Thank you all for the interest in our new clothing. As there were a few questions in regard to the design, below I will try to answer those questions:
The “boot cut”-
While the boot cut is more noticeable at the cuff, the cut actually extends up into the mid-thigh area. This creates slightly more volume through the knee and lower thigh along with slightly more room for larger mountaineering or late season boots. There are several other issues that this cut helps to alleviate.
First, the “boot cut” creates the needed room for the optional knee pads which provides a more comfortable ride by keeping the knee pads from pulling tight on the knee cap while hiking. The added room also helps the knee pad stay properly positioned when kneeling as the pant hangs more freely over the knee area. I found this to be a fine line, too much volume and the pad can rotate to the side and miss the knee when kneeling, too little volume and the pad pulls tight to the knee cap and rubs excessively while hiking. For those interested, we suggest the Crye Precision knee pads, very durable, proven, and light. This is the primary knee pad I designed the pant pocket to use.
Second, I found the tighter the pant was through the knee and lower thigh, the higher the pant would tend to settle and ride, especially with the increased friction caused by a merino base layer. The “boot” cut helps to keep the pant from migrating above the boot line when kneeling, sitting to glass, or even hiking. Simply put, I got tired of having to rearrange a pant cuff over my boots every time I got up from glassing or stepping over downfall as the pant would ride above the boot line (when not using gaiters.) The added volume helps the pant to hang more naturally off the hips and over the knee to ride at a more consistent height off the boot.
Lastly, and most important for me, the cut allows for more space when layering, specifically with a down puff layer like our down pants in colder conditions. My goal was to create a pant that could be used all season, from early Sep through winter hunts (or for any outdoor activity.) Large side vents to move heat early season, then an adjustable waist and the available space to add layers for late season snow conditions. Overall the pant was not designed to be an “ultralight” pant, but rather a very durable versatile pant that will hold up to the toughest mountain conditions in all 4 seasons.
Contour Waist-
The Contour waist is a patent pending system that simply allows the user to change the waist size by moving the zipper fly location, instead of using a button for top closure, we use an adjustable low profile buckle. This adjustment allows the excess fabric to overlap flat in the front opposed to being bunched up around the waist. The goal was to create the lowest volume waist line possible, minimize excess fabric bunching and belt loop thickness that can cause hotspots and rubbing under a heavy pack. This has been a long term issue for me, most pants are made in 2” even increments, I am a 33” and can drop as low as a 32” towards the end of the season. Most of the time I was stuck with 34” or Large pants and a belt which created fabric bunching and hot spots when tightened. The Contour waist has 3” of adjustment, this also allows the user to make waist adjustments depending on the temp and base layers you prefer for an exact fit. It even gives enough room to add a down puff layer under the pant in very cold temps, (as previously mentioned for the “boot cut”)
We are currently working on a video, we hope to have it completed in the coming weeks. Most of our staff is on the road now with show season in full swing, but we will keep you posted.
Thanks again for your interest.
Best,
Kurt