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Waterproof trousers are an item of hiking gear we never want to have to use but inevitably, thanks to our lovely climate here in the UK, end up using quite frequently.
Best Waterproof Trousers - Wet Weather Overtrousers for 2023 Best Waterproof Trousers - Wet Weather Overtrousers for 2023
For a more hands-on approach to outdoor life (e.g. fishing, hunting or general camping activities) then you may require something a bit more rugged. We can highly recommend the Solognac R900 reinforced waterproof trousers for these kind of activities. They are superb. The Spray Rainpants are at the budget end of the scale, but offer a good fit and decent(ish) breathability with their two layer HydroDry construction. We like the simple elastic waistband on top, but are less keen on the mesh netting layer inside the rainpants – it can be easy to catch a boot on when trying to elegantly put them on. In terms of design, the knee area shows a decent level of articulation, with a taped seam separating the lower half of the leg from the upper. This helps the Downpours follow the natural contour of your legs as you walk and it works well. The waist band is fully elasticated but also includes a toggle cord to draw them extra tightly if you so desire.Sizes: XS – XXL / available in men’s and women’s versions / 20,000mm hydrostatic head / 20,000 g/m2 breathability rating / taped seams / 3L Cutan 100% recycled Polyamide bluesign approved fabric / 100% recycled post-consumer polyester. With ruggedized knees which are pre-shaped for ease of walking, the Vidda Pro G-1000s are a joy to walk in, and weigh only 590g which is reasonable for adventure pants. Sizing wise, the Rainy Day Pants are classed as ‘unisex’. This essentially means if you’re buying online that you need to take a punt on whether they will fit or not. I’m a 6ft3 male and found that XL was a good fit. If you’re a smaller lady then you will probably want the small (S). The Kiwi Pros use a stretch material which allows them to blend around your bum and upper thighs, and this really helps prevent chafing when walking for long distances. Granted they’re not the lightest waterproof trousers out there, but they do strike a good balance between weight, protection, durability and function. Full Specifications
Best Waterproof Trousers For Hiking Of 2023 | Rain P Best Waterproof Trousers For Hiking Of 2023 | Rain P
It should be said that the waterproofing is achieved via a waxed outer coating, and you will need to take care of that layer over time to keep it fresh. We have a useful article on the waterproofing process and products to use. The trousers are a blend of polyester and cotton (similar to polycotton tents) which give the best attributes of each (lightness vs breathability and tactile feel). In Use Filson’s Skagit Rain Pants are incredibly waterproof. This, combined with their comfortable fit, makes them ideal for those tough characters who like to float about on boats in all types of weather. They’re built from from a proprietary three-layer Rain Cloth, an incredibly tough, tightly-woven, nylon shell with a waterproof / breathable membrane laminated to its interior. Underlining that sense of durability and protection are the cuffs and lower seams which have been reinforced with tough Cordura nylon. The Marmot Precip Eco Waterproof trousers are extremely comfortable overtrousers using a 2.5 layer breathable fabric called NanoPro Eco. “Why Eco?” I hear you cry – well Marmot are using recycled nylon in their construction which helps cut down on land-fill and is a gesture towards sustainability. Frankly though, they are a damn good set of lightweight (~250g) overtrousers and will keep you dry for not much expense. Another nice design touch is a small hook included at the lower end of each leg which can attach to the laces of your walking boots in a similar way to gaiters. This can prevent water and mud splashing up inside the overtrousers and onto your main walking trousers. Bear in mind that the fit of the Ventus is quite slim in terms of waist size although there is elastic which allows some expansion and adjustability.
