I recently went on a very wet walk with someone who had a pair of fantastic lightweight waterproof (gore-tex) over trousers which did not need to be put on over the boot at all - instead they had 2 zips on the outside of each leg which went from the bottom of the leg up to the very top of the trousers so they could be placed round the legs and waist thus enabling them to be put on and taken off very quickly. I think they were French (something like iagle) and he told me this is a standard design on the continent but very hard to find in the UK.

Does anyone know of where I can buy such a pair of over trousers in the UK and what the make is?

Hi Jon,

The Rab Lofoten Pants are like that, water resistant zips front the bottom right up to the top. The front and back can be completely seperated.

James.

Berghaus Deluge have 3/4 length zips. I have a pair of these and they are great...very nicely priced too. Available from most places including chain stores such as Blacks etc.

I saw Climbersshop had Haglofs ones with zips like this for £50.

Think when my craghoppers ones (sans nice long zips) finally die I'll get these.

3/4 zips make things a bit easier but nowhere near as easy as full length zips.

Lowe also do some paclites with full length zips.

With the 3/4 length zips of the Deluge pant you have the option to ventilate by opening the zip from the top, a big advantage in my opinion. Maybe it's possible with full length zips but I can't see how.

Ventilation is possible with full length zips, well the ones I have seen anyway as they have popper studds at the top to keep the trousers on while you can lower the top zip head for ventilation if needed.

Berghaus also have paclite overtrousers that have full length zips. These are very light, but expensive. The zips are double so you can ventilate at the thigh.

Judy

Jon,

Houghwood are a home based company that make things like this. They have an ebay site http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Rambling-and-Walking-Supplies but you're probably better off contacting them directly. I recently bought some 'pub overboots' from them (you put your muddy booted feet in them and thus can walk straight into the pub - a great idea) and they were very friendly. I have been thinking about getting their complete zip over trousers, perhaps I'll get around to it this payday!

Well that killed the thread stone dead.

Try Decathlon stores. They're French so should have the gear you're looking for. I've seen full length zipped trousers in there.

As far as I know the Rab ones have, as well as a full length zip, multiple zippers to give loads of variations of venting. Not possitive about it but I'm sure I read it in a review when I was looking for overtrousers.

I have the Rab Bergen pants in eVENT and they are 3/4 zip. I believe the Latok pants are 3/4 zip also, but the salopettes are full zip. I tried on some Montane Spectra pants with full zip, but didn't like the snaps at the waist.