Why We Chose The Ridgeline Pintail Explorer Pants: Comfortable, practical, innovative waterproofing, perfect for bushcraft.

First things first, and don’t worry we’ll talk tech in a minute, these look the business. The earthy contrasting colours, that highlight the reinforced areas around the knees and bum, give these a very different look to the standard outdoor trousers you see on the market, one that’s much more natural, and perhaps timeless.

“… a quiet and rustle-free stride, full waterproofing, and traditional looks.”

Putting that shallow comment about aesthetics to one side, we’re confident you’ll appreciate the Pintail Explorer Pants’ effectiveness against the elements. They’re by no means the most technologically advanced hiking pant on the market but with a waterproof membrane rating of 10,000mm H20, a breathability rating of 5,000g/m² per 24 hours, and a bonded fleece construction there’s enough good stuff happening here to keep you warm and dry on rainy hill days. That being said, you might have problems if you wear them in Thailand during monsoon season, or even while walking uphill during a UK summer. They are, after all, a pair made mainly for winter use.

Thanks to the trousers’ softshell-esque, Quiet-Tex 5KTM fabric (a material which is surprisingly silent for something so waterproof) the Pintail Explorer Pant manages to keep a lid on when it so many other waterproof outdoor trousers can be heard coming a mile off.

The elasticated waist with belt loops makes for convenient comfort and fit optimisation while the waterproof zips on the the hip and thigh pockets will ensure your valuables have a fighting chance of staying dry when the heavens open and the torrential rain starts falling.

Ridgeline of New Zealand have a hunting heritage so you can see what they are going for with the Pintail Explorer. But still, we think many a non-stalking outdoors person will appreciate the quiet and rustle-free stride, full waterproofing, and traditional looks that these offer in a world of increasingly space-age designs and bright colours.