What are the Solution Pants
They're durable, timeless and practical waterproof trousers created to be worn over your trousers when hiking, hill walking, trekking or simply walking the dog in bad weather. Created from 93% recycled materials, they've been carefully designed to reduce their environmental impact significantly and be as sustainable as possible.
What are they made from?
The Solution Pants are constructed from 50D Pertex® Shield Revolve™, which is solution-dyed and finished with a PFC-Free DWR. Sound like a bit of a mouthful? Let's break it down...
Pertex® Shield Revolve™ is a 3-layer waterproof fabric created from mono-material laminates, meaning that each layer of the fabric is made from a single polymer - recycled polyester. This 3-layer construction comprises a durable 50 denier polyester face fabric and soft tricot knit backer, both made from 100% recycled polyester yarns. A waterproof membrane made from 75% recycled polyester is sandwiched between the two fabric layers, to provide reliable waterproof protection with a lesser environmental impact than traditional membranes.
This mono-material composition means Pertex® Shield Revolve™ is much easier to recycle at the end of its life than the traditional multi-polymer membranes. This keeps the material in a closed-loop system, reducing the reliance on virgin fossil-fuel-based raw materials and minimising the waste of resources, reducing the overall environmental impact of the fabric. Neat, right?
The durable 50 denier face fabric is lightweight enough to keep the Solution Pants pack size to a minimum, whilst being abrasion-resistant and robust enough to deal with the rigours of frequent use. The reliable waterproof membrane features a hydrostatic head rating of 20,000mm, meaning it's suitable to keep you dry, even during prolonged downpours.
The soft tricot knit backer provides a lightly textured yet smooth finish to the inner, making slipping them on and off over trousers easier. This light texturing also helps to improve overall comfort levels by reducing the area in contact with the skin, stopping that flat, sticky feeling when wearing shorts underneath waterproof trousers. Whilst still being highly effective at wicking moisture away from the skin to keep you comfortable throughout the day.
The trousers are solution dyed, meaning the colour is added to the raw material (recycled polyester pellets) before these are melted and extruded into the yarns that go on to be knitted or woven into the fabric. By adding the dye at this earlier stage, less water, chemicals, and energy are used, in turn creating less (potentially harmful) wastewater and less carbon emissions during production. This process also improves the fabric's colour durability when worn or washed, meaning it won't fade over time, allowing the Solution Pants to look great even after many years of use.
The Trousers are finished with a PFC-Free DWR (durable water repellent) coating to encourage rain and snow to bead off the trousers. If you were wondering, PFC-free means perfluorinated chemical-free. Perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), are used to add water repellency to textiles, but they are now known to be 'forever chemicals' as they can't break down and are suspected carcinogens. Therefore, many leading brands in the outdoor industry are now prioritising cutting out the use of these chemicals entirely to contribute to a greener manufacturing process.
What are their features?
The Solution Pants feature an elasticated waistband and pull-on design, making them easy to pop on when the rain clouds gather, and comfortable enough to wear all day if the rain persists. The waistband features a front bungee cord adjustment to dial in the fit, giving you peace of mind that they won't fall down halfway through your hike. The knees are articulated for a natural range of movement and provide plenty of room for trousers underneath.
There are two 3/4 length YKK Naturon side zips at each side with an internal flap for added weather protection. These zips allow maximum ventilation for working up a sweat on a steep ascent or technical route. They also allow you to smoothly slide the trousers over chunky hiking boots and bicycle shoes if you need to quickly put them on in sudden downpours.
Features
- Waterproof and comfortable
- Made from 93% recycled materials
- Pertex® Shield Revolve™ with PFC-Free DWR
- Elasticated waistband with front bungee cord adjustment for adaptable fit
- Articulated knees for increased ease of movement
- YKK Naturon zips at calves for improved access
- Regular Fit