What are the Women’s Kinetic Alpine 2.0 Pants?The Women’s Kinetic Alpine Pants have been used and loved by Trekitt for years – the New 2.0 features updated materials and an improved fit to make this classic even better. The Kinetic Alpine Pant is a very unique creature; it takes the softness, stretchiness and breathability of a softshell trouser, and the waterproof capabilities of an overtrouser to create a trouser halfway between the two. It's perfect for use in the same situations as you'd normally use softshell, but where the weather may be a little more changeable.
What is the Kinetic Alpine Pant made from?The Kinetic Alpine pants use two weights of Rab’s own brilliant Proflex fabric. Proflex is a three-layer fabric, and in this case, it uses a tough nylon face fabric, with a waterproof and breathable hydrophillic PU membrane, and a soft high gauge polyester lining fabric.
A heavier 149gsm is used in areas that face the most abuse, with a HH of 20,000 and an MVTR of 25,000
A lighter 100gsm fabric is used to increase comfort and breathability. This has a HH of 20,000 and an MVTR of 20,000. The industry standard for determining whether a fabric is waterproof is a HH of 1500, and an MVTR of 20,000 is rated as “exemplary”.
The face fabric is also treated with a DWR to help rain and snow bead up and run off. This can be easily replenished when it wears off by applying something like Nikwax TX Direct spray on. Despite its waterproof credentials, this outer fabric feels more like a traditional softshell, it is quiet, stretchy and exceptionally comfortable next to skin. For these “Alpine” pants Rab has also added super tough polyamide patches to reinforce the bottom of the legs.
What are the Kinetics’ features?Starting at the top, the trousers feature a low profile semi-elasticated waist with an offset integrated belt adjustment fine-tune the fit and a YKK zippered fly, with a double snap closure. The front of waist is kept flat and clear of adjustments to give easy access to the fly, and clear of clutter when wearing a harness. Storage wise you get two YKK zipped hand warmer pockets, concealed rear zipper pocket. The zippered hem gusset at the bottom of the leg can be undone to widen the cuff for bigger boots. The pants also have articulated knees for a better range of motion.
How does the Kinetic Alpine pant fit?The Kinetc Alpine 2.0 are slimmer fitting than your classic over trouser – this is so you can wear them comfortably all day in gross conditions and you won’t have loads of excess material flapping around. The fit has been updated in this model and now features Rabs Women’s ‘Regular fit’ which is a bit mor generous than their slim fit, so if you want to get a layer on underneath it than you can!
Where does the Kinetic Alpine 2.0 pant fit in the layering system?Although this isn't designed to replace an over-trouser in extreme conditions, it does provide greater weather protection when you need the performance of a softshell fabric with the waterproof capabilities of an over-trouser. They're exceptionally stretchy, comfortable and breathable, making them one of the most versatile sets of trousers in your kit cupboard.
- Breathable
- Waterproof
- Soft to the touch
- Semi-elasticated, with integrated belt adjustment
- Front of waist kept flat and clear of adjustments
- YKK Aquaguard pocket zips
- Concealed rear zipper pocket
- YKK zippered fly, with a double snap closure
- Dual fabrics provide reinforcement in high wear areas, and additional stretch in other areas
- Articulated knees
- Zippered hem gusset to widen cuff for bigger boots
- Hyperlon cord attachment points at hem
- Women’s Regular Fit