Favorite Pants?

Hi looking for pants, I had been using the Arcteryx Alpha Hybrid Pants and really liked these, but they've gotten old and pretty worn, and I can't fid them online anymore, so looking for newer pants.

What have been your favorite pair of pants for ice climbing? 

• Why do you like them?
• What do you mainly use them for? (Cragging, long alpine days, etc.?)
• How do they fit?

What I'm looking for in pants:

• Comfortable to hike in (anywhere from cragging to hiking all day in)
• Not too loose, so crampons don't get snagged
• Zippered pockets or a pocket that works well with harness
• Kneepads would be awesome (The Arcteryx pants had these integrated), which was great for hanging belays
• Mix of hard/softshell (the arcteryx pants had a front hardshell, and softshell material on the butt/thigh, so it was flexible for walking/high steps)
• Zipper extension at the ankle (nice for taking boots off or using the pants to ski)
• Side vents would be super nice

Alternatively, if you have any size M Alpha Hybrid Pants lying around, pls let me know I'll buy them! These are the ones I'm talking about: https://geartrade.com/products/arcteryx-alpha-hybrid-pant-mens-1036649?srsltid=AfmBOopBTZ6BYp6gUTfJC1Zr4O3BAuMeg6g7boe17CyxFoOrWaT-6FAU

Thanks!

Hybrid is the best pant around and it will be back next year

Pat Marrinanwrote:

Hybrid is the best pant around and it will be back next year

Will the lower leg cuff fit over a modern ice boot? I tried the gamma mx last year and the cuff diameter was too small to fit over the G-summit gaiter

I know your description of what you're looking for in pants specified a mix of hard shell and softshell. However, I would be remiss if I didn't take this opportunity to preach about the good word of the M10 storm pants from Patagonia. They really are that good, Colin Haley is not lying in his endorsement of these pants. I have worn them for ice and mixed climbing, alpine rock climbing, and even ski touring. The ROM is absurdly good by any standard, and the elastic cuff fits well over my Scarpa Phantom Techs and even over a lightweight touring boot (I use it with Scarpa F1 LT). They have one pocket on the thigh that works really well if you are into that sort of thing (I prefer my chest pocket for most stuff). No integrated knee pads or side zips, but those feel a little superfluous, and by omitting them, they pack down tiny and are very lightweight. 

If the only reason that you are looking for a hybrid pant is the improved ROM and comfort when walking, I would strongly consider these pants. I can almost promise you that they require less effort to high step in, and the added weather protection of a full hard shell is pretty rad. I am 6'2, 165lbs, fairly skinny, and wear a size M. 

bearded samwrote:

Will the lower leg cuff fit over a modern ice boot? I tried the gamma mx last year and the cuff diameter was too small to fit over the G-summit gaiter

I have both hybrids and gammas currently. Hybrids fit over my summits just fine, the gammas are a bit more snug but I can get them over the boa without like trying. 

Pat Marrinanwrote:

I have both hybrids and gammas currently. Hybrids fit over my summits just fine, the gammas are a bit more snug but I can get them over the boa without like trying. 

I am a 47.5 boot and a medium pant so I guess I am a bit of an outlier. Thanks for the info! 

The RAB VR Summit pants have been my go to the last few years, replacing the gammas. They have a zipper at the bottom which makes fitting them over climbing boots easy and they also have side vents on each leg for longer approaches that you might be feeling a bit too warm.  The lower part of the pants have kicker panels that resist a lot of crampon spikes. And they have a fleece lining above the knees so I usually don’t need any insulation or base layer underneath. They are slim fit, which can be a bit annoying depending on your body type. They don’t have the hardshell mix but they hit everything else you’re looking for. Can’t ski in them though, they’re climbing only (ice, alpine, mountaineering or cold weather hiking). 

Hike in wearing base layers. 

Then put on BIBS. 

Never look back. 

Pat Marrinanwrote:

Hybrid is the best pant around and it will be back next year

Don't tease me Pat, hoping you have an inside scoop.

Will they be similar to the Alpha Hybrid, with knee pads and softshell at the seat?  Or like the older Alpha Comp, with hardshell in the seat? 

Charles Iguanawrote:

Don't tease me Pat, hoping you have an inside scoop.

He does

I am not certain about the seat I would guess soft-shell, kneepads confirmed

The alpha hybrid pant has been a surprise for me.

Two seasons ago I didn't want to climb all the time in my alpha bibs, and there were days where my patagonia softshells were just not enough. I looked at buying the hybrid, because I lamented the fact I sold my patagonia mixed guide pants. But turns out that I had actually bought then the sesason before and never used them,

I find that without the knee pads in, they have such unrestricted motion in the knees, I never feel like I am fighting the pants (similar to what my partner describes the m10 does for him).

Glad to hear they are bringing it back. It is kinda the unsung hero of the lineup.

Caveat: I like ice climbing in soft shells and I work for Fjällräven so I'm a bit biased.

In 2025 I used two of our pants for ice/alpine, Singi X-Trousers in summer and Keb Agile Winter Trousers in winter. I find the only thing both of these lacked to be called proper climbing trousers is a proper kick patch. I love everything else. Pockets, fit, thickness, weather protection. All decent. 

Waterproof but and knees would be awesome though.