Starting out?

Hi guys,

I'm looking to buy a decent pair of waterproof trousers. I have a really cheap and nasty pair but I never wear them because I always end up soaking wet with condensation anyway.

 I want a breathable pair with belt loops as normal waterproofs usually end up slipping down on me. My only other requirement is that they're not too high waisted asI generally wear my trousers on my hips rather than my waist.

I've got my eye on the Rab Latok alpines at the moment. Can anybody reccomend anything else I should be looking at? You're advice is greatly appreciated.

My Marmot softshell scree pants work well in all but the most extreme weather . (They did a good job in Wales this weekend!)

Not overtrousers though! Neither really are the Paramo things - rationally they're too heavy/warm for that. They are lovely trousers to wear from the go in colder weather mind.

Not sure cf straight overtrousers with belt loops. Check the sundry manufacturers websites I suppose.

What I'm really after is an all round pair.

i.e. I can use them as a pair of over trousers in case it rains on nice days or to wear all day with a base layer when it's tiping it down.

Is there anything out there suitable or am I being unreallistic? Should I be looking at 2 seperate pairs?

I don't think that's unrealistic. I don't think it would be very comfortable to wear a pair of waterproof trousers made of event or gtx or most manufacturer's own fabric next to the skin (there are exceptions like the OMM Kamleika (sp?)). A pair of 'just in case' trousers could easily be worn over a base layer, though it's not something I'd want to do in case the weather changed suddenly and I got stuck with nothing but a base layer! There are some people who post on here who wear Ronhills rather than trousers and it'd be pretty much the same as that.

I use Marmot Precip overtrousers, I get some condensation in them but I sweat really badly in anything. I wear Paramo when it's cold because it's so much easier, you don't have to faff around putting on or taking off overtrousers, but a lot of people find the Cascada trousers too hot for much of the year - part of the reason for the marmite attitudes. Paramo do do a lighter all-weather trouser, the Velez Adventure trouser (which is about to come out in a women's fit too ), but it's expensive and unless you know that's the way you want to go, possibly not worth the risk.

As for fit, I don't know much about the fit of blokes' overtrousers, but hipster overtrousers might be a bit of an ask, partly because you then get less protection, and belt loops are unusual on 'normal' overtrousers, but as Martin says, check the manufactuers' details.

Over many years I've tried several pairs of goretex overtrousers but they never worked for me. Changed to event and they also failed to keep me dry. Looks like I might have to try Paramo next.

Slainte

Lindsay

I have a pair of Montane eVent Venture Pants, that get used as overtrousers if it rains badly whilst I'm out but get used on their own if it's raining heavily at the start of the day. I don't really notice the material against my skin. No belt loops tho, which for me is a right pain in the arse, to the point that I have thought about getting some stitched on. The odds on water getting in where they would be modded isn't worth bothering about for me.

eVent does breath nicely too I've found, especially when wearing them on their own.

So many choices! Do I stick with the original plan, try Paramo or go for softshells with cheap waterproofs in the bag for when the weather's really bad?

Decisions decisions!

I guess I'll just have to find a store that stocks all of them and go try some out.

Can anybody reccomend a good store in the Hereford & Worcester area?

ive had many pairs of really cheap waterproof trousers, but their horrible, youget wet from sweat and they often dont work.

 my best pair is a pair of craghoppers, overtrousers. still sweat but not nearly as bad. but im biased i love craghoppers. their winter fleecy trousers are one of my faveroite bits of kit

What worries me about waterproof trousers over leggings isn't how it'd go on the hill. Durability perhaps a concern, certainly with the lighter weight bits.

Its getting to the walk. Either you're driving there in leggings, changing when you get there or exposing your waterproof overtrousers to the abrasion/dirt involved in sitting on a seat for a few hours.

None of those seem entirely optimal somehow

em do you not only put on your waterproof trousers when you really need to, i would certainly never drive, or walk about generally in them.

thier overtrousers ie i put them over my clothes,  is that not normal