HAGLÖFS QUECHUA
Rugged Flex Pant Convertible Trousers
BEST FOR:
All-terrain walking in varied weather conditions.
RRP £140 £130
Made for mountain-going, these are by far and away the most robust trousers in this lineup. They are also the most expensive. As you can see from the funky two-tone colour scheme above, Haglöfs use two kinds of DWR-finished technical fabric. The densely woven and harder-wearing red parts verge on Kevlar levels of toughness, while the grey softshell parts are finer and flexier. The result is maximum stretch and abrasion resistance where each is needed most (hence the name Rugged Flex). With their ‘tapered-leg’ cut, they cling tightly like breeches. Using the Velcro tabs at the hems, I could make them even snugger around the ankles. But far from being constrictive, they proved incredibly comfortable over steep, craggy terrain. There are three roomy and secure zip pockets: one on the right thigh and two below the hip (angled so their contents are unlikely to slip out by accident). They far exceed most walkers’ needs, but if scrambling along rock ridges is your thing, these are the trousers for you. And if blaze red is a bit loud for your tastes, worry not: more muted colours are available.
INFO: Sizes: XS-XL Fabric: 95% polyamide, 5% elastane Weight: 390g Contact: 0808 2349190; haglofs.com/gb
Very durable and protective, marvellously stretchy
Very expensive, a tight fit
COMFORT: ★★★★★
WEATHERPROOFING: ★★★★ ★
VENTILATION: ★★★ ★★
VALUE FOR MONEY: ★★★ ★★
BEST FOR:
Mountain walks that involve going off path and on rock.
RRP £40 £40 Convertible trousers can be more trouble than they are worth. Not these ones, however. Quechua’s designers have solved two common pitfalls, namely chafing zips and the hassle of wrestling the detachable parts off and back on over boots. In fixing the first, they have put the detaching zips well above the knees, covering them with flaps. To speed up the trousers-toshorts switch they have added extra lengthwise zips: simply unzip around the thighs, then down the sides, et voilà. The result is a versatile pair of trousers that are a delight to walk far and high in; there’s ample stretch in the thin softshell fabric for scrambling and clambering in comfort. These close-fitting trousers certainly aren’t in any danger of falling down. They come fitted with an inchand-a-half-wide canvas belt. I wasn’t convinced by the need for cord adjustable hems, however. They seemed tight enough already and the cord could snag if left dangling. Up top, there are four good-sized zipped and mesh-lined pockets: one at the rear, one on the right thigh and two below the hips. All in all, great trousers at a good price.
INFO: Sizes: 29-41 Fabric: 85% polyamide, 15% elastane Weight: 385g (34) Contact: 0207 0643 000, decathlon.co.uk
Very comfy and cool, easy to switch between trousers and shorts Hem cord could snag if not tucked away
COMFORT: ★★★★ ★
WEATHERPROOFING: ★★★★ ★
VENTILATION: ★★★★ ★
VALUE FOR MONEY: ★★★★★
BEST FOR:
Dressing adaptably for changeable weather and paths.