I don't know where they get the name "Mountain Light" for these pants. I have found them to be not very functional for the mountain and they are 2-ply gore tex (not very light). The side zips are nice and big but ALWAYS get caught up in the fabric flaps. When zipped up to the top the zipper pulls combine with a large velco over-flap to make a very large and uncomfortable bulge that hurts to wear with a pack and/or a harness. The fabric used is slick but not durable and I have two patches on the pants (one from a rock while climbing Mt. Shuksan, the other from a friend who borroed them and was not a very good telemark skier). I cannot think of a single functional reason why anyone would buy 2-ply instead of 3-ply goretex. These are mediocre, sporting-goods-store-at-the-mall rain pants. For $200 one could buy a very nice pair of shell pants(I have seen closeout Mtn Hardwear, Marmot, and Arcteryx pants for around $200). I also look totally dorky in these pants! They are cut very loose and straight. With gaiters on, the cuffs ride up the leg and make you look like you are wearing knickers. I cannot believe how much people are paying for North Face clothing these days: Ever since the Vanity Fair buyout the construction quality has dropped dramatically, their cuts suck,and the colors are lame. Search around and you will find a much better pair of pants for the money.

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Arcteryx Theta - The best ever!!

RAPE ME! these pants blow, talk about sucking nuts! after a month they soak up more water than a pregnate woman. you have to reaply revive-x once a month at lest. they are heavy and not very breathable. the stitching sucks!! the velcro in the bottom of mine is riping out. i can''t fit them over my scarpa invernos (boots). i used to like TNF but i''m not impressed any more. buy arc teryx spend a little more money and get a life long product.

Customer Service

it takes way to long to send them in. 6 to 8 weeks... i don''t have time to do that with only one pair of pants. once i buy my arc teryx i''ll send these in an well see how well they fix them.

definately not worth the money,
too heavy and I don't want to be
some trendy, yuppy wannabe.

Customer Service

I hate being on hold for 45 min, then
getting advice instead of action

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None

I love these pants. Not only did they work perfectly on my winter snowshoeing trip in rocky mountain national park but they did a great job on my backpacking trip in the beartooths of montana. These pants are the best buy by far for the price and for the results you get for such a good deal. They are durable yet light and packable for all kinds of trips. I have even had good results skiing in these pants for days on end. The bottom line is that these are the best pair of fully waterproof yet breathable paints for the price.

Customer Service

the customer service is the reason I shop at the north face.

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never had to use anything else.

I liked these pants at first. I was warm and dry and they fit well. When I got home i took a look at them and was disappointed to find tears near the cuff. I expected such an expensive product to be more durable. The taslan fabric on the seat and knees is fine, but the flimsy taffeta nylon everywhere else just was too wimpy.

Customer Service

Great customer service, the lifetime warranty increases the value greatly. I took them to REI and got a full refund even when the clerk inspected the rips!

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Some old columbias, i liked them a lot because the price was right, but they werent breathable so they caused SBS (sweaty butt syndrome).

These pants are great. I used them on my first trip one January. It snowed and rained, and not one drop of moisture came through. I would recommend these pants to anyone who wants a good shell for mountaineering. A great buy!

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None

Great pants. I used to use the North Face Hydrenaline pants while winter backpacking in the White Mountains, or Adirondacks but found them too fragile as I ripped them during a glissade. The mountain lights are heavier duty, and heavier in weight--which you don't notice while wearing them. So far they have performed excellantly.
What is it with the sizings of North Face pants they seem a bit too exaggerated especially in the inseams.

Customer Service

Customer service is the main reason why I purchase north face equipment. They are the best!!!

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North Face Hydrenaline Pants

These pants are the best for skiing. Before these pants I would just use a old pair of nike windbreakers. haha. A big difference. The gore-tex which is laminated on, helps your body breathe. No more sweaty legs. A good bit of storage on these pants as well. You cant beat the full side zips for ventalation. Like everyone else the only drawback is those tight elastic ankles, but i would rather have tight ankles then loose ones that let all the snow and rain in. Good buy and great company. Can't beat the product name with a Lifetime warranty!

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nike windbreakers, helly hanson

I use these to ski and as rain gear for motorcycling. Skiing in the Mid-Atlantic is chancy as far as weather goes. Twice this year skied in a hard rain all day (fell a lot) and stayed dry and warm. I also use them as rain gear while riding my motorcylce, once agian have been caught in more rain and down pours than I can remember, agian dry and warm. Great stuff. Expensive at $299 but found them on sale for $149! As others have noted here the ankle cuff is elastic, would prefer a draw string. Love the waist ajustment though, it fits a wider range of waist sizes than other brands. IE - layering

Customer Service

Not known.

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Mountain Hardware, Marmont

Took these babies on a climb to Mt.Whitney. It was snowing like a MoFo. With only a pair of capiline underware on I was as snug as a bug! I don't no where they got the price of $158 they go for about 3 bills but I got them for $199 at the TNF outlet store.

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Some cheap ass nylon pants for $20. Thought they would work, word to the wise: don't try it!!!!!!