legwear for wet weather

[jonnie drake]

Im in need of something suitable for the current climate!!! I've had a look around, I don't fancy over trousers, had a look at some 'water resistant' craghoppers which wick the water away quite well but I can see them only being shower proof at best. Quick drying trousers would be a pain if it stays wet all day and wet trousers are a pain to get about in. What do you guys use?

 

[Muddypaws]

You could wear shorts, but depending on what you are doing ticks and nettles might be a problem.
If you have the money then consider Paramo waterproof trousers (Worn next to the skin, not as overtrousers). I have a pair of Velez Adventure trousers, and I think they are a cracking bit of kit. The thigh zip vents are surprisingly effective for cooling you down on those warm but wet days.

 

[Retired Member southey]

I have a pair of water proof crags if it's cats and dogs out side, I really rate them, pockets on both legs,water proof zip pocket in where the nomal pockets are, there not over trouser but a proper lined walking trouser, i'll dig them out when i get home and see what there style name is.

 

[SimonM]

Fjallraven trousers - expensive but can be treated with their Greenland wax to make them waterproof.

I have a couple of pairs and swear by them...

Simon

 

[jonnie drake]

thanks for the suggestions guys. Will look them up.

 

[Shambling Shaman]

I haveThese

And have found them to be great, a bit warm if its really hot but ok if fully opened up

 

[Paul_B]

Sprayway all day pants. These are stretch pants that look like trekking trousers but are fully waterproof. A mate swears by them. They are as comfortable as ordinary outdoors trousers but completely waterproof as waterproof as over trousers are at least. You can always get wet in waterproofs due to sweat build up.

Paramo trousers, even the adventure light ones, will most likely be too hot around now but they are good despite that.

My preference is for shorts but not just any shorts. I always wear good outdoors shorts (not cragghoppers and their ilk). My current favourites are mountainhardwear ones. Can't remember their name but they are kind of a softshell / DWR treated pair that can shrug off a lot of rain showers and drizzley stuf we had in Lakes on sunday. Plus when the heavy stuff comes in (like most summers anywhere with proper hills where they rarely mention on weather forecasts, i.e. not the south and the south east) over trousers are still comfortable over them. I have a pair of Sprayway over trousers and they are a proper 3 layer breathable fabric for only £63 from Gaynors in Ambleside. BTW Gaynors also sel the all day pant at the same price which does seem good to me.

 

[jonnie drake]

Sprayway all day pants. These are stretch pants that look like trekking trousers but are fully waterproof. A mate swears by them. They are as comfortable as ordinary outdoors trousers but completely waterproof as waterproof as over trousers are at least. You can always get wet in waterproofs due to sweat build up.

Paramo trousers, even the adventure light ones, will most likely be too hot around now but they are good despite that.

My preference is for shorts but not just any shorts. I always wear good outdoors shorts (not cragghoppers and their ilk). My current favourites are mountainhardwear ones. Can't remember their name but they are kind of a softshell / DWR treated pair that can shrug off a lot of rain showers and drizzley stuf we had in Lakes on sunday. Plus when the heavy stuff comes in (like most summers anywhere with proper hills where they rarely mention on weather forecasts, i.e. not the south and the south east) over trousers are still comfortable over them. I have a pair of Sprayway over trousers and they are a proper 3 layer breathable fabric for only £63 from Gaynors in Ambleside. BTW Gaynors also sel the all day pant at the same price which does seem good to me.

thanks guys. A question for you paul may seem a bit stupid. Do you find that rain gets in your boots when wearing shorts?

 

[hanzo]

I wear shorts hiking and camping all the time. If it's raining hard enough for rain to get into my boots, they are already wet from the puddles on the ground.

When I have a lot of water crossing to do, I will bring something else to wear, like the Vibram Five Fingers or water sandals or fishing tabis. And then change back into my dry boots. If it is constantly wet, I will do the entire hike in the items I mentioned, or do the entire hike in my shoes and then take them off to air out my feet after. Rubber slippers are a great addition to the pack. They are light and actually are multi-use items.

 

[Wayland]

A good pair of gaiters should not be underestimated.

Unless it's really sheeting it down I find a poncho and gaiters does me fine.

 

[Retired Member southey]

I've had a look but I don't think they make the one's iv'e got any more, they are aquadry system ones.

