Really just posting an update having had them for a while now -
The performance continues to impress me, even after several washes (the missus keeps nicking them, otherwise they’d never make it as far as the washing machine) the material proofing seems to be as resilient as ever to moisture, be it rain, snow or a careless pint spillage. Multiple washes don’t seem to have affected the fit either (not prone to excessive shrinkage). Dirt still seems to be shrugged off reasonably easily, though they are by no means impervious to a good coating of mother earth when one goes base over apex coming downhill (but there again what is?).
I have grown used to the fit and would now feel a little aggrieved if it was changed too much, I’m constantly being asked about them down the bouldering wall and they’re a firm favourite on days out on the wall or crags. Definitely a keeper, the sooner these arrive back in store again the better – though I think AlpKit will need to stock up a bit to cope with the demand!