I could do with a pair of hiking/walking/outdoorsy trousers, aka action slacks, that have a reasonable level of water-resistance. Not full on waterproof trousers, just something that will shed a light shower, Mrs IHN used to have a Berghaus pair that did this kind of thing. Ideally they'd just be 'normal' material, i.e. no softshell or similar, but a very light/thin softshell might be okay.
Any ideas?
I use Fjallraven Vidda pro pants (Lake district Fell walking) and for warmer days a pair of Endura Humvee trousers which are ultra comfy for walking in.
The trousers you have and some Nikwax or Graingers DWR.
The trousers you have and some Nikwax or Graingers DWR.
Really, that simple?
Yep. The wash in stuff lasts a few washes in my experience.
The weave of the fabric can really help - my Berghaus trousers both wick and dry quickly, but have no water resistance at all. Whereas my Salomon and Patagucci trousers by being a different fabric are more water resistant naturally - but both are much heavier in weight too.
I just got some of these, been great for me
https://alpkit.com/products/arnison-walking-trousers-mens
Aye,what Matt said.
Proofed (Nikwax)a couple of pairs of Brashers trews for general scruffing about in,has worked well.
Serious question - what would you want them made of, if not softshell?
How casual do you want them and how often are you going to wear them - can you get away with just wearing riding kit?
K was walking rather than riding while we were in the Lakes last week and just wore her Endura MT500's (black)
Stretchy wear they need to be, shrug off a bit to mizzle or wet undergrowth.
Serious question – what would you want them made of, if not softshell?
Some kinda treated 'normal' fabric (like the ones NBT linked to as an example)
can you get away with just wearing riding kit?
Yeah, possibly, but I don't own any riding trews, I wear tights if it's that cold
I've got two pairs of Montane Super Terra trousers I picked up off fleabay for work. I hardly ever use overtrousers now, they're excellent trousers, shrug off most weather and when they do get wet they dry quickly. Tough as old boots too.
softshell
What is it you think 'softshell' is?
What is it you think ‘softshell’ is?
Is that aimed at me? I think of softshell as that kinda fleece-ish lined inner, kind sorta looks a bit like very thin neoprene (I know it's not neoprene, but I think it looks a bit like it) windproof/ water resistant outer material.
Another vote for Montane Super Terra. Brilliant trousers and the fit is ideal.
I just got some of these, been great for me
Arnison [Mens]
I have pair of those for winter dank dog walks, they are ace to be fair.
winter dank dog walks
I misread that at first glance.
:O
What is it you think ‘softshell’ is?
Well I thought it could be used for any synthetic fabric that was designed to be used as an outer face, but wasn't a hardshell?
Now I'm not so sure though.
Montane or Prana
Is that aimed at me? I think of softshell as that kinda fleece-ish lined inner, kind sorta looks a bit like very thin neoprene (I know it’s not neoprene, but I think it looks a bit like it) windproof/ water resistant outer material.
I understood it was any synthetic fabric with a bit of wind resistance - from Pertex, through to a fabric/membrane/fabric, or fabric & fleece.
I bought several pair of Regatta's trousers, when they were on a deal last year, thoroughly recommend their Fenton and Questra III trousers, both a fleece type material, and water resistant. One is definitely the more full on winter, though i think that's the Questra .
Oh and the dumb ass who said they won't last more than a couple of months being from Regatta, can suck my ****, 2nd year for mine and still in great condition
I understood it was any synthetic fabric with a bit of wind resistance
about that - it Now seems to cover any fabric with water/wind resistance that isn't 'hard' and "rustley". But it's basically just a marketing term now - my Rab Borealis is a wind resistant soft-shell that's got no membrane - the resistance just comes from the fabric. Much like any tightly woven shirt fabric.
thoroughly recommend their Fenton and Questra III trousers
Fenton trousers good for dog walking, I assume?
Fenton Trousers Err yes, dog walking is what mine are mostly used for... (did make me wonder if I'd got the name wrong)
I bought those Fenton's last year as well, absolutely brilliant trousers. Use mine for dog walking and work, very rarely wear waterproof trousers in work at all now.
The Fjallraven trousers - a sort of polycotton treated with wax called G1000 - are decent in a traditional sort of way - ie: not I'm off to the Eiger stylee - but fearsomely expensive. Or pretty much any non-membrane, double-weave polyamide soft shell trouser with a factory-applied DWR.
If you want something more rain resistant, Sprayway does something called an All Day Rainpant, that's basically a normal walking trouser with a waterproof drop-liner, so they look normal on the outside, but keep most of the rain out. I don't like them, they feel clammy and weird to me, but some folk love the things. Berghaus used to have their own version which looked marginally nicer, but worked pretty much the same.
Fwiw, most outdoor trousers have a horrible cut, sort of dad pants in disguise / slacks. I have no idea why, but it's not really as if the alpine pastures above Disley are overrun with fashionistas, so you'll probably be okay 🙂
Fenton reference:
it’s not really as if the alpine pastures above Disley are overrun with fashionistas
They are now, daaaarling.
*straightens topknot, polishes beard*
Fenton reference:
I had forgotten how funny that was.
Fenton video, still really funny.
Look for ’water repellent’ on here https://www.decathlon.co.uk/browse/c0-men/c1-clothing/c3-walking-trousers/_/N-f0erf8
I have some from a few years back that have been great but Decathlon models / brands have changed.
