Advice on hiking trousers

kjp said:

Hi,

1st time poster, pretty much new walker as well, hiking Kilimanjaro in
new year so startingto do some training walks. I need to buy some
trousers in which I can do walks. I like the ones that also zip off to
form shorts. I also would like them to be water proof. Can you get zip
offs in a material like gortex ? What would you advise I purchase ?

Thanks in advance

I have some excellent Viento Paramo zip offs - they are not cheap,
though.

http://www.srcunningham.co.uk/Paramo/trousers05.htm

Bertie Wiggins said:

kjp said:

Hi,

1st time poster, pretty much new walker as well, hiking Kilimanjaro in
new year so startingto do some training walks. I need to buy some
trousers in which I can do walks. I like the ones that also zip off to
form shorts. I also would like them to be water proof. Can you get zip
offs in a material like gortex ? What would you advise I purchase ?

Thanks in advance

I have some excellent Viento Paramo zip offs - they are not cheap,
though.

http://www.srcunningham.co.uk/Paramo/trousers05.htm

You'd need to try them on, too - not everyone finds them as
comfortable as the Paramo Cascadas (not zip offs).

Wet fishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \ pee AT [guessthisbit].co.uk

"Is our children learning?"
g.w.AT [guessthisbit].com

kjp said:

Hi,

1st time poster, pretty much new walker as well, hiking Kilimanjaro in
new year so startingto do some training walks. I need to buy some
trousers in which I can do walks. I like the ones that also zip off to
form shorts. I also would like them to be water proof. Can you get zip
offs in a material like gortex ? What would you advise I purchase ?

Thanks in advance

In general, you'll find waterproof trousers a bit too warm (esp at lower
levels.) You could try something like Montane Terra's, which are
available in a zip-off version. These are pretty water-resistant and
will put up with a shower or two. Then you'd have to buy a pair of
Goretex (Paclite?) overtrousers for the very worst weather. I reckon
only about 5% - 10% of my walks result in the need for overtrousers, and
I'm not exactly a fair-weather walker.

druidh

Bertie Wiggins said:

kjp said:

Hi,

1st time poster, pretty much new walker as well, hiking Kilimanjaro in
new year so startingto do some training walks. I need to buy some
trousers in which I can do walks. I like the ones that also zip off to
form shorts. I also would like them to be water proof. Can you get zip
offs in a material like gortex ?

No reason why not, but I don't recall seeing any, not that I've looked
too closely.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

What would you advise I purchase ?

It's easy to make waterproofs, the key is how breathable they are ie
the ability to expel moisture to keep you dry and at a stable
temperature, rather than too wet which makes you cold when you stop.

Paramo is more breathable than Gore-Tex, but the degree depends upon
temperature & humidity gradients. There's been loads of previous
discussion - search
<URL:http://groups.google.co.uk/group/uk.rec.walking?hl=en> and
<URL:http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/forum/forum.asp?sp=590148384674536955536&v=7>

Paramo are replacement trousers, not overtrousers and can be worn all
the time.

Loads of user reviews on OutdoorsMagic -
<URL:http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/review/reviewcategory.asp?RGN=3&RCN=69&ob=p.noreviews&oborder=desc&SP=590148384674536955536&V=3>
<URL:http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/review/reviewcategory.asp?RGN=3&RCN=94&ob=p.noreviews&oborder=desc&SP=590148384674536955536&V=3>

Quoted message said:

I have some excellent Viento Paramo zip offs - they are not cheap,
though.

Same here. £80 in the Paramo Event sale ;-) Tried them in warm dry
weather and in cold humid weather and I can't break them :-) and I
walk warm.

Quoted message said:

http://www.srcunningham.co.uk/Paramo/trousers05.htm

Not working, try
<URL:http://www.paramo.co.uk/UK/acatalog/MensVientoZip-offs-16-142.html#>.
The Paramo stores appear to be having a sale at the moment so it's
worth Kevin shopping around.

Daytona

Peewiglet said:

You'd need to try them on, too - not everyone finds them as
comfortable as the Paramo Cascadas (not zip offs).

Agreed, also the waist measurements given on the website are weird as
the elasticated waistband gives a big size range. The small Vientos
I've got go from 28 to 35 inches (website says 30).

