Trousers and Pants

[ExpatEddie]

As a gentle hill walker and occasional Munro climber I have been wearing walking tousers with over-trousers for when the rain comes on or I'm ploughing through long wet grass and heather. I've come across walkers in the same weather and terrain whose trousers appear to shed water and they are dry. I'm thinking those are what I want. So searching the internet, WH gear reviews etc I am not clear as to what I should buy. Winter walking in other than the Border Hills is not for me so I'm considering these trousers as 3 seasons only.

So I'm asking for help in what I should be looking for - is DWR necesssary (is it sufficient) - should I included softshell? The list could go on but some pointers would help.

Thanks in advance

[Rudolph]

I tend to use cheap regatta windproof trousers treated with TX direct for most things nowadays. If it's cold I'll have long-johns underneath. I'll always use lightweight gaiters which keep the wet grass / mud heather etc. off. They also stop the wind blowing up me legs which is a huge benefit as i'm too cool to tuck my trousers into my socks.

If it's very wet I'll have waterproof over trousers - but I tend not to have to use 'em.

[RockyRab]

I'm a big fan of softshell trousers, a decent pair can shrug off anything but the heaviest rain without needing to put a pair of waterproof trousers on.

[mr_ash_37]

Montane terra pant....faaaaaaaantastic. More expensive but worth every penny!!

[luckyd]

Can't beat Paramo Cascada trousers in changeable weather. They can be worn on their own as a 3 season pant, and have plenty of ventilation if the day turns out hotter than expected. They can be reproofed so will outlast most other waterproofs too.

[murwilson]

Montane Terra's or Rab Treklite's will fit your needs. They are light, windproof and have a good DWR which will shed water. They dry very quickly if you get caught out in a heavy downpour.

Cascadas are far, far too hot for spring\summer wear in my opinion. Softshell trousers fall in-between and are usually excellent in autumn\winter offering a bit more protection. The main downside to many softshells (Gore windstopper for example) is when it gets soaked, it stays wet for a long time ie, the rest of the day!

Terra's in all but the heaviest rain, where you'll be wearing your overtrousers anyway, fit the bill for a gentle hillwaker.

Mur

[RyanfaeScotland]

Jeans with waterproofs over the top as needed. Can't go wrong.

[Michael Thomson]

Wear shorts, your skin is waterproof!

Softshell depends on the fabric. Some take ages to dry, others are fast. I'm a big fan of Schoeller for this reason, and because their DWR seems the most resilient. That said, there's tons of choice in this arena, and you can't go massively wrong to be honest. The Montane Terras are good, and not too expensive. My personal favourite for 3 season is Mammut's Base Jump breeks.

[Backpacker]

I have 3 pairs of Craghoppers, convertables, winter lined and normal basecamp

All 3 dry out pretty quickly and very comfy to wear, they won't win you any fashion awards but unless you're doing the WHW or climbing Nevis, that's not really a problem

[stevesey]

Like the OP I've been thinking about some all weather trousers, rather than having to pull on/off over trousers. Cascada's seem to be too warm for all year use (especially for us southerners) so I have been thinking about getting some Parmo Velez or the cheaper Sprayway all day Rainpant - any options on the Sprayway ones?

[seadog]

Just a thought, for a lot of years I used Berghaus over trousers when it rained and they were very good but I got fed up having to stop to put them on and then when the rain stopped you had to take them off again, now I know thats not much of a problem but I then read about Paramo Cascada trousers and thought they were just what I was looking for so bought them and the Jacket to go with them, and I thought they were great but then found out if you kneel or sit on wet grass or snow you got wet but as long as you know about this then you just dont sit down without a seat of some kind
seadog

[ExpatEddie]

Thanks for all your replies and suggestions. What with holidays and family commitments I didn't get around to buying anything until just before going to Skye. I bought a pair of Rab and very happy with them. First day on Skye was showery and I didn't need over-trousers to stay dry. That has been the only wet day since buying them such has been the weather around here. Found they were great for walking through nettles

Thanks again.