Walking Shorts

Hello, any recommendations for a pair of waterproof, breathable walking shorts? I prefer walking in shorts and currently use a pair of Altura Attack shorts. These are great, but are in fact mountain bike shorts. Is there anything that is comparable? The main brands don't seem to have anything.

 Thanks.

Breathable shorts?

What about waterproof breathable sandals to go with them?

Can't you imagine wanting to keep your bum, crotch and thighs dry?

Or perhaps you're still in nappies?

Wild man, the waterproof breathable shorts I use are these ones: Waterproof breathable

 I like them because as someone who still wears nappies these help prevent too much of my bodily exrements escaping inbetween changes.

Whew.... looks like I dodged a bullet there - I was going to post exactly the same question a few weeks back and never got around to it.

I almost always walk in shorts, and have absolutely no problem with having wet legs, but hate the clammy chafing feel of wet shorts (and the risks of core body temperature problems if I should have to stop), especially if I'm wearing a waterproof top with all the associated 'run off'.

Have to say, the Paramo Viento's look ideal, but as usual with paramo stuff there's one small design flaw that will mean I won't be getting any. It's that little label they attach on the side with £140 printed on it.

To be fair though, you can get them with a free towel and pair of gaiters.

Mountain biking shorts are the only real alternative I've found.

Well it surely has to be a more mainstream idea than waterproof hiking skirts/kilts Oddly though, while those do definetly exist round the fringes - like this say, don't think I've seen shorts anywhere. (except, now, cycling )

And there are definetly a priori arguments for at least considering them -  much lighter as no zips required but still convenient to take on/off, and the coverage would probably still be enough to protect what you have to to stay vaguely comfortable.

(The cycling ones presumable reinforced etc so the weight won't carry over.).

Given the walking trousers I tend to use think I'd struggle rather with wet grass etc, but tighter fitting/more weather resistant things might well be fine.

Actually almost suprised that no one has tried marketing it at fell runners. I mean the feet are already soaked so......

I got my Viento zip-off's cheap here on the classifieds & they are much less than £140 on ebay from Paramo if memory serves.   I bought them as I get caught out the odd time during my paramo season when the weather is unseasonably hot (or I am) & I thought taking the legs off would be a better solution to just long leg vents (the Viento zip-offs also have leg vents in trouser mode).  Not proven but they were priced well enough to give them a go.  I won't be wearing them in summer - if using shorts & it's heavy rain I'll likely put conventional OT's on.

Well said Hugh.

I`ve never seen any walkers specific ones but I wear the Altura ones on my bike.

Only alternative ones I`ve seen that are worth a look are Endura Event ones but I think they`re 3/4 length, DHB do a knee length Event short and Gore do a paclite knee length Goretex short.

I can see the benefit of walking in these, I walked up place fell saturday and got caught out in my Montane stretch shorts, by the time I got my waterproof trousers out I was already drenched so carried on, needless to say, my boxer shorts were ringing wet! I`d have been too hot in my waterproof trousers anyway

Hi wild_man when i am walking in the hills i always carry a pair of Freestyle shorts in my pack which i pop over my craghoppers kiwi zip offs if its pishing down or gettng chilly.I bought them years ago tho and can't find them anywhere  

As a cyclist i often wear these http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/products/protective-serpa-waterproof-long-shorts?bct=browse%2fclothing%2fmens-clothing%2frainwear%2frainwear-overtrousers with my footwear combination that keeps my lower half 100% dry all year round commuting.But they are a bit heavy and would be too sweaty for walking i reckon.

I also have a couple of pairs of mtb waterproof shorts, but again for walking in too heavy/hot, i reckon Mole's pal might have your answer, buy the lightest waterproof basic trousers and cut to size!

cheers

John

Thanks for the replies (Hugh in particular).

 I suppose that I'll have to keep using my mountain bike shorts for walking in then. It did find it strange that none of the main brands seem to produce them and zip shorts/trousers is a big no no.

 Cheers.

Well zip off waterproof trousers would have a non trivial weakness relating to their waterproofing where they zipped together.

Shorts I guess viewed as too niche an idea to try. Given that waterproof trousers are very much the lesser relative of jackets in terms of numbers/variety/even stock availability perhaps not such a surprise?