Bouldering Pants VS. Stretch Climbing Pants
One of our favorite customers just got in touch with us to ask our advice on whether he should get the FW18 Bouldering Pants or the FW18 Stretch Climbing Pants. It's a question we're hearing a lot! Everyone knows and loves the Bouldering Pants (and they're almost sold out again! thank you!). But our new favorite pant for everyday wear is the Stretch Climbing.
As for the customer? Short story: he ended up getting both. For the long story, please see below.
Customer: I just got back from a trip to India. I wore my Battenwear SS18 Climbing Pants almost every day. From the long flights to long hikes, I took them everywhere, and they were just totally perfect! I could go on and on about them! I'm now looking for winter pants now and I'm wondering what you recommend--the Bouldering or Stretch Climbing Pants? In terms of warmth and protection from the elements, how do they compare?
BattenTeam: Hey! Welcome home and so glad our Battenpants got to go on your trip with you! The Stretch Climbing Pants are made of THERMOLITE® Stretch Twill which is meant to keep heat in. The fabric has a brushed cotton interior, so they are soft on the skin, which further increases the feeling of warmth. Basically, they're super cozy. The FW18 Bouldering Pants are a great 100% cotton canvas. They're not un-cozy by any means but maybe not as cozy as the SCP. When we made the 2 pants, we focused on warmth for the SCP and durability for heavy activity for the BP. As a brand, Battenwear is more known for the BP, but we really wish more people knew about the SCP. We think you'll like them!
Customer: One seemingly minor but really helpful detail about my SS18 Climbing Pants are the zippered pockets - it looks like the FW18 version doesn't have the side seam zippered pockets, and for someone who is constantly losing stuff that scares me a bit!
BattenTeam: That's really helpful feedback. You're right that the side pockets on the FW18 SCP are not zippered this time (again, focusing on the coziness, we made a smooth hand entry opening for the pockets) but please note that there IS a zip back pocket. The Bouldering Pants have BOTH side AND back zip pockets.
Customer: Any other key differences I should consider? BattenTeam: The SCPs do not have a zip fly--they have an elastic waist band to pull up over your hips and then adjust via military-specification nylon belt. The BPs have a zip fly with snap button top with the same adjustable mil-spec nylon belt. The SCPs have a traditional pant cuff whereas the BPs have a ribbed cuff. The SCPs have a separate panel construction at the back of the leg for improved articulation. The BPs have an extra panel over the knee for greater durability. Both pants have a crotch gusset for ease of movement.
So, those are two of our favorite pants in a nutshell. We hope you'll try them out and let us know what YOU think!