[Closed] Softshell (probably) walking trews - What's what?

Mountain Equipment Ibex will match your requirements. They're a medium weight softshell and are very good. Come in different leg lengths too.

Probably a bit low rent for you.

But...

I have a pair of decathlon ones that tick all your requirements. They're 5years old and still going strong.

Ta, ElS, will have a look.

Josh, nothing wrong with cheap stuff if it works! Another to check out.

Keela Scuffers, unless you need a heavier weight material.

Harris tweed plus fours Shirley?

Montane do some cracking stuff they have an eBay outlet shop now.

I have some haglöfs rugged flex trousers for bimbling about in the mountains. Well nice !

Beaten to it by perchy....

For ultimate durability, my Patagucci guide trousers are the absolute shizzle. Windproof, light showers roll off, durable, fit well. Don't ask the price...

My Berghaus trousers are also good, mainly the way they are cut to accommodate cyclist thighs and butt. They also look 'normal' so I wear them for work (outdoors with schools).

I've found Montane come up short (even in long leg) and the cut isn't as good as others. That said my winter Terra pants are fleece lined luxury for really cold days, although too hot unless winter involves -5 on the hill or canoeing for hours... They also look a bit 'special'.

Marmot Highland are good and usually available at a decent price.

A pair of mammut BASE jumps have done me well for years. Quite a continental fit though...

I have always wanted a pair of Montane Terra softshells, but even the long leg versions are too short. I'll just have to keep popping in to the Haglöfs outlet shop when I go past on the way back from the hills.

i have a couple of pairs of decathlon ones - convertible and non-convertible

lovely - incredibly comfortable. Very light. etc etc.

I wear them slightly too much for my wife's liking.

I got some decent softshell trousers in Aldi a couple of years back, around the £10 mark. Worth keeping an eye out this time of year for what pops up in Lidl and Aldi, some of it's tat but there's good cheap stuff to be had occasionally.

Fabrics are broadly similar. It depends what fits you best, quite a few are still cut like 'dad pants'. I'd go and try some on. Schoeller branded fabrics probably the gold standard, but very expensive.

As an alternative to standard issue softshell, Fjallraven trousers are decent, kind of semi-waxed cotton-ish fabric. Variety of cuts and leg lengths.

I have a pair of these which I am very happy with

https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/15906589/oex-men-s-strata-softshell-trouser-short-length-15906589

I don't think mine are the short ones tho.

I also have sthese for winter use - OK bar the back of the waistband is either cut a bt low or they don't have room for my arse - maybe deliberate to stop thembunching up under a rucksac?
https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/15896388/montane-men-s-terra-pant-long-15896388

Thanks (almost) all! Plenty of food for thought.

I find Mountain Equipment have the best cut for soft-shell trousers, they taper nicely rather than having loads of material to flap in the wind around your ankles. Having said that, unless it's properly sub zero I just wear shorts.....

https://www.norrona.com/en-GB/

^ there’s an online outlet, although requires registration. Makes it somewhat more affordable.

https://www.norrona.com/en-GB/o/men/

Personally I like Haglofs, have 4 pairs of their troos. Two mid somethings and two rugged mountains

I also use montane terras on the bike, as well as the haglofs mids

Somewhat controversially, I have now given up finding walking trousers that are not to hot/cold, not long enough, don't chafe, etc.

I now just use running tights of varying weights and a pair of shorts on top to save some degree of modesty. Works for me.

Costco cargo/utility/outdoor pants, convertible ones in summer and fleecey lined ones in winter. <£20. Water repellent but quick drying if they do wet out.
I live in mine much to my wifes chagrin.

Keela Scuffer trousers tick all the boxes you've specified, I'm in my second pair and will eventually replace with the same.

Patagucci remain the best I've tried, and the jacket I've had from them has lasted years and years (like all my other Patagonia stuff). However, my go to softshell trousers are now the Decathlon softshells; either the thicker versions for winter use (not that water resistant after a while, but I use them lots and wash em most weeks), or the thinner stretch versions I've just ordered my second pair of, which repel water very well. Fit can be a bit weird, normally have to go up a size, and don't work for longer limbs apparently so definitely need to try them on.

https://www.revolutionrace.co.uk/gpx-pants/110-gpx-pants-men-s-green.html

After looking at Fjallraven I bought a couple of pairs from this company; very good quality, made for tall, lithe people rather than chubby Northern orcs like me. Some of the website is a bit Flouro-Euro but the trousers are good at what they do with sensible pockets and quality stitching. You can do the whole waxing and heating for more water resistance on the waxable bits.

https://www.revolutionrace.co.uk/gpx-pro-pants/470-gpx-pro-pants-mens-dark-olive.html

Spend your paperclip bonus on

https://gb.harkila.com/en-gb/shop/hunting-clothes-for-men/hunting-trousers/norse-trousers-110118916

https://www.revolutionrace.co.uk/gpx-pants/110-gpx-pants-men-s-green.html

After looking at Fjallraven I bought a couple of pairs from this company; very good quality, made for tall, lithe people rather than chubby Northern orcs like me. Some of the website is a bit Flouro-Euro but the trousers are good at what they do with sensible pockets and quality stitching. You can do the whole waxing and heating for more water resistance on the waxable bits.

https://www.revolutionrace.co.uk/gpx-pro-pants/470-gpx-pro-pants-mens-dark-olive.html/blockquote >

Thanks, @crikey - have just ordered a pair of the GPx pants - 10% discount on first order too.

