Wet jeans are cold on a Welsh hill, and the Craghoppers Kiwi Pro III is the walking trouser to buy instead. It is sold in men’s and women’s versions.
The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) says cotton t-shirts and jeans are particularly cold when wet. Its list of what to choose is fleece, wool or sports clothing.
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The trousers, at a glance:
- Craghoppers Kiwi Pro III, men’s and Craghoppers Kiwi Pro III, women’s, stretch polyamide listed as quick drying
- Montane Terra Pants, men’s, listed for 3 season mountain walking
- Berghaus Ortler 2.0, men’s and Berghaus Ortler 2.0, women’s, with thigh vents (zipped on the men’s)
- Berghaus Everyday Versatile, women’s, straight fit with an adjustable waist
- Rab Ascendor AS Softshell Pants, men’s, a midweight softshell with a brushed lining
| Your day out | What to carry |
|---|---|
| You want one stretch walking trouser, in men's or women's | Craghoppers Kiwi Pro III |
| You want a trouser listed for three-season mountain walking | Montane Terra Pants |
| You want thigh vents in a women's trouser, or a two-way stretch twill in men's | Berghaus Ortler 2.0 |
| You want a women’s straight fit with an adjustable waist | Berghaus Everyday Versatile |
| You want a softshell with a brushed lining | Rab Ascendor AS |
Craghoppers Kiwi Pro III
You want one stretch walking trouser that dries quickly, in men's or women's
Craghoppers Kiwi Pro III Walking Trousers (Men's) 4-way stretch polyamide, listed as quick drying and water repellentIntegrated cargo pocket, heel tape reinforcement, multiple zipped pockets Read the full specification on Amazon Craghoppers Kiwi Pro III Walking Trousers (Women's) Stretch polyamide, listed as quick drying and water repellentHeel tape reinforcement, multiple zipped pockets Read the full specification on AmazonThe men’s listing describes the Kiwi Pro III as 4-way stretch polyamide that is lightweight, durable and water repellent, with a quick drying fabric. The Amazon listing promises unrestricted freedom of movement on and off the trail.
It leads because stretch comes with a quick drying, water repellent fabric.
The fit is streamlined, with an integrated cargo pocket, heel tape reinforcement and multiple zipped pockets.
The men’s and women’s versions are separate listings. The women’s adds that the sun-protective stretch fabric gives day-long comfort.
Best for: one stretch trouser that covers most days out, for men or women.
Montane Terra Pants
You want a men's trouser listed for 3 season mountain walking
Montane Terra Pants (Men's) Tactel nylon with PFC-free DWR, listed for 3 season useCordura rip-stop knees, seat and instep, part-elasticated waistband Read the full specification on Amazon The Terra is Tactel nylon with a PFC-free DWR finish. The knees, seat and instep are Cordura rip-stop, a tear-resistant weave.
It is sold as 3 season performance, ideal for mountain walking, climbing and trekking.
It also has wind and water resistance and a fast drying fabric. The waistband is part-elasticated, with a removable webbing belt.
Best for: a man who wants a trouser placed in three-season mountain walking.
Berghaus Ortler 2.0
You want thigh vents in a women's trouser, or a two-way stretch twill in men's
Berghaus Ortler 2.0 Walking Trousers (Men's) Stretch polyamide twill with DWR finish, articulated kneesZipped thigh vents, UPF 50+ Read the full specification on Amazon Berghaus Ortler 2.0 Walking Trousers (Women's) 96% polyamide, 4% elastane, DWR treatedArticulated knees, thigh vents Read the full specification on AmazonThe men’s Ortler 2.0 is 96% polyamide and 4% elastane, treated with a PFC-free DWR to resist water absorption.
Berghaus puts in articulated knees and two-way stretch for freedom of movement.
Zipped thigh vents let air flow while the legs work hard. The women’s version has the same blend, DWR treatment, articulated knees and thigh vents.
Best for: a walker who runs warm on the climb and wants vents in the thigh.
Berghaus Everyday Versatile
You want a women's straight fit with an adjustable waist
Berghaus Everyday Versatile Walking Trousers (Women's) 4 way stretch, adjustable waistStraight fit, flat waistband with belt loops, more than 50% recycled content Read the full specification on AmazonThis women’s trouser has 4 way stretch and an adjustable waist. The main fabric is treated with a PFC-free DWR, so it is sold as water resistant.
The fit is a straight leg with a minimal, clean finish.
The waistband is flat with belt loops, and the fabric has more than 50% recycled content. The listing gives spring/summer as its seasons.
Best for: a woman who wants a straight-leg walking trouser with a flat waistband.
Rab Ascendor AS
You want a men's softshell with a brushed lining
Rab Ascendor AS Softshell Pants (Men's) Midweight Matrix double-weave stretch softshell, brushed liningThree zipped pockets, zipped ankle gusset, 449 g in size M Read the full specification on Amazon Rab describes the Ascendor AS as a stretchy, durable, midweight Matrix double-weave softshell. It is breathable, soft next to the skin with a brushed lining, and comfortable in all weather.
It is built around a harness-friendly, low-profile, elasticated waistband and a slim, tapered fit.
Rab lists articulated knees, brace attachments and a zipped ankle gusset that widens the hem for different mountain footwear. There are two zipped, mesh-lined hand pockets and one zipped thigh pocket.
Best for: a man who wants a softshell trouser with a brushed lining, built for mountain footwear.
Why fabric and fit matter more than pockets
Every trouser here except Rab’s names a DWR (durable water repellent) finish.
DWR resists water absorption. It does not make a trouser waterproof.
Pockets are worth having once the fabric is right. The Kiwi Pro III has multiple zipped pockets and the Ascendor AS three.
Softshell against lightweight
Rab is the only maker here that calls its trouser a softshell.
It is stretchy, durable and breathable, a midweight Matrix double-weave with a brushed lining. Lightweight is the word in the Kiwi Pro III (men’s) and Terra listings.
Choose by fabric and by the season table below.
Zip-offs
None of the five trousers here zips off.
Ordnance Survey calls water-resistant hiking trousers a useful item to own, especially those which zip off into shorts. In summer many people stick with shorts.
The men’s Ortler 2.0 has zipped thigh vents for airflow, and the legs stay full length.
Which trouser for which season
Only the Terra and the Ascendor AS are placed beyond spring and summer.
| Trouser | Season stated | Fabric stated |
|---|---|---|
| Kiwi Pro III | Spring/summer | Stretch polyamide, 4-way on the men’s |
| Terra | 3 season | Tactel nylon, PFC-free DWR |
| Ortler 2.0 | Not stated | Stretch polyamide twill, DWR |
| Everyday Versatile | Spring/summer | 4 way stretch, PFC-free DWR |
| Ascendor AS | All weather | Stretch softshell |
Each season is the maker’s own wording: Rab calls the Ascendor AS comfortable in all weather.
When you do not need to buy
If you already walk in quick-drying synthetic trousers, you do not need new ones.
Cotton and jeans are the ones to avoid, and sports clothing is on the list of what to choose. Gym leggings that are not cotton fall under that list.
Rain is a separate question. The BMC says a waterproof outer layer of jacket and trousers helps keep you dry. A pair of waterproof overtrousers goes over any of these.
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Which trouser, for which walker
Buy the Craghoppers Kiwi Pro III unless one of the others fits you better.
- One stretch trouser, men’s or women’s: Craghoppers Kiwi Pro III.
- A 3 season trouser or a softshell, for a man: Montane Terra or Rab Ascendor AS.
- Vents or a straight leg, for a woman: Berghaus Ortler 2.0 or Everyday Versatile.
