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Main Boards => Gear => Topic started by: Kukkudrill on 20:03:25, 27/12/17

Title: All day waterproof trousers
Post by: Kukkudrill on 20:03:25, 27/12/17

When I did the West Highland Way last May, there was a day when the weather kept changing from bright sunshine to heavy rain and back. Getting in and out of my overtrousers was a pain, but when I gambled on not putting them on my legs got soaked. And tackling steep ascents with overtrousers on was not fun.


Since then I've been thinking of all-day waterproof trousers, the sort you can wear like ordinary walking trousers. In theory they're great but there aren't many models around and not many people seem to use them. I have a pair of Craghoppers Stefan trousers which are waterproof and stretchy, but so far I've only used them for short urban walks in winter because they rustle loudly and they have knee darts which feel uncomfortable on the knees as you walk. Also, whatever trousers you wear out in the countryside in the rain are likely to get muddy, which is not a problem if you're using overtrousers, but if you're on an LDW and you have only one pair of trousers you'll look rather unpresentable when you go to the pub for your evening meal. Gaiters over waterproof trousers would be overkill, surely ... ?

Does anyone here walk in all-day waterproof trousers? What model of trousers are they? Would you recommend them? Are they good for spring walking or would they be too warm?
Title: Re: All day waterproof trousers
Post by: Islandplodder on 20:21:47, 27/12/17
They are a bit of a marmite brand but I like Paramo walking trousers.  I have cascadas for the winter and velez for the rest of the year and have done all my LDPs in them precisely because I hate walking in overtrousers and can't be bothered taking them on and off all day.  They have zips on the leg for temperature control, and I wear them in anything that is too cold for shorts.  And it has to be practically tropical to get me into shorts!
Title: Re: All day waterproof trousers
Post by: wobblyknees on 21:42:18, 27/12/17
I wear Paramo Cascada trousers for hill walking most of the year but I would not describe them as waterproof - highly water resistant at best.
I bought a pair of Rohans similar to these some years ago for hillwalking


https://www.rohan.co.uk/mens-travel-and-outdoor-trousers#TypeId=40

 
I used to have to park some distance from my workplace - a short walk, but long enough to wet trousers on a rainy day. Rather than spend most of the morning in wet trousers, I started wearing the Rohans to work on wet days. Perfect solution! They are comfortable, practical and feel just like ordinary trousers.
I have never worn them on the hills as they are far too practical and useful as a general every day trousers about town or at work.
Those that I know who do use them on the mountains swear by them and recommend them highly as do I.
I find Rohan's Barricade far more breathable than GoreTex.
Title: Re: All day waterproof trousers
Post by: Kukkudrill on 22:31:13, 27/12/17
Thanks both for the replies. I've read conflicting reports about Paramo gear - some swear by its waterproof properties, others say it gets overwhelmed by heavy rain. Marmite brand is a right description  :)  But all agree (or so it seems to me) that Paramo trousers won't stop you getting a damp derriere if you sit on a wet surface  :)


Wobblyknees, those Rohans look interesting. Do they rustle? Are they warm?




Title: Re: All day waterproof trousers
Post by: nesty on 00:05:48, 28/12/17
OK, you have 2 choices. The all day or the on/off trousers!

I like Paramo Cascada for the all day. However, I do run hot and find them very warm! I tend to wear them if rain is forecast all day.

For the on off, as you please and in real quick emergency downpour.  I really recommend Berghaus Deluge. Also they have great venting zips. So if you are  in that zone shall I take off or wait etc. They are great. Full length zips and very easy to get on.

I was on Kinder scout, when a massive downpour came in. I got the Berghaus Deluge on in 20 secs. Once you mastered the art (practice in your bedroom), they are excellent trousers!
Title: Re: All day waterproof trousers
Post by: gunwharfman on 08:50:58, 28/12/17
I've taken another route. I hate waterproof trousers, such a faff to put on and take off. I use a rain skirt, keeps me cool in all the right places, on in 10 seconds, off in 5!
Title: Re: All day waterproof trousers
Post by: Rather be walking on 13:10:18, 28/12/17
Yes I use Rohan's Barricade, brill  O0
I had a pair of Craghoppers Stefan trousers, but they were noisy. 

