What Hiking/walking trousers?

I am looking for a pair of half decent trousers for hiking in as I’m sick of getting my jeans soaked or the legs ripped off me by brambles when in shorts. Ideally I would like them to be reasonably water repellent, but I could live with them not being totally water proof if it meant they were more breathable/durable.

I would probably end up using them for trail building in as well so something robust would be a bonus. And if they were suitable for biking in that would be great, but not essential as I am more of a shorts kind of a guy.

Oh and under £100 if possible. Any suggestions?

Rohan bags ?

‘Craghopper Kiwi’ – I’ve had more expensive trousers (inc. Rohan) but these just do great (lasted me years).

Wet jeans are horrible.
The Craghoppers are good. I’ve had a pair for about 3 year now and are wearing really well plus they’re fairly quick drying. A bit wide a fitting for my liking though.
So I’m after some of these. North Face Meridian Convertible pants that will zip off into shorts if you want.

Another vote for Craghopper Kiwi. Good value too, I think I paid <£30 for both my pairs.

Another vote for Craghopper Kiwis here too. Been great and can be had for less than £15 sometimes in sales.

Lightweight, comfortable and dry quickly if wet.

Montane Terras. Mine are around 5 years old and have been all round the Cuillin on numerous occasions. Water resistant, quick drying, breathable and patches on knee and seat for added wear. Outstanding.

Haglöfs Rugged Mountain Pants

Indestructible, comfortable, water repellent and very fast drying. Reasonably breathable but got zipper vents which work a treat. I use mine for hiking and climbing. Love them!

+1 for Craghopper Kiwis. I think I’ve got six pairs now – the winter lined ones are lovely in, erm, winter.

Never pay RRP for them, somewhere always has them cheap (eg Go Outdoors).

I’ve got a few pairs of Mountain Equipment Combin pants and love them, along with a couple of pairs of Sprayway ones made out of the same stuff.

I have the Combins but they’re for winter use. I find them too warm in what we call summer 🙂

The only ones I’ve ever had that have lasted more than 6 months are Arcteryx (Mammut, ME, TNF all worn out in less than that, although to be fair that’s daily use). Not cheap, but very good.

Alpkit Jeanius are fantastic. Mine go all the way from late winter with crampons to summer walking, and dry very quickly. None on sale at the moment, but supposedly a new design is coming soon.

Rohan Superstriders – here – expensive, but exceedingly durable and very comfortable. Don’t pay full price – wait for one of their regular sales.

Craghoppers doing a sale at moment spookily – £18 for Kiwis Clicky

Dare-to-be make some very inexpensive thin, stretchy soft shell trousers. The mesh pocket linings are a bit weird, but otherwise they are good. Wearing them now at work.

cactus supertrousers… cannot be bettered 🙂 especially since they now do an 8oz version (they can still stand up by themselves when new).

Pretty much waterproof and harder wearing than anything you might brush into – forget thorns, these things are tougher than most buildings!

Dave

Paramo, mammut base jumper, montane terra.

Kiwis (and many others) are just too baggy at the ankle. They get muddy and then the mud transfers up your leg as you walk.

I have the Combins but they’re for winter use. I find them too warm in what we call summer

I may be slightly odd in that I rarely find my legs get too hot, or cold for that matter so find them fine for most conditions. I’ve got a couple of pairs of the Stretchlite Guide Pants (got to love the ME twice yearly sale) as well and though they’re much thinner they don’t seem much cooler.

I’ve had the Kiwis but I find they drag at my thighs and are really uncomfy when walking, & haven’t found anything that really suits except combat trousers which are good for walking in but lousy for cycling and look deeply uncool.

I’m all about Fjallraven[/url] myself… Really well made and comfy – but get the right pair – try a few until you find a fit that you like