A pair of waterproof trousers is essential in the British outdoors

This green and pleasant land owes its verdant nature mainly to one thing: rain.

But it’s not so pleasant if you’re out on the hills and get caught in a downpour or that persistent drizzle that soaks you.

Most people will pack a waterproof jacket for their outdoor jaunts but, in our opinion, a pair of waterproof trousers is pretty much essential too.

So we braved the elements to see how well 11 pairs of pants kept our legs dry in typically wet British conditions.

The trousers fell into two groups: one set of overtrousers to put on in addition to your regular legwear when the rain comes; and others which double up as all-day walking trousers that will also shed the rain.

Pretty much all of samples sent to us by the brands kept the rain out. The main difference was in how well they coped with getting rid of the sweat that inevitably builds up when working hard climbing those hills.

In the end, it comes down how breathable the trousers are; price; features and quality. Style isn’t really a big consideration with waterproof trousers. None of them look particularly sexy and most of the brands espouse the Henry Ford principle: any colour as long as it’s black.

We’ve rated the trousers according to how well they performed, how easy they were to put on – try standing on one leg in a gale and driving rain – price and quality, a subjective judgement but one that was apparent in many of the brands.

How much you might want to pay for a pair of waterproofs for your legs will probably depend on your propensity for heading for the hills in foul weather. But remember: in Britain, it can always rain!

Bergans of Norway Super Lett

Bergans of Norway Super Lett Pants
Colour: black
Weight: 320g (size L)
Price: £110 (standard); £130 (long)
Material: outer face, polyester; inner, nylon
Waterproofing: three-layer Dermizax
Country of manufacture: China
Recommended wash: 30C wash; no fabric softener; cool iron

The Super Letts have a quality feel to them and feature three-layer Dermizax, a PU membrane rated at 20,000mm for waterproofness and 8,000g for breathability.

The part-elasticated waistband also has belt loops, as well as internal loops for braces. The trousers have flies with water-resistant zip and water-resistant zips are also used on the lower leg section.

The Super Lett Pants have no pockets.

The zips go up as far as the knee, longer than some in the test, but not as easy to use as full-length zips

The Super Lett is well thought-out, with baffles behind the leg zips, and a stretchy, rubberised band around the ankle cuff, which is also elasticated with a popper for closure. There are small loops too for gaiter attachment.

The inside of the lower leg, where boot rub is most likely, has internal reinforcement.

There was good shedding of water and breathability was quite good.

The Super Lett feels like a serious pair of waterproof trousers, with lots of thought put into the design.

Waterproofness 28/30
Breathability 16/30
Ease of use 3/5
Features 4/5
Quality 9/10
Value for money 14/20
Total score: 74/100

Berghaus Paclite

Berghaus Paclite Shell Trousers
Colour: grey or black
Weight: 185g
Price: £100.00
Material: 100 per cent nylon (polyamide) outer
Waterproofing: Gore-Tex Paclite Shell membrane
Country of manufacture: China
Recommended washing: cool machine wash in non-biological washing powder; no fabric conditioner

One of the few pairs that came in a colour other than black: ours were grey. These are also the lightest in the test and pack into a small mesh stuff sack, so are very portable.

The long zips, right up to the hips, make these the easiest to put on and the two-way zips can also be used to vent the trousers. There are also press-studs at the ankle cuff to cinch the bottoms in around the boot.

The waist is elasticated with shockcord adjustment. There are no flies or pockets.

In use, the Paclite trousers easily shed the rain and breathability was best of all the overtrousers thanks to the combination of the Gore-Tex membrane and venting zips.

Waterproofness 29/30
Breathability 24/30
Ease of use 5/5
Features 3/5
Quality 8/10
Value for money 15/20
Total score: 84/100

Craghoppers Steall Stretch Trousers

Craghoppers Steall Stretch Trousers
Colour: grey

Weight: 505g
Price: £60
Material: polyester
Waterproofing: Aquadry membrane
Country of manufacture: China
Recommended wash: waterproof cleaner or pure soap

The Steall Stretch Trousers look like conventional walking trousers, with a woven outer fabric treated with a DWR coating, covering the Aquadry membrane which is laminated to the face fabric.

