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The Wrong Trousers.. hiking

-alan-

-alan-

pfm Member
I have to get some kit for a forthcoming 2-3 day ramble in the Atlas Mountains at the end of March. The guide chap says he doesn't think there'll be snow, but can't completely rule out the possibility either.

My entire outdoor wardrobe at the moment consists of a pair of lightish walking boots, a borrowed ski-jacket, and a couple of snoods. I've been reliably informed that jeans won't cut it. The outdoor shops round here carry loads of '50%' off trousers on an almost year-round basis - but the trousers seem to come in one of two types: ones golfers would wear when its raining, and lightweight polyester ones with more zips than the entire Siouxsie and the Banshees lineup might have sported back in the day.

The former look like they'd make you sweat like a dog in anything above freezing, and the latter look like you run the risk of flirting with frostbite in anything cooler than a mild Summer's day.

Can anybody give me a steer on what kind of trousers one should wear on these kind of outings ?
 
-alan- said:
a borrowed ski-jacket
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are you walking or skiing? What is your budget? what base layers have you got? what mid layers have you got? Which "outdoor" shops have you tried? given the range "golfer to light weight" it seems not the right ones.
 
gintonic said:
are you walking or skiing? What is your budget? what base layers have you got? what mid layers have you got? Which "outdoor" shops have you tried? given the range "golfer to light weight" it seems not the right ones.
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Just walking. Base and mid layers ? - c'mon man, I had to borrow the jacket :)

The shop was one that said 'Outdoor' in the local shopping centre - afraid that's as technical as the procurement process got. I don't mind spending a few bob if I can get the use out of the things for general wear in the great outdoors when I get back home though.
 
If it's mixed temperatures then definitely going with layers works great, and using something like the Ronhill Tracksters as base layers works fine.

For more generally low temperatures then I've been using softshell trousers (£30 ones from Amazon that have been good) but they'd be too hot in warmer temperatures.
 
Ron Hills are good, as said they can be coubled up as necessary. I have done this for years. More often these days I favour some of the polyester/polycotton type cargo pants type things. With long johns if cold. The Atlas are OK in March, it will be cold high up but you will not get wet through the way you do in Scotland, sop the polycotton jobs are great.

You need something that will be cool in the valley, even in spring it's warm enough in Imlil, which is your base village for Toubcal area and surrounding mountaions.
 
I wear Berghaus waterproof trousers every single day walking the dog in all weathers.

They're about £30 on ebay or £50 in an outdoor wear shop, absolutely brilliant trousers, light, windproof and water proof.

I wear a shorts under them, yes even in sub zero conditions and howling gales and stormy weather.

Some specialist waterproof trousers are in the £400 price range but those will save your life if you're up a mountain in winter.
 
The better the waterproof the trousers, the more sweaty the legs in my experience. These are excellent, lightweight, comfortable, water resistant, bloody great big pockets, and cheap.

Some thermals underneath if it’s cold, some over trousers on top if it’s chucking it down.
 
Under Armour heat gear base layer should be sufficient that time of year.

If you think it is going to be very cold then Under Armour cold gear.

waterproof trousers or a mid layer with some waterproof over trousers.

IMO your borrowed ski jacket could be too bulky and too hot.
 
gintonic said:
IMO your borrowed ski jacket could be too bulky and too hot.
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He will want it if he wants to get an early start for the high peaks. Leaving at 4 or 5 am is normal so that you get on the snow before it melts in the heat of the day. This isn't generally necessary on the straightforward peaks in the Atlas, but it's worthwhile sometimes.
 
gintonic said:
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IMO your borrowed ski jacket could be too bulky and too hot.
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Yes. Definitely go with lots of layers rather than anything thick. Snoods are great, they take up little room so take several as you can wear one round your neck and one on your head.

Might be a good time to invest in some decent boots, old ones might not be able to stay waterproof over a few days anymore. Berghaus are worth the extra, comfortable and *actually* waterproof https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/1226377/berghaus-men-s-expeditor-ridge-2-0-walking-boots-1226377
 
Craghoppers sale finishes tonight. Ideal if they have your size left in what you need.

Atlas mountains, end of March, should be perfect walking weather - ten to twenty C daytime temp. You should not need anything mega-special.

I find thermal base layers too warm at those temp's, so a good quality T-shirt under a thick shirt, under a fleece, under a lightish-weight water-proof. Winter rated trousers with some water-proofs (also very warm if it is windy), in the rucksack. I have walked very comfortably all day in the UK below freezing, over snow and ice in that, with the jacket open as I was warm.

Good quality boots that have been broken-in before the trip.

Good quality socks (including a spare (dry) pair in the rucksack, in a plastic bag). I prefer very light liner socks too. Maybe a light scarf, and a hat with a wide brim.

Agreed, ski jacket likely too warm.

On this sort of kit it pays to think a long way ahead - 50-60% off deals are common - my Kiwi Goretex 3-in-1 jacket was £85 and my Scarpa boots were around a tenner less in the past very few years. I recently bought a waterproof 3-in-1 for about £24 reduced from over £50.

But then you are only there walking for 2-3 days, so serviceable but cheap should suffice, unless you specifically want it to last.

https://www.craghoppers.com/mens/
 
I switched to Marmot Highland hiking trousers a few year back and have not looked back. Semi water proof, i also spray them with proofer. Have pair of light over trousers when it rains.

I am keen hiker and did the 3 peaks, 120mile Lycian Way, plus loads Dartmoor and Exmoor medium hikes, without problems. A pair of shorts in yer pack, 3 layers and a shell layer, plus 3 pairs decent merino hiking socks, boots you know - and you are good to go.

Ditch ski jacket.

Plenty cheap gear at Go Outdoors, Mountain Whorehouse, and amazon,
 
Don't wear cotton base layers, they get wet and sweaty. I favour nylon/polyester running shorts (yes really) as underwear for this reason. Cotton stinks after a couple of sweaty days. Above your base layer, wear what you like.
 
If you’ve got a branch of Millets nearby they might have a closing-down sale on and bargains may be had (but if you go beware the man with the mullet going mad with the mallet). I think they are now part of the GoOutdoors group and stores are being emptied to be refurbed.
 
stevec67 said:
Don't wear cotton base layers, they get wet and sweaty. I favour nylon/polyester running shorts (yes really) as underwear for this reason. Cotton stinks after a couple of sweaty days. Above your base layer, wear what you like.
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Totally agree about base layers, cotton is to be avoided unless being used for apres-hike in the evening. Merino wool is good and doesn't have to be expensive.
 
Denim is a definite no-no, if it gets wet it takes ages to dry. Man made fabrics dry quickly and allow the sweat to evaporate.

Rohan range is worth looking at. Their Dry Requisite trousers might be an option. While I have several pairs of Rohan trousers I have not tried those. Worth visiting a shop as many assistants have experience of wearing the products they sell. Rohan staff have good experience, the like of Millets and Mountain Warehouse, probably less.
 
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