If you’re looking for a pair of waterproof trousers that will cope with properly wet days without costing a fortune, the Columbia Pouring Adventure III are worth considering. They’re durable, well ventilated and easy to get on over big boots, although their relatively hefty weight, bulky construction and slightly flimsy internal mesh mean they’re not the most technical option out there.
Top Line
A good-value pair of waterproof overtrousers that prioritise durability, ventilation and practicality over low weight. They’re a particularly sensible option for casual walkers, Duke of Edinburgh expeditions and anyone who wants reliable wet-weather protection on a budget. For fast-and-light hiking or serious mountaineering, there are lighter and more technical options.
Price: £80
Weight: 515g
Best for: Those on a budget
Pros: Durable exterior, excellent ventilation, not too expensive
Cons: Quite heavy and bulky, and only mesh-lined
★★★☆☆
Columbia Pouring Adventure III
★★★☆☆
How We Tested
I’ve worn the Pouring Adventure III on a long, wet ascent in the Brecon Beacons, including in heavy, wind-driven rain, and have also used them off trail in my local woods after rainfall. They’ve been worn through wet grass and vegetation, over rough ground and while scrambling around rocky terrain.
The conditions have given me a good opportunity to test both their waterproofing and their durability. So far, they’ve shrugged off everything the weather has thrown at them, with no noticeable water ingress.
Waterproof and Surprisingly Tough Exterior
The Pouring Adventure III use a two-layer waterproof construction, with an internal mesh lining. This makes them feel considerably more substantial than some of the lightweight 2.5-layer waterproof trousers I’ve used, and they seem well suited to rougher use.
I’ve been happy pushing through bracken, scrambling over rocks and sitting on wet ground in them. There’s no sense that you have to treat them particularly delicately, and I suspect they’ll prove more durable than many lightweight alternatives.
They’re fully waterproof in the conditions I’ve experienced, including heavy rain and wet vegetation. The main zips aren’t waterproof themselves, though, relying on storm flaps for protection. I haven’t experienced any leakage through them, but this is one area where I’d have slightly less confidence in truly atrocious mountain weather.
The two-layer construction does have its downsides. The internal mesh adds weight and bulk, and it isn’t particularly effective at moving condensation away from your legs. On a hard uphill effort, you can certainly get sweaty inside them.
Excellent Ventilation
The Pouring Adventure III have long, two-way three-quarter-length side zips. These are probably my favourite feature.
Open them up and you get a huge amount of ventilation, making a noticeable difference when climbing. They also make getting the trousers on and off much easier, particularly when you’re wearing bulky footwear.
In fact, you can put these trousers on without removing your hiking boots, even if you’re wearing a fairly chunky pair. The ankle openings are very generous and the zips open wide enough to make pulling them over footwear straightforward.
The downside is that the internal mesh can catch on boot lugs. It’s very easy to snag and, given that the mesh is fairly flimsy, I can imagine this eventually leading to a tear.
Related: Columbia Terwilliger Trail Insulated Jacket Review
The ankle cuffs have Velcro adjustment, allowing you to tighten them sufficiently to keep rain out, although the Velcro can come undone over particularly chunky boots. There’s also no hook to attach them to your laces, which would have been useful.
More Emergency Overtrouser than Alpine Shell
At 515g, these aren’t lightweight waterproof trousers. They’re also quite bulky in a pack, although they compress down into their own zipped thigh pocket to roughly the size of a Nalgene bottle.
That’s perfectly manageable for a day hike. I’d happily carry them as emergency waterproofs, particularly if the forecast was questionable. But if I was heading off on a long-distance trail where every gram counts, I’d be looking for something lighter and more packable.
The fit is deliberately roomy. I’m 5ft 10in, normally wear 34in trousers and tested a size Large. They’re true to size, although fairly baggy, which is actually useful when worn over larger hiking trousers. There’s plenty of freedom of movement for steep climbs, scrambling, squatting and stepping over obstacles.
The elasticated waist and toggled drawcord keep them securely in place, including when carrying a backpack.
The fabric is fairly stiff, shiny and crinkly, and it makes a noticeable swishing noise when wet. They’re not particularly discreet trousers, then, and the mesh can feel sticky against bare skin. Fortunately, the loose fit means they’re generally comfortable over other trousers.
There’s also only one pocket: a zipped thigh pocket, which doubles as the stuff pocket. It’s useful for storage but isn’t waterproof, so I wouldn’t trust it with a phone in prolonged heavy rain.
The Verdict
The Columbia Pouring Adventure III are a good option if you’re on a budget and want waterproof trousers that feel capable of taking some abuse.
Their biggest strengths are their price, durability and excellent ventilation. The long side zips make them particularly practical, both for regulating temperature and getting them on over hiking boots, while the generous fit means there’s plenty of room for layers underneath.
There are compromises. At 515g they’re relatively heavy, the packed size is fairly bulky and the internal mesh feels like a potential weak point. The main zips also aren’t waterproof themselves, while the lack of a waterproof pocket and crampon-resistant reinforcement means I wouldn’t choose them for serious alpine or winter mountaineering.
For most wet-weather walking, however, they do the job. They’re particularly well suited to casual walkers, regular hillwalkers, dog walkers and Duke of Edinburgh expeditions where durability and affordability matter more than saving every last gram.
If you travel fast and light, there are better options. But if your priority is getting a reliable pair of waterproof trousers without spending a lot of money, the Pouring Adventure III make a convincing case for themselves.
Columbia Pouring Adventure III
★★★☆☆