The trousers beaded off the rain nicely during our test.

The Steall weighs in quite heavily and the trousers have a robust feel to them.

Craghoppers don’t rate their fabrics conventionally, but Aquadry is certainly at least equivalent to a 5,000mm hydrostatic head and is good on breathability.

The trousers have files, two zipped hip pockets and one rear pocket. There are belt loops and the knee is articulated.

There are no leg zips, but you wouldn’t expect to be putting these on mid-trip. The ankle cuff has hook and loop adjustment and there is a reinforced fabric strip at the rear of the inner lining.

Waterproofness 24/30
Breathability 20/30
Ease of use 4/5
Features 3/5
Quality 5/10
Value for money 15/20
Total score: 71/100

Karrimor X Lite Helium Weathertite Pants

Karrimor X Lite Helium Weathertite Pants
Colour: black
Weight: 310g
Price: £44.99
Material: 100 per cent nylon (polyamide)
Waterproofing: Weathertite Xtreme fabric; durable water repellent finish
Country of manufacture: China
Recommended washing: cool machine wash with a cleaner specifically formulated to clean technical clothing

Karrimor claims waterproofing figures of 10,000mm and breathability also of 10,000g per sq metre per 24 hours for its Weathertite fabric.

The Helium Pants are certainly well designed and have lots of features, with long, double zips running right up to thigh level, making the trousers easy to put on and also enabling ventilation by part-opening the zips. There are also internal baffles to add to the waterproofing along the large zips.

The knees are articulated, which gives a good walking action and the cut of the trousers is fairly snug, with no excess fabric flapping around. At the ankle, a popper and shockcord system allows the hems to be cinched in tight around the boot.

The waist is elasticated and there is also a shockcord to tighten the waistband.

The trousers have no pockets or flies.

The X-Lite Helium is another 2½-layer trouser, with taped seams. Finish is not quite up to the top standards and the material feels less robust than some of the more expensive rivals in this test.

But for design, features and value for money, the X Lite Helium Weathertite is a tough competitor.

The trousers also come with a mesh stuffsack.
In use, the trousers kept out the rain with no trouble but breathability was not so good, and clamminess was soon in evidence.

Waterproofness 26/30
Breathability 13/30
Ease of use 4/5
Features 4/5
Quality 5/10
Value for money 14/20
Total score: 66/100

Montane Atomic Pants

Montane Atomic Pants
Colour: black
Weight: 194g
Price: £85
Material: nylon
Waterproofing: Pertex Shield
Country of manufacture: China
Recommended wash: mild detergent with periodic reproofing with elastomer product

Montane’s Atomic trousers feature Pertex Shield, which offers 10,000mm of waterproofing and 8,000g of breathability. The fabric marries a polyurethane laminate with the Pertex face fabric which has a durable water repellent treatment.

This makes for lightweight trousers that certainly kept the rain out – beading consistently on our test which was in wind-driven persistent rain.

Breathability was OK without being astounding. Working hard uphill produced the familiar dampness inside the legs, but the downhill return section saw a better transfer out of moisture.

The Atomic Pants have an elasticated waist with a good, easy to use lockable drawcord that held in place well.

The articulated knees allow for unrestricted movement on high steps and climbs over rock.

The quarter-length zip means it’s a bit of a struggle to get the trousers on over boots while balancing on one leg in the wind.

The ankles have two sets of press-studs which allow for tightening over boots or trails shoes and there is also a long Velcro calf adjuster which again means the trousers can be tightened round the lower leg to prevent them flapping around.

There are small reflective trim panels. The trousers have no pockets or flies.