Daytona

kjp said:

1st time poster, pretty much new walker as well, hiking Kilimanjaro in
new year so startingto do some training walks. I need to buy some
trousers in which I can do walks.

You may well have something fine for the job already... I usually walk
in Ronhill Tracksters, running bottoms not a million miles different
from plain track suit bottoms. They're light, quick drying and offer
excellent freedom of movement, and they're not very expensive.

Quoted message said:

I like the ones that also zip off to
form shorts.

Nothing wrong with these in principal, but they'll usually weigh more
than a pair of Tracksters and a separate pair of running shorts.

Most "walking trousers" are supplied with a plague of pockets which add
to the weight and cost and mean that the area around your hips takes
much longer to dry out if they get wet. If you put stuff in the pockets
it just makes walking less comfortable than if you use a chest pocket.

Quoted message said:

I also would like them to be water proof. Can you get zip
offs in a material like gortex ?

Goretex isn't very comfortable in itself, it's the sort of thing that's
good if it's actually raining but for the most part it's more
comfortable not wearing it once it's stopped raining. So since Goretex
shorts wouldn't be ready sellers nobody's seen fit to make zip offs.
AFAICT practically all Goretex trousers are built as overtrousers to
pull over what else you're wearing when rain starts. Exceptions tend to
be at the extreme end where you know you want serious protection all day
and wouldn't think of taking them off at all, never mind walking around
in shorts!

For an all-in-one comfortable waterproof solution the Paramo stuff
people have suggested is worth a look, but personally I prefer lighter,
cooler and stretchy stuff that doesn't rustle when I walk. Mileage
varies...

Good but non-waterproof trousers should dry out very fast, so being
waterproof is less of an advantage than many might think unless it's
continuous stair-rods. I use my overtrousers less than half a dozen
times a year, typically.

Quoted message said:

What would you advise I purchase ?

As above, personally I prefer running gear because it majors on
comfortable freedom of movement. The things "walking" trousers give you
is extra windproofing which might be worth it (people feel cold
differently, I like a windbreaker on top but my legs are much less
fussed) and usually loads of pockets, which are frankly a negative
feature for the actual walking bit as far as I'm concerned. Many
walkers are rather self conscious about close fitting stretchy legwear,
though it works very well, and accordingly many/most walking trousers
are a baggy fit to allow freedom of movement, but that catches wind and
mud much more and means more weight from more material. The baggy stuff
tends to be in non-stretch material, closer fits are possible with
stretchy stuff and you don't have to come sown to skin-tight stuff like
Tracksters. Material like Schoeller Dryskin is tough, stretchy and
ideal for heavier gauge walking kit.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

"> 1st time poster, pretty much new walker as well, hiking Kilimanjaro in

Quoted message said:

new year so startingto do some training walks. I need to buy some
trousers in which I can do walks. I like the ones that also zip off to
form shorts. I also would like them to be water proof. Can you get zip
offs in a material like gortex ? What would you advise I purchase ?

If you go the zip-off legs route for trousers, I would try and get a pair
that also have zips up the side so they can be removed without having to
take of the boots.

I bought a pair from Liydl some time ago, and they were great. That is
until a couple of weeks ago when I tried ironing on a purpose-designed
patch, ended up with a burn hole ten times the size of the hole being
repaired!

They went in the bin ...... but must try and find another pair like them.

--
sandy saunders @ www.thewalkzone.co.uk
email: saunders.sandy at ntlworld.com

'Mountains or Mole Hills ... summiting still
brings the same excitement'

"sandy saunders" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"> 1st time poster, pretty much new walker as well, hiking Kilimanjaro in

Quoted message said:

new year so startingto do some training walks. I need to buy some
trousers in which I can do walks. I like the ones that also zip off to
form shorts. I also would like them to be water proof. Can you get zip
offs in a material like gortex ? What would you advise I purchase ?

If you go the zip-off legs route for trousers, I would try and get a pair
that also have zips up the side so they can be removed without having to
take of the boots.

I bought a pair from Liydl some time ago, and they were great. That is
until a couple of weeks ago when I tried ironing on a purpose-designed
patch, ended up with a burn hole ten times the size of the hole being
repaired!

