Sprayway Santiago / Atlanta Rainpant £40
■ Materia● 2-layer Hydrodry with taffeta lining ■ Me■’s XS-XXXL (Santiago) ■ Wome■’s 8-20 (Atlanta) ■ Weight 367g (men’s L)
IT'S GOOD
This is a great price for a pair of overtrousers. They are made from a 2-layer fabric with a loose lining for comfort, so even though this is not the most breathable of fabrics, you don’t get clammy as the lining keeps any condensation away from your underclothes. You also get a huge size range, so these should fit lots of people. To ease fitting you get knee-length zips which are long enough to just about get these over boots. A Velcro tab at the calf allows some control of the leg shape, so they are less baggy than some. The waist is elasticated and you get a drawcord too.
HOWEVER
Compared to higher-priced options, these are not the most breathable or most durably waterproof fabric, so you need that loose lining and this makes them a little heavy. The side zips are relatively short, so other trousers are easier to fit over boots as they have thigh-length zips. The Velcro tab at the calf is useful but these are not as neat a fit as higher-priced trousers, and that Velcro tab can snag in undergrowth so overall others are just a little bit neater. Like many you don’t get an internal gaiter or the option to fit braces to the waist, but this is a common drawback of many low- and mid-priced trousers.
VERDICT
Low-priced trousers that provide the essential features a hillwalker needs, but pay more and you do get additional benefits.