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Some people claim that the Paclite material is less resistant to abrasion (it doesn’t have the internal netting layer of Gore-Tex Professional). We have not seen any evidence of this at all and would not let this put you off buying any Paclite garment. This is especially the case for overtrousers because by their very nature they will not be used on every walk, and even when they are used, it is not likely to be for the whole time – they are there for protection against the elements when required. Answer Two is to go for some walking/outdoor trousers which are waterproof from the off. The advantage here is that you don’t have to faff around standing comically on one leg while you try to thread overtrousers over your walking boots without ripping them. The disadvantage is that genuinely waterproof walking trousers can be heavy and cloying against the skin because they are often not as breathable as the overtrousers option. Fairly lightweight at 575g, the Dry Rangers incorporate what’s known as a ‘drop liner’ inside the trousers. This is an inner lining made from Rohan’s classic Barricade membrane, and makes them exceedingly waterproof, breathable and windproof. Páramo are another brand, like Rohan, who do things a bit differently. They make weatherproof products that don’t require membranes, instead trusting in the Nikwax Analogy system, a fabric construction that repels water and moves moisture fast. Turns out it’s a useful way of making waterproof trousers that are breathable enough and comfortable enough to be worn against the skin and hiked in all day long. Full Specifications The final key considerations to look out for chiefly concern the zips on your waterproof trousers. Zips are often a source of water ingress and the best waterproof trousers use an additional stormflap layer either on the outside of the zip, or inside and sometimes both! Look for YKK zips or specific waterproof zips to help prevent water getting in this way.
Berghaus Sale | Berghaus Outlet - Nevisport Berghaus Sale | Berghaus Outlet - Nevisport
The photo above shows the hem of the trousers around the end of the leg – this has been strengthened by Rohan using scuff tape which means that if the trousers do drag along trails or fields that the ends of the leg don’t get frayed or damaged. A nice touch on a quality pair of trousers. Because they’re so breathable, we wouldn’t really consider these as overtrousers, but rather as something to wear all day, perhaps over some baselayer leggings. However, you should be able to wear these over a light pair of walking trousers if you wanted to. Full Specifications We were excited to get our hands on the parcel containing the Rab Downpour pants because our expectations were that Rab could conjure up the best waterproof trousers on the market. We were not to be disappointed. I really like the fit of the trousers. While we only tested the men’s version (see video review), the size and fit was well suited to my size (6ft3 tall, and I wore XL). The Dry Rangers use pop buttons for the waist and comes with a great webbing belt which simply clips together when required – nice!Each type has its virtues, and when choosing between the two it really depends on the conditions that you’re planning to face up to. If you’re likely to experience start-stop rain, overtrousers will tend to be your best bet, whereas if you’re going to be faced with non-stop rain or snow you might want to go for the wear-all-day kind. Different Types of Waterproof Trousers We gave the Berghaus Paclites a pretty thorough going over in terms of water. Both my wife Alison and I donned a pair and our daughter Loz took great delight at spraying water at us with a hosepipe. The trouble is she couldn’t get us wet! The water was simply beading off the Berghaus trousers and at the end of the exercise they looked completely dry – impressive! Stormflaps around the ends of the overtrousers are a welcome touch and help seal you up completely against the elements. We must also mention the overall style of the Spraysways – they look great and seem to have a better shape/fit than more expensive competition. Great work Sprayway!
Berghaus Men’s Stormcloud Waterproof Overtrousers - Millets
When we saw the name of the Sprayway Walking Rainpant (also available in a women’s version) we immediately had visions of these overtrousers walking by themselves – it would certainly be a great sight out in the hills – hordes of overtrousers marching along. Anyway I digress…And we all hate that sound, right? That intolerable swish, swish, swish with each step that becomes unbearable. These Craghoppers Kiwi Pro Waterproof Trousers are great all-round walking trousers – the fact that they also offer excellent waterproof performance via an AquaDry membrane for a great price make them a no-brainer if you’re after some all round trousers. For women, we also recommend the Airedale trousers which have even better waterproof performance. Breathability is excellent at 10000 g/m2/24hrs (40000 for the Airedales) and this is so important when you could be wearing the trousers all day. There is no doubt that you will get warm wearing these, so we recommend that you use them in autumn and winter rather than spring/summer. In Use
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