They went in the bin ...... but must try and find another pair like them.

--
sandy saunders @ www.thewalkzone.co.uk
email: saunders.sandy at ntlworld.com

'Mountains or Mole Hills ... summiting still
brings the same excitement'

The problem with zipped off trousers are they expose flesh which when
walking in moorland areas may get the attention of any sheep ticks you brush
past. We had a training course a couple of years back at work about
zoonoses diseases and were advised to wear long trousers when walking in
"sheep country" ie forested areas, heathland and heather moors. It scared
the hell out of me and have never worn shorts in the hills again. See
http://bubl.ac.uk/org/tacit/tac/tac06/dangersi.htm

Regards
Andrew

--
Nowt doon here but this stupid signature.

AJD said:

The problem with zipped off trousers are they expose flesh which when
walking in moorland areas may get the attention of any sheep ticks you brush
past. We had a training course a couple of years back at work about
zoonoses diseases and were advised to wear long trousers when walking in
"sheep country" ie forested areas, heathland and heather moors. It scared
the hell out of me and have never worn shorts in the hills again. See
http://bubl.ac.uk/org/tacit/tac/tac06/dangersi.htm

In the Rhinogs a few weeks back I wore shorts and had to push my way
through several larges areas of bracken. All that was going through
my mind was "Tick Tick Tick" like a blood-sucking bomb about to
explode.

If anything did bite me, I still haven't found it.

Judith

Judith said:

In the Rhinogs a few weeks back I wore shorts and had to push my way
through several larges areas of bracken. All that was going through
my mind was "Tick Tick Tick" like a blood-sucking bomb about to
explode.

If anything did bite me, I still haven't found it.

You've checked your back, right?

:-)

Wet fishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \ pee AT [guessthisbit].co.uk

"Is our children learning?"
g.w.AT [guessthisbit].com

AJD said:

The problem with zipped off trousers are they expose flesh which when
walking in moorland areas may get the attention of any sheep ticks you brush
past. We had a training course a couple of years back at work about
zoonoses diseases and were advised to wear long trousers when walking in
"sheep country" ie forested areas, heathland and heather moors. It scared
the hell out of me and have never worn shorts in the hills again. See
http://bubl.ac.uk/org/tacit/tac/tac06/dangersi.htm

Regards
Andrew

A bit overkill methinks! I've been walking and cycling with shorts on
for years, in sheep and deer areas in the Scottish Highlands and
Lowlands. Ok - I've had the occasional tick, but it's hardly something
to get so worked up about. I'm at more risk driving to and from these
walks!!

druidh

"druidh" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

AJD said:

The problem with zipped off trousers are they expose flesh which when
walking in moorland areas may get the attention of any sheep ticks you

brush

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

past. We had a training course a couple of years back at work about
zoonoses diseases and were advised to wear long trousers when walking in
"sheep country" ie forested areas, heathland and heather moors. It

scared

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

the hell out of me and have never worn shorts in the hills again. See
http://bubl.ac.uk/org/tacit/tac/tac06/dangersi.htm

Regards
Andrew

A bit overkill methinks! I've been walking and cycling with shorts on
for years, in sheep and deer areas in the Scottish Highlands and
Lowlands. Ok - I've had the occasional tick, but it's hardly something
to get so worked up about. I'm at more risk driving to and from these
walks!!

druidh

Maybe it's only us DEFRA field staff then! But how many Rangers/Forestry
Commission/Farmers do you see wearing shorts? Not many in Northumberland
that's for sure. Probably because we've had the same training and our
employers are scared we catch Lyme disease and consequently sue.

Regards
Andrew

AJD said:

"druidh" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

AJD said:

The problem with zipped off trousers are they expose flesh which when
walking in moorland areas may get the attention of any sheep ticks you

brush

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

past. We had a training course a couple of years back at work about
zoonoses diseases and were advised to wear long trousers when walking in
"sheep country" ie forested areas, heathland and heather moors. It

scared

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

the hell out of me and have never worn shorts in the hills again. See
http://bubl.ac.uk/org/tacit/tac/tac06/dangersi.htm

Regards
Andrew

A bit overkill methinks! I've been walking and cycling with shorts on
for years, in sheep and deer areas in the Scottish Highlands and
Lowlands. Ok - I've had the occasional tick, but it's hardly something
to get so worked up about. I'm at more risk driving to and from these
walks!!

druidh

Maybe it's only us DEFRA field staff then! But how many Rangers/Forestry
Commission/Farmers do you see wearing shorts? Not many in Northumberland
that's for sure. Probably because we've had the same training and our
employers are scared we catch Lyme disease and consequently sue.

