What are the Back Up Pants?
The Back Up Pants are waterproof outdoor trousers that provide ample wet weather protection, comfort, breathability, and longevity to withstand years of abuse on the hills and trails. This particular model has a shorter leg length.
They're perfect for those seeking a versatile piece of kit for whatever activity they fancy. Additionally, they work well as a backup emergency layer that can be stuffed into a backpack when the forecast is uncertain.
What are they made of?
Tierra has constructed these trousers with 50D Gore-Tex® made from recycled polyester yarns with 50% Bionic content. The face fabric comprises 100% recycled polyester, the membrane is 100% ePE/PU, and the backer is 100% recycled polyester. The face is also finished with a PFC-free DWR (durable water repellent) to encourage rain and snow to bead off the material instead of soaking in and making the trousers 'wet out'; this helps to maintain breathability and moisture management to keep you comfortable all day long.
The high level of recycled content, combined with the use of ePE material, immediately reduces the impact of this jacket on the environment.
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.
The material provides complete waterproof and windproof protection, with ample breathability to prevent sweat and condensation from building up inside, helping regulate body temperature. Overall, it has been rigorously tested to ensure a long-lasting product life, which adds to those eco-friendly credentials, as you won't need to buy a new replacement for a long time, saving energy, resources and waste.
What are the features?
An integrated waist belt optimises the fit and helps to keep these trousers above your ankles at all times.
Long-side vent zippers allow for optimum ventilation and make it easier to accommodate chunky mountain boots; you can open the zips from both directions, too, allowing you to create a smaller 'vent hole' for increased airflow. These zips also reach high enough to provide access to the pockets of the trousers you're wearing underneath the Back Up Pants (for newbies - you would usually layer these waterproof pants over the top of regular hiking pants or leggings).
A small mesh pocket inside the waist belt provides storage for small essentials like energy gels and trail snacks.
The Velcro adjusters allow you to adjust the low legs, cinching in any dead space and extra volume to achieve more precision with every step; this is a useful feature for biking, too!
A drawcord and button at the bottom hem of each leg allows you to cinch and secure the ends further. The adjuster features a soft friction stopper that doesn't chafe.
Narrow reflective strips along the side of the legs provide a small amount of visibility when venturing near roads or through the city after sundown.
Features:
- Integrated waist belt
- Long side vent zippers that you can open from both directions
- The vent zippers reach high enough to give you access to your regular pant pockets
- Small mesh pocket on the inside of the waist belt
- Velcro adjustment at the lower legs, perfect when biking, for instance
- Drawcord at the bottom hem, with a soft friction stopper that doesn't chafe, for example,
- when wearing rubber boots
- Button at the bottom hem
- Narrow reflective strip along the side of the legs