Mountain Equipment Ibex Softshell Pants Review
Mountain Equipment’s Ibex Softshell Mountain Pant is a highly breathable technical softshell pant designed for winter hiking and mountaineering. The women’s model of the same pants is called the Chamois Pant. They’re made with a double-woven softshell fabric that breathes well and has a good deal of built-in stretch. The fit is not too roomy and not too snug, with enough room to wear them over long underwear on cold days. Feature-wise, they have five zippered pockets, a buried belt, a lined waistline, a zipper with two sliders (which is pretty unusual), a gusseted crotch and articulated knees, and ankle zips with an internal gusset panel to accommodate large boot sizes.
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- Gender: Men’s (Women’s model is named the Chamois Pant)
- Fabric: 92% Polyamide, 8% Elastane (Double-weave softshell)
- Size Reviewed: 38″ Waist / 31″ Inseam
- Pockets: 5
- Leg Style: Straight
- Weight : 450g / 15.9oz
Softshell pants are optimal for winter use because they vent perspiration very well, they’re more wind-proof than regular hiking pants, and they are usually coated with a durable water repellent that keeps them dry in snow and light rain. The Mountain Equipment Ibex Pant is made from a double-weave softshell fabric with a soft hand and ample built-in stretch. Warmth-wise, they’re fine down to about 10-20 degrees F when worn by themselves for high-exertion activities, but colder than that, you’ll probably want to layer them over long underwear or add a hardshell pant for more warmth. They’re also a good pair for non-winter conditions, like spring and autumn, when you need something a little warmer for cold or damp weather up into the high 40sF.
The waist has what I call a buried belt, covered by a fabric tunnel all around, except above the fly and below the small of the back. This makes the waist much more comfortable under a backpack hip belt since the pack isn’t constantly pushing your pants done. The inside of the waist is fleece-lined for comfort, and the belt is removable if you want to replace it. You might well consider this because the plastic belt buckle does slip a little.
The pants have five zippered, mesh-lined pockets, positioned for climbing-harness compatibility. There are two hip pockets and two thigh pockets perfectly sized to hold a smartphone and accessible by lefties or righties. The thigh pockets can also be used as vents because the zippers are positioned vertically along the leg seam rather than horizontally. This means you need to be careful not to let items fall out, as they’re not held in place by gravity. Finally, there’s also a zippered rear pocket on the right, which is often left off technical pants.
The pants are gusseted, and the knees are articulated to provide freedom of movement. The zipper is noticeably “high” and “short,” so it doesn’t interfere with a climbing harness. The front of the waist closes with two snaps, and the zipper has two sliders, one that opens the zipper from the bottom and one from the top, which is kind of unusual. They’re that way on mountaineering pants to provide easier “access” for peeing when wearing a climbing harness. They also improve durability and longevity of use: when one breaks the other can be used without having to visit a tailor for a repair.
The Ibex pants also have ankle zips with an internal gusset panel to accommodate larger-sized mountaineering or ski boot. When zippered closed the legs taper nicely so you can see your feet, crampons, or snowshoes easily, a must-have for winter hiking.
Fit
There are multiple waist sizes and three leg lengths available in both the men’s and women’s styles. For men, waist sizes range from 28″-40″ with inseam lengths of 29″, 31″, and 33″. For women, the pants are curvier than the men’s, with a variety of waist and hip sizes.
