Top Tips About Waterproof Trousers
/WRITTEN by CHRIS & ANNE ENSOLL
Waterproof trousers – you either love them or hate them. If they don’t fit well, they can restrict your movement. If they seem to soak up the water rather than repelling it, you’re going to be reluctant to put them on. But if you have a pair that are well made, that fit you really well, and that keep you dry and warm, you’ll be reaching for them as soon as it starts to rain. Working outdoors in the UK this time of year can be pretty wet. Having a good comfortable pair of waterproof trousers makes the difference between a positive day and a pretty grim day.
A damp day on a Mountain Leader course. Photo credit: Christophe Laseur
Let’s start with a bit of jargon.
What’s waterproof breathable?
Whatever you choose, and wherever you have to compromise, your garment must be waterproof AND breathable. Waterproof breathable garments have pores that are too small for water to get in from the outside, but just big enough to let out water vapour from your sweat.
What's a membrane?
It’s the waterproof breathable layer. Your garment might look like it is made from one layer of fabric, but it is actually two or three layers bonded together.
What’s DWR?
Durable Water Repellent is a polymer that’s applied to the outside of the fabric to help it shed water. In some garments, it is incorporated into the weave of the fabric, and in others it is added as an invisible layer. In the latter case, it can become damaged due to outside factors like dirt and oil, UV radiation, and washing. When that happens, rain soaks into the fabric instead of beading up and rolling off, and the fabric becomes saturated. This blocks some or all of the water vapour from sweat, and it can’t escape, so you feel wet, and you might think that your garment is no longer waterproof.
What are taped seams?
Garment seams are often sealed with waterproof tape that binds with the fabric to make sure no water can get through the tiny needle holes left by the sewing process.
At the top of Hidden Chimney, Coire an t-Sneachda
What should you look for in a pair of waterproof trousers?
If you’re looking for a new pair of waterproof trousers, you need to try on lots of pairs before making a decision – there will be something out there that is good for your body shape and that suits your budget.
A simple lightweight pair will do for most things. Wear with soft-shell trousers underneath and you will keep out the worst of the weather.
Gore-tex or Gore-tex Pro is the best fabric, but some people prefer Paramo – check out the pros and cons in this blog post.
Make sure you can get them on and off over your boots – long zips work best.
A belt system of some kind works better than elastic if you don’t have any curves.
Avoid too much flapping fabric around the ankles, and avoid elastic around the bottom – the trousers bunch up and get caught on crampons.
If winter climbing, reinforced areas around the inside of the lower legs are good against crampon damage.
Articulated knees are more comfortable and the shaping reduces stress on the fabric at the knees which is a common place to get damage.
Another day day on a Mountain Leader course. Photo credit: Kelvyn James
How to care for your waterproofs and prolong their life
Your waterproofs will serve you well if you take care of them and know how to keep them working properly.
Keep them clean and dry
Dry them out thoroughly every time they get wet – mold is a big problem for waterproofs. When they are dirty give them a wash with specially designed products like Nikwax Tech Wash. Refresh the DWR after washing and if water is no longer beading, with Nikwax TX.Direct. Put them in the dryer or iron afterwards to help bake the DWR onto the fabric.
Avoid UV
Don’t leave them out in the sun for an extended period of time – UV radiation causes degradation of the fabric
Avoid abrasions
Try to avoid rubbing up against rough or sharp surfaces (easier said than done if you're scrambling in the rain...).
Mend holes
Patch any holes as soon as you can to stop them getting any bigger. For large rips, usually from crampons, I use duct tape on the inside to hold the edges together, then I seal the outside with Stormsure flexible adhesive. For smaller holes I put a dab of Stormsure on the outside of the fabric, and it works really well.
Look after your zips
If you’re re-proofing regularly and taking care of the fabric, the zip could be the first part of your garment to let you down. Keep your zips well lubed with a zip care product, or use candlewax for a cheaper option.
The participants on our mentoring trial, January 2019
So what am I currently using?
I like a light soft shell snowproof/windproof layer to walk in and then a hard shell to put over them in bad weather. On colder days I also use a base layer under the soft shell.
I currently have two everyday pairs of waterproof trousers. My waterproofs are amongst my essential ‘tools of my trade’, so I need to invest in the best. I am average height, with slim hips and long limbs, and I find Arc’teryx men’s small size, regular leg length, fit me really well. I’m currently using the Beta SL Pant and the Beta AR Pant, both of which I’ve had for a while. They have some excellent features:
They are really well cut so they fit well and you hardly notice you’re wearing them.
They have a belt fastener to keep them up, which works much better than elastic.
The knees have a tailored fit which not only makes them comfortable to wear but also reduces stress on the fabric at the knees.
The SL (Super Light) is excellent for walking – they have lasted well despite being really lightweight. The AR (All Round) is better for winter mountaineering and using crampons, as they are tougher and heavier and can take more of a beating. The extra money is well worth it. However, the latest version of the Beta AR pant doesn’t have long zips, which just isn’t practical, so I wouldn’t buy them.
What about you?
Do you have a favourite pair of waterproof trousers? Tell us what they are and what you really like about them. We’re looking forward to hearing from you!
