There's a current topic about gear reviews in the Gear section that's spurred me to get around to posting one of my own. And with all the rain we've been having recently, I thought I'd offer a review of my waterproof trousers...
When I first started walking for pleasure in all weathers, I would carry cheap overtrousers that I almost certainly bought from Mountain Warehouse. They were bulky and a real pain to get on - especially in a sudden downpour. And when the rain stopped, they had to come off again quickly, because I'd start to cook.
Something better was needed. One day, I saw Berghaus Paclite overtrousers (list price £110) on sale at about £60. They still seemed expensive at about three times the price of MW ones, but I took the plunge. They were - and are - brilliant! They fit neatly into a side bottle pocket on my backpack and I take them on almost every walk, the exception being if I take a second bottle on a hot day. They have three-quarter length side zips, which makes them easier to put on over boots, and the zips allow some ventilation when the rain stops.
But.. there were still a couple of issues. The first might not bother others, but the lack of pockets in the overtrousers proved very inconvenient. My nose runs like a leaking tap in wind and rain so I want easy access to my handkerchiefs and trying to reach trouser pockets via the waistband or side zips wasn't easy.
The second issue was completely down to me. I tend to be optimistic about rain... I don't mind getting wet for a while, because I expect the rain to stop and I'll soon dry out. That means that even though I'm carrying waterproof overtrousers, I tend not to bother stopping to put them on - and by the time I realise my mistake, it's too late. The last time I walked for hours with soaking trousers stuck to my legs - with my overtrousers still in my backpack - I decided another approach was needed!
So I investigated the possibility of waterproof trousers. I wasn't interested in water-resistant trousers, but trousers that I could wear from the outset on a day when persistent or long spells of rain was forecast... and not have a care in the world. I would be warm and dry, but not too warm. And that was the big question... I walk briskly and tend to get warm, and I hate being sweaty; would I cook in genuinely waterproof trousers?
After lots of online browsing, only one option looked attractive. I already owned a Rohan Vertex jacket and it had been amazing - waterproof of course, but also extremely breathable with its Barricade alternative to Gore-Tex. So I visited my local Rohan shop to take a look at their Dry Frontier trousers, which also use the Barricade system.
I'm used to wearing very light trousers and the Rohan ones felt a bit heavy. And I was surprised to find that the inner waterproofing layer wasn't bonded to the outer layer, making them seem a bit like the winter-lined trousers that I usually find too warm for energetic walking. I left the shop empty-handed... the Dry Frontier trousers aren't cheap at £125 and I didn't want to make an expensive mistake.
But my mind kept returning to the idea of proper waterproof trousers (especially when it was raining) and I eventually returned to Rohan, tried a pair on, and went for it. A 20% discount that day took the price down to a less eye-watering £100.
So what are they like? Well, the fact that I'm bothering with a review suggests that I'm happy... and I am. It didn't rain for quite a while after I'd bought them, but it's done little else during the past few weeks and I've worn the Dry Frontiers a lot. They haven't let in a drop of water, including during a four-hour walk in strong wind and non-stop heavy rain. There have been a couple of occasions when the sun has come out and I've been walking up a hill and my legs have started to get warm, but they cool down quickly when the going gets easier or the sun goes in. The trousers are cosy, but nothing like wearing winter-lined trousers - I expected them to be waterproof, but I've been absolutely delighted by how they also stay cool. Of course the temperature hasn't gone much above about 12C so far this winter and I doubt I'll wear the trousers once the weather gets warmer. But that's fine, because I quite like warm rain anyway!
I didn't like to pinch Rohan's photos and I didn't have any of me wearing the trousers, so I took a couple of photos of them on the floor, just to give an idea of what they look like. It was important to me that they didn't look like anything other than normal walking trousers. They have six pockets: two open hand pockets, two patch pockets with pop-fasteners, and two zipped back pockets. Rohan warns that the pockets aren't waterproof - as in, water can get in through the openings. But in practice, my jacket comfortably covers the four upper pockets and the contents have stayed perfectly dry. I can't say for sure (because I've not used them), but I expect the large flaps on the patch pockets would stop rain getting in.
One final thing... the coated outer material is in itself very water-resistant. Water droplets form and run off for a long time, but eventually areas of the outer material begin to get wet, especially where it rubs on something. However, the inside liner is completely waterproof and so my legs have always stayed dry.
From a happy and dry owner - the Dry Frontiers are highly recommended!