Waterproofness 27/30
Breathability 18/30
Ease of use 3/5
Features 3/5
Quality 7/10
Value for money 15/20
Total score: 73/100

Patagonia Torrentshell Pants

Patagonia Torrentshell Pants
Colour: black
Weight: 260g
Price: £80.00
Material: 100 per cent 50-denier nylon (polyamide)
Waterproofing: H2No Performance Standard shell, waterproof breathable barrier, with Deluge durable water repellent finish
Country of manufacture: Vietnam
Recommended washing: no fabric softener

Patagonia describes the Torrentshell Pants as ‘pared-down rainwear’. These overtrousers are lightweight, yet the ripstop fabric has a tough feel to it.

Patagonia claims its proprietary durable water repellent fabric finish, Deluge DWR, lasts substantially longer than standard DWRs.

The trousers are 2½-layer fabric – a curious outdoors industry designation that essentially means that, instead of a full third inner layer there is a raised pattern on the inner face of the inner face.

The fully elasticated waist also has a conventional drawcord.

There are two zipped hip pockets with exterior baffles to keep rain out, and the trousers also have a single, zipped back pocket, again with a baffle covering it.

The knee is articulated, but the zips at the bottom of the leg are fairly short, making it a struggle to get them on over walking boots.

There is hook and loop fastening at the ankle and once on, the Torrentshell pants have a very good fit, hugging the legs nicely without excess material flapping about.

Quality of manufacture felt good, with seams well taped and stitching good.

For stowing, the trousers pack into one of the hip pockets, which also has a loop for attaching via a carabiner.

In use, the cut of the trousers worked well, with no impedance when walking. The articulated knees allow high steps to be made without any noticeable drag on the legs.

As with all the trousers tested, the Torrentshells kept the rain out, but also kept some of the sweat in. Breathability was satisfactory. There was a fair amount of clamminess when pushing hard uphill, which diminished over time when less strenuous walking was undertaken.

Not the best breathability, but reasonable.

Waterproofness 28/30
Breathability 15/30
Ease of use 3/5
Features 4/5
Quality 8/10
Value for money 16/20
Total score: 74/100

Result Tech Performance Soft Shell Trousers

Result Tech Performance Soft Shell Trousers
Colour: black
Weight: 580g
Price: £47.90
Material: outer, 93 per cent polyester, 7 per cent Elastene
Waterproofing: 310g/m2, 3-layer waterproof 5,000mm bonded fabric, TPU waterproof, breathable & windproof membrane
Country of manufacture: not known
Recommended washing: liquid detergent only

The Result trousers are softshell, meant to be worn on their own rather than as overtrousers.

The Tech Performance trousers are slightly stretchy and are lined with a thin, ripstop fleece material which, combined with their windproof properties, makes them very warm.

There are two zipped, mesh hip pockets, and flies. The trousers have belt loops and the waistband is part-elasticated and also has a rubberised strip part way round to help stop them slipping.

There is an extra, small, zipped patch pocket on the left thigh.

The bottom section of each leg has extra waterproof lining and the leg zips come half way up the lower leg, which meant we weren’t able to put the trousers on while wearing a pair of walking boots. However, since these are meant to be worn on their own, rather than as overtrousers, it’s highly unlikely you’ll want to balance on one leg in a gale to be putting them on mid-walk.

We did, however, manage to get them on over a pair of trail-walking shoes.

The bottom of the trouser leg is quite baggy, not ideal for walking if you want to avoid snagging the trousers on the opposite boot.

While the Result trousers won’t win any accolades for high fashion, they are competitively priced and offer a basic pair of windproof, waterproof trousers at fairly low cost.

In use, the Result trousers were among the least breathable. The material is thick and there was a rapid build-up of clamminess even with moderate activity.

The Performance Shell Trousers are more suited to less strenuous activity in cool conditions.
Waterproofness 15/30
Breathability 10/30
Ease of use 3/5
Features 3/5
Quality 5/10
Value for money 10/20
Total score: 46/100

Sherpa Adventure Gear Khumjung 2.5 Layer Pant

Sherpa Adventure Gear Khumjung 2.5 Layer Pant
Colour: black
Weight: 230g
Price: £65
Material: nylon
Waterproofing: not stated
Country of manufacture: Vietnam
Recommended washing: 30C cool wash

The Sherpa waterproof overtrousers claim 10,000mm of waterproofness and 10,000g of breathability and they performed well, keeping out the rain and providing adequate breathability.

