WINTER TROUSERS

JACK WOLFSKIN / ZENON SOFTSHELL £85

Warm, stretchy and subtle, the Zenon are supremely comfortable technical trousers from Jack Wolfskin which are breathable enough for use in all but the hottest conditions, but cope pretty well with the cold too. With windproof fabric on the front panelling, a microfleece lining and adjustable ankles, the ambitiously-named ‘Acrobat Cut’ means these trousers allow maximum freedom of movement when scrambling, walking or for other outdoor gymnastics. Weighing a tidy 485g, they are PFC-free and Bluesign-approved, so you’re ticking some important eco-boxes when you buy these too. Men’s 25-106 / Women’s 18-26

ROHAN / SUMMIT £100

Warm, stretchy, water-resistant and durable against abrasion, the Summit trousers are a Trail staff favourite for their unfussy design and great performance on the hill and in cooler conditions. They have a brushed lining and water-resistant coating, a near-invisible scuff panel on the rear hem to prevent wear when walking, belt loops, a subtle stretch to aid freedom of movement, zipped pockets, and are light-ish (460g) and fairly quick-drying considering how warm they are. The styling is so subtle you could probably wear them with a black suit. Great version for women too. Men’s 30-40 / Women’s 8-18

RAB / VAPOUR-RISE GUIDE £140

If you’re spending a lot of time in seriously cold places and need ultimate protection from the cold, spindrift, a bit of snow and a good deal of wind, Rab’s Vapour-rise clothing is a great choice. With vents, zipped pockets and ankles, and weighing an impressive 600g for the spec, these trousers are extremely tough mountaineering pants that also suit winter hillwalking perfectly. Integral to their warmth is a high-wicking microfleece lining, while the Pertex Equilibrium outer fabric provides durable water repellence. Highly breathable, with great freedom of movement. Men’s S-XXL / Women’s 8-16

PARAMO / ENDURO TOUR £250

Idiosyncratic but highly effective, Paramo trousers pull off the neat trick of being wind- and waterproof whilst staying supple and comfortable and capable of being worn all day. You’d want it to be cold – they are a little warm for anything else – and you’ll probably want to wear them all day as they’re on the heavier side (675g) but when it comes to really miserable wet weather, or snow-festooned mountains, the usefulness of these very functional trousers cannot be overstated. Men’s XS-XXXL / Women’s n/a

MONTANE / TERRA £85

The Terra have been a Montane staple for years, and it’s difficult to imagine a pair of trousers better designed for the UK hills. With venting zips down the thigh, Cordura reinforcement panels and stretch panels in sensible places, a belt, a range of secure pockets and a quick-drying fabric that is UPF rated to protect you from harsh sunlight, these pants are lightweight (340g) and perfect for travel, adventure, hillwalking and mountaineering, and will probably last for years. There isn’t a direct female equivalent, which is a shame, but the Terra Ridge pants (£90) come close. Men’s XS-XXL / Women’s n/a

BERGHAUS / HILLWALKER £110

No frills but high performance overtrousers from Berghaus ideal for slipping on when the weather gets a little uncomfortable. Made from Gore-Tex, so completely waterproof and windproof, the trousers also feature long zips running up the legs to aid venting and help you get them on and off. Their light weight (449g) makes them easy to stuff in your pack when you don’t need them, and the relaxed fit helps you avoid that horrible ‘boil in the bag’ feeling common to less expensive models. Available in a women’s fit and colour so long as it’s black. Superbly functional. Men’s XS-XXXL / Women’s 8-20

FJALLRAVEN / KEB £190

Incredibly well made and packed with useful features, the Keb are Fjallraven’s flagship trousers and are purposeful and durable. They cost more than most others and are on the robust side of the weight scale (625g), but consensus is they are worth both. Excellent options for men and women and with a broad size range, those useful features include zipped venting, slide pouches in the knees for inserting protective pads (useful for photographers or bushcraft enthusiasts) stretch panels in flex zones, capacious pockets and fully adjustable ankle cuffs. Men’s 42-60 / Women’s 32-48

MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT / TUPILAK PANT £350

You need to really, really want to stay dry to spend this much on a pair of trousers. If you do, however, the performance you get is pretty amazing. Made of incredibly durable 80D Gore-Tex Pro Shell they are cut for freedom of movement and slathered with extra reinforcement – you get Dyneema in the ankles and a bonded overlay on the hips to protect from damage and rocks. Built for tough conditions and high demands. Men’s S-XXXL / Women’s 8-16 (Manaslu)