The Alpine Guide hiking pant really is a do it all item, whether that’s winter with a base layer underneath, or a cool day in the summer, it’s a great weight for both. The slim fit is really nice, with a good waist to hip and thigh ratio. It’s a high waist, with a popper and fly closure. There’s belt loops, and also a small internal belt built into the waistband to fine tune the fit, although it’s slightly awkward to loosen.
Kirsty Pallas’ Best in Test
These were easily my favourite trousers this winter, they felt great on and fit well, but also just worked great.- Fit
- Versatility
- Price
| Quick specs | |
|---|---|
| Price: £220 Weight: 495g for US size 4 Materials: 92% recycled nylon, 8% elastane Features: Internal gaiter, zipped thigh vents, stretch material, reinforced crampon patch Pockets: Two zipped hand pockets, two zipped thigh pockets Hem: Expandable zip ankle gusset, loops to add cord underneath a boot, internal gaiter Sizes: US size 2 – 16 Mens version: Yes URL: https://eu.patagonia.com/gb/en/product/womens-alpine-guide-pants/83190.html |
The Alpine Guide’s were slightly long for me, but with options to tighten the hem, this doesn’t really matter. It can also be expanded with a long zip and popper to suit a ski boot. There’s reinforced crampon patches and a built in internal gaiter to help keep snow out.
The pockets are all zipped and a good size, with the thigh pockets being fairly streamlined and not too bulky. The right one has an inner mesh pocket which I found fit my phone perfectly and kept it in place.
The fabric feels durable and hard wearing, with a PFC-free Durable Water Repellent finish to keep off light weather. It’s medium thickness, so warm but no lining, which makes it very versatile. There’s double sided thigh vents which can be handy with layers or a harness to get to the zip easiest, but they are small zip pulls which are trickier with gloves. There’s no mesh in the thigh vent, so they can be as open as you want! There’s good stretch in the fabric, and a gusseted crotch, so these trousers really move with you on climbs and scrambles. These were easily my favourite trousers this winter, they felt great on and fit well, but also just worked great. They’re stacked with good features, which you do pay for, and might feel like overkill in summer, but I’m sure they will do well in some classic Scottish summer