More Recommended Softshell Winter Hiking Pants
| Make / Model | Men's Model | Women's Model | Fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| REI Activator Softshell Pants | Mens | Womens | Standard |
| KUHL Klash Pants | Mens | Womens | Relaxed |
| Arc'teryx Gamma MX Pants | Mens | Womens | Standard |
| Mountain Equipment Ibex/Chamois Pants | Mens | Womens | Relaxed |
| Fjallraven Abisko Winter Stretch Trousers | Mens | Womens | Relaxed |
| Mammut Courmayeur SO Pants | Mens | Womens | Slim |
| KUIU Attack Pant | Mens | Womens | Relaxed |
| Outdoor Research Cirque III Pants | Mens | Womens | Roomy |
| Patagonia Terravia Alpine Pants | Mens | Womens | Slim |
| Black Diamond Alpine Hybrid Pants | Mens | Womens | Standard |
Recommendation
Mountain Equipment’s Ibex Softshell Mountain Pant is a mid-weight softshell pant that vents perspiration well during high-output activities like winter hiking, snowshoeing, and skiing. It is moderately windproof, with excellent built-in stretch, and features an external DWR coating for water repellency. The fit is roomy enough to layer over long underwear on really cold days without feeling constrained. The zippered pockets are low-profile and well-positioned. The pants have a buried belt that makes them easy to use with a backpack hip belt and close with two snaps at the waist, while the ankles have internal gusset panels to accommodate larger boots. These are great pants at a fairly reasonable price. They’re also available for men and women (called the Chamois Pant).
Disclosure: The author purchased this product.
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I enjoy reading your articles.
My physical condition is not safe any more for the outdoors. Thanks for posting.
I am a new owner of my first pair of REI Activator pants, which are great so far. I hear the DWR touted as a feature for both the Activator and these pants above. Doesn’t the DWR wear off in a matter of hours like it does on jackets? Maybe even in less time since pants are subject to more abrasion? Or is there something about the softshell fabric that holds onto the DWR for longer?
That’s a good question. I have Activators that are many years old and that I have probably washed a 100 times or more that still shed snow and prevent “wet-butt.” I don’t understand it myself. Perhaps the open weave of the softshell fabric absorbs more of the DWR. Anyway, I’ve been thinking about proactively reapplying it just to make sure.
I have the previous Activators V2 , I think they are called. Arevthese worth upgrading too? I always have issues with hiking pants sliding down waist or being pushed down, are these new ones more secure? Any other brands with waistlines less prone to slippage?
Thanks
You just have to make the Activators a lot tighter (mine don’t slip).
As I mention in the review, the belt on these slips. Although you could replace it, as I suggest.
These are about the same warmth level as the Activators, but the fit/cut is much better.
Perhaps you should look into suspender-ready pants.
Maybe that is worth looking into. Sounds like the waist is less of an issue on the previous Activators, as far as fit, I don’t mine them so something to consider. Thanks Philip…
Get some suspenders.
Good review of the actual purpose of softshell pants. Like jackets, they are for damp activities, not pouring rain, and not well suited do temps over 55 – altho the current crowd of online influencers tout them for warmer weather. The thigh seam vented pockets are mostly for that – venting – the same purpose as pit zips in jackets, to get the hot humid air out from under the garment rather than condensing and chilling the user – which is dangerous as the weather is usually hypothermic, hence the reason for a water shedding and warm pair of pants.
I see quite a few of these now in the winter being worn by delivery drivers, ag workers, and some contractors – not much construction going in in bad weather, nor is construction easy on any clothing. Most of the wearers don’t seem as encumbered as when wearing a pair of traditional canvas insulated bibs. With suspenders, as Arch suggested, there’s also the ability to vent at the waistline when they are fitted loosely, which also frees up constriction and adds to mobility. Cutting wood the last hour, and having to bend over to pick up pieces to shorten or clear the log crib, the old canvas bibs were resistant to bending – softshells are much less difficult. Also goes for hunting, as dragging out a whitetail is no easy task.
Im giving up canvas bibs as most economy grade makers use cheap zippers which fail, for the money spent, a pair of softshell pants are significant improvement – less weight, more wet resistance, lighter, and can vent better.
The future is now.
I can’t imagine wearing these in warmer weather. Softshell pants are for winter unless they’re very thin. I ignore influencers.
Has anyone had any experience wearing these in high mosquito areas, can they bite through the fabric?
They’re softshell pants. I’d be more worried about sweating to death in them. a