Technical trousers. Do nice ones exist?

[MadMaryBoddington]

We are going on holiday to Norway in a couple of weeks. We will be doing some mild hiking. As the weather has suddenly changed, we felt the fear today and went for a walk up a hill in all our waterproof gear to check it is all up to the job - don’t want to be stuck inside if it rains.

I wore my ancient waterproof overtrousers, and they flapped around and didn’t keep me dry because the wind blasted them against my legs.

I have decided I need to invest in a pair of ‘technical trousers’ (I think that’s what they call them) - you know the sort of thing they sell in camping shops that are water resistant and dry quickly. I looked at them in Mountain Warehouse this afternoon and they were all truly hideous. I know it’s not a fashion show, walking in the mountains, and that comfort beats style blah blah blah BUT for the love of god, are there any out there that aren’t hideous? And which do what they need to do too, obviously.

Thanks.

I got some really nicely fitted (bootcut style) softshell (softshell- a bonded soft & water-resistant fabric) trousers from Go-Outdoors recently. They were 'Mountain Equipment', and I think I got them for about £40 (they were meant to be about £65 but Go-Outdoors price matches everything!!). - They are great - I've got a similar pair of Montane ones - they're resistant enough to be able to sit down on snow and to be in lashing rain, but to still have dry legs, but they feel like a normal pair of soft trousers.

Rohan - I got some simple black thermal lined ones for a trip to Iceland and they were brilliant. They are expensive,I think, so I looked for the ones I wanted and set up an alert on eBay as lots of that kind of gear is bought for one holiday and the pair I got for twenty quid were like new.

Managed to squeeze in a trip to Snow and Rock in between kids’ swimming lessons. Very limited choice; I tried on North Face (typical awful baggy type), Montane (bit too much like gym leggings) and Rab. I’d like to have tried some of the more high end brands recommended on here, but that was all they had. I bought the Rabs as they were ok but I’m not too keen on the colour (grey with bright pink zips ) so if I can find better ones over the next fortnight I’ll return them.

Thank you everyone for all the suggestions!

as always, go to the bloke side. Better made, cheaper and no ghastly pink. You may even get pockets.

I wear these trousers most of the time when outdoors because they work well in the usual uk climate. It is the fashion victims sweating or shivering in jeans or flappy flowers who look ridiculous, not those dressed for what they are doing.

When blokes get child bearing hips and a c section tummy, i’ll try that again specialsubject. I’ve been climbing mountains since cords and Ron Hill tracksters were the most technical thing going. I love that there is a much wider selection of women’s kit now. I shop mostly at Outside in Derbyshire, they have a fantastic selection.

Oooh Outside in Derbyshire! I’m glad to hear that is still there. I bought my first tent and rucksack there, twenty five years ago. I wish it was closer to where I live now.

And yes, much as I agree with the sentiment of ‘buy men’s stuff’, when it comes to trousers I am not man-shaped, and I want them to fit well as that is more comfortable.

Whaaat? Aren't Ron Hill tracksters still the done thing? Mine have done me fine for the past 20-ish years.

Oh.

Just worked it out and possibly it's 30-ish years. Sigh.

Crag hoppers are flattering, good fit and even come in purple. Although I like black. Would recommend them any day.

Ah OP this is the holy grail! I lucked out 3 years ago happened to spot a really nice pair in Lululemon which I always get compliments for, I have never seen anything similar there since, grrr. I have another really nice North Face pair but that was also pure luck, they are a great fit and NF is otherwise so baggy and shapeless.

Another option if your waterproof trousers are flapping would be gaiters? They aren't very attractive obviously, but not expensive, and you only have to put them on if you really need them. I am a big fan.

Also, I bought some great kit at a supermarket (!) in Iceland when I went on a hiking trip there, bought an Icelandic brand, fitted really well and surprisingly good value. You may find you can get far better quality/ more attractive kit in Norway than you can here as more people use it more often, depending of course if you have time.

I wish I hadnt given away my old Regatta polyester leggings!

MadMary DH used to work there. 15 years later he sometimes still gets a discount.

Rohan?

My favourites include

https://www.royalrobbins.co.uk/women/clothing/trousers

https://www.jack-wolfskin.co.uk/women/

My favourites (sharing reluctantly) are from an American brand of climbing trousers that I bought a couple of years ago, from Go Outdoors. They are not waterproof but have pockets in all the places you want them so as not to get in the way but have pockets for wallets and phones, hold kit, have a technical cut, and are warm and windproof. Kuhl Clothing. I have the Law trousers, from the men's range. They are exceptionally comfortable and well cut, but not widely stocked.

I've got a pair of these arriving today.

www.fjallraven.co.uk/shop/fjallraven-abisko-trekking-tights-w-F89586/