I’ve been suffering with a bad back, my brother David has a bad knee so last Sunday’s good weather left us thinking what we might be able to manage with our damaged bodies. We agreed on a trip to the Bridestones at Dalby Forest with our dogs. And I took the opportunity to test out the Arc’teryx Gamma Guide Pants. I didn’t bother taking rock shoes, just a pair of approach shoes as I had no plans to climb anything too difficult.
What Arc’Teryx Say
Durable, breathable, wind and moisture resistant pant with reinforced instep patches, designed for alpine climbing.
Technical Features
- Weather resistant
- Moisture-resistant outer face fabric
- Breathable
- Highly durable
- Wind resistant
Construction
- DWR finish (Durable Water Repellent) helps bead water from fabric surface
Patterning
- Articulated knees
- Gusseted crotch
Zippers & Fly Configuration
- Front fly
Cuff & Sleeves Configuration
- Wide cuffs to fit easily over boots
- Stretch pant cuff with adjustable drawcord
Pocket Configuration
- Two hand pockets with zippers
- Two pleated cargo pockets with flaps
Reinforcements
- Keprotec™ instep patches provide superior protection against damage by boots, crampons and ski edges
- Seamless instep
Logos & Label Configuration
- Heat transfer logo
Waist & Belt Configuration
- Adjustable integrated webbing belt
- Snap waist closure
- Soft, chamois lined waist
The test
So for an alpine pant, my trip to the Bridestones at Dalby Forest didn’t quite offer the Gamma Guide pants the test they deserved. However It did give me an opportunity to walk up and down hills, and climb in them, both activities you’d expect in an alpine mission.
The fabric is 50% Nylon, 43 Polyester and 7% spandex. This provides a stretchy water resistant finish. They’re smooth on the outside and on the inside they’re soft against your skin.
We were expecting pretty cold weather for our dog walking / bouldering trip but it actually turned out to be really warm (again something typical of a mountain day – the weather can surprise you either way). The breathability of the Gamma Guide pants was excellent and at no point did I feel like my legs were sweaty. I’ve since worn them in the cold and wind and again they performed flawlessly.
Like I said at the beginning of the review I hadn’t planned to climb anything too difficult, but I did enough to test the articulation of the knees and the stretchiness of the fabric. The pants performed excellently, providing me with a full range of motion (well as much as my dodgy back would allow anyway).
The Keprotec™ instep patches are a welcome detail. On a pair of alpine pants that area is usually the first to wear through. I also really like the integrated drawcord/belt with clip fastening, as it saves having to wear a belt.
As with all Arc’teryx gear, these pants are beautifully made and feature inspired design that just works. A top buy!
If you would like a pair, they’re available in either black or carbide, at an RRP of £150
To find your nearest retailer, use the Arc’teryx Store Finder.
