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Strafe Cham Kit Review

By

Gavin Hess

The Strafe Cham pullover/anorak and low bib pants.

The Strafe Cham pullover/anorak and low bib pants.

  Strafe Background Aspen, Colorado based, founded by American Skimo royalty—Pete and Jon Gaston—Strafe came to fruition in 2010. Despite their skimo racing background, the only one-piece suit you’ll see in Strafe’s current lineup is the Sickbird 3L Shell suit. News flash: the skimo influence isn’t at the forefront here.  Their premier touring kit, the…

Responses

  1. Slim

    I too am all aboard the “low bib’ train. I never really saw the point of high fronted bibs. But a bit of extra hiehgt to prevent gaps? That’s awesome. And also suspenders and a loose, tall waist, so you don’t have 4 elastic waistbands stacked on top of each other in cold weather.

  2. Simen Hjelmeland

    Too bad they don’t sell in Europe. What similar alternatives are there for us on the other side of the pond? The Norrøna Lyngen Flex1 looks like a great option.

    1. Slim

      Mammut makes the Haldigrat Air, using the Pertex Quantum Air membrane. I have never seen comparative tests to know how the breathability and waterproofness compare, but t least it is in the same category of fabrics.

    2. Jason Albert

      Looks like Ternua, a Japanese company, has a similar option, and, I think, has retailers in Europe.

  3. Slim

    On a separate note: every pair of pants I have seen, including these, has the built in gaiter attached at a height that has it ending at the same height as the outside pant hem.

    In my view, gaiters should be attached lower down, so that when you have a straight leg, they bunch up under the shell, and then when you bend your knee and raise your leg, the outside hem rises up, but the gaiter can stay down, over your boot.
    If they are the same length, what’s the point? You could just have a tight cuff in the outer pant sealing around your boot.

    Am I missing something here?

    1. Gavin Hess

      I hadn’t noticed until now, but the gaiter on the Cham bib is attached in exactly this manner, the end of the gaiter sits about an inch lower than the end of the pants. Kudos, Strafe!

      1. Slim

        Good job Strafe!

  4. OphirG8Keeper

    Great review. I appreciate the details about the Cham Pullover. I have the recon pullover (now discontinued) and its perfect for most SW Colorado ski days. I have the Cham Jacket as well, which is better used for slower touring days, or more unsettled weather.

    **Aesthetically this kit is perfect for that seeking the ideal Chamonaird look.

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