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, the national body for climbers and hill walkers, says cotton t-shirts and jeans are particularly cold when wet. It is best to avoid both.
The Amazon listing for the Kiwi Pro III promises unrestricted freedom of movement on and off the trail.
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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 Amazon listing describes the Kiwi Pro III as 4-way stretch polyamide that is lightweight, durable and water repellent, with quick drying fabric. It promises unrestricted freedom of movement on and off the trail.
It leads because the listing pairs stretch with a quick drying, water repellent fabric. The listing promises a streamlined fit with an integrated cargo pocket, plus heel tape reinforcement and multiple zipped pockets.
It is also listed as anti-insect, with fibres too tough for insects like mosquitoes to penetrate. The men’s and women’s versions are separate listings, and 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 Amazon listing describes the Terra as Tactel nylon with a PFC-free DWR (durable water repellent, a treatment that resists water absorption). It lists rip-stop (tear-resistant weave) Cordura knees, seat and instep.
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. Short (30 inch inseam), regular and long (34 inch inseam) versions are on the size chart.
Best for: a man who wants a trouser the listing places 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 Amazon listing for the men’s Ortler 2.0 gives 96% polyamide and 4% elastane in a 180 g/m2 twill. The main fabric is treated with a PFC-free DWR to resist water absorption.
Twill is a diagonal weave, and g/m2 is grams per square metre.
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 fabric blend, DWR treatment, articulated knees and thigh vents. Its listing gives no twill weight and no UPF rating, both of which the men’s listing carries.
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 AmazonThe Amazon listing for this Berghaus trouser names 4 way stretch and an adjustable waist. The main fabric is treated with a PFC-free DWR (durable water repellent), 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.
It is a women’s trouser only, and the listing’s item details give 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. Rab gives the weight as 449 g in size M, and sells short, regular and long legs.
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
The BMC names cotton and jeans as particularly cold when wet. Its list of what to choose is fleece, wool or sports clothing.
The Kiwi Pro III and men’s Ortler 2.0 listings both promise freedom of movement. Stretch is named like this:
- 4-way stretch: Kiwi Pro III men’s and Everyday Versatile
- Two-way stretch: Ortler 2.0
- Stretch softshell: Ascendor AS
Every listing here except Rab’s names a DWR (durable water repellent) finish. Craghoppers calls its version H2Oshield. DWR resists water absorption, and it does not make a trouser waterproof.
The Kiwi Pro III has multiple zipped pockets and the Ascendor AS three, and both are worth having once the fabric is right.
Softshell against lightweight
Rab is the only maker here that calls its trouser a softshell. It calls the Ascendor AS stretchy, durable and breathable.
The fabric is a midweight Matrix double-weave with a brushed lining.
Lightweight is the word in the listings for the Kiwi Pro III and the Terra.
The Terra listing adds durable, for 3 season use. The men’s Ortler 2.0 twill is 180 g/m2. Choose by the fabric each one states, and by the season column in the table below.
Zip-offs
Ordnance Survey, Britain’s national mapping agency, calls water-resistant hiking trousers a useful item to own, especially those which zip off into shorts. Its GetOutside guide adds that in summer many people stick with shorts.
None of the five trousers here zips off.
The men’s Ortler 2.0 has zipped thigh vents for airflow, and the legs stay full length.
Which trouser for which season
| Trouser | Season or weather stated | Fabric stated |
|---|---|---|
| Kiwi Pro III | Spring/summer (item details) | Stretch polyamide (4-way on the men’s) |
| Terra | 3 season (description) | Tactel nylon, PFC-free DWR |
| Ortler 2.0 | Not stated | Stretch polyamide twill, DWR |
| Everyday Versatile | Spring/summer (item details) | 4 way stretch, PFC-free DWR |
| Ascendor AS | Comfortable in all weather (Rab) | Stretch softshell |
Women’s choice here is two makers, Craghoppers and Berghaus, across three trousers.
The men’s line-up spans four makers: Craghoppers, Montane, Berghaus and Rab.
When you do not need to buy
If you already walk in quick-drying synthetic trousers, you do not need new ones. The BMC’s warning is about cotton and jeans, and sports clothing is on its list of what to choose.
Gym leggings that are not cotton fall under that list, so they are not what the council warns against.
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.
Which trouser, for which walker
Craghoppers Kiwi Pro III for a walker who wants one stretch trouser, in men’s or women’s.
Montane Terra or Rab Ascendor AS for a man who wants a 3 season trouser or a softshell.
Berghaus Ortler 2.0 or Everyday Versatile for a woman who wants vents or a straight leg.
