Hardshell Trousers

Hardshell pants are designed to offer fully waterproof protection for foul weather in mountain environments. Think ice, wet snow, sleet, rain or high winds, or simply exposure to harsh winds due to elevation. They not only keep you dry and comfortable, but also safe.

Hardshells are made of multi-layer, laminated fabrics with a waterproof, breathable membrane. These membranes have tiny pores that keep water droplets out, but let sweat escape, to keep you comfortable for longer, even when you’re working hard. Hardshells are more robust than standard alpine pants, and are designed to withstand harsh conditions. They aren’t insulated, so any warmth has to come from your baselayer and midlayer.

Your hardshell pants should ensure great freedom of movement, and be neither too tight, nor too baggy to ensure good climate regulation. For alpine use, the ankle should fit reasonably snugly around your mountain boot and/or ski boot to prevent snagging on your crampons. Check there is an elasticated waistband or Velcro adjustment to accommodate your layers. Think about whether you want a higher waist, or bib pants. And do you plan to wear a belt or braces? Internal gaiters are a great invention too, they keep the snow out of your boots and help keep your ankles, and also your feet warmer.

When buying hardshell pants, think about what other layers you plan to wear underneath them, as they will need to fit over your baselayer pants. When you’re walking or skinning uphill and really getting warm, it’s important that hardshell pants have well-positioned zips to let you increase ventilation. Long side zips or even full-length zips also mean you can get them on and off faster – especially if you’re wearing a harness, boots and crampons.

Alpine pants should be long enough to cover your boots to prevent snow ingress without getting in the way when you’re climbing or catching on your crampons. You don’t want to be tripping over on a narrow alpine ridge!

Hardshell pants with a mountain-specific fit will generally have a gusseted inside leg and looser fit around the calf to accommodate your mountain boots. Go for your normal size, but check them with your boots and/or crampons on before you leave the house.

Your ski pants might be hardshell pants. However, if they have built-in insulation, you’ll probably find that they’re too warm for alpine use. In addition, regular ski pants can be bulky to pack, will probably be too warm for your baselayer and rarely have long zippers.