Switchback Pants

[Mad Dog]

Just got back from the Scout Shop. The new switchback pants are not in yet but they are expected soon. They are selling the discontinued shorts for 50% (youth sizes only)

[wagionvigil]

Councils are getting these in as we speak. GPC got theirs on Wednesday. Westmoreland-Fayette has not gotten theirs as of Yesterday.They are a lighter shade of green and are of the micro fiber material. Talking to someone in GPC Scout Shop they said they are going to sell quickly.These have been sold at Philmont for several years now.

[wagionvigil]

I was told this weekend there will be a new uniform Shirt coming out also.

[Mad Dog]

I was heading out today to get my son a new shirt but I guess I better hold off. Thanks for the info.

[vpalango]

Our scout shops are reporting that they will be in next monday (28th). I'll be there that day myself

YIS,

[gwd-scouter]

Just got my new switchback pants. Very light and comfortable. The zipper segment does feel a bit strange against the thigh but I suppose I'll get used to that. Only took 3 days for my order to ship from scoutstuff. Our DE mentioned that our scout shop has a good supply, but they've been flying off the racks this past week. Can't wait to break 'em in on our campout next weekend!

[scoutaholic]

The clerk at the scout shop told me the new pants were a response to a national BSA exec who tried a pair of the old pants and said they were 'the most uncomfortable pants I've ever put on'.

I saw the new pants at the shop. I don't like the belt that comes with them. It looks cheap and flimsy, and the color doesn't match the pants.

The other problem I see with them is that the shorts portion is too short. For religious reasons, few LDS adults can/will wear clothing shorter than knee length. Many also encourage their children to dress by the same standard. Our CO has a rule that no shorts (no matter the length) are to be worn at the church. Our troop meets at the church, and therefore can't wear shorts to troop meetings. In our council, 99% or scout units are chartered to LDS Church units, so I doubt the new pants will be very popular here.

[FrankJ]

Since the old shorts are not knee length, I guess the point is pretty much moot? Are you could wear the pants as long pants at meetings and short on camp outs if that was appropiate.

[wagionvigil]

The belt loops are made to use a leather belt. They do run a tad big. So beware.

[vpalango]

I picked up 2 pairs for both me and my son, and IMHO they're a big improvement over the old greens, as they really can be used in the field. Here in New England, due to the weather, we don't get alot of use out of the old uniform pants because much past September/October they aren't reliably useable for outdoor wear.

These, being nylon, are much better that way, and appear to be much tougher.

In regard to the belt, I don't like the one that comes with it either, but I use my leater belt in it's place.

YIS,

[orennoah]

Got mine and I LUV 'em.

Comfortable and good looking. MUCH unlike the old pants, which didn't fit right and had totally useless pockets.

[longhorneagle]

Like the new switchback pants much better and a much better deal than buying the old shorts, pants, and belt. Suprised that a scout shop is discounting the older shorts, since they are not planning to stop making the the older pants and shorts. Is it a National Scout Shop or is it one operated by a local council? I just hope that the suppy divison introduces a cub scout blue and a venturing gray in the switchback style. There is a lot of demand for the switchbacks and would be even more for a blue cub scout version. [/quote]

[deweylure]

I saw the new pants.
Don't worry about the belt there is enough room to put another thru the loops including a wide leather beltright over the existing one.

It seems you can not wear a sheath for a folding knife or small flashlight on the original belt. Thats why youy can put another belt over .
I liked the built in drainholes in the pockets.

Dewey

[Nuts4Scouts]

Webelos can wear the switchbacks with their tan shirts. Don't think I would go with the switchbacks for younger Cubs.

Considering that they seem to spend their entire life skidding across floors or sidewalks on their knees, the lighter weight fabric would end up in tatters REALLY fast! Actually, I would like to see something with reinforced knees, like in school uniform pants. A zip off pant would be nice too, but the material would need to be sturdy for the Cubs.

[jr56]

My council supply shop has them in stock and I've checked them out, guess I'll just take a wait and see attitude, I have plenty of scout pants to last me for awhile right now.
New shirts? Oh my, with some hand me down shirts I got from my son, who is now bigger than me, I have enough shirts to last for the rest of my life.

[Scouting179]

I think the zip pants look stupid and I refuse to wear them. I think the current ones are very comfortable.

[FrankJ]

I have used them on several campouts now & like them. They dry quickly & make a good outer layer when the weather is cold. On the down side I already have a burn through in one of the pants leg from a camp fire spark, but that is the problem with synthetics.

As is obvious YMMV.

[WeeWillie]

I've worn the pants and they are great for hot weather. My only comnplaint about the pants is that the belt is tacked into the pants. You can't attach a knife, GPS, flash light or other light item to the belt. I was able to remove the belt and use a heavier leather belt to attach my gizmos.