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Main Boards => Gear => Topic started by: BuzyG on 20:16:28, 01/11/19

Title: Still much to learn
Post by: BuzyG on 20:16:28, 01/11/19
As we all know you are never to old to learn.  Quite a storm brewing up on Bodmin moor.today, so I took the opportunity to try out my new winter walking trousers.  After three and a half hours in driving rain I learnt a few things about my winter kit.

My Mountain Equipment Jacket is just as amazing this year as it was last, totally waterproof. O0

My new Trespass Holloway DLX trousers are also totally waterproof. That I was not expecting to be honest. O0

And the most important lesson learnt today.  If you have totally waterproof trousers and you tuck them into your socks under your waterproof gaiters. All the water runs down them into your new totally waterproof gortex lined winter boots and you have to wring out your socks and empty the water out.  ;D

Lesson learned.  :)
Title: Re: Still much to learn
Post by: pdstsp on 20:53:40, 01/11/19
Sorry ,Buzy, but I am laughing at that!! Hope your kit dries out soon. Couple if weeks ago I learnt that if you keep your waterproof jacket unzipped so that you don't overheat, you will get wet.
Title: Re: Still much to learn
Post by: Slowcoach on 21:04:40, 01/11/19
you have totally waterproof trousers and you tuck them into your socks under your waterproof gaiters. All the water runs down them into your new totally waterproof gortex lined winter boots and you have to wring out your socks and empty the water out.  

 
I warned some friends about that decades ago, they didn’t accept my argument until i pointed out that you firemen alway wear their waterproofs outside their boots.
Title: Re: Still much to learn
Post by: BuzyG on 21:23:10, 01/11/19
you have totally waterproof trousers and you tuck them into your socks under your waterproof gaiters. All the water runs down them into your new totally waterproof gortex lined winter boots and you have to wring out your socks and empty the water out.


I warned some friends about that decades ago, they didn’t accept my argument until i pointed out that you firemen alway wear their waterproofs outside their boots.


Wish you had told me.
Title: Re: Still much to learn
Post by: ninthace on 06:13:01, 02/11/19

Wish you had told me.
It’s kind of obvious when you think about it  ;D
Title: Re: Still much to learn
Post by: Man wae a dug on 08:03:10, 02/11/19
Look on the bright side, you now know your feet are waterproof as well. :)
Title: Re: Still much to learn
Post by: Jac on 08:36:52, 02/11/19
Laughing here too
But on a five hour tramp on Dartmoor in wind and wet last Wednesday I know that:

the waterproof zips on my new Rab jacket aren't
the properly waxed and loved leather boots aren't
my waterproof Alpikit back pack isn't
my cheap Karrimor waterproof trousers almost are
my skin - free for life - is

Moral - naked hiking obviously is the way to go
Title: Re: Still much to learn
Post by: BuzyG on 10:48:31, 02/11/19
It’s kind of obvious when you think about it  ;D

Indeed it is.   :-[ 

Having only used over trousers previous, I just did my normal thing of tucking my walking trousers in to my socks.  To be honest I wasn't expecting them to be waterproof. No previous walking trousers I have bought have been, despite the various claims.  I had my over trousers in my sack and was expecting to need them.  Well worth getting wet feet for.

The main purpose of yesterday's walk was, after all, to test out my kit and learn a little more.   :)
Title: Re: Still much to learn
Post by: Slowcoach on 10:53:55, 02/11/19
Moral - naked hiking obviously is the way to go

 

 
As winter approaches it may be advisable to invest in a mink lined cod piece.
Title: Re: Still much to learn
Post by: gunwharfman on 12:03:08, 02/11/19
I mostly wear my gaiters under my trousers, I've found that the best way to keep my feet dry. If there's any mud on the inside I just scuff it off with a small nailbrush. Today I dressed up in my gaiters, long cheap waterproof jacket and rain skirt, plus my homemade hand covers (the cut-off sleeves from an old Goretex jacket) and walked about a mile along the seafront. I was buffeted and blasted by the rain, and was sprayed with seawater as well. Not a long way at all but it proved to be really hard work. Only my face was wet but no water dribbled inside my coat, luckily for me my coat has a brilliant hood, far better than any other hood that I own. I've never yet had the chance to try out my coat in prolonged heavy rain and wind but I'm sure when I do, some rain will penetrate around my neck area.
Title: Re: Still much to learn
Post by: jimbob on 12:29:15, 02/11/19
I'm sure when I do, some rain will penetrate around my neck area.
That is where a good wool knit scarf comes in handy. The oilier the better.
Title: Re: Still much to learn
Post by: Sleepy on 23:17:07, 02/11/19

