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

Product Information

If you’re looking for all-purpose outdoor trousers as opposed to overtrousers, make sure they have plenty of stretch around key areas, especially the knees and seat (bum). Basic trouser shapes can be rather utilitarian, so ladies’ specific cuts take into account higher waist and hips. We can’t promise high fashion, but they will be more comfortable than overtrousers and keep you dry. What key features should I look out for?

One thing to note however, as a buying consideration, the trousers are not designed for high output activities as they’re not especially breathable. They will keep you dry but for higher performance, you’ll need a bigger budget. Cycling in the rain isn’t fun, especially if you’re going to work, but these superb overtrousers will make the commute more bearable. The three-ply, 100% waterproof fabric has enough stretch to give you a full range of movements on and off the bike. The seams are fully taped, and the seat is reinforced to improve durability. I was also impressed with the durability of the trousers, and would not be worried when traipsing through tough terrain. It would have been nice to have seen higher leg zips that opened both ways, as I really miss this venting when it’s not present. 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!

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The trousers have a good, slim profile, so they don’t catch the wind, while elastic ankle cuffs help close out the elements. The waistband is also elastic, with a toggle helping you get a good, comfortable fit. 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. Waterproof performance is surprisingly good – we experimented by pouring a glass of water directly on to the trousers and it just beaded up and slid right off – impressive for a budget pair of trousers. Craghoppers specify a hydrostatic head of 8000mm which is better than most tents! The Women’s Airedales are even better at 20000mm and cheaper to buy!

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. In a line: We love the slim profile of the Helly Hansen Loke Pants and, all-in-all, they’re a solid option. 8/10 Didriksons Tuba USX Pants 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). Some people claim that the Paclite material is less resistant to abrasion (it doesn’t have the internal netting layer of Gore-Tex Professional). We have not seen any evidence of this at all and would not let this put you off buying any Paclite garment. This is especially the case for overtrousers because by their very nature they will not be used on every walk, and even when they are used, it is not likely to be for the whole time – they are there for protection against the elements when required.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 The Spraysways weigh around 400G and have a quality feel to the material – you can’t imagine water getting in at all – they performed very well on several dog walks through a rainy local park and we are excited to try them in slightly more challenging terrain.