FACTORS TO LOOK OUT FOR…

WAIST

This is where it’s most vital to get the fit right. Walking trousers are often sold with a webbing belt to help you refine the fit, or they may have an elasticated waist for maximum flexibility. Either way, the waistband should be robust enough not to be pushed downwards by the pressure of a rucksack pressing downwards at the rear.

STORAGE

Some walkers refuse to store anything in trouser pockets because a) it might fall out and/or b) it feels burdensome. But others love having easy access to money/phone/keys/GPS/tissues, as long as they can be secured. Look for zips and secret stash pockets that minimise risk of loss. Shallower, tighter pockets will stop the contents jiffling about.

KNEE

A bit of reinforcement around the knee is great for resisting wear and tear. If you’re keen on scrambling, look for articulated knee joints; these have separate sections of stretchy material around the knee to protect your kneecap, and are usually abrasion-resistant so as not to get rubbed or ripped while you’re playing the crag rat.

CUFF

How closely does the hem wrap round the top of your boots/shoes? More casual pairs tend to keep the same width down to the cuff (no tapering), which is good for ventilation but can make the cuff a bit flappy. More specialised hiking trousers tend to close more neatly, with adjustment via Velcro, poppers or webbing belt (above).

STRETCH

Stretch is crucial, especially in hillwalking where our motions are more exaggerated and strenuous. Look for fabrics that will move and stretch with you (soft shell polyamide is a good example). In particular, look for stretchy material at the crotch and knee as these are the areas most affected by more energetic movements.

EXTRAS

Refinements you may find include a toughened, abrasion-resistant seat (again, good for scramblers), adhesive strips that stick the hems to your boot-tops, zip-off lower legs (great in summer), side-vents to help shed heat – and weatherproof materials and treatments such as DWR or fully waterproof fabric. More on these over the page.