ROHAN Stretch Bags

RRP: £69 Target price: £48 ‘Stretch Bags’ might not sound like the most flattering piece of attire you’ll ever buy. But Rohan were kind of stuck with the name because of what they are: a stretchy version of their big-selling Bags trousers. The Bags are classic travel trousers; the Stretch Bags are the same but made with stretchy, durable elastane which wicks away moisture more effectively and adapts to your every leg movement. Their fabric is the softest and stretchiest of all the pairs I tested; they’ve powered me through the June-July heatwave with cool, calm competence. There are deep, frontfacing cargo pockets at the waist, with zipped security pockets sitting behind them, and you get a large D-ring on the waist band for attaching a small torch, GPS or penknife if you so desire. Ventilation and drying speed are great, as is the price, considering how much quality you’re getting. My only complaint is the lack of adjustability at the hem; they flap a bit over my boots. And if I’d had any say in the matter, they’d have been called Bags Advanced or SuperBags, rather than Stretch Bags, but sadly they never asked me. NH

INFO: Sizes: 30 short-40 long Fabric: 94% polyamide, 6% elastane Weight: 349g Contact: 0800 840 1411, www.rohan.co.uk

+ Stretchy, fully featured, lots of storage, moisture management.

– Slightly bland; hems are a bit flappy over boots.

COMFORT: ★★★★ ★ SUPPORT: ★★★★★ VERSATILITY: ★★★★ ★ VALUE FOR MONEY: ★★★★★

BEST FOR: Any walk anywhere, but especially energetic hill-climbs.