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!
Matching one of Patagonia’s most popular waterproof jackets in both name and nature, the Torrentshell trousers from Patagonia offer wet weather protection that doesn’t come at a cost to the environment. Waterproof and breathable thanks to the brand’s own 2.5-layer H2No fabric with 100% recycled nylon, it’s a product with full Bluesign approval, an industry mark for efforts towards 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).
While they’re not designed to withstand hours of hiking in a downpour, these lightweight overtrousers will shrug off light to moderate showers, and come with a stuff sack so you can stow them in a rucksack neatly. They also come in a choice of three colours, which is exciting. Although those colours are black, khaki and navy, which is not so exciting.
If you’re planning an active trip to foreign climes you’re going to want practical clothes. Cue the Maier Sports Nil Trousers, which provide no less than five zipped pockets for storing valuables, including one passport-sized and another ‘secret’ pocket inside for keys or a credit card. They stop short of having more zips to convert them into shorts, but do have roll-up legs that fasten below the knee. As well as being water repellant, the Dryprotec fabric is super-thin and stretchy, so perfect for ascending mountains as well as for general travel in humidity. That fabric is also windproof so works well in cooler conditions, too. Lightweight, quick-drying and with bags of stretch and security, these are the best walking trousers for active adventurers.
This is a great price for a pair of overtrousers. They are made from a 2-layer fabric with a loose lining for comfort, so even though this is not the most breathable of fabrics, you don’t get clammy as the lining keeps any condensation away from your underclothes. You also get a huge size range, so these should fit lots of people. To ease fitting you get knee-length zips which are long enough to just about get these over boots. A Velcro tab at the calf allows some control of the leg shape, so they are less baggy than some. The waist is elasticated and you get a drawcord too.
A great multi-purpose walking trouser for women, is the Mountain Warehouse Explore Convertible Women’s walking trousers. They are made of lightweight, quick drying material and include a number of different features that make them a good buy to suit all of your outdoor pursuits. They’re also fade and shrink resistant, which means you can wear and wash them as often as you like and they’ll fit and look exactly the same. The ample number of pockets ensure you can take everything you need without having to shove all the smaller items in your backpack, only for them to be lost in the bottom.
A slightly more expensive option but one that features Montane’s excellent 30 Denier GORE-TEX waterproof fabric, fully taped seams, articulated knees for extra flexibility when walking and generous leg, ankle and waist adjustment. You will like them for their lightweight functionality and packability – a great option for taking on longer backpacking trips.
Regatta Men’s Waterproof Trousers have an internal lining that makes it slightly more difficult to pull them on over boots, and the short zips at the bottom don’t prove to be a massive help in this regard. These seemed especially so, and they are rather baggy, meaning they flap away in the wind quite a bit. Poppers on each ankle help cinch them in at the bottom to counter this slightly. They were certainly comfortable to wear, and the elastic waistband ensures you can achieve a good fit.
One of the things that stood out with these trousers was they adapted well to a range of walking conditions, from easy weekend strolls to longer jaunts across muddy moorland and everything in between. They look and feel like regular walking trousers, with a stretchy polyester fabric, but they also include an Aquadry membrane rated up to 20,000mm, meaning water is locked out but you still gain the benefits and freedom of movement of hiking trousers. They have a heavier feel than some of the others, so may not be suitable if space and weight is at a premium.
Heading on holiday? Royal Robbins has been producing these classic backpacking trousers for as long as we can remember, and a pair of these may just be what you’re looking for. The main attraction is undoubtedly the zip-off legs, but there is plenty more to admire. The product has drawstring cuffs perfect for fitting around hiking boots, as well as being made from a highly durable and stretchy nylon-like material that dries in a flash. And the best thing is they’re a tonne cheaper than almost every other other option!
When it comes to buying walking trousers, practically every pair out there is made from synthetic materials that are durable and flexible. But there are still some other, more nuanced factors worth considering, such as the water repellency. In this segment, we’ll be taking a look at the ones we think are 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.
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