Jöttnar Valdyr Pants

A severe condition hard shell, drop-seat pant for winter climbers, alpinists, and ski-mountaineers. Used in all the previously mentioned as well as long winter hikes, snowshoeing, and backcountry Nordic skiing. Workmanship is excellent, Colour schemes limited, Internal powder gaiters along with kevlar instep protectors for protection against skis and crampons + errant snowshoes.

Fit & Comfort

I'm 6'2" (187cms) and the large size fits surprisingly well. They don't feel like a pair of swishy-swishy "fabric balloons" on your legs. They feel like hiking pants; it's kinda unreal. There's enough room in the crotch for a good step up when climbing and your waistline doesn't feel as if it needs choking to keep them up, mainly in part because of the braces. 

The knees are reinforced and ergonomically designed bringing a welcome addition if you are out hiking and/or climbing in winter months or sitting down at a summit or campfire.

The best feature of all in these pants has got to be the drop seat. Taking shell pants off when you get caught short in the backcountry is a prospect that chills not only the blood but also the prospect of having to do it. Not saying that Jottnär's Valdyr pants make it any better, but it makes it easier.

Adjustability

The waist is primarily fastened with with two pop-studs, (so if it's the start of the season, you can leave it at one ;). The braces are elasticated and very comfortable and can be put on and removed with gloved hands, which is definitely a benefit. Over the course of a day, the braces did slip slightly, but not enough to make it noticeable until you made camp. There's a clasp/ belt that covers the pop studs, that almost feels as though it doesn't belong, but it's tough and does the job, so no problem.

The pants can be unzipped from top to bottom or bottom to top—no problem putting them on as it's raining or venting when your body temp rises. 

Water Resistance

The pants are made in a 3-layer, 80 denier process with a

• Hydrostatic Head: 20,000mm
• Breathability rating: 20,000g/m2/24h using 
• Durable Water Repellent (DWR) treated face fabric (Jottnär say they do not use GoreTex in their products).

Breathability

Exceptional would be the word. Always worn GoreTex or waxed canvas and this is the first conscious DWR treated fabric pier of gear I've bought and I can't say enough good things about it. (Sorry if I appear old school.) If the breathability isn't doing it for you, then you can vent using the leg zips.

Jottnär use YKK Aquaguard water repellent two-way front zip and YKK Aquaguard two-way, fully separating, full-length leg zips. Along with Corded, glove compatible zip pulls at the ankles to cinch tight.

Moisture

In climbing and hiking in the Catskills and Adirondacks this winter, wearing a pair of thermals underneath, I can't report any problems with wicking, nor with moisture buildup in the lower leg area on the inside.

Warmth

As the pants block the wind and provide that first barrier to the outside temperatures, yes, they assist in keeping you warm. Temp range used in, so far: -20°C to 5°C

The integral powder gaiters help to maintain a good internal temperature, also.

Layering

I hardly notice these pants when wearing them; there's no noise of fabric, movement is full and unobstructed, and layering with wool or synthetic long johns do not hinder movement or comfort.

Background

I've known about Jottnär for a couple of years now, but this is the first major purchase. I've used these pants over this last winter 2020/2021 on six trips out into the Catskills and Adirondacks for a rough total of 45 miles of climbing, winter hiking, and snowshoeing.

These are my first pair of Jottnär hard shell pants. In the past I've bought from REI and other stores and at various price points.