I've booked myself a guided trip up Ben Nevis this winter and the company I'm going with have advised me I need to get some 'mountain trousers/salopettes' and 'waterproof overtrousers'.
Any advise?
...I'd also like to go up Mont Blanc next summer as well, so if possible, anything I get needs to be good for the Alps too
You don't need salopettes and waterproof over trousers for a start.
Depending on the weather I wear a pair of lined Rohan trousers and if it rains the over trousers. You could even use them for additional warmth. I have an old pair of salopettes which aren't waterproof and if the weather is to remain dry I use them. You could also take longjohns for additional warmth.
I've done Ben Nevis numerous times and summitted Mount Blanc but on the latter mountainl altitude was the probelm rather than the gear I was wearing.
Might I suggest that the above reply, whilst no doubt extremely valid, and maybe even one I would agree with, is a touch dogmatic.
I would consider salopettes as just trousers with a high back. My Rohan ones are and boy do I love them. I soak them in a proofer , wear long johns and that does most of the time. I wouldn't leave my ver trousers behind in Scotland as I hate soggy pants.
With long johns you can wear thinner trousers which gives more variety. Go to a decent shop and find what fits. There are shed loads of trosuers out there now.
I would look for a close fit as flapping material above gaiters attracts crampons.
Thanks for the tips I think then I might pick up a pair of the cheaper soft-shell trousers (maybe the ME Ibex ones or TNF Apex!?) and just some super cheap waterproof overtrousers in case it throws down...
If you want cheap try Regatta. Quite possibly the material used will also appear in other brands. They do come up a touch baggy though and to be honest a tightish fit has less unwanted fabric flapping about.
I guess it depends a little on the route you're taking up Ben Nevis. Footpath: normal trousers should be okay, with a base layer under. Up one of the many graded winter climbing routes, something more protective might be in order, hence the salopettes.
This thread might have some other suggestions. If you're after cheap soft shell trousers, then the Bionnassay trousers I mention on that thread are worth a look (google for other discussions of them on OM & UKC). Ah, here's another OM thread with some direct links and user experience, as well as lots of other suggestions.
Not saying that the Bionnassays are the only trousers I'd recommend, but they're worth a look. I tend to wear lightweight nylon trousers over a base layer for Scottish winter walking, with paclite, full side-zip overtrousers.
