Waterproof trousers/over trousers?

broona · 27 Jan 2026 at 12:50

I wasn't quite sure where to put this, feel free to move it if I'm in the wrong place mods.

I do a lot of walking, with and without my dog, and my cheap Regatta over trousers are starting to show their age.

Can anyone recommend me either a pair of good, very breathable over trousers, or a pair of properly waterproof walking trousers please, preferably under £100? Thank you.

dave28 · 27 Jan 2026 at 12:58

army surplus gore-tex rip-stop are very cheap if you dont mind camo.

just spray them with nik-wax and hand clean.

inogen · 27 Jan 2026 at 13:00

I’ve tried and failed to ever find good overtrousers or breathable waterproof trousers. The best thing I’ve found to do is wear nylon cargo shorts and goretex gaiters. That’s totally breathable and my legs don’t really get wet or cold so long as I keep walking.

hornetstinger · 27 Jan 2026 at 13:00

Wax cotton trousers ok?

tom_e · 27 Jan 2026 at 13:11

dave28 said:
army surplus gore-tex rip-stop are very cheap if you dont mind camo.

just spray them with nik-wax and hand clean.

Second this, used to use a pair when I commuted on my motorbike. Very good considering you can pick them up for under £30 still got them now for when I go out walking.

Hagar · 27 Jan 2026 at 13:13

Berghaus overtrousers with full side opening and popper closures. They are a generous fit and length with an elasticated waist that shows no sign of slacking.

I use them for walking and cycling with no damp patches showing through.

Nabinium · 27 Jan 2026 at 13:20

IMO, just buy walking trousers made from quick drying fabrics. They're much more comfortable and breathable than waterproof trousers, and dry off pretty quickly once the rain has stopped or you're somewhere dry.

I can't remember who recommended these to me last year, perhaps @mid_gen, but I bought a pair of Mountain Equipment's Comici trousers. £90 on Mountain Equipment's website - https://www.mountain-equipment.com/products/comici-mens-pant. Quick-drying, water-resistant fabric. It's been excellent on my hikes, including some rainy days.

For a discount, Ultralight Outdoor Gear have a sale on them at the moment - https://ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/comici-pants/ - £58.49 if you use the code EXTRA10. They're running out of stock in various sizes though, so there's a chance you may not find your size in their shop.

broona · 27 Jan 2026 at 14:03

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated.

Funnily enough, I searched for goretex waterproof on eBay, and they were nearly all army/navy, the navy blue look decent.

Is wax cotton like a wax jacket? I assume it's not breathable, and I tend to run warm.

Some interesting options to look through, thanks again, I might try a cheap pair of army or navy surplus for now and see how I get on.

hornetstinger · 27 Jan 2026 at 14:04

broona said:
Thanks for the replies, much appreciated.

Funnily enough, I searched for goretex waterproof on eBay, and they were nearly all army/navy, the navy blue look decent.

Is wax cotton like a wax jacket? I assume it's not breathable, and I tend to run warm.

Dune interesting options to look through, thanks again, I might try a cheap pair of army or navy surplus for now and see how I get on.

yeah man but it's a dry heat.

SoliD · 27 Jan 2026 at 15:02

I got a pair of Dedito ones in a gundog closing down sale to use for dog walking and they've been great the last few weeks of this horrible weather.

Dup · 27 Jan 2026 at 15:04

As an ultra runner I carry the basic Mac in a Sac over trousers as part of my minimum kit. I rarely need them, I just suffer in shorts, but they were decent the couple times I used them.

Waterproof gear generally doesn't stay waterproof and needs cleaning and re-proofing eventually no matter its cost, so factor that in. Also pay attention to the waterproof rating. You want something over 10,000mm really.

Personally I would go with good breathable walking trousers and carry cheap overtrousers in case things get spicy. It depends if you're just out walking for an hour with the dog or out on an afternoons hike in the mountains really. Either way don't over-think it too much.

inogen · 27 Jan 2026 at 15:14

Dup said:
As an ultra runner I carry the basic Mac in a Sac over trousers as part of my minimum kit. I rarely need them, I just suffer in shorts, but they were decent the couple times I used them.

Waterproof gear generally doesn't stay waterproof and needs cleaning and re-proofing eventually no matter its cost, so factor that in. Also pay attention to the waterproof rating. You want something over 10,000mm really.

Personally I would go with good breathable walking trousers and carry cheap overtrousers in case things get spicy. It depends if you're just out walking for an hour with the dog or out on an afternoons hike in the mountains really. Either way don't over-think it too much.

Yup. This is why I stick to shorts and gaiters. If the weather is so bad that that's a bad combo I don't want to be outside. I have a couple of good pairs of quick dry walking trousers for days where I think it's gonna be dry enough for them but sod walking around in the wet trying to stay dry. I don't even bother with a waterproof coat. I have a Paramo cagoule and wear Buffalo systems jackets.

broona · 27 Jan 2026 at 15:18

Thanks again for the replies, definitely some food for thought.

I think I'm either going to get some ex navy kit from eBay (just because they're blue rather than camo), or a pair of Berghaus Pacsmart as they're currently about half price on the rain forest, or possibly both!