Mountain Equipment Switch Women's Pant

Fast drying, windproof and lightly insulated legwear for cold weather mountaineering. Highly wicking and lightly insulated, the Switch Pant helps regulate body temperature when working hard in cold mountain conditions. Offering windproof protection and good breathability, it can be worn alone for long approaches, trips between lower camps or demanding pitches, before becoming the perfect insulating layer under hard or soft shell trousers in more severe conditions. Packable, lightweight and quick drying, these insulated pants are essential everywhere, from the howling depths of Scottish winter to the most commanding Alpine north faces or remote Himalayan expeditions.

Innovative Active Insulation

At the centre of the Switch Pant's active insulation lies the unique Octayarn warp-knit lining: a modern, lightweight and highly wicking alternative to traditional polyester fleece fabrics.

Under the microscope, Octayarn is made from hollow, multidentate fibres, with each individual fibre having eight protruding cog-like teeth. This complex 3D structure increases surface area and traps warm air, improving warmth and moisture-wicking capability while reducing overall weight. Octayarn offers the thickness of an 80 denier fibre but for half the weight and considerably less bulk.

The soft Octayarn is woven in a highly breathable warp-knit and used without an inner face fabric. This offers unparalleled moisture transfer, wicking moisture away from the skin to keep you comfortable when working hard and drying fast after strenuous ascents.

A lightweight, stretch-woven outer offers wind resistance and PFAS-free water repellency, protecting you from light rain, spin drift and cold winds. The mechanical stretch and gusseted crotch design allow complete freedom of movement, even through the most strenuous high steps, yet the fit is trim for active layering. There is a simple elasticated waistband with drawcord adjustment for a seamless fit and a zippered fly. Zipped hand pockets and a thigh pocket provide useful storage for essentials on the move.

Key Features

Materials

• Lightweight 20D RS Nylon outer fabric, wind resistant with mechanical stretch and PFAS-free DWR
• Octayarn warp-knit lining for exceptional insulation, breathability and comfort

Patterning and Design

• Active fit for complete freedom of movement with no excess fabric
• Gusseted crotch for an unrestrictive fit

Pockets

• 2 zipped hand pockets
• 1 zipped thigh pocket

Waist and Hem

• Low volume waistband with internal drawcord closure, sits comfortably under a pack or harness and works well with hard shells
• Low bulk hem with snow-shedding lining

Specifications

Ideal For

• Alpine climbing and ski touring
• Cold weather mountaineering and high-altitude expeditions
• Long approaches and demanding pitches in winter conditions
• Use as an insulating layer under hard or soft shell trousers

Technology

	Octayarn Octayarn is a soft, wicking and warm fabric made from a unique cog-like fibre. It dries extremely fast and insulates superbly. Each fibre has eight protruding teeth that create a complex 3D structure, increasing surface area to trap warm air and wick moisture efficiently while keeping weight to a minimum.
	Fair Wear Mountain Equipment is a proud member of the Fair Wear Foundation, committed to implementing the highest standards of working conditions in garment production. Designed and developed in the UK.