REGATTA Sungari

RRP £50 Target price £25 Who said walking trousers have to be boring and overpriced? Not Regatta! The Sungaris are a two-legged blaze of pleasant surprise. The low price and bright hue are fairly obvious traits of course – the surprise lies in the fact they’re really quite good. They’re about as light as a trouser can be and, although quite a tight fit, the polyamide fabric has a lot of flex in it, helped by the four-way stretch panels woven into the knees and seat. A discrete waistband at the back makes them easy enough to slip into, and toggles at the ankle cuff mean they can be adjusted to fit your footwear. Wearing them, they feel more like a sporty legging than a serious, hard-working walking trouser, but I was stunned to discover, during a damp Derbyshire dally, that they’re actually shower proof. The water repellent finish did a remarkable job at keeping the rain off, especially given there’s only a millimetre of fabric between my skin and the outdoor world. Some might find the fit too tight to be resolutely comfortable, but overall the Sungaris are extraordinary value for money. Why not show them off? RB

INFO: Sizes: 8-20 Fabric: 100% polyamide Weight: 200g Contact: 0161 866 0486, www.regatta.com

+ Lightweight, showerproof, breathable, fully featured.

– Tight fit, not as comfy as some, not very warm.

COMFORT: ★★★ ★★

SUPPORT: ★★★★ ★

VERSATILITY: ★★★★ ★

VALUE FOR MONEY: ★★★★★

BEST FOR: Summer walking in hot, showery weather.