Posted by 
The Hampi Rock Pants are appropriately named, conjuring up images of dry, dusty granite bouldering on the Indian sub-continent with maybe a session or two of yoga thrown in for good measure.
A simple loose fit climbing pant constructed from hemp with a climbing cut (gusseted crotch, articulated knees with a tapered lower leg), two slant pockets (the right hand of which includes a ‘phone pocket’) and fastened with Patagonia’s unique button buckle arrangement called OppoSet® whereby the button acts as a buckle to adjust a partial belt – very neat. The pockets are mesh lined which helps aid breathability or at least prevent multiple layers of fabric feeling sweaty on your thighs. The the use of hemp and recycled polyester is another example of Patagonia’s powerful environmental focus. Hemp has significantly lower impact on the environment requiring far less in the way of water for irrigation or pesticides for protection than cotton – even organic cotton. Much like cotton it has a nice drape and feels comfy against the skin. The Hampi Rock Pants are ideal wear in hot conditions feeling cool whilst shielding you from the sun or biting insects plus the hemp/polyester blend dries quickly and require little in the way of care making them a great road trip pant if your destination includes hotter climes. Being thin and lightweight the Hampis would not be my first choice for ‘full-contact’ climbing on abrasive rocks; so no granite off-width thrutching! Having said that they show no ill effects after gritstone sessions that have included knee bars, proving tougher than I initially expected and Patagonia suggest the fabric is up to typical climbing abuse and I’ve not managed to put a hole in them yet.
In use
Amazingly the Hampis didn’t get too much use initially this summer as it was just too hot – shorts being the order of the day and gritstone bouldering not really the activity of choice! They came into their own when things cooled off a little and on bolt clipping excursions to the limestone. The loose cut and breathable non-clingy fabric made them comfortable in the heat and they were completely unrestrictive, the slight stretch in the fabric working with the active cut and articulated knees brilliantly. The lower leg was not too flappy meaning that you could easily keep track of your foot placements and for such a lightweight pant their durability has impressed. They make a great travel pant as they pack up small and require little care, drying quickly and requiring no ironing to look presentable. Though not exactly casual cut the Hampis don’t scream technical climbing or euro bouldering pant and are quite wearable around town or in the local bar though not as inconspicuous as some more ‘jean’ style climbing pants. The Forge Grey colour-way I’ve got does well at hiding dirt and still appears smart after days of wear. My one complaint is a lack of secure pocket storage – none of the pockets provide secure zipped, buttoned or velcro-ed storage for a wallet which is a shame.
Available in sizes 28″- 40″ they make a great travelling and or climbing pant for hot weather venues.
Pros
- Eco friendly fabric
- Great breathability
- Quick drying and compact packing
- Great cut
Cons
- No secure pockets
SRP £75
Ri
chie is the enthusiastic amateur of the team. Enjoying all aspects of climbing but especially alpine, winter and his local grit . Having managed to survive the vagaries of both fluorescent Koflachs and rainbow tights in the 80s he looks forward to an even more stylish future. A shady past in mountain marathons and adventure races, including the Marathon des Sables, means he’s an advocate of fast and light. Though the former is debatable if you’ve seen him on a tricky lead!
Climbing Gear Reviews 