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Shell or Insulated snow pants?

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BROCO
Posts: 80 - Karma: 1,430
Like the title says I am deciding between virtika's 3l insulated and shell models. Does anyone have experience using Shell type snow pants with layers instead of insulated snow pants. I live on the East coast and won't ski in temps below 0, but also do a lot of hiking in the park.
Feb 8 2015 3:01PM
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jellomellow
Posts: 961 - Karma: 3,562
is your degrees in Fahrenheit or celsius? If its in celsius then you should be good with shells. Ive skied in -30ºc and I was sweating. But just be sure to layer.
Feb 8 2015 3:06PM
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mike759
Posts: 877 - Karma: 1,969
I too live on the east coast and hike a little in park I use insulated pants now but ive used the shell. I prefer insulated bc u just put them on like regular pants, nice and roomy, while wearing layers under a shell is very thick and hard to move
Feb 8 2015 3:07PM
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Dirty.Harry.
Posts: 1779 - Karma: 351
Shell every single time.

You can always add layers under shells if you're cold (cotton pajamas or sweatpants don't count as layers though), but on those warmer days you can't make the insulated pants any less warm.
Feb 8 2015 3:07PM
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BROCO
Posts: 80 - Karma: 1,430
Dirty.Harry.Shell every single time.

You can always add layers under shells if you're cold (cotton pajamas or sweatpants don't count as layers though), but on those warmer days you can't make the insulated pants any less warm.


thanks for the response, around 20 degrees fahrenheit what layers should be used with a shell, Im worried that I will need to wear too many layers to stay warm in the shell and it will be bulky and heavy.
Feb 8 2015 3:25PM
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B.Quincy
Posts: 1074 - Karma: 963
BROCOthanks for the response, around 20 degrees fahrenheit what layers should be used with a shell, Im worried that I will need to wear too many layers to stay warm in the shell and it will be bulky and heavy.


Nah just get a solid pair of long underwear and youll be fine.
Feb 8 2015 5:50PM
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Park.
Posts: 2480 - Karma: 4,582
I always go with light insulation on both pants and jacket. Even with hiking, opening the vents and unzipping the jacket will cool me off enough to the point where I am comfortable. I used to have shell pants and it was one of the worst choices I have ever made for outerwear. THey make layering a bitch, where with light insulation, you can be toasty to moderately warm in a huge variety of temperatures. I have essentially worn the same layering setup for the whole season +- a shirt or two and I have been fine (east coast) and this winter has had cold as fuck days and rainy days.

IMO always go light insulation pants, and I like light insulation jacket, but usually a shell jacket will work better. Its easier to layer up and down with a shell jacket, not so much with pants.
Feb 8 2015 8:01PM
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Flyingnugget
Posts: 487 - Karma: 221
Shell/light insulated. You can always add more layers.
Feb 8 2015 8:43PM
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marcel_ID
Posts: 91 - Karma: 47
shell and layer as needed! I'd have a hard time using insulated pants, too bulky and heavy
Feb 8 2015 10:02PM
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SKI.ING
Posts: 2695 - Karma: 2,535
parkplaygroundI always go with light insulation on both pants and jacket. Even with hiking, opening the vents and unzipping the jacket will cool me off enough to the point where I am comfortable. I used to have shell pants and it was one of the worst choices I have ever made for outerwear. THey make layering a bitch, where with light insulation, you can be toasty to moderately warm in a huge variety of temperatures. I have essentially worn the same layering setup for the whole season +- a shirt or two and I have been fine (east coast) and this winter has had cold as fuck days and rainy days.

IMO always go light insulation pants, and I like light insulation jacket, but usually a shell jacket will work better. Its easier to layer up and down with a shell jacket, not so much with pants.


I second this. I like an insulated pant, and a shell for my jacket. If it has vents on the inner thighs you should be able to regulate just fine. It's not like its easy to take off your pants and layer/delayer. It's totally different from having a shell as a jacket and layering that.
Feb 9 2015 2:32AM
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ggfski42
Posts: 651 - Karma: 700
I currently wear a shell, with no insulation, and under armour leggings. Never had cold legs.
Feb 9 2015 8:46AM
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KyroChi
Posts: 18 - Karma: 40
Good shell and layer, you can wear the same pants in mid january and at Windells in the summer and be comfortable the whole time.
Feb 10 2015 3:30AM
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senditsam
Posts: 70 - Karma: 63
I like to layer and it's no problem to keep some thermal pants in the backpack just in case it gets crazy cold.

At the end of the day I like to be comfortable and layers allow me to adjust hot/cold depending on what I'm doing, where as with insulated I have often been caught out when hiking and overheated!
Feb 10 2015 8:49AM
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KravtZ
Posts: 6637 - Karma: 2,629
I have only rocked shells for the past few seasons. Its so much nicer and I don't really get cold often anyways. Its lighter, breathes better, more room to move around. I layer up hard if its going to be really cold its usually not a big deal.
Feb 10 2015 12:33PM
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Thawg
Posts: 360 - Karma: 542
Shells and a pair of long underwear will work for any day thats between 20 and 32 degrees fahrenheit. on days that are warmer than 32 I will wear just sweatpants under them, 10-20 I will wear sweatpants and long underwear, and on days colder than that, I'll wear two pairs of long underwear(base layer is tight second is looser) and sweatpants. It can get a little tight, but nothing that'll restrict movement or become unmanageable.
Feb 10 2015 9:31PM
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Etnbr
Posts: 182 - Karma: 537
Shell ... 4 sure
Feb 11 2015 5:36PM
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Holzsteezy*
Posts: 584 - Karma: 1,110
B.QuincyNah just get a solid pair of long underwear and youll be fine.


chea. this x2. I wear the flylow stash pants with one pair of long johns under them every single day. -40F-50F theyre perfect for anyhting.
Mar 2 2015 12:28PM
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