Cairngorm Treks Review - Haglofs Clay Pants
Posted by Cairngorm Treks on Jan 22, 2018
Tested in the Cairngorms
sed extensively by Cairngorm Treks throughout the Cairngorms, surrounding areas, and also a recent multi-day expedition throughout Skye in Autumn and Winter 2017/18.
When Multi-day Trekking the choice of trouser we take out into the Cairngorms, and its varied weather conditions, is crucial so we were very keen to see what the Haglöfs' Clay Pant offered for our guides. As with most Haglöfs gear the first thing we noticed was the build quality, bombproof stitching and apparent robustness of the materials used.
Features wise the trousers are relatively simple with two hip pockets, one back pocket and one hip pocket. All are zippered for stashing small items securely and the hip pockets double as adequate hand warmers on cooler days. The insteps have small reinforcement patches. The bottom hems are cord adjustable allowing the trouser bottoms to be fixed over boots stopping ingress of stones and heather. Boot hooks can enhance this seal but unfortunately they fell off after a few days use. This was a feature we really liked and hope that Haglöfs could of made the hook clips a little more secure.
The outer material is Polymide with good elasticity. Whilst the Durable Water Repellent coating does no more than it is designed to do… repel water and dirt, with anything above a shower and the trousers quickly shipping water… they are not a replacement for full waterproofs. Also, once the rain stops the trousers do not dry particularly quickly. Combined with the well-stitched panel design of the trousers the Clay Pants stretch well when lifting legs high or bending over. The inner is made of a short pile fleece making them a suitable spring/autumn choice, although thigh venting zips would be useful to help regulate leg temperature when moving hard uphill.
Features wise the trousers are relatively simple with two hip pockets, one back pocket and one hip pocket. All are zippered for stashing small items securely and the hip pockets double as adequate hand warmers on cooler days. The insteps have small reinforcement patches. The bottom hems are cord adjustable allowing the trouser bottoms to be fixed over boots stopping ingress of stones and heather. Boot hooks can enhance this seal but unfortunately they fell off after a few days use. This was a feature we really liked and hope that Haglöfs could have made the hook clips a little more secure.
In terms of fit, Haglöfs have very precise measurements and for us a slightly looser, longer cut would have been more beneficial. Our advice would be to go up a size so if you are Medium go for a Large. We also found that the fly zip is quite short and the waist low, so when bending forward the back of the body can be exposed.
Our Verdict
The Clay Pants are generally a well made, simple pair of trousers with good durability, suitable for cooler days but lacking a few innovations and design features which would make them stand out more and be an all round player in the outdoor trouser market.
Cairngorm Treks is a small family business based in the picturesque village of Tomintoul in the North East region of the Cairngorms National Park. They provide bespoke Mountain Guiding for Single Day Walks and Lightweight Multiday Trekking experiences, including wild camping, in the stunning Cairngorms wilderness and surrounding areas. Whether in the high mountains or lower valleys, their Multiday Treks are equipped with high quality, lightweight camping and trekking gear. They only work with small groups and, whatever your ability, pride themselves on designing your outdoor experience completely to your needs and with professional guidance and expertise. Adventure is waiting...
When Multi-day Trekking the choice of trouser we take out into the Cairngorms, and its varied weather conditions, is crucial so we were very keen to see what the Haglöfs' Clay Pant offered for our guides. As with most Haglöfs gear the first thing we noticed was the build quality, bombproof stitching and apparent robustness of the materials used.