Berghaus Men's Paclite Gore-Tex Waterproof Overtrousers, Lightweight, Durable

Product Information

But we don’t let this stop us, because all we have to be is prepared, and stowable waterproof trousers are an essential element of this readiness. A decent pair of waterproof trousers are a must, and those with the addition of Gore-Tex are considered the crème de la crème of such garments. The main fabric is G-1000 Eco, a traditional hardwearing eco-friendly organic cotton and recycled polyester blend (made from old plastic bottles) that has been waxed for enhanced weather protection. They’ll not be troubled with a heavy shower and stay warm even in strong winds, but they will saturate eventually (which is where a pair of overtrousers come in).

I know that even some of the best waterproof trousers are noisy to walk in, but these seemed especially so, and they are rather baggy, meaning they flap away in the wind quite a bit. Poppers on each ankle help cinch them in at the bottom to counter this slightly. They were certainly comfortable to wear, and the elastic waistband ensures you can achieve a good fit.

Before buying the Berghaus Paclite Pant Men

Rohan’s Ventus waterproof overtrousers are an excellent performer for outdoor rainy days with a number of decent design cues from the top to the bottom. In particular, we were impressed with the full length two-way waterproof zips on the side of each leg. These are excellent quality and allow the leg of the trousers to be opened up from the ground up – easy to then slip your walking boots through on a rainy day! Stormflaps around the ends of the overtrousers are a welcome touch and help seal you up completely against the elements. We must also mention the overall style of the Spraysways – they look great and seem to have a better shape/fit than more expensive competition. Great work Sprayway! Keela was founded on the East Coast of Scotland, where they understand a thing or two about bad weather, and with the Rainlife 5000 trousers, they’ve made a practical, comfortable and protective pant for an excellent price. In a line: The Sprayway Mountain Rainpant is a great all-rounder at a respectable price. 8/10 Paramo Velez Adventure Trousers There’s no escaping the fact most waterproof trousers are unisex in cut, unflattering and generally billowy affairs. But look hard enough and you will find women’s specific rain trousers that avoid the shiny bin bag aesthetic.

Sweden – a land renowned for Ikea, Volvo and a veritable smorgasbord of other quality items. Well since 1960 they have also had outdoor company Fjӓllrӓven who have been quietly making exceptional quality equipment for those in the know. That being said, the Sprayways were easy to put on and we had no problems with snagging the mesh layer because they have thoughtfully included 3/4 length zips – we’re a fan of this as it makes it so much easier to put the overtrousers on. Yes the zips could potentially let in water, but we haven’t experienced this as an issue. In a line: The Vaude Yaras Rain Zip Pants II are durable and fully-featured, but they’re not the lightest. 9/10 Sprayway Mountain Rainpant There are however some methods that you can use to determine a product’s quality without needing to physically have it. Thanks to Gore-Tex’s years of innovation and experience, its waterproofing materials and membranes have never been lighter, more durable, or more waterproof. To help you find the best solution, we’ve rounded up the best Gore-Tex waterproof trousers available.

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The Nano Pro Eco material has a ‘dry-touch’ outer layer which makes it soft to handle and not too noisy or ‘rustly’. I hate it when overtrousers make too much noise, and the Marmots were pretty quiet in that regard when walking. There is also no netting layer inside them which is much my preferred design option as it stops your boots getting caught up when putting them on. These Craghoppers Kiwi Pro Waterproof Trousers are great all-round walking trousers – the fact that they also offer excellent waterproof performance via an AquaDry membrane for a great price make them a no-brainer if you’re after some all round trousers. For women, we also recommend the Airedale trousers which have even better waterproof performance. Another factor that can be a great indication of product quality is the brand. Brands like Berghaus are of course extremely well known, especially for waterproof trousers. Legs zips allow the bottom portion of the waterproof trouser to be opened up to allow them to be put on without the need to remove boots. The longer the zips, the better, however, these openings do provide space for rain to leak through. Water-resistant zips can prevent this to a degree, as can external flaps. Ventilation Columbia’s Pouring Adventure Pant is another very affordable option, and just like the Regatta trousers we had on test, they have an inner lining that can cause trouble when you’re trying to pull them on in a hurry, with your boots getting caught up. However, unlike the Regatta trousers, the Pouring Adventure Pant has zips on each leg that come mid-way up your thigh, allowing you to slip them on easier. Better yet, these zips open both ways, so if you start to overheat you can unzip them from the top to allow for some venting.

Sizing wise, the Rainy Day Pants are classed as ‘unisex’. This essentially means if you’re buying online that you need to take a punt on whether they will fit or not. I’m a 6ft3 male and found that XL was a good fit. If you’re a smaller lady then you will probably want the small (S). By its very nature, waterproofing material inhibits fabric breathability, and for this reason, condensation can form. As condensation creates discomfort, ventilation is included by some manufacturers to promote airflow. A trouser with long side zips and two or three zip pulls will allow extra ventilation at the calf, knee, or hip. These vents will need to be closed off during heavy rains. Scuff patch To ensure your waterproof trousers remain impervious to rain for years to come, you’ll need to invest in a pair with a waterproof layer sandwiched between the inner fabric and outer DWR layer. The most recognisable name is Gore-Tex, but there are many great alternatives including Polartec NeoShell, Nikwax Analogy and Columbia OutDry Extreme. They are incredibly thin, and almost translucent as a result, but if you want to travel light and stay dry, regardless of whether you’re off running ultras, they’re a brilliant choice. Be warned though, they will tear more easily than a burly pair of three-layered Gore-Tex Pro trousers.Key features – Waterproofing: Gore-Tex 3L, 28,000mm HH; Main material: Recycled Nylon; Weight: 435g They’re expensive, but take care of these and they will last for years – you can also re-wax if the waterproofing starts to fade. This does make them a bit heavier than the Gore-Tex equivalent, but they’re so comfy you won’t notice