UKC

Can someone recommend me some waterproof trousers that will last more than a couple of weeks? I am lucky enough to live on Skye and I am out for at least two hours every day, but I therefore have to put up with a huge amount of rain. I have got through at least 10 pairs of waterproof trousers in the last year, they are great to start with but soon start to leak. I have tried various makes, some cheap, some not so cheap yet all seem to be the same. Most times they have been replaced yet the replacement is just as bad. So has anyone found some decent trousers that will last a bit longer?

In reply to Skyecrofter:
Firemore are presently making me a pair of overtrousers. They sent me a couple of fabric samples, I chose a lightweight fabric, but the other one (that I didn't choose) was 330 denier Cordura laminated to a PTFE Membrane.

In reply to Skyecrofter:

I have some Montane Event trousers that haven't leaked yet, and I'm impressed with them.

I don't know how you've found ten pairs that leak to be honest, unless you are buying really cheap. I have a pair of £30 craghoppers that have lasted me 10 years (with the help of some repair tape where I've been clumsy).

I know enough folk with waterproof trouers (goretex and event) that don't leak. What do you consider "not so cheap", and have you actually tried goretex or event trousers?

In reply to Skyecrofter:

I use Mountain equipment Karakoram trousers for work, heavy but hard wearing and pretty solid.

In reply to Skyecrofter:
What are you using them for to go through 10 a year? If walking, then my waterproofs last many years.
If for crofting (your name suggests?) then you need full blown agricultural ones. They last years of agricultural abuse, unless you rip them, but they are heavy and built for waterproofing and not necessarily breath ability or ease of walking.

In reply to Climbing Pieman:

I only really use them for walking the dogs, I have tried £60 Berghaus ones, £25 regatta and anything in between. The last pair after less than a week started to leak badly and after half an hour my legs were soaked. I am not sure if I have just been unlucky, I did have a Berghaus pair that lasted a year before they split on the inside seam, so I replaced them with the same sort, which now were clearly made with a much thinner material which only lasted a couple of months before starting to leak very badly. I have tried reproofing but this doesn't seem to work very well.

In reply to Skyecrofter:

I'm a big fan of the Berghaus Helvellyn pant. GTX and not too expensive. Circa £90.

In reply to Skyecrofter:

Nothing to add here only that I feel your pain! I did the ridge a few years back wearing a pair of berghaus deluge pants, by the end it looked like I'd been shot in the arse with a shot gun, the grabbo just shedded them! Drop mike lates a msg, see what he wears, he lives on the ridge.

In reply to Skyecrofter:

Mike's normally decked out in Cioch gear from waist down, seem to make bompfroof clothes and they're based in Struan so you could pop in to the shop and they'll make you made to measure trousers.

http://www.cioch-direct.co.uk/introduction/welcome.html

In reply to Skyecrofter:

What jacket do you have? Does that leak? If not, get the same in trousers.

Stop buying cheap ones and get goretex or event. I've worn mine for over 8 hours a day in driving rain and they just don't leak. If they do, take them back!

In reply to Skyecrofter:

Second Mountain Equipment karakoram - the new version is a lot tougher.
Three design faults

- braces catch is stupid - plastic fish hook shape so cannot remove from front so full length zips are pointless.

- silly little Velcro patch on top of full length zip, easily pulls apart because zips only one way so you need to have them undone a fair way down to get at trouser pockets which puts too much strain on Velcro. I have had to have hook / bar sewn on.

- snow gaiters sewn in this time, last version was zipped. And they are pretty useless as hook too small and do not fit very well so I have had to cut them off.

Why on earth do they not try them out before finalising the design?

Otherwise excellent.

In reply to Skyecrofter:
You might want to try Paramo or the local equivalent Cioch, but they are not really just waterproof trousers as they have insulation as well so may not suit for low level walking. Alternative is to spend more (£100+) to get something to last. Looks like you have been unlucky with cheaper ones. I'm currently using paramo if cold and Montane super flys if warm. All membrane trousers will go at some point but most reasonable priced ones should last well over a year. If daily use you may have to look to heavy duty ones (ie specialist ones/higher priced ones) or Paramo/Cioch which due to the way they work last many many years if reproofed.

In reply to Climbing Pieman:



+1

Try some " Flexothane " overtrousers.

A bargain at under £20. Buy at a builders merchant like Travis Perkins or a Farmers shop. The only pant that kept me dry all day when I used to be daft enough to mountain bike on the hills in foul weather.

In reply to Skyecrofter:

I'd agree with Rick Graham. I'm often out working in wet weather and use mine for walling. They get tons of abuse and I do not look after them. They stretch a bit and even in driving rain they still keep me dry. I must have had these for over two years now. Many, many farmers & builders use them.

In reply to Dave Perry:

Yes, reminds me I used to wear these type in the past for outdoor labouring. Virtually indestructible and totally waterproof unless ripped. Lasted years of abuse. Only problem I remember is that they were made for heavy duty function and were not that breathable and were quite stiff material. Unlikely that the OP could wear them out in less than a year if they were as I used to use!! Would not like to have walked far in them though!

In reply to Climbing Pieman:

I have looked at ones suitable for labouring, but I really only use them for walking, so since they aren't breathable they are not ideal.

I am out 365 days a year for at least 2 hours a day, whatever the weather, which at the moment is torrential rain and strong winds. I have been looking at the paramo ones, I am just not sure if they may be too warm for the summer?

Thanks for the advice everyone.

In reply to Skyecrofter:
Yes can be warm for summer, but if its raining hard or cold or windy you will not notice that in summer even in Skye! At this time of year you will wonder how you did without Paramo if you get them . Most of Paramo ones vent down the legs if you felt it necessary if the rain stopped and the sun shone and you were still walking. There are also at two models iirc that can be used on top of trousers instead of the norm on bare legs (hence can be taken off) and there used to be one model that had zip off legs if that thing suited you. Not sure if they make that any more - Viento trousers see http://www.go4awalk.com/product-reviews/waterproof-walking-trousers/paramo-... . Paramo is not for everyone and you will either love or hate the way they work.
Alternative is as I said before to spend more on a better quality trouser - 3 layer gore or event type.