Regards
Andrew

Like I said - you're much more likely to be killed in a car accident
during work. And are you suggesting that your employer has given you
instructions NOT to wear shorts?

druidh

On Tue, 11 Oct 2005 19:56:50 GMT, druidh <[email hidden]>

dropped their trousers and said:

AJD said:

"druidh" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

AJD wrote:

>The problem with zipped off trousers are they expose flesh which when
>walking in moorland areas may get the attention of any sheep ticks you

brush

Quoted message said:

>past. We had a training course a couple of years back at work about
>zoonoses diseases and were advised to wear long trousers when walking in
>"sheep country" ie forested areas, heathland and heather moors. It

scared

Quoted message said:

>the hell out of me and have never worn shorts in the hills again. See
>http://bubl.ac.uk/org/tacit/tac/tac06/dangersi.htm
>
>Regards
>Andrew

A bit overkill methinks! I've been walking and cycling with shorts on
for years, in sheep and deer areas in the Scottish Highlands and
Lowlands. Ok - I've had the occasional tick, but it's hardly something
to get so worked up about. I'm at more risk driving to and from these
walks!!

druidh

Maybe it's only us DEFRA field staff then! But how many Rangers/Forestry
Commission/Farmers do you see wearing shorts? Not many in Northumberland
that's for sure. Probably because we've had the same training and our
employers are scared we catch Lyme disease and consequently sue.

Regards
Andrew

Like I said - you're much more likely to be killed in a car accident
during work. And are you suggesting that your employer has given you
instructions NOT to wear shorts?

druidh

I suspect that they are advised to wear long trousers, covering their
legs, prevent scratches, scrapes, and a bit of protection in a
fall/stumble.

Dewi
(No cord around the neck please...)

"Dewi" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Tue, 11 Oct 2005 19:56:50 GMT, druidh <[email hidden]>

dropped their trousers and said:

AJD said:

"druidh" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

>AJD wrote:
>
>>The problem with zipped off trousers are they expose flesh which when
>>walking in moorland areas may get the attention of any sheep ticks you

brush

>>past. We had a training course a couple of years back at work about
>>zoonoses diseases and were advised to wear long trousers when walking

in

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>>"sheep country" ie forested areas, heathland and heather moors. It

scared

>>the hell out of me and have never worn shorts in the hills again. See
>>http://bubl.ac.uk/org/tacit/tac/tac06/dangersi.htm
>>
>>Regards
>>Andrew
>
>A bit overkill methinks! I've been walking and cycling with shorts on
>for years, in sheep and deer areas in the Scottish Highlands and
>Lowlands. Ok - I've had the occasional tick, but it's hardly something
>to get so worked up about. I'm at more risk driving to and from these
>walks!!
>
>
>druidh

Maybe it's only us DEFRA field staff then! But how many

Rangers/Forestry

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Commission/Farmers do you see wearing shorts? Not many in

Northumberland

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

that's for sure. Probably because we've had the same training and our
employers are scared we catch Lyme disease and consequently sue.

Regards
Andrew

Like I said - you're much more likely to be killed in a car accident
during work. And are you suggesting that your employer has given you
instructions NOT to wear shorts?

druidh

I suspect that they are advised to wear long trousers, covering their
legs, prevent scratches, scrapes, and a bit of protection in a
fall/stumble.

Dewi
(No cord around the neck please...)

To be honest we're not allowed to handle livestock without wearing complete
waterproofs and disinfecting using virkon S. If I'm walking in the hills
and not handling animals I can wear what I want, even great big floppy clown
shoes with matching thong if I felt the urge. It's just a matter of choice
that I don't wear shorts when in Sheep country and that's my prerogative
just as it's yours to wear shorts.

