Haglöfs Rugged Mountain Pants review update
I’ve now worn these a lot since my first look at them. I wore them through winter where they shed snow and sleet, on walks in the park with the girls, I’ve slept in them a dozen times and I’m now going to try and to make them work in the height of summer regardless of the thickness of the fabric. They were the first thing on the pile of kit to go down to the Lakes for the Trail thing last month. Put simply, they are my favourite mountain pants.
The fit is perfect on me, the pockets easy to reach and use (A Camelbak bottle fits in the thigh one), leg movement is unrestricted and despite their sturdy nature the pants are unobtrusive to the wearer. The outer fabric remains unblemished despite numerous close calls with rocks, trees and frequent use of the arse crampon. There are a handful of catches on the stretch panels on the inside, but these appear to be single fibres and haven’t spread or gotten worse.
The leg vents are fantastic, it’s a much better solution than zip off legs I think. One feature that’s gone unused is the ankle adjustment. The wee buckles annoyed me so I ignored them, and as it turned out I didn’t need them as the lower legs aren’t exactly boot cut and the cuffs don’t lift with a high step up, exposing your…ah I was going to say boot-top there, but you know what I mean. The DWR is effective as well, they dry quick when they do get wet and are comfortable across a wide range of temperatures. Windproof and warm enough on the move in winter, but still usable in warm weather. The build quality and detailing are oustanding.
Hardly a dispassionate account, but they are that good. Worth the money? Without a doubt.
They’re going cheap on ebay just now as it’s out of season.
Montane have got a new version of the Terra Stretch’s out now Equilibriums is it? I’ll need to have a look at those.
do like the Terras though,
Of course Cotswols only ever has “S” and “XXL”.
It’s not that I mind buying “mens” trousers it’s the having some available in womens sizes and fit but not all. When it’s the top-of-the-range one it grates, like they have made a conscious decision not to make it in womens fit/sizing.
Oh well. Now if you can just manage to snaffle a pair of those nice dark alga green coloured Rugged Mountain pants in small or medium I’ll shut up whinging… for a bit!
They are rather good. I wore mine going up the Corbett on Mull in blazing sunshine, and in the pouring rain on Ben More, I was neither too hot thanks to the vents, or cold and wet.
It’s odd that The Rugged Mountains don’t come in ladies “Q” sizes. Haglofs make almost all of their kit in male and female sizes.
Still girls get all the good colours. Purple for example…
They only seem to have the Rugged Fjell though. They look like the Rugged Mountain, but reinforced on the thighs too. Does that sound right?
i-cjw.com: the Rugged Fjell look very different, a bit odd, IMHO. Probably a very good pant in it’s own right… but I like the Rugged Mountain’s.
Right, up early, things to do, people to see.
No stretch panels and no thigh vents seem to be the biggest differences. If they fit you and you get a full range of movement they’ll be a killer pant I’d think. I’ve got the old Nansen Fjell pants which are the forerunner and they’re great, I’m just not as mobile in them without the stretch.
There’s Mid and Lite stretch panel pants as well. I’ve had the Mid Flex’s on test as well and they’re good, just not stunning like the Rugged Mountains. Update on those coming soon.
The pants of kings!
Unfortunately there are no shops near me that stock good gear to try stuff on, really tempted to get these or the mid flex.
I’ve been meaning to an update on the Mid Flex pants for ages The fit and freedom of movement is as good as the Ruggeds, but I miss their big leg pockets and vents of the Ruggeds. Still far better than most other folks mountain pants though.
High waisted pants makes me think of Rohan, if you accidentally left the fly open on a pair folk could see your naval…
Yup I’m afraid the shops just didn’t support the girls version (again). It really is bloody infuriating that stores won’t put top end womens gear into stock and that jut results in items not making it to production.
Rugged Mountain Pant, Mid Flex Pant, Mid Fjell Pant and Lite Split Pants all come with Short, Regular and long options which some of the stores carry in stock and some can special order.
Most of the Scottish retailers carry the RMP in stock year round. More stock due into Haglofs end August.
Cheers,
Gus
I have to say thank you for this excellent site with excellent reviews, being a novice to outdoor walking (Where I live there aren’t any mountains for miles and miles!) I both lack the experience in knowing the kit, as well as finding a supplier!
These pants sound ideal for the more intense fieldwork and work in colder/wetter times. The problems are finding somewhere in the UK that actually sells them, and the few that do don’t do my tiny (30″) waist!
I was wondering if you had any suggestions for a supplier that might actually stock hobbit sized haglofs pants?!?!
There’s a few of us use the Ruggeds most of the time. Today one us us had them on with crampons and they took the bumsliding on the snow very well, great pants. They work with a set on longjons underneath.
Where to buy? Folk that I know have or have had them (also they’re a winter stock item, so you can order them) are The Climbers Shop, Escape Route, Craigdon (not on their site, phone them) and Fastandlight.
If I think of anyone else I’ll add it on below.
http://www.ultimateoutdoors.co.uk/item/Haglofs_HaglofsRuggedMountainPant_0_11_27730_0.html
I’ll probably wear the Terras when its really warm or maybe look at some of Haglofs lighter breeks.
Good choice, what colour did you get?
You couldn’t persuade mine off my face with a Texan Bar held at arms length these days.
Aye, they vents work well. I wore mine on a hot couple of days back in June, last year. Photographic evidence available on me blog for the doubters :o)
Grey in a beard? It’s like racing stripes that is!
My problem is I’m pretty slim, with about a 29″ waist (not 30″ as previously stated!) and my legs are maybe a little shorter than average.
