used with a backpack or climbing harness, doesn't interfere.
When I first received the Swift pants, it was pouring rain outside. So I took the opportunity to test out the waterproof specs of Gore Tex Pac-lite. I walked around in the rain, through tall grass, and even sat for a while on the soaked lawn. Happy to report that my legs and butt stayed dry, so the Swift passed the first test. My second test was on a small trip to look for newly forming ice out at Orby Head in PEI's National Park. There, I was bush wacking through thorns and thick scrub. Despite one tiny thorn puncture near the cuff, the Pac-lite fended off abuse. Paying that much ($270) for a pair of technical pants, I might choose to avoid the briar patch, but truth be told, through the tuff stuff, they did pass the test.
In the end, the Swift is a great technical pant for all but the warmest disciplines. It's waterproof, packs small, and is very light weight. The cinch mechanism on the cuffs are a nice feature, despite a bit awkward to release. The only negative I had about the Swift was the lack of venting zips on the leg. They won't be easy to climate control.
Shannon Burt East Coast Editor
Now for Trevor's take...
"Beauty in simplicity"
‘Swift Pants’ by Mountain Hardware are lightweight, waterproof breathables designed for general use. I tried them out recently for a backcountry ski tour to Summit Lake in Waterton National Park, Alberta and overall, I was quite pleased with their performance. With the mercury hovering between –12 to –15 Celsius the Swifts worked well as an outer shell and kept me warm against frigid wind gusts. Wearing only sweat-wicking long underwear and light pants under the Swifts, my legs never felt cold. The Swifts are extremely lightweight and fold up to a small bundle that would be excellent for use as rain gear during the hiking season. They are simple in design with a single rear pocket and some strategically placed reinforcing at the knees and ankles to prevent tearing.
The breath-ability aspect of the pants is, I think, their biggest asset. For anyone who has purchased cheapie water-proof gear, they have probably discovered the following: (1) nylon pants that are “water-resistant” will never keep you anywhere near dry when in the rain or hiking through wet brush. (2) “Water-proof” gear that is not breathable can also be terrible – especially when practicing some type of aerobic activity like hiking. Perspiration gets trapped inside and ultimately the user is left feeling clammy and cold. With the Swifts, moisture build-up was never an issue, and my legs felt absolutely dry despite a number of falls in the snow, as well as a lunch break spent sprawled in some deep powder for 15 minutes.
Despite the fact that I thought the Swifts performed well for backcountry touring, I would recommend that people looking for snow sports gear examine some of Mountain Hardware’s other winter pants, which are designed specifically for winter sports such as snowboarding, downhill, telemark and backcountry alpine skiing. The Swifts do not have ankle zippers and may not fit over all ski boots. As well, suspender type pants that cover the torso have the obvious advantage of keeping snow from going down one’s pants during a head-over-heels fall. One of my skiing companions coincidentally had a pair of Mountain Hardware pants and was quick to sing their praise. For winter activities such as snowshoeing, cross-country and light back-country skiing, the Swifts are an excellent option as an outer shell and provide an alternative to traditional, insulated winter pants. For people who are looking for quality waterproof breathable pants that are lightweight and simple, the Swifts are a good fit. As well, I would highly recommend them for summer activities such as hiking and backpacking.
Trevor Halwig Snowshoe Editor
Kurt Turchan East Coast Editor |
첫댓글 갸격은 얼마인지 싸이즈는 ??? 남자용인지 아님 여성용인지....상세한 설명 부탁해요
남자용 일상복 28~30을 입는데 사이즈가 있나요? 가격도 알고싶네요
사이즈는 M 사이즈를 보유하고 있습니다. 오버트라우저라 상당히 큽니다. 제가 32~33되는데 바지 위에 덧입을경우 적당할 듯 합니다. 좀 크지만 똑딱이단추와 내장되어 있는 벨트로 사이즈 조절 가능해서 여름철에는 단독착용도 가능할 듯합니다. 눈 비 올때 등산복 위에 착용해야 하기 때문에 크게 나왔습니다. 밀란님은 스몰 입으셔야 할 듯 합니다. 스몰사이즈의 경우 구매대행으로 구입가능한지 좀 살펴봐야 될듯합니다. 원래 백컨츄리기어에서 전체 사이즈 다 팔았었는데 현재는 전체 품절상태네요..http://www.google.co.kr/search?hl=ko&q=mountain+hardware+swift+pants&lr= 참고하세요
32" 구매할수있는지요 옆지퍼는달려있는지요
질문게시판에 답글 올려났습니다. 참고하시기 바랍니다.
신청합니다...M사이즈 입금은 오늘 11시에 합니다..주소는 쪽지로 보내드리죠
발송은 내일 가능합니다. 주소는 좌측 상단 메뉴 중 [회원주소록]에 비밀메모로 글남겨주시면 추후 주문 시 주소보내주실 필요없습니다. 그리고 세일제품은 제품하자 이외에 반품이 불가하니 충분히 생각하신 후 구입하여 주시기 바랍니다.
집 주소로 회원 주소록에 올여습니다.이 주소로 보내주세요..
M싸이즈 1개 신청합니다.....
허리 사이즈 36~37정도(오버트라우저(-덧바지)의 특성상 엠사이즈지만 굉장히 크게 나왔습니다. 겨울에 동계용 바지위에 덧입으시면 눈, 바람을 막을 수 있습니다.
정말 좋은 제품에 가격은 너무 싸군요,,일주일 전에 거금 20십만원 주고 샀는데ㅜㅜㅜ 조금만 참을걸 ㅠㅠ
30사이즈 있다면 바로 구매할텐데요...정말 아쉽습니다.
m 사이즈 1개 신청합니다. 연락주세요
입금하시면 내일 바로 발송가능합니다. 토요일 도착합니다.