Getting Them On – Zips

The last thing you want to be doing when the heavens open is messing about trying desperately to fit your overtrousers over walking boots – standing on one leg in a soaking wet sock is not a good look. Look for trousers which have decent ankle zips, preferably up to a minimum of knee level or beyond to make pulling them on as easy as possible.

Full-length zips make things even easier, particularly if you’re wearing crampons or skis. In all cases, make sure zips slide easily – YKK Vislon are the best we’ve used – and have storm-flap protection inside or out.

Ventilation

If you’re out on a day of intermittent showers or habitually wear your shell pants all day, some sort of venting option is a really good call. A few overtrousers have stand-alone vents, but more common are full or 3/4-length side-zips that also double as thigh vents.

These can work really well when the rain stops and the climbing starts, but obviously they will leak when it’s actually raining. There’s no real answer to that dilemma we’re afraid.

Flies and Pockets

A zip-fly can be handy – particularly if you’re an all-day overtrouser type of user, but they do add a little weight and complexity along with a potential leak point. Similarly pockets can be handy, but again are potential leak points particularly worn with a shorter-style jacket. Ultimately though, it’s your call.

How Light And Packable Should You Go?

As ever it’s personal choice: generally the lighter and smaller packing the trousers, the less durable they’re likely to be with continuous, hard use. That said, for occasional emergency use, small and tiny is arguably the way to go, but you should be able to find a pair of reasonably durable all-rounders at around 400g or so.

And If You Hate Overtrousers?

Finally, if you really loathe overtrousers with a cold and fiery passion, we’ve put together a selection of Alternative Winter Walking Trousers which give high levels of protection from a single layer, all-day pant.