I first got a pair of extra smalls. Leg length was perfect, but the upper areas were a little tight, no belt needed. It was bearable unless I was bending double, and then I was glad of the stretchy black fabric! Also the tightness made it look like I was trying to bring back some 70′s fashion or something!
Due to that, I then tried the Mediums, and these looked like clown pants on me.
So I’m now trying to decide whether the smalls are for me. Fit wise they’re a little baggy, but the baggyness is a lot more comfortable than the (practical) tight fit of the extra small size! Only problem is the leg length! The buckles seem to help as I can double the leg ends over and make them nearly the same length as the extra smalls!
I guess I could hold out and hope to find some short cut mediums, but that’ll be a tricky find!
The question is, what would you say is better, tight fitting trousers which won’t catch on things, but restrict movement by a small amount (only just), and might get hot, or baggier fits (which you can actually put your hands in the pockets with!) which might catch, but allow for more freedom, and will ventilate better! (if looking just a little ‘too’ baggy!)
I’m pretty sure the Ruggeds aren’t meant to be so tight that you can’t get your hands in the pockets.
Fit-wise, my mediums are on the “loose” side but them I’m a skinny git so most stuff is :o)
Pretty slim? PRETTY SLIM?
Take care walking over cattle grids is all I’ll say.
I used to have a 28″ waist, back in my twenties, but now in my 40′s it’s more like 35″ – the point is, go for the baggy fit – you’ll get more use out of them, as you “fill out” in the coming years. If the tight pair are uncomfortable when you bend, then they’re already too tight anyway.
As for “baggier fits … which might catch” – catch on what? Unless they’re billowing in the wind like curtains (a la MC Hammer) it’s really not an issue, is it?
Anyway, since when did a walker worry about how they look on the hill?
And what’s wrong with clown pants?
It does take the mick sometimes when I buy a pair of trousers that are 28 or 30″ waist and need to wear a belt!
Catching wise, the trousers are both for outdoor walking and fieldwork (when I finally get another field contract!). The latter of which tends to involve lots of walking through heathland off the paths etc, so twigs and branches and things might catch on the legs.
Looseness wise it’s mostly just the base of the legs which seem to bunch up a little, no more so than my casual baggy trousers, but because of the design/scuff fabric, they seem to stick out and scrape whilst walking a bit. This is all mostly solvable though by folding the ankles over the buckles, and I hope the fold will stick!
Too baggy and they’re slipping down and flapping around the ankles. Nightmare.
I’m lucky as hell, Haglofs large is perfect for me. One of the few brands that happens with.
Hmm, on the face of it baggier give you more options, from wearing leggings underneath in winter to getting the altered at a tailor. Anyway, they do kinda suit tha skateboarder look :o)
I’m most happy with Cioch’s trousers but options are always good.
West Coast in Ft Bill always had the different leg length options in Haglofs pants actually in stock. They’re sorely missed up there (burnt down along with the totched empty shop next door).
I must admit, I haven’t seen any long legs advertised. I can find out where they’re at if you fancy a particular model though?
I guess I’d be after something light and stretchy so Kazoo’s or one of the lighter soft shell things. None of the made to measure folk seem to do anything stretchy.
I’ll give Haglofs a shout after the holiday weekend.
Elasticated bungy affairs with clasps on the ends, they should hopefully help keep any potential catchy bits in order, and also come in handy for stopping mud and whatever else going up my trousers in any bogs I end up shin deep in!
I had my usual pair chopped about for a very reasonable sum. They fit perfectly now.
Well worth the bother I reckon!
A tailor is wonderful thing, my mate is one of those, and once made me a smashing brightly coloured chalk bag back in my climbing days.
Alteration is a leap of faith because technical kit is so expensive, but the folks behind the sewing machines here usually know tere stuff, so it’s worth a shot.
So leg vents. Has anyone got any strong opinions on where leg vents are best placed/whether you need mesh behind them?
Mesh behind makes you look more normal, but the wide unrestrained opening definitely vents better, and possibly leaves you free to snag bushes, let ticks in etc.
Swings and roundabouts I think.
Do you know anywhere that stock the lite flex pant as i can’t find em anywhere and fancy giving them a try.
Escape Route in Pitlochry definitely had them up until recently, try the IceFactor shop in Kinlochleven, they had them recently as well. They’re not on either website though, I’d give them a call.
Other good bets are the Climbers Shop (who for some reason don’t list all their stock these days) and Footprints in Glasgow.
Some of the colours are a bit odd though, so mind how you go…
I use ecover liquid in the washing machine these days and it seems to keep my tech ghear in good working order.
A friend of mine uses those “eco ball” things (that I don’t understand… how do they work??). She used them on some Paramo but didn’t reproof it… she got rather wet after that!
So the eco-balls must be doing summat… but what??
Here, I had an eVent presentation thing that I never got around to writing up, the washing instructions were interesting, “use whatever the hell you like” seemed to be the updated advice?!
“Use whatever you like” as long is it lifts out body oils I suppose? Which I think is where they were coming from with the biological angle.
I guess they’ve found that things other than bio work well at doing that?
Although it’s my prefered fabric I wear more Gore stuff these days as that’s what gets sent. I’m watching how that Montane Halo weathers through disinterested maintenance :o)
I own a pair of the rugged mountain pants and they are awesome, however I was wondering if you had seen or could recommend a lighter weight version for the summer complete with the very handy combat style pocket(yes the one that has just about gone lol)
Trousers is a personal bug bear for me as I love my old military issue combats but would love them even more if they dried a dam site quicker.
All outdoor trousers should have big pockets!