I have some Regatta ones on now, they're really good and cost me about £15.

I have Montane trousers for most of the year, but I love my Mountain Equipment Ibex in the cold/winter etc, a cracking pair of trousers.

The ME Ibex are lovely and pretty decent value. Just a shame that they consider a "long" leg to be a measly 33", hence they're no good for anyone over 6 foot.

Not everyone over 6ft has very long legs.

Also when wearing walking boots if the trousers are an inch shorter than your jeans it's irrelevant

+1 for Mammut Base Jump.

Have a look on sportpursuit, they have loads of softshell type trousers and waterproofs, returns are no problem either.

Montane Terra stretch ones from sport shoes here. Good deal on them if I remember. Nicer than the bog std montane terras.

Paramo cascada are lovely to wear.

@crikey, @househusband - how are you getting on with the RR trousers?

Very well, I've been wearing my nordwand trews a lot in the cold weather. Sizing is the big issue for me; I've got mediums but when professionally shortened they are tight on my calves. I bought large and shortened them at home and they're great.

Dark colours are more wearable although i might get some groovier ones later this year.

@crikey - thanks

Their size chart is not that helpful and I couldn't find the inside leg lengths.

Do you know what they were before you adjusted them?

Rohan Super Striders. The end of their life just intersects with the common availability of the mountain bike. I did a few rides in mine including Meltham to Edale YHA in the filth and wet.

Yeah I see this is thread resurrection but once again, Decathlon stuff is worth looking at. I love my winter walking trousers.

I have long legs, so need brands with a 'long' option.

Best I have ever had - summer and winter trews has to be Patagonia. Brilliant and simple things, hard wearing and understated.

However....I now have two pairs of Berghaus summary ones which are better cut and lasting very well. I am tempted to try a wintery pair out from them.

I personally find that too heavy, too many patches (Montane & Fjalraven, I am looking at you) get sweaty and just not as stretchy. I prefer to add long-johns if cold and proper over trousers with vent (Berghaus again) if wet.

I picked up a pair of Fjallraven Keb trousers from the Ambleside outlet shop back in the torrential Feb rain. They are ace. Scandi quality, warm, breathable, stretchy, quiet, water resistant without wax, but waxable for more wind/water resistance.

I have a pair of Decathlon (Quecha) winter soft shell trousers.
I've had them for at least 8 years, not very waterproof though.
Have a look at the Simond range, I'm just hoping the Cascade soft shells will eventually end up in the sale!

@ElShalimo @crikey

I'd actually kinda forgotten I have them! I washed them and treated them with NikWax wash-in last earlier last year and they've been hanging up in a cupboard since. Just taken them out and wearing them now before posting. If cold, which it has been pretty much so for a while, I'll wear my Rab Vapour Rise trousers.

I'd agree with the comment about them being a cosy fit; I'm at the more portly end of a 36" waist and I bought the XL's - I wouldn't want them any cosier. Leg length is perfect for me at a wee bit shy of 6'2".

Their stuff is good, but perhaps better value when bought at 30% off - as it regularly is.

Thigh pockets that accept a folded OS map would be good; the RR's won't.

Thanks @househusband, it sounds like XL would work for me as I'm roughly the same dimensions as you.

In the recent winter weather I've found that my old Mountain Equipment "Mountain Stretch" pants are not as good at shedding water and mud as they used to be. They've had a lot of use in the last 8yrs and frequent washing and treating so maybe they just need retiring. They're an older heavier material than my ME Ibex pants and were ideal for winter walking when new.

I'm another fan of Keela Scuffers. They do seem to size up big though, I'm 5'9" with 32" waist and size small fit me perfectly.

I'm sure if you are a normal or even long legged person they will be fine, I've got short legs and generally struggle to get outdoor stuff to fit well.

They are easy to adjust in terms of length and their website seems to show lots of crumpled trousers suggesting that they are meant or designed to be long. The only issue I've had is that the calf sizing is close, other than that I have no problems.

Er, other than the rear pocket being a bit small for a wallet...

34" inside leg here but with wearing boots a 33" will be  okay and not look too silly.

I've a 30 inch inside leg and I cut 4 inches off the large trousers, I think you'll be fine!

Thanks