In reply to TobyA:
For me Neoshell trousers mean they’d be a bit more breathable (maybe because of side vents as well...), I might skip the baselayer and won’t take salopetes with me for a walk. So it’s more of a preference given the weather, I think. I have been wearing lighter trousers with heavier merino wool baselayers lately as I tend to run hot and somehow it works better for me.
Actually, I don’t think I wore salopetes once I got Neoshell troos. If it’s wet, I’ll take Neoshell. If it’s dry with a low chance of rain, I'd take light overtrousers. If there’s a chance of torrential weather, I’d take soft shell trousers and GTX salopetes, but I’m more inclined to stay at home now.
The only mistake I made was when I was bivvying in November. It was dry day, but wet underfoot. The trousers eventually got wet and the next morning wasn’t the most pleasant. Soft shell and gaiters would have been a better idea - my Neoshell trousers have internal gaiter.