JAK
03-11-2008, 22:39
I've been looking for wool hiking pants for awhile.
Didn't like the price or weight/style of wool hiking pants at outfitters.
I've been searching thrift stores and department stores to no avail.
I finally came across a nice looking pair at Marden's in Bangor for $2.50
They look particularly fine with my extrafine merino wool sweater for $15.
Nautica - made in India
The are a nice worsted tweed, 90% Wool, 10% Cashmere. 16oz total.
44" waist 32" leg. I am a 42" waist at most so I will taylor them down.
I've washed them once and hung them dry by the cuffs and they came out real nice. I think they would hold up really well on the trail. I've been wearing them back and forth on the walk to work, with a belt of course. Waist still needs to come in some.
Looking to do some modifications:
1. Take in the waist at the back of the seat.
2. Remove the inside lining that goes down to the knee.
3. Perhaps remove most of the lining and waist band.
4. Possibly change pockets from cotton to polyester mesh.
5. Perhaps add zippers or velcro to hip and back pockets.
6. Love the cuffs but I think I will narrow them in and add zips.
7. Perhaps shorten the legs a bit or add a snap for fold them up option.
They are very comfortable to hike in cool weather as they are. I would only need to pack 4oz skin layer and 4oz wind pants for extreme cold. I think they would hold up well to rain also, though perhaps a longer poncho might help. For latespring/summer/earlyfall I would like to find a similar pair and convert them into shorts, though I think brushed nylon hiking shorts are perhaps better then. I'm really liking wool for latefall/winter/earlyspring though. I think it would be especially nice to cruise into town on a thru-hike or section-hike looking rather dapper, having already shaved, showered, and laundered in the field.
Didn't like the price or weight/style of wool hiking pants at outfitters.
I've been searching thrift stores and department stores to no avail.
I finally came across a nice looking pair at Marden's in Bangor for $2.50
They look particularly fine with my extrafine merino wool sweater for $15.
Nautica - made in India
The are a nice worsted tweed, 90% Wool, 10% Cashmere. 16oz total.
44" waist 32" leg. I am a 42" waist at most so I will taylor them down.
I've washed them once and hung them dry by the cuffs and they came out real nice. I think they would hold up really well on the trail. I've been wearing them back and forth on the walk to work, with a belt of course. Waist still needs to come in some.
Looking to do some modifications:
1. Take in the waist at the back of the seat.
2. Remove the inside lining that goes down to the knee.
3. Perhaps remove most of the lining and waist band.
4. Possibly change pockets from cotton to polyester mesh.
5. Perhaps add zippers or velcro to hip and back pockets.
6. Love the cuffs but I think I will narrow them in and add zips.
7. Perhaps shorten the legs a bit or add a snap for fold them up option.
They are very comfortable to hike in cool weather as they are. I would only need to pack 4oz skin layer and 4oz wind pants for extreme cold. I think they would hold up well to rain also, though perhaps a longer poncho might help. For latespring/summer/earlyfall I would like to find a similar pair and convert them into shorts, though I think brushed nylon hiking shorts are perhaps better then. I'm really liking wool for latefall/winter/earlyspring though. I think it would be especially nice to cruise into town on a thru-hike or section-hike looking rather dapper, having already shaved, showered, and laundered in the field.