Moral - naked hiking obviously is the way to go


whit-whoo!! Just a little bit in love  :smitten:


 ;D  not sure I'm brave enough to follow suit though
Title: Re: Still much to learn
Post by: lostme1 on 08:28:17, 03/11/19
I sometimes wonder if I had over trousers which rather than ankle length were calf length, just below the height of gaiters, whether that would be a useful combination. The rain would then run off the trousers, on to gaiters and then over the boot. It would also keep the over trousers cleaner.
Title: Re: Still much to learn
Post by: gunwharfman on 10:44:36, 03/11/19
Yes, it would work in the same way as my rain skit and long waterproof jacket, You would save some weight as well, except it would not work if your waterproof trousers had full length zips down the side. As I've experimented in all sorts of ways to keep dry I did have cheap Peter Storm leggings and cut the legs short to just over the tops of my gaiters, they work fine. I personally prefer gaiters on the lower half of my legs than overtrousers, they are easier to manage, (and help my legs to stay cooler) when having those days when it rains, stops, rains, stops etc.
Title: Re: Still much to learn
Post by: Mel on 14:39:17, 03/11/19



I've often wondered why they don't put foot straps or lace hooks on waterproof trousers - it would eliminate needing gaiters altogether in wet weather.



Title: Re: Still much to learn
Post by: fernman on 17:05:03, 03/11/19
I've often wondered why they don't put foot straps or lace hooks on waterproof trousers - it would eliminate needing gaiters altogether in wet weather.

Can't say I altogether agree there. Gaiters fit quite tightly around the boots and they do actually stop any water getting into them, or making your socks wet, if you quickly step through a big puddle or very quickly splash across a stream.
Title: Re: Still much to learn
Post by: happyhiker on 18:14:43, 03/11/19
I find if I am wearing gaiters and put my waterproof trousers over the top (of course!) that my lower legs get too hot and I get a heat rash. I generally take my gaiters off before putting the trousers on. Normally, I don't think both are necessary.
Title: Re: Still much to learn
Post by: Mel on 19:12:39, 03/11/19
That's probably the reason they're not manufactured fernman, although my waterproof legs fit reasonably snugly round the ankle after I've closed the press stud (think flares converted to drainpipes-ish  ;D  )


Maybe the bottoms could incorporate a gaiter style design .... GUNWHARFMAN .... we need your inventive design skills.....


Happyhiker, I'm similar, if I wear gaiters and overtrousers, my legs just overheat massively - causes my achilles tendon (damaged) no end of trouble.



Title: Re: Still much to learn
Post by: lostme1 on 20:34:33, 03/11/19
Happyhiker, I'm similar, if I wear gaiters and overtrousers, my legs just overheat massively - causes my achilles tendon (damaged) no end of trouble.
That's why I would like proper short over trousers with zips so I could get them on easily, but I could leave my gaiters on and just put my over trousers as and when it rains. I know I could cut down a zipless pair but I would still need a velco closure below the knee to go over the gaiter.
What I really want is the old walking breeches in a water proof material with side zips. I suppose I can dream.
Title: Re: Still much to learn
Post by: jimbob on 20:44:35, 03/11/19
Do you mean like waterproof plusfours / plustwos?

Now that is something one of our young design students could take up and run with.
Title: Re: Still much to learn
Post by: Pitboot on 10:34:48, 04/11/19
https://ibb.co/jZZtyh0
Title: Re: Still much to learn
Post by: jimbob on 16:09:38, 04/11/19
https://ibb.co/jZZtyh0 (https://ibb.co/jZZtyh0)
Breeks missing the horse  ;D
Title: Re: Still much to learn
Post by: lostme1 on 16:33:24, 04/11/19
Do you mean like waterproof plusfours / plustwos?

Now that is something one of our young design students could take up and run with.

Yes I do. I doubt that the young design students have never heard of them so won't have any idea of what we are talking about.
Title: Re: Still much to learn
Post by: gunwharfman on 16:55:17, 04/11/19
When I first started to wear my gaiters under my walking trousers my legs also became uncomfortable so my wife's friend sewed a 2" wide soft material around the inside top of the gaiter, they are comfortable now.