Jottnar Valen Softshell Trousers £165
“Do-it-all trousers for 3-season use”
These are do-it-all mountain pants for 3-season use. They’re available for both men and women, but only in one leg length, which would have been too short for our male tester, so Ellie grabbed the women’s versions to try on the hills instead.
The fabric is a lightweight nylon soft shell with 2-way stretch. High elastane content (double that of the Berghaus, Montane and Helly Hansen trousers here) gives excellent mobility, aided by a construction that also incorporates articulated knees and a gusseted crotch. Main seams are doublestitched for durability.
The trousers are finished with a DWR treatment for protection from light showers. They proved cool and comfy in warmer conditions, yet also do a good job of fending off gusts and drizzle. They also dry quickly.
The features are similarly excellent, consisting of two zipped front pockets plus a rear zipped pocket. There’s an integrated webbing waistbelt with a zip fly and a press stud closure. The waistband sits nice and high and is lined with soft microfibre fleece.
At the hems, there are sturdy press studs which enable you to cinch in the ankle tightly, to work with a range of footwear from lowprofile approach shoes to burlier boots. Weirdly, the men’s version has a slightly different and somewhat fussier internal drawcord cinch.
IF WE’RE BEING FUSSY
Ellie found that the cut of the women’s trousers flared unusually at the thighs, which won’t suit all body shapes. It’s a shame the brand doesn’t offer more leg lengths. And they’re not cheap.
■ WEIGHT 319g (356g in men’s M) ■ MEN’S SIZES S-XL
■ WOMEN’S SIZES XS-XL
■ LEG LENGTHS One size
■ MATERIALS 2-way stretch soft shell (88% nylon, 12% elastane)