Rain skirt and shorts, not when there's ticks a round.  ;)

jon.
Title: Re: All day waterproof trousers
Post by: gunwharfman on 18:32:47, 28/12/17
Re: The possibility of Lyme Disease. Ive stopped using shorts, only long trousers for me now.
Title: Re: All day waterproof trousers
Post by: wobblyknees on 11:32:14, 29/12/17
Wobblyknees, those Rohans look interesting. Do they rustle? Are they warm?


No. I've never heard them rustle.
Warm? It depends on how warm you mean by warm. Because they are lined inside, they are warmer than a pair of single layer polyester pants such as Craghoppers Kiwi but not as warm as the Paramo Cascadas.
Title: Re: All day waterproof trousers
Post by: Welsh Rambler on 20:47:01, 29/12/17
I use the HiGear Typhoon waterproof trousers and have found them very good. The only disadvantage is no zipped fly so calls of nature could lead to frostbite in very cold weather.  :o
Regards Keith
Title: Re: All day waterproof trousers
Post by: Kukkudrill on 10:58:16, 30/12/17
Thanks all for the replies  O0 


Warm? It depends on how warm you mean by warm. Because they are lined inside, they are warmer than a pair of single layer polyester pants such as Craghoppers Kiwi but not as warm as the Paramo Cascadas.


Would you say they are too warm for walking in April/May?


And another question ... is the fabric stretchy at all? (My ideal trousers would be stretchy, but I'm asking without much hope because the Rohan website makes no mention of stretch.)
Title: Re: All day waterproof trousers
Post by: wobblyknees on 12:54:28, 30/12/17

Would you say they are too warm for walking in April/May?


I cannot say. Weather can vary from Arctic to tropical in April/May. Because they only come in dark shades, the might feel warm on a bright sunny day. But then you are unlikely to wear them on a bright sunny day. I don't recall ever having that problem.


And another question ... is the fabric stretchy at all?


No. It is not stretchy.
Title: Re: All day waterproof trousers
Post by: ninthace on 14:29:05, 30/12/17
I have a set of Paramo trousers that have full length vent zips which are my go to trousers for winter walking as they are both warm and water resistant but can be opened down the sides without dying of indecent exposure when necessary. On my “summer” trip to Austria I took my usual nylon overtrousers, not expecting to use them very much. In fact I ended up wearing them almost all the time but the condensation was so bad that I might as well not have worn them. In desperation I went to a local outdoors shop and found a set of Regatta walking trousers which were fairly water resistant and made of a comfortable stretchy fabric similar to Kiwi Pro trousers. After that walking was much more pleasant as they were far more breathable and perfectly adequate in most conditions.
Title: Re: All day waterproof trousers
Post by: Owen on 16:22:48, 30/12/17
I wear Montane terra pants which are water resistant not waterproof they do dry very quickly so unless it's biblical rain storms there fine. There not too warm so even if you have to wear over-trouser you don't tend to over heat. For winter I have Haglof rugged pants which are very warm, very quick drying but very expensive.


I wear gaiters with them.
Title: Re: All day waterproof trousers
Post by: Kukkudrill on 19:33:41, 30/12/17
Thanks for the reply Wobblyknees. And thanks all for your inputs.


I've decided to see how I get along with my Craghoppers Stefans on outdoors walks. So far I've done two shortish walks (less than 10kms per walk) in cool and windy conditions. In these conditions they are not too warm - on the contrary there were moments when I found myself wishing they were warmer. No rain but plenty of mud on the ground. The stitching on the knees is something you forget about after a while, while the rustling is much less noticeable out in the open country than it is indoors or on urban walks, especially when it's windy. The trouser leg cuffs have velcro tabs and I've found you can tighten these then tuck the cuffs up inside the trouser legs, effectively shortening each trouser leg by a couple of inches. This keeps the worst of the mud off the trouser legs.
Title: Re: All day waterproof trousers
Post by: archaeoroutes on 23:19:41, 03/01/18
Yep, Paramos. I use Velez Adventure Light a lot - they look like normal black trousers and haven't drawn any looks in pubs. Nothing wrong with gaiters over waterproof trousers, as long as the trouser hems are over the outside of your boots.
Title: Re: All day waterproof trousers
Post by: jhatter on 19:42:26, 07/01/18
I have a pair of the Rohan Dry Requisite trousers. They are comfortable and do not rustle but they are not stretchy. I would recommend them!