In reply to captain paranoia:
Tried my simmond / decathalon winter trousers over the last 2 days ice climbing at Devils Kitchen, on many climbs with various amounts of dripping water.
This is the 4th pair of softshell trousers I've owned. These shed water by far the best (better than the shoeller ones I bought for three times the price). I also tried a home test of splashing water on them and nearly all of it runs straight off and what doesn't shakes off straight away. As with any soft shell I'm sure they couldn't take a heavy shower or persistent drizzle, and as with most stretchy soft shells once water logged they will probably sag a bit and get heavier.
The built in gaiters also worked really well and I didn't get any snow in my boots despite wading through thigh deep drifts at times! I also found them pretty wind proof.
As a side note I was equally happy with my rab exodus soft shell jacket. Nice hood, pretty wind proof, sheds water very well, good value!
I guess time will tell if the performance is still as good in a year or twos time, but I have a lowe alpine jacket that's about 6 years old and still sheds water well despite me washing it normally and never reproofing it!