Winter Trousers, are they worth it?

Tobias Greeshman

Just wondering what peoples opinions are on wearing Winter Trousers in the hills this Winter.

Do people tend to wear just a good winter base layer under the trousers (which is what I done last weekend), or go the full winter trousers route?

dogmatix

No - I wore the same trousers I use during the summer (Craghopper Kiwi's) While tramping around Derrybawn on sunday. I did use gaiters but that was the only concession to the cold and snow (I had a pair of waterproof overtrousers if I needed them which I didn't). I was quite comfortable.

That said it was a calm clear day - add in a wind chill and I might have been wishing for something heavier on my legs.

Alun

I have a pair of lined Craghopper Winter Kiwi trousers (http://www.jackson-sports.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=6254) that I wear in the winter months which keep me quite warm enough. If it gets windy then a pair of GoreTex waterproof trousers over the top helps a lot reduce the wind-chill factor. Needless to say given the two W's (Wicklow and Winter) I usually have my gaiters on as well.

Wouldn't bother. Think once you are waterproof and windproof, would actually prefer a few thin layers that can be thrown on or off quickly rather than some thicker material suitable for winter.

Sagittarius

Alun wrote: »

I have a pair of lined Craghopper Winter Kiwi trousers (http://www.jackson-sports.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=6254) that I wear in the winter months which keep me quite warm enough. If it gets windy then a pair of GoreTex waterproof trousers over the top helps a lot reduce the wind-chill factor. Needless to say given the two W's (Wicklow and Winter) I usually have my gaiters on as well.

I was thinking of ordering a pair of them Alun, someone told me they are not very comfortable though! Is that true? And would they be too warm to wear year round? ie in the summer!

Alun

Sagittarius wrote: »

I was thinking of ordering a pair of them Alun, someone told me they are not very comfortable though! Is that true? And would they be too warm to wear year round? ie in the summer!

They'd be too warm for the summer certainly. They have a thin fleece like lining to them, but otherwise are identical to the standard Kiwi's, so I don't understand the comment about comfort to be honest.

Sagittarius

Alun wrote: »

They'd be too warm for the summer certainly. They have a thin fleece like lining to them, but otherwise are identical to the standard Kiwi's, so I don't understand the comment about comfort to be honest.

Yeah me neither! As Iv tried on the normal ones in a shop and they were very comfortable, I think il order a pair! Thanks

will and away

I highly recommend walking in powerstretch thermals. They are unreal comfortable, warm but not too hot and especially useful to be wearing should you find yourself in bad weather. As long as you don't mind walking in tights!

They cost around €80 and are well worth it. I usually wear them and have my waterproof salopette trousers to put on if I need them.

The pants the lads describe are fine if your on the move constantly, but if you were to sprain an ankle or anything like that I'd want to wearing more appropriate winter clothing in the hills

Roen

I thought I was the only one that walked in the powerstretch thermals. Good to know there's at least one more person on the planet too. ^^

DeepSleeper

Glad to see I'm not alone on the Powerstretch tights front then...

will and away

All the cool people are using them!

Roen

You mean all the warm people

coalshed

I wear my Helly Hansen thermals below my regular Craghopper pantaloons. Gaiters optional. Haven't been cold yet, with most recent usage up Galtymore where it was bitterly cold and windy.

The HH termals are good value, by the way, from Cotswold Outdoors in the UK.

will and away

Yeah, Ha HA