Waterproof trousers are an item of hiking gear we never want to have to use but inevitably, thanks to our lovely climate here in the UK, end up using quite frequently.

To make matters worse, there are some pretty shoddy waterproof trousers out there, and most of us will have come across them at some point. You know, those ones that made you wetter than the rain itself from the condensation build up; the ones that were shaped so poorly your stride could only reach about a foot; the ones that had a gaping hole on the thigh after they were once slightly nicked by a bramble bush.

Related: Best Walking Trousers

And we all hate that sound, right? That intolerable swish, swish, swish with each step that becomes unbearable.

OK that’s our complaining done with now. What’s important to know is that there are good pairs of waterproof trousers out there, and as luck would have it, we’ve gathered them all together for you in this round-up. Because they aren’t all clammy, hot and intolerable – there are some that are actually worth wearing, even when it isn’t pouring with rain.

Best Quality Waterproof Trousers

For this round up of the best waterproof trousers we’ve picked out everything from great value 2-layer overtrousers to durable, high spec, 3-layer options with brilliant breathability – and a few interesting alternative options in-between.

• Best Overall Waterproof Trousers: Mountain Equipment Makalu

• Best Durable Waterproof Trousers: Keela Munro Salopettes

• Best Ultralight Waterproof Trousers: Rab Phantom Pants

• Best Breathable Waterproof Overtrousers: Klättermusen Ran Pants

• Best Value Waterproof Trousers: Patagonia Torrentshell

The Expert

I’m a long-distance hiker and ultra runner. I’ve completed numerous trails, including the Cambrian Way, Alta Via 2 and a coast-to-coast of Scotland. I’m also the first person to have run a link up of all of Wales’s 189 mountains. I didn’t have a pair of waterproof trousers with me on that trip and I definitely needed them in hindsight! I’ve edited this site for a number of years now and, in that time, I’ve served on multiple gear awards juries, including the ISPO Awards, OIA Awards, Scandinavian Outdoor Award and TGO Awards.

How We Chose the Waterproof Trousers in this List

I personally have tested all of the trousers in this list, many as part of our Outdoor 100 test trips, in mountainous areas including the Cairngorms, western Highlands, Snowdonia and even as far afield as Albania’s Accursed Mountains. With each pair, what I’ve looked for, first and foremost, is reliable waterproof protection. I’ve also considered breathability, durability, packability, functionality and things like value and sustainability. All pairs were worn in bad weather over many miles and through various seasons. The overtrousers options were carried in a backpack while the wear-all-days were, you guessed it, worn throughout the course of a day and assessed for their hour-after-hour comfort and performance.

1. Mountain Equipment Makalu

The best waterproof trousers overall out of our tests

Price: £200
Weight: £360
Best for: Hiking, mountaineering
Key attributes: Durable, protective, easy to pull on and off, innovative fabric

What’s most notable about these is that they feature Gore-tex’s brand new ePE waterproof fabric. This is designed to offer all of the strengths of the original fabric, but without any PFC chemicals.

We tested the Makalus out during a wintry trip in the Cairngorms where we had to face the wind and rain wrought by a named storm and we were extremely impressed by what they offered. In the high wind and rain we faced, these trousers held firm, shrugging everything off. They really do inspire confidence that you can go out in some really rough stuff and remain dry underneath throughout. We also found that they’re very hardy too. OK, catch them on a barbed wire fence and you’ll probably find yourself with a tear, but the fabric is definitely durable enough to stand up to rough rock, and the trunks of heather bushes. 

In terms of weight, they’re not the lightest waterproof trousers out there, but we still didn’t mind carrying them in our backpack for use on those days where they might come in handy. And when we did need to pull them on, the long ¾ way zips made getting them on a breeze, even over chunky mountaineering boots. It’s handy that those zips are two-way too as that means you can open the tops up for ventilation. 

Aside from being quite pricey and also slightly on the heavy side – the price you pay for durability – there’s nothing else we can fault these for. From our experience using these, if you want a really reliable pair of waterproof trousers, these would be a very safe bet. 

Full Specifications

Available in men’s and women’s versions / in multiple waist sizes and lengths / fabric: Gore-tex ePE / ¾ length two-way zips and internal storm flap  / toggled waist cinch.

Selected for out Outdoor 100 23/24. Read our full Mountain Equipment Makalu Rain Pants review.

Buy the Mountain Equipment Makalu Trousers: £200 at Ellis-Brigham 

2. Patagonia Torrentshell Waterproof Trousers

We chose these as the best value waterproof trousers on the market

Price: £85
Weight: 284g
Best for: Hiking, hillwalking, general outdoor use
Key attributes: Great value, sustainable

Matching one of Patagonia’s most popular waterproof jackets in both name and nature, the Torrentshell trousers from Patagonia offer wet weather protection that doesn’t come at a cost to the environment. Waterproof and breathable thanks to the brand’s own 2.5-layer H2No fabric with 100% recycled nylon, it’s a product with full Bluesign approval, an industry mark for efforts towards sustainable and ethical production.

