When walking in the wet winter, waterproof trousers are essential to keep you dry and warm. Emma Lewis tests and reviews some of the best

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Release time: 1:10 PM, November 12, 2021

If you plan to walk in all kinds of weather, waterproof pants are an indispensable kit. Before you buy, please note the following:

With ultra-light, pocket-sized storage, these are your perfect "just in case" pants. Gore-Tex stated that the water resistance scores of its products are all “over 28K”. The RET of these pants is lower than 6 (highly breathable), which is impressive, so you can trust them to keep you dry. One side of the Gore-Tex film is directly bonded to the shell material, and the inside is covered with a durable protective layer made of oil-repellent material and carbon. The three-quarter length two-way side zipper and elastic drawstring waist make it easy to put on and take off and provide good breathability. Simple, pocketless, and unlimited hem frill pants are made of fabrics approved by the blue logo, and are available in a variety of sizes and lengths. 

Best for: Become a friend as light as a feather

People who hike frequently will be happy with these super comfortable foldable pants. Thanks to the use of 70 denier nylon 6.6 outer fabric, three-layer 20K/20K waterproof and breathable grade, plus reinforced instep and hem, they are very strong, but not bulky at all. Thanks to articulated knees, gusseted hips and some stretching exercises, you can perform star jumps as needed. These trousers feature a soft inner waist and zipper and pop fly placket, plus a three-quarter length two-way zipper (waterproof with an inner windshield) on the sides, these trousers are easy to put on and take off, and you can unzip the zipper The thighs are used for ventilation. There are three lengths, with a streamlined tailoring, a longer calf (with an elastic drawstring hem) and no pockets. They are fully operational at very competitive prices.

Best for: Durable and good value for money

These sturdy and spacious trousers are specially designed for long-distance hiking in winter. They can keep you dry due to their 28K water resistance and RET breathability value lower than 9. The articulated knees can be moved easily, the waist has a Velcro adjustment device, and the Aquaguard placket zipper makes you a perfect fit. The full-length, two-way Aquaguard YKK side zipper has an internal windshield for easy wearing and taking off. The pants are available in three lengths and the outer jacket is made of recycled materials.

Designed for mountain sports enthusiasts, these very lightweight but highly durable and unrestricted shell pants have less impact on the environment, because half of the outer fabric is recyclable, and there is a DWR coating without PFC And chemical-free high-performance 20K/20K waterproof/breathable Lifa Infinity membrane. The waistband, zipper and pop placket and soft waist lining make these super comfortable to wear, and the two-way 7/8 windproof zipper helps open/close and ventilate. You also get articulated knees, a zippered waterproof thigh pocket, a Recco reflector to help rescue teams find you when you get lost in the mountains, as well as details such as boot hooks. Choose from two colors; only one length.

Best for: born for the mountains

Ideal for multi-day travel with tight space, this high-performance trouser suit is very compact. The combination of 150 denier Gore-Tex Paclite Plus and Scholar Keprotec Kevlar instep adds some durability to them. Compared with other Gore-Tex products, Paclite Plus is not inferior to other Gore-Tex products in water resistance or breathability, saving space and weight, because it has only two layers: the wear-resistant outer layer is laminated on the Gore-Tex film. Due to its abrasion resistance, it can cling to your skin-a resistant treatment that is stronger and more comfortable than Paclite. These pocketless trousers feature articulated knees and diamond-shaped gussets for easy movement, and the three-quarter-length two-way YKK Aquaguard side zipper is ventilated and easy to put on and take off. Elastic drawstring waist and gathered hem.

Best for: small but powerful

Changing weather can be a challenge, but these super comfortable pants are suitable for all-day wear. Extremely lightweight, four-way stretch, gusseted crotch, articulated knees and impressive waterproof and breathable ratings (20K and 20K respectively, with DWR outer layer), these are suitable for most situations Hiker going down. However, it may be best for three seasons-these will not provide much insulation on cold days. The one-piece waistband fits your waist well and has two zipper pockets. There are also ankle zippers, in case you need it. Remember, these streamlined and flattering pants will give you a trade-off between lightness and toughness.

The other one can be worn close to the skin all day under changing conditions (designed to cope with four hours of continuous rain). These comfortable, comfortable, lightweight pants use a highly breathable "directional" Nikwax analog waterproof system, which includes a separate lining. Helps absorb liquid sweat and moisture, and enhance insulation. These spacious pants also have a PFC-free waterproof finish on the outside. Features include: thigh slits, two zipper pockets, ankle adjustment, articulated knees, diamond gussets, and elastic waist with belt, zipper and popper. Paramo recommends using their own Nikwax Tech Wash to wash these pants regularly and refresh them with Nikwax TX.Direct. These are fair trade and can be recycled through Paramo. 

If you are a nature observer or dog walker and often find yourself in the bushes, you can consider investing in these super sturdy unisex cotton trousers. How do they work? 'DV' stands for Double Ventile, or two layers of the thinnest and longest cotton fibers, tightly woven. When the fiber comes into contact with water, it swells, blocking it. The DWR system on the outer surface adds water resistance, making them "completely waterproof". Can be worn next to the body, with four pockets and reinforced areas. advantage? They will last for many years, are quiet to wear, have excellent breathability and wind resistance. shortcoming? They are heavy and unwieldy.

Best for: Super strong

Excellent value for money, simple style, streamlined, waterproof performance up to 10K, air permeability is listed as very good RET 8. The zippered elastic drawstring waistband and popper placket fit perfectly, and the knee-length zipper allows you to open and close easily. There is no outer pocket, only an inner pocket, you can also put very light, not bulky pants into it. Machine wash at 30°C; put them in a tumble dryer (10 minutes, low temperature) to reactivate the waterproof function. These have no articulated knees or extensions, but they are surprisingly easy and unrestricted to wear. If you take a shorter hike in less extreme conditions and terrain, these should solve the problem.

Best for: Budget selection

As the name suggests, these sturdy pants have a waterproof and breathability rating of 5K/5K. Features include: knee-length (non-waterproof) side zippers with an external windshield so you can put them on your boots and two slits with holes so you can open the trouser pockets. They are available in a variety of lengths and sizes, and are very light and have good storage properties, but the legs look long and spacious, and the waist has strong elasticity. Only the men's version is available in color options. Although the company says you can wear these alone, they feel a little wet due to the lack of breathability.

Andrew Lloyd is a digital writer covering the latest gadgets, appliances and equipment from Immediate Media's special interest brands. Whether you are relaxing at home, exploring the mountainside or gazing into space, he may recommend it for you.

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