In reply to ford23:
have been using mountain equipment karakorum trousers for a few years in scottish winter, they've been great. not gore tex, ME's own material, but it's never let me down. have not used in the most foul of conditions but various scottish MRT members who posted on here when i was shopping around used them and I figured they have sued them in every condition possible. plus not being gore tex they are cheaper than most!