 

[Whittler Kev]

I've got gaiters as well, but as I use the Harley, I made a pair of Chaps. Just wear when the grass is wet, kneeling etc and your trousers stay dry but as they are not enclosed they don't get too hot. I made mine from a leather substitute in case of slidy, slidy down the road times (don't want them to melt and stick to me) - hope I don't get to prove it- but anything waterproof would do

 

[Paul_B]

Personally I don't wear boots anymore so don't have a problem with rain entering my boots. I wear fell shoes in the hills whether rambling along, running or backpacking. I also use them in winter as I don't do stuff that needs boots. I might get a pair of kahtoola microspikes though just in case we get a good winter again.

Of course that means I am used to wet feet. A good pair of free draining fell shoes means the feet get wet but what the hell does that matter. The shoes drain your feet dry out. Of course it amuses my fellow walkers to see me wring my shoes out while wearing them. Not had trench foot yet. More importantly for me is I get from A to B quicker, more comfortably, less tired and don't go over on my ankle or sprain my ankle any more. I am considered to be a bit mad though. Perhaps it is when I'm kicking steps up a snow slope that people think I am mad. I have started to shuffle through the snow rather than stomping over it when I see people out of my group. You either get the disapproving look of oldschool mountain types who believe the worse the weather the stiffer the boots or you get looks and comments from people thinking you are mad. My answer is waterproof socks in winter and cold weather then everything is ok.

Although I do reckon a pair of gaiters with my waterproof trousers will be worth it. Perhaps those mini gaiters as it is only the inch or so above the shoe top that lets in water if wearing over trousers.

Can I just say that being wet is not a disaster it is just cold that is. By that I mean wet and warm is ok wet and cold is not. I do come from a whitewater kayaking background where as a winter sport you do get wet but you manage the cold so the wet is not the issue. In fact I've had the beginnings of hypothermia more often when dry and walking than wet and kayaking. Off topic sorry.

 

[jonnie drake]

I see what you mean paul. Do you not find blisters/rubbing a problem? I always come out worse in that respect when my feet are wet.

thanks for the suggestions folks

 

[DavidJT]

Fjallraven trousers - expensive but can be treated with their Greenland wax to make them waterproof.

I have a couple of pairs and swear by them...

Simon

These aren't waterproof, only water resistant / showerproof. Hving said that I have a couple of pairs which I wear all the time.

 

[Paul_B]

I see what you mean paul. Do you not find blisters/rubbing a problem? I always come out worse in that respect when my feet are wet.

thanks for the suggestions folks

No blisters but I am into long distance walking anything from 20 miles to 50 miles at the moment but looking forward to building up to my first 100 mile stroll. Distance is a good kill or cure for feet. Fortunately I have had the cure option, but I did go through a kill stage where the pad on the ball of ther foot nearly came off.

My only problem with wet feet is that I don't like the colour they come out as at the end of the walk. Its not natural to have totally white skin without any pink is it? Then there is the mud marks that appear inside your sock.

 

[Paul_B]

BTW blisters and rubbing are less likely to happen with a well fitting pair of light fell shoes. Go to a good shop like Pete Bland sports in Kendal and they'll get the shoe right for you. It really is about the expert shoe fitting and selection. Take an old pair of trainers so they can determine any overpronation and the like. I think there are a few really good shops like Pete Bland around and they are worth supporting. Especially when they give you an automatic discount even without you asking for one.

 

[Laurentius]

I'm never going to buy goretex (or other "waterproof") boots again, and the same goes for sealskin socks.

That being said, if you get sandals wet, even the kind that are supposed to get wet, you will likely get blisters as the straps rub.

As for legwear in general, either you wear a full length coat or poncho in which case your legs are covered or you wear shorts cos everything runs off your jacket and soaks your trousers otherwise.

 

[1234]

another fan of shorts here, nettles aren't really a problem, you just use a long/walking stick to push nettles aside
you also might want to try barefoot, its quite a nice feeling tbh, you pay more attention to where your walk, without even realizing it, which could be a good thing depending how you look at it

 

[jonnie drake]

thanks for the suggestions guys! I think I would be best off getting to a shop for them too- I have severely square feet- genetic unfortunately!

I do prefer walking in shorts, they give much more freedom of movement but they can get a little cold if its windy- but I detest wet trousers!!!

perhaps goretex boxers and socks could sort the problem