TROUSERS ON TEST

We test the best hiking trousers for countryside adventures.

Women’s Alondra Trek/Men’s Halcon Trek, Páramo, £150, paramo-clothing.com

Waterproof, windproof, warm yet breathable – most trousers I reviewed were comfortable enough to forget I was wearing them, but these feel like being hugged. Páramo fabric is soft, inside and outside. An adjustable waistband negates the need for a bulky belt. Hand pockets are complemented by two roomy thigh pockets. Reinforced knee and bum pads allow you to crawl or sit anywhere, making them also a good choice for nature watching. These are not so suitable for hot-weather hikes because warmth can build up around the waist, though ventilation slits help. Regular treatment with Nikwax Tech Wash and waterproofer is your responsibility (and expense) but will extend the life of the trousers, which are completely recyclable – send them back and Páramo will discount your next purchase. Páramo demonstrates excellent environmental and social responsibility, including through its Colombian factory that supports disadvantaged women.

VERDICT Durable, waterproof, with great pockets. 9/10

Kaipak Trousers, Fjällräven, £145, fjallraven.com

If the loose fit of some hiking trousers turns you off, this close-fitting style will appeal. Mostly made from Fjällräven’s polyester-cotton G-1000 fabric, which is extremely robust and hard-wearing but soft, the fabric is breathable enough to let in some cool air but the dense weave does a reasonable job of keeping out a breeze in cold weather, too. They dry quickly, though not as fast as 100% synthetic fabrics. The two thigh pockets – one zipped – are designed to keep a low profile while offering plenty of storage. Panels of stretchy fabric on the waist, inner thigh and knees mean the close fit isn’t constricting.

VERDICT Tough, comfortable, hard-wearing and good-looking. 9/10

Terra Ridge/Stretch Pants, Montane, £95, montane.com

These are no-nonsense, fuss-free trousers – warm, showerproof, lightweight and flexible. I particularly appreciate the articulated toughened knees, which are very robust. These trousers are quietly hard-working, despite being quick-drying and comfortable. They are good for three seasons and can be worn with thermal leggings if required. Features include a belt, zips at the ankles to allow for size adjustment (but not the removal of boots), and small zipped vents for cooling. There is only one back pocket, and although one hip pocket conceals a security pocket, none are particularly roomy.

VERDICT Resilient, comfortable but scant on pockets. 7/10

Quandary Pants, Patagonia, £80, eu.patagonia.com

Lightweight and quick-drying, these trousers pack down nice and small. They’re cool in warm weather and surprisingly cosy for their weight in winter, but can accommodate thermal leggings if necessary. Comfortably loose, they are slightly flared around the ankles and interior straps allow you to roll them up. A simple elastic waist-tie negates the need for a belt. Impressively, they have five pockets (all but one zipped) which sadly are not deep enough for bulkier items. PFC-free waterproofing and sun protection have been added to the fabric, which contains 65% recycled nylon.

VERDICT Sustainable, lightweight, effortlessly classical style. 8/10

Pedroc 3 Durastretch pant, Salewa, £90, salewa.com

Despite being very lightweight, these trousers are surprisingly cosy. The clingy style and elasticated waist provide protection from draughts, and the fabric copes well with strong winds. It’s also soft and remarkably stretchy. Men’s and women’s versions come in a range of tints, but beware if choosing from a screen – what I judged to be bottle-green turned out to be paler, which shows the mud the recommended 30° wash did not remove. The two hip pockets and one back pocket are zipped but not large enough for bulky items and the ankle zips don’t allow you to pull the trousers over boots.

VERDICT Warm and stretchy, but choose colour carefully. 7/10

Bug Barrier Discovery Zip and Go, Royal Robbins, £100,

royalrobbins.com

With zip-off bottoms, pale reflective colour and a loose fit, these are designed for hot weather. The lightweight nylon is less stretchy than some fabrics, necessitating a looser fit, so you might need a belt. I appreciate the two thigh pockets in addition to the hand pockets and two back pockets, though the loose leg means they swing around. Unfortunately, the women’s version only comes in ‘sandstone’ – mud didn’t wash out at the recommended 30°. Permethrin

(a non- to mildly toxic insecticide) has been baked into the fabric.

VERDICT Excellent for hot conditions, but less of an all-rounder. 7/10

Overland II, Jack Wolfskin, £85, jack-wolfskin.co.uk

Both men’s and women’s designs offer slight variations on two colours – a stony grey and a funky blue – making these a good choice if you like bright. The fabric is slightly heavier and slower to dry than most of the other trousers but still performs well. It is comfortable, stretchy and warm, if slightly unusual to touch: think 1970s sportswear. An expandable waistband will be appreciated by those with fluctuating waistlines. These trousers feature sun protection and a PFC-free waterproof coating. None of the pockets – two hand pockets, one thigh and one back pocket – are deep enough for my liking. VERDICT Fun, flexible and sporty. 7/10

Scuffers, Keela, £79.95, keelaoutdoors.com

While the outer surface is abrasive, these trousers are nevertheless soft next to the skin. These are true heavyweights – sharp rocks, bramble-choked paths and gorsy slopes are their friends. Windproof, waterproof, warm, stretchy and robust, they are perfect for rough days in wild weather. Two hip pockets and one back pocket (all zipped) are sadly not adequate, but I used the zipped ventilation thigh pouches as pockets, though this is not what they’re designed for. The ankle zips allow for adjustable fit, but are not long enough to allow you to get the trousers on and off over boots.

VERDICT Robust, durable and prickle-proof. 7/10

Kiwi Pro II, Craghoppers, £50–£55, craghoppers.com

These no-nonsense trousers, made from a stretchy polyamide, are adequately comfortable, though without the extra flexibility of articulated knees. There’s little scope for adjustment and you might need a belt. Although not as warm as more technical fabrics, there is room for thermals underneath. A lens wipe in one of the limited pockets – two hand pockets and one back pocket – is something I never knew I needed but have made full use of. Men are shortchanged on colour choice compared to women, but gain an extra pocket. All Craghoppers’ clothing is PFC-free. VERDICT Good value, but a less sophisticated fit and scant pockets. 6/10