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.
- 66° North Snaefell NeoShell Pants – Best Waterproof Trousers
- Sprayway Nakuru Rainpant
- Patagona Torrentshell Waterproof Trousers – Best Value Waterproof Trousers
- Berghaus Deluge Trousers
- Rab Downpour Pants
- Montane Minimus Pants
- Columbia Pouring Adventure
- Rohan Dry Requisite
- Pàramo Cascada II
- Fjällräven Vidda Pro G-1000
- CimAlp Storm Pro Pant 2H
- Filson Skagit Rain Pants
BEST BUY: 66° North Snaefell NeoShell Pants
Price: €330/£300
Weight: 305g
Best for: Hiking, ski touring, winter trekking
Key attributes: Highly breathable, soft and quiet fabric
These might be some of the priciest pants on this page, but by jove they’re decent. The waterproofing comes courtesy of Polartec’s NeoShell, a membrane that’s highly regarded by our gear testers on account of the impressive amount of breathability it provides. What’s more its added advantage is that it doesn’t rustle as much as, say, standard Gore-Tex lined fabrics, and it also has a good deal of stretch to it.
The face fabric isn’t the burliest, so you do need to take a bit of care with these. In other words, don’t go smashing through branches and bushes.
Because they’re so breathable, we wouldn’t really consider these as overtrousers, but rather as something to wear all day, perhaps over some baselayer leggings. However, you should be able to wear these over a light pair of walking trousers if you wanted to.
Full Specifications
Sizes: S-XXL / available in men’s and women’s version / 3L Polartec NeoShell fabric / 10,000mm hydrostatic head / water-resistant side vents / zipped front pocket with ventilation / integrated webbing belt and elastic rear waist / adjustable velcro ankle tabs / 48% Nylon, 25% polyester, 27% Polyurethane.
Sprayway Nakuru Rainpant
Price: £110
Weight: 335g
Best for: Hiking and hillwalking
Key attributes: Reliable Gore-Tex protection
British brand Sprayway’s Nakuru Rainpants are relatively simple but well-built overtrousers that use a 2-layer construction. A soft but reasonably tough 40D polyester face fabric, finished with a protective PFC-free DWR, is bonded to a Gore-Tex membrane for reliable waterproof-breathable performance. A taffeta and mesh drop lining means they feel very comfortable and rarely clammy. The semi-elasticated waist has drawcord adjustment and ½ length side zips for easy on and off. Velcro ankle adjustment gives a secure seal around your walking boots. They’re not the lightest or most packable pants around, but they utilise quality materials and ought to give good service.
Full Specifications
Sizes: S-XXL, short or regular length (men’s) / 2-layer Gore-Tex laminated fabric / Velcro adjustment ankle tabs / semi-elasticated waist with drawcord / half-length side zips with inner storm flap.
Patagonia Torrentshell Waterproof Trousers
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.
Berghaus Deluge Trousers
Price: £60
Weight: 390g
Best for: Hiking and hillwalking
Key attributes: Great value, good ventilation
These good value waterproof trousers feature a type of fabric that Berghaus have developed themselves called Hydroshell. It’ll offer good wet weather protection and a decent level of breathability, and better still, the durable water repellent treatment it features contains none of those nasty environmentally harmful PFCs. The ¾ length zips up each leg make life easier when you need to put these on or take them off, plus the handy poppered flaps give that potential for ventilation if you need it while on-the-go.
Full Specifications
Sizes: XS-XXXL in short, regular or long lengths (men’s), 8-18 in regular or long legs lengths (women’s) / Hydroshell fabric / ¾-length side zips and upper leg venting / elasticated waist with adjustment tabs.
Rab Downpour Pants
Price: £70
Weight: 205g
Best for: Hiking and hillwalking
Key attributes: Great value, light and packable
You’ll find a few nice waterproof jackets out there that use the exact same Pertex Shield waterproof material as these overtrousers do. At just 205g they won’t be too noticeable in your backpack when it’s dry and when it is raining they won’t be too troublesome to pull on thanks to their knee-length YKK zips.
Full Specifications
Sizes: S-XXL in short or long leg lengths (men’s), 8-16 in short or long (women’s) / Pertex Shield 2.5-lyer fabric / knee-length YKK side zips with storm flaps / elasticated waistband with drawcord / articulated knees / hem drawcord.
Montane Minimus Pants
Price: £100
Weight: 145g
Best for: Hiking, hillwalking, fellracing
Key attributes: Extremely light and packable
Ever heard of the Montane Spine Race? It’s a brutal event where runners are expected to cover the entire length of the Pennine Way, non-stop and right in the dead of winter. And it’s something you certainly need some good kit for. In fact, we reckon a few competitors at the next event will be sporting these. The lightest pair of overtrousers included in this article, they’re a pair that Montane have specifically tailored for those that need an articulated, breathable and lightweight option to wear for things like long-distance running races.
Full Specifications
Sizes: XS-XXL in short or regular leg lengths (men’s), 8-16 (women’s) / Pertex Shield waterproof / articulated knee / elasticated waist with drawcord / 1/4 -length YKK side zips / hook and loop calf tabs / reflective tabs / stuff sack included.
Columbia Pouring Adventure
Price: £55
Weight: 390g
Best for: Hiking, hillwalking, general outdoor use
Key attributes: Great value
The lowest cost option on this page, at £55 the Columbia Pouring Adventure overtrousers are a sensible choice for anyone on a budget. They’re made from Columbia’s Omni-Tech fabric, something they use across much of their range of waterproof jackets. Expect rain protection, but not necessarily the kind of breathability you’d get from some of the other options on this page.
Full Specifications
Sizes: XS-XL in short or regular leg lengths (men’s), S-XL in short, regular or long leg (women’s) / Omi-Tech waterproofing / drawcord adjustable waist / zippered thigh pocket / size zips.
Rohan Dry Requisite
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