What are the Roc Blanc Gen 4 Pants?
This updated version of Tierra's best-selling Roc Blanc Trousers provides ample waterproof, breathable, and durable protection for challenging mountain ascents and alpine missions where you're guaranteed to meet gnarly conditions and terrain. The Roc Blancs are (and will remain) at the top of the chain regarding advanced technical outdoor pants.
What are they made of?
The main material is Gore-Tex® ePE Proshell 3L 70D with solution-dyed microgrid backer technology, which provides exceptional protection against wet weather without compromising breathability, comfort, and temperature regulation.
If you were wondering, ePE stands for expanded polyethene, which is light, thin yet durable, and PFC-free. If you're familiar with Trekitt descriptions, you may have seen that 'PFC-free' phrase floating around before. PFCs are per or poly-fluorinated chemicals, aka 'forever chemicals' that stay permanently in the environment and cause lasting damage to our ecosystems. Many companies are working towards a completely PFC-free future, so this is quite a breakthrough for the Gore-Tex® brand! In addition, this membrane has a reduced carbon footprint, as it uses laminates with a lower-mass membrane and select textiles, making it an ideal choice for more environmentally conscious adventurers.
Overall, it has been rigorously tested to ensure a long-lasting product life, which adds to its responsible credentials. You won't need to buy a replacement for a long time, saving energy, resources, and waste.
The face fabric contains 100% recycled polyamide, which is light, smooth, and incredibly durable yet has a lower environmental impact due to the high level of recycled content. Furthermore, the membrane is made from 100% ePE/PU.
A 100% polyamide, solution-dyed backer also helps reduce the impact by removing the heavy chemical use from the dyeing process.
A Gore® PFC-free DWR (durable water repellent) encourages rain and snow to bead off the material instead of soaking in, without the use of PFCs, to enhance breathability and moisture management.
What are the features?
A bib configuration with a handy pocket provides a high level of coverage and helps the trousers stay in place without chunky belts.
The stretchy softshell material on the backside of the bib keeps the garment close to the body and helps to prevent it from collecting snow.
Full-length leg zippers allow full access for bulky footwear and provide ample ventilation when you're working up a sweat. The top button at the top of the leg zipper can be used to secure the pants while they're open, preventing them from flapping in the breeze and getting in the way.
For storage, there are also two bellowed leg pockets and an additional phone pocket on the right leg. The left leg pocket also expands when needed; however, the buttons keep it tight when not expanded.
Lower leg reinforcements with double-weave Cordura panels on the outside and Dyneema on the inside are incredibly strong and increase the abrasion resistance tenfold, making these trousers reliable enough to wear in the most challenging terrain and last for years. These reinforcements are also an innovative solution for walking as they help to prevent boots from rubbing and wearing away the main fabric.
Bottom hem buttons allow you to adjust the width of the leg. Lastly, two small grommets let you thread a cord through to keep the legs in place when wearing crampons or alpine boots.
Features:
- Pocket on bib
- Stretch softshell on the backside of bib to keep it tight and avoid collecting snow
- Full-length leg zippers
- Top button at top of leg zipper secures the pants while open
- Two large leg pockets with side bellows
- Glued in phone pocket on right leg pocket
- Left leg pocket also expands significantly when needed; button keeps it tight when not expanded
- Lower leg reinforcements with double weave Cordura on the outside and Dyneema on the inside
- Smart solution for reinforcement in the back (for walking) without the boots wearing on the main fabric
- Bottom hem buttons for leg width adjustability
- Two small grommets let you thread a cord through to keep the legs in place while wearing crampons or alpine boots