Full Specifications

Sizes: XS – XXL (men’s), XS-XL (women’s) / 2.5-layer H2No Shell from recycled nylon / elasticated waistband with drawcord / two zipped handwarmer pockets with mesh pocket bags / articulated knees / 2-way 2/4-length zips / stuff into handwarmer pocket with carabiner clip.

Buy the Patagonia Torrentshell Trousers: £123 at Alpinetrek.co.uk 

3. Rab Phantom Waterproof Pants

Our pick for the best ultralight waterproof trousers – a good option for running.

Price: £125
Weight: 79g
Best for: mountain running & fastpacking
Key attributes: very light, very packable, good breathability.

These are phenomenally light, weighing just 79g. That’s less than your average bar of soap. They also have exceptional packability – you can compress them into a stuff sack that’s around the size of your palm.

As you might’ve expected, the Phantoms are designed for those who like to travel fast and light and make for a very useful bit of whip-on protection for trail runners, ultra runners and fast packers.

Are they suitable for hiking? Well, they make for an excellent back up pair to carry as emergency protection when you’re not expecting rain and want something just-in-case. They’re cut a little narrow though, so if you’re wearing anything thicker than a pair of shorts or leggings it’ll be a close fit.

Another thing to bear in mind is that the material, while durable for its thickness, is still light and tearable – a strong thorny branch could rip through these quite easily if you’re moving fast.

Members of the Outdoors Magic crew have run ultra marathons in these pants and they’ve been well up to the task. The Pertex Shield fabric, in particular, was very impressive.

Full Specifications

Sizes: S-XXL / Available in men’s and women’s versions / 7D Pertex Shield 2.5 layer fabric / 20,000mm hydrostatic head / 20,000 g/m2/24hrs breathability rating / taped seams / semi-elasticated waist / semi-elasticated ankle cuff with Velcro gusset / reflective details / stuff sack supplied.

Read our full Rab Phantom Pants review.

Buy the Rab Phantom Pants: £113 at Sportsshoes.com 

4. Keela Munro Salopettes

The best durable waterproof trousers in our tests – and the best for mountaineering

Price: £160
Weight: 960g
Best for: winter hillwalking, mountaineering and skiing
Key attributes: very protective, very durable

If you’re after some super durable waterproof trousers to see you through the gnarliest of conditions – we’re talking full blown Scottish winter weather – then these are well worth considering. We’ve used these through some very nasty stuff and have been very glad to have them on.

They are super tough and very protective and there’s plenty of volume in the legs so you can comfortably wear them over a pair of trousers or thick baselayers when you need extra warmth. There are zips on the legs too, so you can throw them on or off quickly without having to remove your boots.

The front bib provides that bit of extra protection from rain and spindrift. Handily, it has a pocket on the front that’s great for storing a map or ski goggles.

You can also expect snow gaiters at the ankles. These have a useful strip around the inside that’ll grip to mountaineering boots or ski boots to keep the ankles from riding up.

Pair these trousers with Keela’s Munro jacket and you’ll have one seriously bombproof wet weather system. In fact, we took it out to the Accursed Mountains of Albania where its protection, breathability and overall functionality were all noted.

Just bear in mind that at 960g in weight, these salopettes aren’t light and you’ll want to look elsewhere if you’re after a pair of waterproof trousers to stash away in your backpack.

Full Specifications

Sizes: available in Short, Regular and Long lengths from 2XS to 3XL / System Dual Protect waterproof system / reinforced backside, inner ankles and knees / zipped bib pocket / ankle gaiters with hooks / front zipped fly / adjustable straps.

Read our full Keela Munro Salopettes review.

Buy the Keela Munro Salopettes: £156 at Keelaoutdoors.com 

5. Klättermusen Ran Pants

The most breathable waterproof trousers we’ve tested

Price: £289
Weight: 407g
Best for: thru-hiking, four-season hillwalking

Klättermusen aim these rain pants at activities like thru-hiking where, at some point, you’re probably gonna end up slogging away in the rain for a sustained period of time. In such scenarios, you’re going to want something lightweight and durable, but also a little comfier and more breathable than your bog-standard throw-on shell pant.

And do they deliver in that regard? Absolutely. The fabric these are made from is protective, breathable and also comfortable to wear, whether that’s over a pair of trousers or against your bare skin.

We also really liked the long zips down the legs as they make getting these off and on over a pair of boots a breeze and they double as vents as well.

Lots of good eco credentials here too, including recycled fabrics and PFC-free treatments.
Granted they’re not the lightest waterproof trousers out there, but they do strike a good balance between weight, protection, durability and function.

Full Specifications

Sizes: XS – XXL / available in men’s and women’s versions / 20,000mm hydrostatic head / 20,000 g/m2 breathability rating / taped seams / 3L Cutan 100% recycled Polyamide bluesign approved fabric / 100% recycled post-consumer polyester.

Read our full Klättermusen Ran Pants review.

Buy the Klattermusen Ran: £202 at Klattermusen.com