Patagonia Women's Alpine Guide Pants

One the best winter pants I've every owned due to the almost magical fabric.

I own lots of softshell pants, perhaps too many. The Patagonia Alpine Guide Pants are generally found on the top of my pants heap.

The Polartec Powershield fabric is amazing. It is highly breathable and highly wind proof. The lightly brushed interior feels nice against my skin and the outside of the fabric remains surprisingly unblemished after a season of use.

I find they are best used in temperatures below 40°F and I've worn them down to 7°F with fleece tights underneath. They are my preferred pants for back country skinning, especially in the spring and I've never experienced sweat or steam build up on the inside. Even in 30-40 mph wind I don't feel a breeze inside my pants.

I've never worn these pants in the rain but even after extended periods of sitting or kneeling in spring snow I remain dry inside. There are three zippered pockets, I use the thigh pocket the most, usually my phone or chapstick are stored in that pocket.

I have a size 4 pant and am 5'4" 122 lbs former pro cyclist. So while I have well developed thighs and butt they are by no means big. The inseam is just right, the bottom opening is just right, the thighs and butt fit just right. the waist however is way too big and the built in belt doesn't get small enough.

I sewed the belt smaller but the pants continue to migrate south. The next size down was too small on my thighs and butt and I wouldn't have been able to fit even silkweight tights under them. If Patagonia made a size 3 it would probably be perfect.

Overall I highly recommend these pants. They are an integral part of my late fall/winter/spring adventure suit.

Here are the pants doing a handstand in Rocky Mountain National Park with ice skaters in the background.