Recommended Price: £105
Weight: 403g (large)
We’ve been having a serious cold snap this last week or so – the perfect conditions to don a pair of softshell walking trousers. In the past I’ve often just worn a pair of slightly thicker standard walking trousers with thermals underneath and then overtrousers if things turned really cold and windy. These Vapor Rise trousers from Rab provide more luxurious warmth when the mercury really begins to fall. The outer fabric is Pertex Equilibrium, which provides good protection from the wind, whilst the insides are lined with a microfleece fabric.
Rab Vapour Rise Pants in the Eastern Cairngorms
The design is straightforward; there are two zipped hand pockets, and the reinforced hems (which are unlined) have draw cords. The waist is partially elasticated and fastens with two press studs at the front above the two-way zipped fly; there are loops for a belt, which is not included.
The two fabrics work in combination to keep you warm whilst wicking moisture away. Even when worn with a wicking base layer below (it was very cold!), I didn’t find my legs sweating at all even when doing hard uphill work in these, although my legs felt really toasty – they seem to be supremely breathable. In very cold, dry conditions when you know any precipitation is going to be snow, these are ideal.