Integral Designs Denali Pants

Long Term Report
April 9, 2004

Personal Information:
Leesa Joiner
ljoATmidmaine(dot)com
Southwestern Maine
42 years old
Female
5'7" (1.7 M)
150 lb (68 kg)


Background:

             My camping, hiking and backpacking experience has included trips varying in length from one day hikes, to 2-week trips.  My experience hiking began with my father when I was about 6 years old. We hiked along the river pathways in northeastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania. During cold weather, I backpack, hike, snowshoe, cross-country ski, go ice fishing and winter camp with friends and family.  Although I am not a lightweight backpacker, I am trying to ‘lighten up’ and have even converted to using a hammock while camping.   I find that I spend almost as much time outside during the long Maine winters as I do during the summers.
   
Product Information:
Color: Black
Size: Large
Manufacturer: Integral Designs
www.integraldesigns.com


Testing Locations:
          

            Testing of these winter pants occurred in southwestern and northwestern Maine, central New Hampshire and central Vermont. We had an unbelievably cold winter, with January and February temperatures remaining below 0 F (-20 C) and reaching -25 F (-32 C) on ten days, before the wind chill was factored in.  

Summary:

The Integral Designs Denali pants have traveled with me on 10 backpacking trips- 4 overnighters and 6 day trips.  They have also been worn while traveling, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, shoveling snow and during various other activities.  The Denalis are loose fitting enough to wear over denim jeans, without restricting movement in any way.  

On one of these bitter cold days, I went snowmobiling in central Vermont.   The pants were terrific at keeping my legs warm.  I wore a lightweight base layer, jeans and the Denalis.  My legs stayed warm and dry.   The pants do a good job of repelling water and snow.  

While snowshoeing, I wore the pants, even on days that were in the 30 F ( -1 C) range.  Normally at that temperature, I wouldn’t wear snow pants, but I liked that the snow would slide off the pants, instead of letting it melt, causing my pants and legs to become soaked. 

            When it was below 0 F (-20 C), I found that the pants provided plenty of warmth, when worn with a base layer and wool pants.  I did find at times when I was really exerting myself, I would unzip the side zippers at little at the top to ‘cool down’.   The hook and loop closures worked well to keep the pants up around my waist. 

            The Denali pants have held up well to quite a bit of use.  They provide good insulation from the cold, and repel snow and water very well.  The side zippers remain easy to use, without catching on the fabric.  The hook and loop closures also are easy to manipulate.  The elastic at the ankles kept cold air off my lower legs.   Depending on the boots I wore, I would either wear the pants tucked inside of the boots, or I would wear the pants stretched over the top of the boots.  The elastic was snug enough not to slide around too much, but didn’t cause discomfort.

            Besides using them as cold weather pants, I also used them when sleeping on many occasions.   Because they provided warmth, they allowed me to sleep better- no one wants to feel tired in the morning, especially when they are camping with Scouts!  I found that the Primaloft also provided a little extra padding, which makes sleeping in a sleeping bag on the floor much easier to take.  

            On a couple occasions, I would take the pants on and off, depending on changes in the weather conditions.  This was accomplished easily, without me having to remove my boots.  I would roll the pants up and ‘stuff’ them in my pack.   When I needed them again, such as when we stopped hiking for lunch, I could pull them out and slide them right back on. 

            The web site advertises them as:

Lightweight Primaloft insulated pants. The ideal static layer to put on for cold conditions when stopping to rest, belay or set up camp. Easy on / off comfortable fit for sleeping in on really cold nights

            I have found these pants to be as advertised on the company’s web site.   They have definitely earned a spot in my pack!  I really like them and appreciate the opportunity to test them.   Thanks to bgt.org and Integral Designs.

        

 

 

   

 

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