Whether you’re planning on conquering Britain’s tallest peaks or just going for a relaxed ramble in your nearest woodland, walking trousers can make all the difference. The best waterproof walking trousers will make you comfortable, durable and lightweight – they won’t weigh you down even if you’re walking for miles over the course of a day. Walking trousers and slim-cut, legging-style walking ‘tights’ are worn next to the skin and aren’t usually waterproof. But on a rainy day, you’ll need to pop a pair of waterproof over trousers over the top, although walking trousers are often water resistant enough to withstand a light shower.
There are several waterproof walking trousers brands on the market. In this context, it is important to collect certain information on the main criteria to remember, including practicality, effectiveness and price. We have a list about the best waterproof walking trousers in UK. Keep reading to find out your best right one!
Patagonia’s Torrentshell trousers, which are named after one of the company’s most popular waterproof jackets, provide wet weather protection without harming the environment. It’s waterproof and breathable thanks to the brand’s 2.5-layer H2No fabric made of 100 percent recycled nylon, and it has full Bluesign approval, an industry mark for efforts toward sustainable and ethical production.
These gorgeous walking trousers look and feel rather like you’re wearing cotton chinos – and they are definitely smart enough for city use, making them a versatile pick for travelling as well as for walking. We love the tough, reinforced rear panel, handy if you’re sitting around on long hikes or camping trips, the articulated knee panels, deep zipped pockets and the adjustable cuffs. The trousers proved quick to dry on test despite their thick, cotton-y feel, and you can also render the trousers water-resistant by treating them with Fjallraven’s Greenland wax (you need to buy this separately) (you need to buy this separately).
While they aren’t meant to withstand hours of hiking in the rain, these lightweight overtrousers will keep you dry in light to moderate showers and come with a stuff sack so you can stow them neatly in a rucksack. They also come in three different colours, which is exciting. Those colours, however, are black, khaki, and navy, which isn’t very exciting.
If you are planning an active trip to a foreign country, you will need practical clothing. The Maier Sports Nil Trousers, for example, have five zipped pockets for valuables, including one passport-sized and another ‘secret’ pocket inside for keys or a credit card. They don’t have any more zips to turn them into shorts, but they do have roll-up legs that fasten below the knee. In addition to being water repellent, the Dryprotec fabric is super-thin and stretchy, making it ideal for mountain climbing as well as general travel in humidity. That fabric is also windproof, so it works well in cooler weather. These are the best walking trousers for active adventurers because they are lightweight, quick-drying, and have plenty of stretch and security.
This is a fantastic deal on a pair of overtrousers. They’re made of a 2-layer fabric with a loose lining for comfort, so even though the fabric isn’t the most breathable, you won’t get clammy because the lining keeps any condensation away from your underwear. There is also a wide size range, so these should fit a wide range of people. To help with fit, there are knee-length zips that are just long enough to get these over boots. A Velcro tab at the calf allows for some control over the leg shape, making them less baggy than others. The waist is elasticated, and there is also a drawcord.
The Mountain Warehouse Explore Convertible Women’s walking trousers are an excellent multi-purpose walking trouser for women. They are made of lightweight, quick-drying material and have a variety of features that make them a good buy for all of your outdoor activities. They’re also fade and shrink resistant, so you can wear and wash them as much as you want and they’ll still fit and look the same. The numerous pockets ensure that you can take everything you need without having to stuff all of your smaller items into your backpack, only to have them get lost at the bottom.
Montane’s excellent 30 Denier GORE-TEX waterproof fabric, fully taped seams, articulated knees for extra walking flexibility, and generous leg, ankle, and waist adjustment make this a slightly more expensive option. You’ll appreciate their lightweight functionality and packability, making them an excellent choice for longer backpacking trips.
The internal lining of the Regatta Men’s Waterproof Trousers makes it slightly more difficult to pull them on over boots, and the short zips at the bottom don’t help much either. These appeared to be especially so, and they are rather baggy, which means they flap around a lot in the wind. To counteract this, poppers on each ankle help cinch them in at the bottom. They were definitely comfortable to wear, and the elastic waistband ensures a good fit.
One feature of these trousers that stood out was their ability to adapt to a variety of walking conditions, from easy weekend strolls to longer jaunts across muddy moorland and everything in between. They have the look and feel of regular walking trousers, with a stretchy polyester fabric, but they also have an Aquadry membrane rated up to 20,000mm, which means water is kept out while you still have the benefits and freedom of movement of hiking trousers. They have a heavier feel than some of the others and may not be appropriate if space and weight are limited.
