Gear reviews » Sporthill 3SP pants
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Sporthill ATV pants
Sporthill uses a unique fabric they call 3SP. It is a densely woven stretch polypropolene with a brushed back. As far as I know there are no other fabrics made like this. It feels like a thin version of Polartec Powerstretch if you are familiar with that, but it’s wind resistant! They make several different models, one that appeals to me because of it’s minimal features, and thus light weight, is the ATV pant.
My last trip was the first time I used it for bikepacking and I realized it offers a very good option for this use, but many people are unfamiliar with it. Sporthill is mainly known as a crosscountry ski company. REI sells them as do many other ski shops.
These are a great option for riders in weather below 40F/5C or so. Other fabrics that are this warm and wind resistant tend to be to warm at the warmer end of the scale, and less breathable or they are heavier or both. Remember there is no membrane to impede beathability or comfort. Polypro is also the fabric that absorbs the least amount of water , so they are faster drying. They are both lighter and warmer than most softshell pants (Schoeller etc.) as well as more comfortable under rainpants or in a sleeping bag.
Product Link: http://www.sporthill.com/product.php?TypeID=1630&gender=m
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(10 votes, average: 3.70 out of 5)
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I put up this review because at my last trips weigh in I realized these were a much better option than anything else I own, I would like for some comments from other people with alternatives as well as other reviews.
They are soft, wind resistant warm and breathable. Quite light as well.
I have two Fuzion tops and a pair of pants from Sporthill with the 3SP. I rarely take off the top and wear it year round. The pants are amazing. Pretty wind resistant and even when wet they insulate. If they didn’t stink up a little I would say they give wool a run for its money. Highly reccomended.
I have purchased a few Sporthill items. I had a zippered jacket with two different materials. The back vented while the front was more insulated. It was always baggy and I lost some weight, so I gave it to a buddy. Great road jacket!
I also currently have a pair of XC paints with the 3SP material. They look similar to the ATV, but are more gathered and zippered at the heel. They are just now starting to show a bit of wear from seat rub after 5+ years of riding. I would definitely buy again.
I normally look through Sierra Trading Post for their stuff on sale and score some good deals occasionally.
Within our cross country ski group, these are The pants to use for temperatures down to the teens. Then a light layer underneath will take you comfortably to zeroF. I use them for cold weather cycling too. They are much more thermal then my Pearl Izumi tights. Be careful though. If you buy one pair, you will never be able to live without them for cold-season outdoor recreation. FWIW, I wear a 34X33-34 pant and use the Men’s Large Long. The regular Large is too short.