Waterproof Pants

[lub0]

i grabbed a pair of 5.11 rain pants from here months ago when they were on sale and it seems they still are! http://www.mandmdirect.com/products-5.11-Tactical-Series-Mens-Rain-Trouser-Black_UF8.htm

They work well and can be donned without having to take off your boots and trrouser pockets are accessible which is handy.

 

[Aragorn]

i've always called trousers "pant's", could be my families manchester roots to blaim, but if pants are called trousers why do we wear "underpants" not that i do still prefer boxers

back to the thread thought, i wear a pair of Berghaus aquafoil overtrousers for walking and rate them a lot, but for the woods and round camp don't really bother

 

[gregorach]

Pants or trousers, one thing I'd say about waterproof is that I find it really helps if they've got 3/4 length two-way zips in the legs - much easier to get on and off, and you can open the zips from the top to provide ventilation (and get into your pockets). Berghaus aquafoil here too.

 

[Labrador]

Try having a look at the Deerhunter range from Denmark. I have a pair of their basic waterproof trousers & swear by them for canoeing (cost about £35 from the BASC Gamekeeper's Fair at Catton Park).
Just reinforce the gusset if you are crouching down a lot!
:yikes:

 

[Noddy]

...............

 

[swanscot]

I got Berghaus Paclite for myself and DH about 5 years ago and they are still going strong. They cost a fortune, but they are very breathable. I've worn mine all day when hiking in persistent rain in Iceland and kept dry - apart from sweat around the waist which was under the rucksack hip belt. DH ripped his on a barbed wire fence (tut tut! I don't know why he was climbing over a fence!), but a wee length of duct tape inside fixed them.

 

[Rebel]

I have a few types of waterproof pants.

Different types perform in different ways. The waterproof membrane type (Gore-Tex, eVent, etc) all rustle when you walk - some more than others - and will leak wherever they are pierced. Apart from that they are totally waterproof when undamaged.

Some are designed to be a complete trouser/pant and some are designed to be an over trouser. Some are reinforced to give extra strength as membrane type garments tend to damage fairly easily. There are also very thin lightweight ones that are great for carrying but easily damaged, they also tend to be expensive.

Soft shell trousers are an interesting solution. I have a pair of Schoeller pants that are highly water and stain resistant. These pants are silent (no rustling) and they stretch. If they are pierced by something they won't leak at that point, unless it's a full on tear of course. One downside is that, unlike Gore-Tex, they aren't 1000% waterproof and will eventually let water through if you are in a heavy downpour for a long time.

Paramo have a similar solution to Schoeller, in as much as they are a soft shell product, and they are supposed to be excellent but I haven't personally tried them.

Another solution that I don't use but it is inexpensive is synthetic fabric that has been treated with DWR (water repellent coating). These garments will be highly water resistant at first and will fairly quickly (depending on usage) degrade in performance. After a few washings it won't perform very well but can be rejuvenated by using Nikwax waterproofing or a similar product. The advantage of this type of clothing is that it is cheap so not a big deal if it gets damaged.

There is also ventile but I haven't tried it so I can't comment. It is an expensive cotton material that, like Schoeller, isn't 100% waterproof but does offer a high level of water resistance and ought to be hard wearing.

 

[addo]

Ive got some ventile trousers, and im afraid they are pants!
Luckilly I didn't pay for them. I did buy some Fjallraven foresters and they are half the price and excellent if proofed, and combined with gators/poncho or waterproof breathable trousers over the top, when it rearly gets wet.

 

[Sniper]

What size waist are you Machiavelli? I have a pair of waterproof breathable which don't fit me (they're about a 34 - 36 waist) at a guess but really not sure. They are over trousers and pack away to nothing which your'e welcome to if you want them.

 

[tobes01]

I've yet to find a situation where waterproof trousers are preferable to gaiters and a long jacket. Early part of the shooting season I sometimes wear waxed cotton overtrousers/chaps when beating through thick brambles, but ditch them as soon as they're not needed.

Tobes

 

[jimford]

I've yet to find a situation where waterproof trousers are preferable to gaiters and a long jacket. Early part of the shooting season I sometimes wear waxed cotton overtrousers/chaps when beating through thick brambles, but ditch them as soon as they're not needed.

Isn't there a contradiction in the above?

(Just being a bit 'picky' this morning!)

Jim