Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Pants

Eddie Bauer is a company many UK readers will have heard of but are probably not that familiar with as they have not been directly available in Europe. That has all changed as of 2023 and now with a dedicated UK website their products are readily available. With a history in the sports/outdoors trade that dates back to 1920 and revolutionary patent for a down jacket in 1936 Eddie Bauer are not a ‘Johnny come lately’ entrant into the outdoor market but have a rich and storied history. Their clothing range is vast but for climbers, walkers and runners it is the First Ascent line which will be of interest.

The first item we have on review is one of the icons of the line the Guide Pro Pant. The basic concept of these trousers will be familiar to most people; a lightweight, packable but durable trouser built for active use. I have several of these type of trouser in my wardrobe and my go to favourite for many years have bee the Prana Stretch Zion however after spending the summer in the Alps with the Guide Pros I now have a new favourite.

What makes the Guide Pros so good? Well the basic specifications are as follows:

• StormRepel® DWR finish.
• Flexion® two-way stretch woven technology.
• FreeShade® 50+ sun protection.
• bluesign® approved fabric
• Polygiene Odour Control in Waistband.

The bluesign® fabric has a DWR finish and is certified to SPF 50 so these trousers will protect you from the sun and shed light precipitation. If they do get soaked or you need to wash them in a stream then they will quickly dry out on a line or draped over a convenient boulder. The fabric also has just the right amount of stretch allowing for a tailored fit without any binding or impairment to movement but at the the same time the pockets don’t sag if weighted down. Getting the fabric right is essential for this type of garment as it will need to perform across a wide range of conditions, from early morning chill and wind blocking above the snow line on summer alpine routes to protecting your legs from the rock on classically brutal multi pitch rock climbs where you’d be wearing shorts if it weren’t for the abrasion! So Eddie Bauer have nailed the fabric but what about the design or ‘cut’ of these Guide Pro Pants? The cut of the Guide Pro’s is excellent though I would say the 30″ waist 32″ leg was a little on the ‘vanity’ sizing waist wise. I measured it at 32.5″. Eddie Bauer are not alone in this, it’s incredibly common, but it did mean that I had to wear a belt with them at all times or I risked them slipping down into penguin come youth street wear style! Some integrated adjustment on the waist would be good and as 30″ is as small as it goes for the Guide Pro there are likely to be a fair few folk slimmer than me who would benefit. When I’m wearing a climbing harness I prefer not to have an additional belt underneath and though you can obviously remove the belt before donning your harness that is just another bit of faff!

Articulated knees and a gusseted crotch panel gave great freedom of movement without any bagginess and the Guide Pros feel generally trim and athletic – ideal for climbing. The soft fabric lining inside the waistband kept things comfortable when I didn’t have a base layer tucked in and was especially appreciated when the Guide Pros were worn beneath a harness in sweaty conditions. The pocket arrangement is as good as it gets in my opinion: two hand pockets, two velcro fastened rear pockets and two excellent zipped fastened thigh pockets which are positioned well clear of harness leg loops. The later are a favourite as they allow easy access to a topo, food or phone (even a ‘max’ size phone ) whilst on route. Storing gear in the thigh pockets means that I don’t have to do a pocket shuffle with say a topo stored in a fleece or windproof shell if I adjust my layers. I suppose if I were to nit pick I’d have liked one of the rear pockets to fasten with a zip just so my wallet was supper secure on routes but I had no issues with the velcro during the review period.

I’ve used the Guide Pros for alpine hikes, multi pitch trad and sport climbing in all weathers including persistent rain and scorching 29°C sun. On one particularly wet day in Chamonix Rob and I ran away down to the Arve valley (which was still wet) to do the classic wet weather alternative Indiana Jaune on Maladiere. We hiked and abseiled in through the rain, had a delightfully dry 270m of climbing (well the last pitch was wet) and then wandered back in the rain. The Guide Pros were perfect throughout, the DWR kept the rain off sufficiently well on the approach that they didn’t wet out and they felt dry and comfortable when climbing. They wash easily in a sink, stream and obviously a washing machine whilst also drying quickly which makes them an ideal travel companion. Earlier in the trip I wore them on on a hike up to the ridge to Bec Rouge and then across the Le Tour glacier to the Albert Premier hut and down in order to get some hill fitness in the legs. Again they proved perfect for the job, totally comfortable despite the heat and sweat. Once down they washed easily and dried quickly using the stream and were ready for use the next day if needed, they grey colour-way hides the dirt well too.

Pros

• Comfortable
• Good Pockets
• Quick Drying
• Durable

Cons

• Vanity sized waist

SRP £90

Stockists https://www.eddiebauer.co.uk/

Disclaimer – CGR reviewers are never paid to provide a review and the website does not take advertising. We are a bunch of keen climbers and outdoor enthusiasts that accept sample products and offer an honest and independent review of the item. The reviewer will often keep the sample after reviewing it for both hygiene reasons and more often they’re in no fit state to return!