Hello all,

I'm looking at buying some new waterproof overtrousers and for ease and speed, am looking at a pair with full length side zips (no more hopping about on an invisible pogo stick with half zips!). I'm down to two choices (or so I reckon) - Mountain Equipment Drilite Plus (which while the fabric is claimed waterproof, the garment isn't, as the zips only have a small internal cover flap, and the tag says something worrying like 'so any water can drain away', like into your boot or something??) and the Sprayway Full Zip Rainpaint in Hydrodry (which I have a half zip pair of and which have always performed well). Both about £60-ish.

Any of you out there tried either, and have I missed others that might be just as good or better? I want lightweight/small pack size, so moving to something like the TNF Talkeetna pant isn't tempting (heavier, pricier at £80), as they match my Lowe Salopettes I'd wear for winter or on a soaking day from the off.

Thanks in advance...

LA do some lightweight ones with full length zips that pack down fairly small. Can't remember the name off the top of my head.

My brother in law has a pair of the ME ones you mention, he's worn them in fairly heavy rain - but not for hours on end - and he didn't get any noticable water ingress. Only minor problem with them is that the elastic on the ankles is too tight, so the tend to ride up over the top of your boots quite alot.

HTH.

Si(C)

The Lowe ones, I think, are Adrenline Tech Pants, not flash but okay, same sort of closure as the ME ones from the sounds of it, though I reckon Drilite Plus is probably a better fabric.

Berghaus has a pair in the New Paclite fabric that pack down very, very small, but while they have a zip that reaches the hip, it's not full length. Only really a problem if you intend to use them with crampons or skis or alternatively you have absolutely massive feet.

Thanks both, from Si's comments and a quick try on of the ME's yesterday, I thought the elastic ankles might be a problem, plus I found the zips fiddly, so it might be I pass on these (though a £39 instead of £70 price was tempting!). The Sprayways have a velcro ankle, outer zip cover and same fabric as the ones I have, so they're in the lead, and I think F&T have a 20% off offer I can use.

HTH Si? - got me on that one this time!

F&T may have 20% off at the moment but they also are having stock issues so don't pin your hopes on it...

Paul, you're welcome.

H(ope) T(hat) H(elps)

Si

stock issues is an understatement. Just don't even mention F+T to me!

I have a pair of the ME Drilites I don't want / need as they are too big / long in the leg. I have worn them about twice but if you are an XL they are available for a penury price. They are more waterproof than they hint at on the label with this zips thing..i didn't have any leaks through the zip or anything. They have a natty little pack sack about the size of....a small packy thing.

Thanks Philip - I've dropped you an email direct on your offer.
PB