The waterproof trouser debate

I hate waterproof trousers, I run really warm on my legs so just end up sweating and then get wet anyways... I decided to spend abit of cash on some decent ones hoping that they would be slightly more comfortable. I ended up with Rab Bergan eVent trousers, nice and "breathable". A great Piece of kit!

Still sweat in them, still feel wet but to be fair, not as much, is there any other alternative??????

My brother wears Haglofs soft shell trousers, they're pricey but keep him dry in snow, showers and everything, but a serious downpour...which are quite common in the UK ...

I'd appricate any advice or suggestions from all you experienced guys and gals, I'm out on the hill all year round, and hoping to be doing more winter stuff this year so trying to get my kit together now.

Thanks and all the best.

Jacko.

Hi Neil, thanks for that message, I've been wrongly ignorant towards Paramo but I really like the cascadas, and the function if them. Yeah i'm like yourself and don't mind getting wet in milder weather, and most of the trousers i have dry out quickly neways. The Paramo are expensive, but I can sell on the Bergan trousers and raise the majority of the cost....I think Lidl are doing the putdoor gear at the moment so it's a good call for a pair of cheapo's just incase.

Thanks for the great advice.

SD, once again thats a new concept ive never seen before with rainlegs, I don't think personally I'd find them ideal for me on the hill, but you've solved a problem for when i'm biking into work on wet days!!! thanks very much!

Yep Fair point taken Martin, could lead to abit of a school boy error, I guess you can never be too careful even in the Summer...What do you tend to use, summer or winter, i mean?

Neil1, yeah I've heard the fit can be abit suspect...the Cascadas look really baggy too, when looking into them, Ive seen the paramo Velez, they look a better fit, perhaps they are the ones your thinking of. Defo try before i buy, for £100+ Id want them to be stop on!

Well some custom fitted Cioch (Paramo style) things in winter - I really do need custom fitted trousers to get a half decent fit anyway - and very light 2.5 layer things for much of the year.

I just don't get that sweaty normally, and often don't wear them, so weight/cost priorities. Although if I had to say, with wind shirts and stuff, I think I actually end up wearing overtrousers slightly more often than jackets.

I use the ULA Rain Wrap too - works well.

I'm wearing mine now.

If you haven't used Paramo before you'll be amazed how much more breathable they are than any membrane! The issues people have with it are weight, warmth and looks. The first two are not an issue in winter (it replaces multiple layers so comparable weight) and the last is a matter of taste. Also their latest stuff is lighter, less warm and more modern looking.

I have the Paramo Velez Adventure Trousers which are made from a combination of their standard and lightweight waterproof fabric so are significantly lighter than the Cascadas (392g vs 572g) and so I imagine less warm.

I find my Paramo jacket (Alta II made of the standard fabric) starts to get a bit too warm around this time of year (over 10°C). At the weekend I had to fully vent the jacket to be comfortable when ascending in sunshine but the Velez Trousers were great, didn't even have to use the zips so I think they will be useable over a greater range of temperature (in fact the trousers are making me think of getting one of the lighter Paramo jackets but that's another story).

The issues people have with it [Paramo] are weight, warmth and looks

Particularly in their trousers I dislike the lack of stretch that necessitates a relatively baggy cut, compounded by the need to have  two layers there.  And because they're a wear-all-day thing rather than overtorusers, the rustling gets on my nerves all day rather than just while it's raining.  

So even for jobs where I'm happy to be wearing an Analogy jacket I still don't like the trews.  Though it should be emphasized it's not because they don't work.

Pete.

Aaaaaaaaaaargggh! The rustling!! The rustling!!!

Not noticed it to be honest . But then the Velez trousers are "a contoured shape, reducing fabric bulk and flap" no less, so that's maybe why.

I've been walking this spring with montane featherlight trews. Pack away to nothing. Not waterproof but do shed showers easily and dry quickly. They are windproof too so even when wet I find they're not cold.

Guess it also depends on how fast you move and how high you go. What works in showers on eg long distance footpaths will not be suitable in torrential rain on a high mountain ridge.

I'm happy to get wet as long as I'm not cold and find I dry quickly when moving once rain eases (and change immediately into dry clothing once back under cover at the end of the day). But wind chill can be a killer once you stop or slow down so I pack a windproof primaloft top to keep me warm at breaks or even wear if moving slowly in an exposed situation. But some people prefer to be totally isolated from the weather around them.....