[Closed] Waterproof trousers for walking

They definitely need to be waterproof - 99% of the time I'm out I'm using softshell - usually a fairly heavy one. It has to be pretty grim for my waterproofs to come out , even in the winter ice climbinh.

Berghaus Paclite.

They're overtrousers, I only put them on if it looks like a sustained spell of rain.

What wbo said.

I know it's classic stw recommending something different but if breathability is important a truly waterproof shell trouser is just never gonna be that great, IME, especially once it's wet.

I also just carry v light overtrousers and they very rarely get used.

I have Berghaus ones too that have a full length zip, which can be handy.

I’m in the Berghaus Paclite camp too.
Mine are now 14 years old and been used as a wind proof and waterproof layer many times , they have a tiny hole in the bottom of the right leg, from snagging on a chainring.
Beyond that they are probably the best performing piece of outdoor kit I own. Biggest drawback is that the leg zips are a bit fiddly and can snag it I’m not careful with them.

I got some of the alpkit ones recently.
Fit well and have reinforced ankle patches. Have only used them a couple of times though when it has truly shat it down

I often use my Endura Mt500 riding trousers and they are fine for that. I've run in them occasionally too,but I mostly get too hot running for trousers

I've got a pair of Patagonia over trousers, I think they're called Torrentshell. They were £110 last year.  3 layer-taped seams; totally waterproof. Long leg zip (comes up to your knee) and come in different leg lengths. I use them for commuting and they're pretty sweaty, they'd be OK for walking in though  They're not massively breathable, but personally I think you need to pick your battles, and you can't have both IMO

I have a pair of these:

https://www.craghoppers.com/kiwi-pro-waterproof-trousers-black-3/

They've been great when caught in Brecon in very wet conditions. Warm for me, but not hot - this is a personal thing though.

They come in a myriad of sizes.

Good luck with the hunt.

If they are for just in case of heavy/prolonged rain go as light as possible with 3/4 or full length zips. That makes them much easier to put on in a rush (if you've got big feet this is a must).

If you're just going to wear them all day anyway then get some with press-studs or poppers so you can open the zips to vent them

I'm guilty of being a lazy bugger with waterproofs, I'll always hold off as long as I can. Last weekend that resulted in soaked feet, with the rain permeating down into my socks. I need to get the waterproofs on earlier.

Ditto, hence many a soaking thinking it'll stop soon
🤦‍♂️

Me too, which is why I'm erring towards some 'water-repellent' trousers, rather than 'water-proof' over-trousers, so I'll be wearing them anyway.

Berghaus for all of family_oab. Have done for years.

Cheap = Deluge, they are waterproof and breathable, and have vent option. I use a lot because they get trashed at work. £50-60 in sale.

Better = PacLite - more breathable, lighter, waterproof-ness is higher and lasts longer. Usually @£100. These will be my next ones again.

All (and this is the important bit) are well tailored and available in short, medium and long leg.

IME, if you are properly in the hills, you *have*  to have full waterproofs or you are taking risk over cold and wet. None of the softshells come close if it is proper wet.

IME, if you are properly in the hills, you *have* to have full waterproofs or you are taking risk over cold and wet. None of the softshells come close if it is proper wet.

Wholeheartedly agree.

I have a pair of Arcteryx overtrousers (bought in a sale of course) which are the best cut and most comfortable of any I've ever had. Hip length zips, double ended so you can open up the tops a bit for some ventilation or to get to your trouser pockets. Oh and waterproof.

None of the softshells come close if it is proper wet.

This, totally. They're fine up to a point then they tip over into very wet, very cold against your legs and really quite draggy and heavy. Berghaus Paclite here, though I'd have some misgivings about recommending them wholeheartedly if you like scramble or are hard on your gear.

Marmot PreCip are another good value overtrouser available in different lengths and with long zips

This has been shared a few times before. A bit rambly, but hits the mark as a well-explained approach to the waterproof/breathable debate.

https://www.andy-kirkpatrick.com/articles/view/the_truth_about_breathable_waterproofs

That's a terrible article. This piece for example....

If, on the other hand, you’re wearing a typical layering system of a base layer, fleece and shell, conductive heat loss from all body parts that are covered can only happen by the sweat soaking into the fabric and lowering its insulation properties – a very slow and dangerous way to lose heat

Or alternately, just take off or put on layers as required...His biases are obvious and I wonder if he still holds to those views?

You can easily overthink this, your overtroos don't need to be as breathable as a jacket.

If you don't use crampons or a scramble,  any of the options above are fine.

Andy Kirkpatricls viewpoint is absolutely correct if you're doing stop start activities, with winter climbing being the best example. The notion of stripping down and taking layers off to start climbing, then retrieving them (from where?) at the end, and putting them on a la traditional layering is just a nonsense in practical terms. That's where the concept of a belay jacket comes from ,, and that's really a starting point for the modern synthetic 'belay jacket' you just put over the top.
But one proviso there is that it's cold, wet and windy , ... if it's warm that it's all rain then your waterproofs come back into the picture. Personally I stay at home then, but that means that for 99% of when I wear trousers for days out I use a softshell pair - the thicker type , not the very thin ones... and just put cheap waterproof troos over when I need them. I don't wear expensive ones anymore as you can count the hours till they get ripped on something

My dad walks the fells everyday from Keswick and swears by the Rohan waterproof walking trousers. He got a new pair at the weekend because they had a sale on but still over £100 I think

I have some Marmot Precip ones with full-length zips which are pretty handy for getting on easily - surprisingly durable but not the most breathable - great for random picnic stops on wet ground / seats
Montane Atomic - again not the most breathable but good shape for cycling with tapered leg
Berghaus Paclite - very waterproof and very breathable, best for wet walks
Sprayway also do a walking trouser that is nigh on waterproof but doesn’t look /rustle like a hard shell
Agree on soft shell trousers - no use in ‘serious’ weather/Scottish west coast

Berghaus Deluge for me....can't beat them for the money (I did nab mine for £25 tbf!)

99% of when I wear trousers for days out I use a softshell pair – the thicker type , not the very thin ones…

Do you mean a double weave woven fabric or a membrane-type softshell like Gore Windstopper? The latter are a lot more water resistant than the former.

In the spirit of being annoying, Paramo stuff works really well in UK winter conditions, but not the baggy ones. And not within the OP's budget.

The Mammuts are the former, Mountain equipment Tour are more like the latter. I've got some thinner ones too, but they rarely come out... shorts instead.
As far as actual waterproofs go I have some Lowe ones and some Marmot precip, but I can't really imagine wandering around all day in either.

99% of the time I’m out I’m using softshell – usually a fairly heavy one. It has to be pretty grim for my waterproofs to come out , even in the winter ice climbinh.

I'd never go out without my waterproof trousers (an old pair of Rab eVent ones), but i'm the same as above. In winter i'm in a pair of ME G2 pants for the grand majority of the time (eventually wore out the Windstopper ones and have just replaced with the Gore Infinium ones). Although they are pricey, they keep out the worst of it.

If it is bad enough for the waterproofs to go on, its for as minimal a time as possible.

If i had to replace my waterproofs now, i'd probably go for something like Deluges rather than anything spendy.