Are you going on vacation? For as long as we can remember, Royal Robbins has been producing these classic backpacking trousers, and a pair of these could be exactly what you’re looking for. The zip-off legs are unquestionably the main draw, but there’s plenty more to admire. The product has drawstring cuffs that are ideal for fitting around hiking boots and is made of a highly durable and stretchy nylon-like material that dries quickly. And the best part is that they are significantly less expensive than almost every other option!
When it comes to walking trousers, almost every pair available is made of synthetic materials that are both durable and flexible. However, there are some other, more nuanced factors to consider, such as water repellency. In this section, we’ll look at the ones we believe are the most important.
Make Sure You Have a Layer That Can Tackle the Elements
The first factor you’ll want to take into account, particularly due to the country where we reside, is the waterproofing. Or sadly, the lack thereof, because, walking trousers aren’t usually fully waterproof. More often than not they are water repellent instead, thanks to a DWR (durable water repellent) coating. Don’t worry though, because this will still stand up against the average downpour. Make sure you do check the description for this claim, as some cheaper pairs might not even be water-resistant at all. If you would like full waterproofing, then you can opt for a pair ‘over trousers’ which are worn, as you can imagine, over your regular hiking trousers. However, although they will protect against the elements better, they have less accessibility and often come with no pockets!
Look for Adjustable Fittings for Added Comfort and Protection Year Round
Anyone who has ever been on a long trek will tell you that the clothing worn can make the trip memorable for both the right and wrong reasons, which is why we would recommend looking for trousers which have adjustable fittings. Generally, there are two main areas to look for, the waistband and the ankle cuffs. You’ll either have the option of Velcro or an elasticated drawstring – both fulfil the same purpose, however, the elasticated drawstring will likely have greater durability as Velcro can become less sticky over time. This feature will not only help with the fit and comfort but will also keep out cold air when the weather drops. If you’re trekking in a warmer climate, it’ll make it more difficult for little critters like midges and mosquitos to get in, too.
Pockets Will Keep Your Hands Snug and Provide a Secure Place to Store Accessories
It may seem obvious, but pockets really are very useful when out walking! Generally speaking, the more technical the trousers (think climbing instead of hiking) the more pockets they’ll have, although that’s not always the case. Ideally, you’ll want a pair which come with at least two standard front pockets and one interior pocket. If you like to keep a lot of gear handy, you can always look for more. We’ve also found that many ramblers like having pockets of different constructions, for example, a larger side leg pocket for carrying a map. If this is something you’re interested in, check the specifications in the comparison tables beneath each of our recommended pairs.
Zip-Off Functions Give the Trousers Greater Versatility
Finally, while we may not get to use them very often due to our climate, having zip-off sections means that your trousers will offer you complete versatility and be capable of being worn practically all year round. They’re also ideal for taking on holiday. These trousers work as you would imagine, with a zip around the leg and usually just below the knee. If the sun does happen to pop his hat on when you’re midway through a lovely stroll in the Lakes, you can take off the bottom half and continue with the benefit of added breathability and ventilation.
We’d suggest your first step should be to decide what type of waterproof walking trousers that you like the best. Once you’ve made that decision, try and set yourself a bit of a budget, so you can filter out the gloves that don’t fit in your price range and find out the best waterproof walking trousers for yourself. And finally use our recommend to help you narrow down your search.
Finding the right bra can be difficult, but it’s even more difficult if you have large breasts. Not only is it difficult to find bras in a variety of cup sizes, but it can also be difficult to find one that is comfortable, supportive, and flattering. And, because bras for large busts can be expensive, you want to make sure you're investing in ones that will last. The experts in the Good Hou...
There are numerous electric pressure washers available, making it difficult to select the one that best meets your requirements. There is always the option of getting a machine that is far beyond what is adequate. And a box full of accessories may be more appealing...
PANDEMIC-INSPIRED HOBBIES HAVE run the gamut from baking to electric biking. Fueled by cooped-up folks itching to get outside, roller skating is another that’s been trending for quite some time this year. If you’re fresh on the scene and don’t kno...
Insoles (also known as footbeds, inserts, or inner soles) are the parts of a shoe or boot that are directly beneath the foot and are designed to cushion and support your feet. Boot and shoe manufacturers almost always include an insole in the construction of their ...