Awesome Winter Pants
I bought my first pair of Sporthill pants in 1987, after seeing a tiny ad in Runner's World. I think Sporthill called them "European-style Track Pants" at the time. I live in Montreal and the only other winter-wear option for runners was a pair of baggy sweatpants. But the ad promised something different: they were tapered with elastic stirrups of the kind that Sporthill still sells, and I sent a money order to their address in Oregon. About a month later, I received my Sporthill pants in the mail. The pants were a game changer: comfortable, flexible, and much easier to run in than baggy sweatpants. I wore these pants for the next 15 years or so, when they finally wore out. I bought a replacement pair around 2005 and switched to the 3SP pants in 2013, and these have been my go-to winter exercise pants ever since. My legs are shot and I no longer run. But I nordic walk every day and this year I ordered a pair of Sporthill's Factory Second Backcountry Pant to replace my old 3SP pants. Factory second in my case meant these came with 27-inch inseams, which is perfect for me, thanks to my short legs. I bought these in January for $89, more than 50% off the original $199 price. After wearing them through three months of Montreal winter, I am completely satisfied with these pants. Other than the 27-inch inseam, they are perfect in every other way. They're more substantial feeling than my old 3SP pants and the pockets with zippers are helpful for carrying cold-weather necessities like an extra pair of gloves and a phone. On really cold days, I wear a pair of thick Woolpower merino wool long johns as a baselayer. Combined with the Backcountry's wind blocking properties, my legs stay warm, even in minus 20 temperatures. They really are an incredible pair of pants and I recommend them highly. They're worth it, even at the original price. Thank you again Sporthill, not just for the Backcountry pants, but for almost 40 years of incredible quality and service.
