Helly Hansen

Dromi Utility Pant

£70 Men’s S-XL Women’s none Weight 386g (size L) Materials Warp stretch twill weave (94% nylon, 6% elastane)

IT'S GOOD

A tough nylon fabric with good two-way stretch and a close fit lifts these above many competitors. The fit is neat and ideal for scrambling and mountain walking and very comfortable. I also liked that the wide waistband was lined with a softer fabric and there are belt loops to add your own belt. The pockets on the front of the thigh and the hips are all OS map sized, so you can easily stow a map on the move. The fit of the ankle is closer than many others and there's some articulation at the knees, which all adds to the performance when you're scrambling on the hill.

HOWEVER

There's no women’s version and no leg length options either, so fit is limited compared to others. Also, a looser trouser may be more comfortable for general walking, rather than scrambling. The close fit does limit the comfort of the two thigh map pockets and the hip pockets too, because while it’s great that maps can be stored, baggier trousers are comfier for this. There is no adjustment at the ankle cuff and no leg ventilation so they can be a bit too warm at times. There’s only one zipped pocket, on the thigh, which means they're not so useful for storing smaller items. At this price, you may not be too concerned about this little niggle though.

VERDICT

A very good, well-priced, stretchy, close-fitting trouser, but additional benefits are available if you're prepared to splash more cash.