Well, it's coming up to my hill-walking season, and I wanted to get myself properly kitted out for a change. No longer shall I go walking in jeans (wet jeans on Ben Nevis is not an experience I will soon forget!)

I already have my walking pole, Goretex jacket and boots from last year so:

I'm looking to pick up a few pairs of decent, light, water resistant walking trousers. I'm not bothered about convertibles, as I'm not one for walking in shorts. I was looking at the Craghoppers Kiwi range, but I read some bad reviews on here that put me off. I'm not planning to spend more than £30 a pair (or not much more) since I'm buying a few pairs on a budget. If it makes any difference, I'm about a 36" waist.

Any tips?

EDIT: And it's worth mentioning that I'll be doing my walking in the UK, places like Wales and the Lakes. I'll be up Snowdon in about three weeks!

Craghoppers are not a bad choice; especially if got in a sale, TKmax or outlet centre.

I've got a few pairs of Craghoppers Kiwis and they're absolutely fine. I was wearing a pair on Ingleborough yesterday in the driving hail and rain - they got absolutely soaked, but once the rain/hail had stopped they dried out in about 20 minutes. They're VERY fast drying in my experience.

They're also light and comfortable, and as John says you can pick them up even cheaper than usual from the likes of TKMaxx.

I picked a couple of pairs of the Craghopper Kiwi's (lined and un-lined) for £20 each and I've found them pretty decent.

Recently I also got a pair of Berghaus Statis trousers for £30 in the sales and I've been impressed with those so far.

craggy's are fine especially if you can get them for £20 odd or less. there's more chance of them fitting you better due to their wide range of sizes. they're good alround trousers.

Join the dark side; you can normally find Tracksters from £15 a pair.

I've picked up a few pairs of Lowe Alpine Houdinis in TK Maxx recently, for between £13 and £9 (further discounted). They're a simple walking trouser with gusset crotch giving good mobility. They're also lightweight, quick-drying and comfortable.

I'm sitting in a pair I wear at work...

TKM definately worth a look; Crags, LA, Regatta, Royal Robbins, Sprayway, etc.

i forgot to mention. craggies waist sizes are just that except...the elasticated sides give another 2 inches so a 34 waist will go up to a 36 waist. try the sizes on somewhere before buying.

I'll second going to TK Maxx. I bought some craghoppers and have been pleased with them. Don't seem as tough as my mountain hardware pants, but theyre light, quick drying and most of all cheap!

Only problem was that the buttons to the cargo pockets came off. Not that bothered though. I can buy 4 of these for the price of my mountain hardwares.

Try decathlon, I've picked up two pairs of their softshell trousers for less than £30 each in the past year.

A recent TKMaxx trawl landed me a pair of ACG Schoeller 3xDry softshell trousers for a stupid £19. Perhaps a bit overkill for summer hiking in the UK but there are similar things to be had if you keep a look out.

I agree that Decathlon is worth a look. to addto the TK Maxx theme I have recently purchased some Sprayway walking trousers for £20.

Go Outdoors have the craggy things for 18 quid at the mo. They're great. Hard wearing and comfy. Tried loads of others and have reverted to only buying the kiwis for hillwalking.

I get a cold lower back with the tracksters. Can anyone recommend the bikesters (with its higher back) as a walking trouser?

Peter Storm trousers (from Millets) are surprisingly good & if you give them a wash in proofing stuff they'll keep out most weather.

I got two pairs for £20 each a while ago and they're still going strong after lots of wear and tear.

Taff, I have bikesters and tracksters and I don't think the cut makes much of a difference to the chilly lower back problem. The material isn't as smooth on my bikesters. I've switched to paramo cascadas which are brilliant, but I reckon last Monday was the last time until autumn I'll be able to wear them, as they are pretty heavy duty.

My credit card is itching to order itself a pair of Montane Terras or terra lite pants - not sure which. Anyone know the difference?

Thanks all, I'll go and spend some money this weekend I think!