The legs are quite snug and the articulated knees meant walking action was not hindered.

Some clamminess built up, but dissipated quickly.

The elasticated waist is supplemented by a shock-cord adjustment and there is a single rear, zipped pocket. There are no flies.
The ankle zip is not very long, so the trousers are not easy to get over boots, but there press-studs and an elasticated ankle cuff mean the bottoms fit snugly over the boot.

Waterproofness 28/30
Breathability 15/30
Ease of use 3/5
Features 3/5
Quality 8/10
Value for money 17/20
Total score: 74/100

Sprayway All Day Rain Pant

Sprayway All Day Rain Pant
Colour: black
Weight: 396g
Price: £69.95
Material: polyamide (nylon) and Spandex; drop-liner: polyurethane and polyester
Waterproofing: hydro/dry taped lining plus durable water resistant treatment
Country of manufacture: China
Recommended washing: fluorocarbon wash liquid

The All Day Rain Pant looks and feels like a conventional pair of walking trousers, and is made of stretch material with the outer fabric given a durable water repellent treatment.

The breathability of these trousers was less than a normal pair of non-waterproof trousers, but we were surprised to find that, even on a warm, windless day working hard on ascents, the trousers remained acceptably comfortable.

As the day deteriorated, and the rain appeared, the All Day Rain Pant stood up to a fair soaking before succumbing to a little dampness seeping through.

The waterproofing is rated at 10,000mm and Sprayway says the All Day Rain Pant has breathability of 20,000g and the All Day Rain Pants easily matched or bettered many of the shell trousers for getting rid of perspiration.

The trousers have two zipped pockets, flies, and a semi-elastic waist with belt loops.

There is no adjustment on the ankle and on the mountain we occasionally found the trousers catching on the opposite leg’s boot as we tackled more adventurous terrain.

Waterproofness 22/30
Breathability 20/30
Ease of use 4/5
Features 4/5
Quality 6/10
Value for money 14/20
Total score: 70/100

Sprayway Santiago Rainpant

Sprayway Santiago Rainpant
Colour: black
Weight: 409g
Price: £35
Material: polyamide (nylon) outer; polyamide (nylon) lining
Waterproofing: hydro/dry
Country of manufacture: China
Recommended washing: fluorocarbon wash liquid

The Santiago is Sprayway’s conventional overtrouser offering, and is very competitively priced.
Ideal as an occasional waterproof trouser, the Santiago is not as breathable as some, with a rating of 5,000g, and its waterproofing is also rated at 5,000mm.

The trousers feel quite thick and the taffeta lining adds to the feel.

The elasticated waist also has a shockcord adjuster and there is a single rear pocket with a flap to protect it.

The ankle zips have bellows which makes them quite difficult to pull on over boots. There are hook and loop strips to cinch the bottoms, but this is easily undone if it catches on obstructions.

A basic pair of waterproof trousers for use in less demanding situations.

Waterproofness 22/30
Breathability 13/30
Ease of use 2/5
Features 3/5
Quality 5/10
Value for money 15/20
Total score: 60/100

For those showery days when you would normally be constantly stopping to put on or take off overtrousers, the all-day type of pants is a boon. Both the Craghoppers Steall Stretch Trousers and the Sprayway All Day Rain Pant performed well, with the Craghoppers model just having the edge.

For performance, quality and lightness, the Berghaus Paclite Trousers were unbeatable and are recommended, deserving our Best in Test award.

The Bergans of Norway Super Lett Pants oozed quality and we liked the trousers a lot.

The offerings from Montane, Patagonia and Sherpa Adventure all performed well and will do the job; the Sherpa trousers represent particularly good value.

For occasional use, the Sprayway Santiago, though not offering top performance, was unbeatable on price.

Best in test: Berghaus Paclite Trousers
Recommended: Craghoppers Steall Stretch Trousers
Recommended: Sherpa Adventure Gear Khumjung 2.5 Layer Pant