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A good word about the new uniforms


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I have been wearing one pair of switchback pants since before my son crossed over a little more than two years ago. I have worn them to every troop meeting and campout and I have only missed three campouts. I also wear them to district and council training. They have been to two summer camps.

 

There are holding up great. No complaints. Fortunately, I am going to have to get new pair because I have lost quite a few pounds since Thanksgiving and they are getting too big.

 

Last night we had a couple come in to do Canoe training for the Crew that is going on a high adventure trip to Tinnerman Canoe Base this summer.

 

The couple had two boys in our troop about 15 years ago. During the training session they were talking about appropriate clothing material for canoeing in. They both stopped walked over to me and asked if the pants I was wearing were Scout issue. I said yes and they said it was about time we had functional pants. I told them the shirt was wicking material too. They were dumb founded. They proceeded to go on about how terrible cotton was and how that is what their boys had.

 

I remember the old uniforms all too well myself.

 

 

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My problems with the original switchbacks: they pill far too easily and my belt got so twisted up that I had to remove it and use a standard belt.

 

I haven't bought a pair of the new switchbacks, but they appear to be made of a heavier fabric and hopefully won't pill as easily as the originals.

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I am disappointed to see the new pants don't have zippers at the end of the legs.

 

Fgoodwin - mine never pilled and the belt never gave me grief. Makes you wonder if the had made several runs of the original switch backs.

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My son has had a pair of the original switchbacks for 2 years or so. He loves them, probably wears them three times a week. He wears them camping. He wears them to troop meetings. He wears them hiking. He even (happily) wears them to school on a pretty regular basis. They have held up wonderfully. Although they were on the expensive side, at least I feel we've gotten our money's worth out of them.

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I'm with Lisa. My son wears his switchbacks everywhere. Scouts, school, church, he gets the wear out of them. I think he's on his third pair and I have not noticed any problems at all. Both the original and new versions. He also is comfortable wearing his Scout T shirts to school. It's just no big deal for him. But I think he likes when people ask him what Philmont is. There may be a little pride going on there. He is too young for a trek but did an overnight in the backcountry and also hiked the trails while I was at PTC.

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I like the old switchbacks. I jumped at the chance to get two more when there was a BOGO (buy-one-get-one) offer last year so that I would have extra pants/shorts for summer camp. My wife thinks they are a little short for shorts. My first pair did start pilling some from rubbing on something (I can't remember what it was). I haven't looked at the new pants, yet.

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Ahhh, the old ODL "hot pants". Made one talk a few octaves higher, too!

 

I'm glad the did away with the cuff zipper. I have a 28" inseam and can't wear ANYTHING off the shelf. I like a cuff that can be hemmed.

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"I'm glad the did away with the cuff zipper. I have a 28" inseam and can't wear ANYTHING off the shelf. I like a cuff that can be hemmed. "

 

That. Unfortunately I'm an exact average of my mom's 4'11" and my dad's 5'7".

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The original SB's just plain worked...I could care less if they pilled, I bought 'em to use...not pose in and wear to a formal inspection. These pants are what is needed for outdoor wear, and they NEED to have the ankle zippers...sorry if I ruffle a couple of feathers here, but having to hem pants doesnt necessarily mean they had to lose the ankle zippers.

 

I bought 3 pair at the BOGO sale, and I had to get what I could in the waist size...at the cost of 2" too much in the inseam...bummer right? WRONG! Took said switchbacks to the local seamstress and had her alter the inseam by folding the material under the zip-off (the lowers)and seam it...Presto! 2" less inseam and the FUNCTIONAL ankle zippers are still intact.

 

Those who feel the ankle zippers are frivilous never had to hike at Philmont and zip-off the leg lowers of pants without the ankle zips, yup...off comes the pack and the boots...time wasted on the trail.

 

BRING BACK THE ANKLE ZIPPERS...function before fashion! rant ends

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I never had a pair of the old switchbacks. How long were the ankle zippers?

 

They'd have to go away from the new idea of one inseam length per waist size, which I assume was done to reduce inventory needs.(This message has been edited by nolesrule)

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