Is it me? I can find lots of pairs of ski trousers and a few pairs of winter lined trousers and even over trousers. I can also get light weight summer puff of wind trousers.

But, what I want is a pair of decent spring/autumn and possibly winter with some long johns trousers - womens, with articulated knees, stretchy bits and NOT IN BEIGE.

Am I fussy, or does anyone know if there are such things.

I did think I found the perfect ones the other day - the ones that one the trail best in test this month (and half price in the sale - I am not paying £150 for a pair of trousers) but alas too much Xmas dinner must have been consumed...

Anything with Schoeller fabric will do it. they are usually in black, black, or, err, black.

I use eider fleece trousers. Tend to wear them from Nov - March / April. They've got reinforced bum / knees and are black. Cost about £40. Warm enough in winter on their own but they're actually not too hot if it's that bit warmer. If it's really freezing or if I'm climbing and therefore standing around I'll put waterproofs on over the top.

Cheers peoples.

I have heard of the Schoeller fabric - I think perhaps part of the problem may be that most of the gear shops around here don't think women climb mountains.

If anyone can recommend somewhere in Aberdeenshire/Moray or mail order that would be great.

The outdoor shop. com - see left - are good for mail order.

So are Snow & Rock (aka slush'n'rubble), Cotswold and CMM; but phone through with CMM as their website isn't up-to-date but the telephone staff are wonderful.

Does the Tiso's in Aberdeen not have anything?

Tiso's have a nice line in light weight beige or one design of more heavy weight trousers (unless you include ski wear and waterproofs) in the ladies. About 10 designs for men of course....

Have found some nice stuff in outdoorshop.com though but I am always dubious with mail order as sizes can vary so much between makes and there's nothing worse than having to send stuff back and reorder.

i'm a big fan of Thaw Dura trousers (which used to be made in Scotland, now come from Northumberland). I've bought 3 pairs now (not because they wear out but because I wear them most of the time). I bought them by mail order. Their sizes and lengths are similar to M&S. Their website gives stockist and mail order info http://www.thawonline.co.uk/howtobuy/howtobuynew.htm

Best of all, they're only made for women which really annoys my bloke.

Outdoor shop is out of the Mammut Base Jumps (I was there today looking) but do have some champ pants left (but not in my size :-( ). Most places seem to be running down the schoeller stocks for summer. They also have macpac missions, ME G2s and some Montane softshell (terras?) in their sale.

jan - can i ask where you found the Mammuts, esp if 1/2 price?!

Have a look a Berghaus Fastreks & stretch equilibrium trouser. They are Schoeller- type fabrics but much cheaper. Fastreks are about £45, SE £70. They come in womens fit & various colours. They have both been positvely reviewed by this website.

The fastreks are a bit stiff and the lower legs are flappy so I didn't buy them.
Bob's Stretch equils have finally arrived and they are soft and lightweight and he can't wait to try them out in anger.

same here - my SE's are languishing in the cupboard, waiting for scotland next month.

Re; Sale of Patagonia Women's Superguides for £70 or was £75 at the mountain shop with the good cafe above it in Aviemore. As of Sat only two pairs left both very small (size 4 I think) - too small for me and I'm a 12.

I am hopeless with shop names but as you go into Aviemore from the Inverness side they are on the right opposite the public carpark. They have their own carpark (usually full) and a cafe above that does hot chocolate in bugs like buckets.

I went into Aberdeen today in the hope that the sales their might produce soemthing but sadly not.

I think that's the one that used to be mountain supplies and is now cairngorm sports?
Cafe is damn good.

Jan - I have 2x pairs of Helly Hansen Rapide soft shell trousers in a size 30 waist with 28" inside leg if your interested?
One pair is a light mint like colour and the other pair is grey.
If you think they might fit let me know if you would like any measurements with a tape on any parts of them and i'll sort the info out for you.
They've been worn once and then washed in soap flakes so are like new.
Sadly their a little too short for me and I thought I could wing it with hiking boots on but alas I look like half masts.

RR

RockyRobin: Please email with price and location/postage meantime I will find my best outdoor trousers and measure the inside leg...

Jan - I tried to get your email from your profile but its unavailable.
If you can drop me an email to ccturner_ls29(remove_this_in _brackets_and_replace_with_an_@)hotmail.com i'll send you details later this evening along with my personal email address.
Do you use ebay?
Let m eknow if you do and I may be able to sort out a private auction to make it safer for you seeing as you don't know me.

Cheers,

RR

Craghopper Kiwis. Tough Comortable, Wind Resistant and available in Millets for about £30. and don't have to Beige. They also do womens fit

"Anything with Schoeller fabric will do it. they are usually in black, black, or, err, black."

No! Wait! I've managed to get some Mammut Champ Pants in midnight grey. Oh...er..it's black.