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Finally, after spending thousands on waterproof jackets over the years, I've found one made of a material that actually works - Columbia OutDry. Unfortunately, they don't make trousers out of it. I've got 6 pairs of waterproof trousers, none of which are actually waterproof for more than half an hour. I'm talking walking the dog level of activity waterproof, nothing extreme.
Does anyone know of a manufacturer who uses the same OutDry material for trousers, or has anyone found a pair that actually are waterproof?
MoD RAF Goretex over trousers in blue.
I wore them for a 2hr dog walk in biblical rain yesterday. Stayed perfectly dry. Usually around £20-30 delivered from eBay or military surplus shops.
As above, I bought a pair for dog walking when we got a puppy. She was 8 last week and they are still going strong and waterproof.
They don't look too bad on.
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I like the price!
Oddly, I've just bought some Columbia overtrousers made from 'Omni Tech' fabric.
I think the model is the Evolution Valley?
Really nice feel to the fabric and totally waterproof so far.
They size a bit big, but are well cut.
First Columbia branded item I've bought, but very impressed so far.
I tend to wear them just on their own.
Best overtrousers I've used so far.
As I spend most of my working day of about 10-11 hours outdoors, staying dry becomes a bit of an issue. We used to be issued with generic hi-viz jackets, and thin over-trousers, which were pretty rubbish. I tried B&Q Site over-trousers, because work couldn’t get hold of any and those were the only ones I could find locally, and even from new they got damp inside, which I could feel as soon as I sat down anywhere.
We’re now being supplied with Portwest kit, and I’ve been wearing their Steelite waterproof boots for nearly four years, and been hugely impressed, and the hi-viz breathable jackets have been much better in the wet and cold, and we’ve recently had some waterproof over-trousers supplied as well, and so far they’ve been better than anything I’ve tried from other sources. The material is a bit heavier, they’ve got decent zip pockets, and zip gussets in the lower leg to help get them on and off over boots.
They’re the same price that I paid for the B&Q ones, and so much better in the wet. They may not be quite as fancy as other makes, but I don’t care, just as long as my legs stay dry when it’s pissing down. Like it is at the moment, so I’ll be putting them on before I go out this afternoon.
My Rohan trousers keep me dry, though I can't remember the material they use
So are those RAF trees suitable for on the bike or flappy round the ankles ?
Columbia do outdry bibs aimed at the fishing market..
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/373193087249?hash=item56e40a9911:g:tyAAAOSwAyBfU~Ee
They are a bit flappy for biking in.
But cheap enough to get busy on if you know someone that does alterations
I have the MH500 trousers from Decathlon. Wore them for 90 mins of driving rain last week whilst standing pitchside at my daughter's football match. Completely dry. They have nice long zips for getting on over boots but try them for size as they are quite a slim fit.
I had army surplus gore tex over trousers for years, but with the camo pattern you look a bit ‘colin’.
I have some Berghaus goretex ones and they’ve been fine.
I have some Arc’teryx goretex ones, beta I think and they’ve been spot on. Picked them up in a sale half price. Pretty simple, no pockets, half length zips but seem to do what they need to.
I can’t believe that waterproof trousers don’t end up being waterproof! I’ve got Royal racing waterproof ones and they’re great! Never let any water in, tbh I’ve even got £15 regatta overtrousers before and they’ve also been bone dry.
I had army surplus gore tex over trousers for years, but with the camo pattern you look a bit ‘colin’.
The Desert Pattern ones tend to be cheap and un-issued (rain proof desert wear - go figure). Curiously the MOD have managed to create a fabric that can only be described as 'Bright Beige'
I had army surplus gore tex over trousers for years, but with the camo pattern you look a bit ‘colin’.
That’s completely unavoidable for some of us.