I take your point about car accidents, I can be driving for 3 hours a day
just to reach some places.

Andrew

On Mon, 10 Oct 2005 22:00:12 GMT, druidh <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

kjp said:

In general, you'll find waterproof trousers a bit too warm (esp at lower
levels.) You could try something like Montane Terra's, which are
available in a zip-off version. These are pretty water-resistant and
will put up with a shower or two. Then you'd have to buy a pair of
Goretex (Paclite?) overtrousers for the very worst weather. I reckon
only about 5% - 10% of my walks result in the need for overtrousers, and
I'm not exactly a fair-weather walker.

Another vote for Terra Zip-offs. Not waterproof, but they are
shower-proof, and will dry within 5 minutes when it eventually stops
raining! I have a pair of Lowe Alpine Rush waterproofs for if it gets
really wet, but virtually never wear them unless the rain is heavy and
sustained.

S.

--
Oppose ID cards and the database state - sign the pledge at
http://www.pledgebank.com/refuse

Simon Caldwell said:

On Mon, 10 Oct 2005 22:00:12 GMT, druidh <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

kjp said:

In general, you'll find waterproof trousers a bit too warm (esp at lower
levels.) You could try something like Montane Terra's, which are
available in a zip-off version. These are pretty water-resistant and
will put up with a shower or two. Then you'd have to buy a pair of
Goretex (Paclite?) overtrousers for the very worst weather. I reckon
only about 5% - 10% of my walks result in the need for overtrousers, and
I'm not exactly a fair-weather walker.

Another vote for Terra Zip-offs.

And another. I love mine, and they're sometimes available half price
online.

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \

"kjp" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi,

1st time poster, pretty much new walker as well, hiking Kilimanjaro in
new year so startingto do some training walks. I need to buy some
trousers in which I can do walks. I like the ones that also zip off to
form shorts. I also would like them to be water proof. Can you get zip
offs in a material like gortex ? What would you advise I purchase ?

My only reservation about zip-offs(and this comes from owning some) is that
they often restrict the width of the leg at the point the zip is sewn in and
occasionally on steep ascents, I find the blood almost cut-off to my legs as
they tighten. Other than that they seem to be ok, except for the faff of
getting the leg bit on and off. I am waiting for the person that invents
ones with zips down the length or strong velcro down the length so the
trouser bit removes easily when you have boots on.

I use Millets Peter Storm walking trousers mainly because they are
comfortable and extremely quick-drying. I like the trousers that have
something built-in so they have a bit more give, are more comfortbale and
aren't so rustly as opposed to your bog-satndard polycotton or rohan
trousers. I would imagine the Paramo ones are like the former (but probably
cost a small fortune and claim to be able to withstand force 10 hurricanes
on their own ;-)).

As others have said, try lots on and get something you feel comfortable in.
All the extras are just that.

Rob

Rob Devereux said:

aren't so rustly as opposed to your bog-standard polycotton or rohan
trousers.

Hmmmm. I wear Rohan polycotton to trousers as my daily work wear. They
don't rustle. I wear Rohan polyamide trousers for my daily slumming
around wear, and they don't rustle either. I also have some of their
old stretchy breeches and salopettes and... no rustling! So I'm not
sure where your rustling nightmares come from.

Having said that, though I own and use several pairs of Bags I wouldn't
dream of using them for walking trousers. Alternatives give more
freedom of movement and work better in the wet, as well as being
cheaper. I have no need of 6 trouser pockets when I'm walking.

Quoted message said:

I would imagine the Paramo ones are like the former (but probably
cost a small fortune and claim to be able to withstand force 10 hurricanes
on their own ;-)).

Though Paramo stuff is pretty much windproof, users seem to notice that
they're noticeably cooler in a serious blow than a laminate of coating
waterproof with a hydrostatic head. As is also the case with a pertex
windtop compared to a Goretex jacket. Not necessarily enough to be a
problem, but the force of 10 hurricanes would be a pretty sore test...

Quoted message said:

As others have said, try lots on and get something you feel comfortable in.
All the extras are just that.

They're often worse. Less really can be more, if you have half a dozen
pockets then your trousers are heavier and will dry out slower, for no
real tangible gain.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/