Gear Review: Jannu Softshell Pants from Sherpa Adventure Gear
Value Rating: 8
Durability Rating: 8
Overall Rating: 8
Location of Test: Mt. Hood
Duration of Test: 1 day of touring, various days of biking and climbing
Product Name: Jannu Pants
Product Brand: Sherpa Adventure Gear
Best Use: Ski touring, alpine climbing
The Full Review:
I recently tested out the Sherpa Jannu Pant, a softshell pant that proved perfect for ski touring, mountaineering, cold-weather hiking, and even wet weather biking!
To put these pants to a true test, I took them ski touring, exposing them to wet, windy conditions while I was exercising inside them. The results were excellent. The DWR (Durable Waterproof Repellency) coating shed snow and raindrops alike without wetting out for several hours, while the four-way stretch material blocked the winds, which gusted at speeds of 30 mph.
What impressed me most about the pants was the way they were able to facilitate temperature control. Unlike previous trips where my legs were generally too hot or too cold, the Jannu breathed enough to prevent me from sweating, while providing enough of a windbreak to keep me warm. In fact, I never once felt uncomfortable.
When summer mountaineering, I generally wear shorts and gators, however, spring, fall, or early morning conditions generally require something with more insulation. This is where the softshell pant comes in. While I'm not generally a big fan of softshell jackets, I find softshell pants to be an excellent option. They strike an excellent balance of insulation, waterproofness, and breathability. If conditions get colder, wetter, or windier, I throw on a Gore-Tex Pro bib. Because it's more difficult to change layers on your bottom half, it's important to find a layer you'll be comfortable in for the duration of your trip, and more often than not, the softshell pant is the answer.
In terms of features, the Jannu is a relatively minimalist pant. It has three zipper pockets, two on the hip and one on the thigh. It does not have a built-in belt, though it does boast a gusseted crotch and zipper cuffs, making it easy to seal over a mountaineering or ski boot. The fit is relatively slim and form-fitting, which prevents water buildup or pockets of cold air.
I'm really excited to have the Jannu in my drawer and I know it will be something I wear the next time I go backcountry skiing, climb Mount Hood, or wake up early for a cold day of fall climbing at Smith Rock.
The Full Review:
I recently tested out the Sherpa Jannu Pant, a softshell pant that proved perfect for ski touring, mountaineering, cold-weather hiking, and even wet weather biking!
To put these pants to a true test, I took them ski touring, exposing them to wet, windy conditions while I was exercising inside them. The results were excellent. The DWR (Durable Waterproof Repellency) coating shed snow and raindrops alike without wetting out for several hours, while the four-way stretch material blocked the winds, which gusted at speeds of 30 mph.
What impressed me most about the pants was the way they were able to facilitate temperature control. Unlike previous trips where my legs were generally too hot or too cold, the Jannu breathed enough to prevent me from sweating, while providing enough of a windbreak to keep me warm. In fact, I never once felt uncomfortable.
When summer mountaineering, I generally wear shorts and gators, however, spring, fall, or early morning conditions generally require something with more insulation. This is where the softshell pant comes in. While I'm not generally a big fan of softshell jackets, I find softshell pants to be an excellent option. They strike an excellent balance of insulation, waterproofness, and breathability. If conditions get colder, wetter, or windier, I throw on a Gore-Tex Pro bib. Because it's more difficult to change layers on your bottom half, it's important to find a layer you'll be comfortable in for the duration of your trip, and more often than not, the softshell pant is the answer.
In terms of features, the Jannu is a relatively minimalist pant. It has three zipper pockets, two on the hip and one on the thigh. It does not have a built-in belt, though it does boast a gusseted crotch and zipper cuffs, making it easy to seal over a mountaineering or ski boot. The fit is relatively slim and form-fitting, which prevents water buildup or pockets of cold air.
I'm really excited to have the Jannu in my drawer and I know it will be something I wear the next time I go backcountry skiing, climb Mount Hood, or wake up early for a cold day of fall climbing at Smith Rock.