686 Gore-tex Gt Mens Pant

The Pants

A true shell pant built around real Gore-Tex. The 686 Gore-Tex GT Men's Pant uses 2-layer bluesign® approved Gore-Tex nylon fabric with a DWR finish. That means it's waterproof and breathable from the membrane out — not a coated nylon that wets out after a few wet days, and not a laminat that just traps sweat. You're dry from both directions.

Shell pants get cold fast if you're standing around, so this one is strictly for riders who layer up underneath. Bring a solid mid-layer and you'll be comfortable from the first chair to the last run. That's the deal with a true shell, and it's worth it for anyone who runs warm, skis hard, or hates replacing pants that delaminate after two seasons.

We carry the full 686 line of men's ski and snowboard pants and jackets — the GT is their clean, no-frills Gore-Tex shell. It doesn't have the bells and whistles of the GLCR line, but it also doesn't carry that price tag. For $340 you're getting a genuine Gore-Tex membrane with fully taped seams, and that's the part that matters most.

What Sets It Apart

The Air-Flo™ inner leg vents are mesh-lined — you can crack them open on a warm spring afternoon without scooping snow into your pants. That detail matters more than it sounds. Zip them open on a hard boot-pack and the heat dumps fast. Zip them closed and the pant seals back up.

The Pant Jacket Connect™ system runs a five-point connection between the pant's waistband and a compatible 686 jacket's powder skirt. No gap, no snow getting in when you fall or hike. The BOA® Compatible Boot System in the gaiter lets you cinch your gaiter down over your boot's top boa dial on the fly — a small thing that keeps the cuff tight all day without stopping to fiddle with velcro. The 500D reinforced inner kick panel sits exactly where the edge of your other ski or board is going to catch the fabric, which is where cheap pants always blow out first.

There's also a merino wool blend inner waistband, which sounds like a detail but feels noticeably better against bare skin than raw nylon when you're adjusting fit between runs. The RFID-blocking inner pocket is a nice bonus if you keep a card in there.

If you're looking for guidance on how to care for Gore-Tex and DWR after washing, our blog post on care and maintenance of waterproofing fabrics is worth a read before the season starts.

Fit

686 cuts the GT with an articulated, slightly relaxed fit — not baggy, not athletic. It's meant to move with you. Riders who like a trim fit might size down. If you're adding a heavier base layer or bibs underneath, stay true to size. The internal waist adjustment takes care of fine-tuning once you've got your layers sorted.

The boot gaiter has a Lycra stretch panel and a boot lace hook, so it sits cleanly over any boot without bunching. The boot gusset with snap closure locks everything down at the ankle.

For most men the GT fits true to size. If you're between sizes and plan to layer heavily, go up. Stop into any of our three locations and we can help you dial in the fit with your actual base layers on.

Why Willi's

We've been outfitting skiers and riders in the Pittsburgh area since 1970. Three locations means you can try it on, get a real opinion from someone who actually skis, and have it ready the same day. And if it needs anything after the season — bring it back in.