Friday 23 October 2015

Berghaus Deluge Waterproof Pants / Trousers / Overtrousers - Review

There are a number of pairs of waterproof trousers out there on the market, each with their own unique amount of features and purposes in mind.

There are other options that we'll consider below but if you're looking for a pair of solid waterproof over trousers then the Berghaus Deluge must be right up there...

Absolutely battered by wind on Place Fell - helped by the Berghaus Deluges


The picture shows myself and a mate on top of Place Fell in Feb 2015 on a day of very high winds and a fair amount of blustery rain. The Deluge pants coped admirably - as they did on a long walk for charity across Dartmoor in 2011 and everything in between!

So what makes the Deluge good value?


First up they're very hard-wearing - although this does mean they're heavier than I'd ideally like (390g). I would be confident of dragging these through any terrain! In comparison (for example), the Montane Minimus are 150g, although at £80-90, twice the cost of the Deluges.

Alternatives (Dec 2017)... Craghoppers do the 'all in one' Kiwi Waterproof trousers at £70 - 365g with Aqua Dry or a 'Gore Tex' pair (likely Paclite but not specified) but Paclite is not at all hard-wearing. Rab do an amazing pair of eVent ones at 320g but these cost a lot (£120 odd) but include extra knee protection. Montane do the Minimus ones which are amazingly lightweight (these would be nice in the pack sometimes!) or the Spine pants at 291g (again a bit pricey at £120+ but with Gore Tex Active). Mountain Equipment do the slightly lighter Firefox pant at 259g (again over £100 and Gore Tex Active) The obvious problem with light(er)weight overtrousers can be durability, something the Deluge ones are very unlikely to suffer from.

Secondly, they have almost full-length two-way zips (and poppers) on the outside of the leg which extends right to the bottom of the trousers and almost up to the waist. The bottom of the leg 'popper' isn't always found on other waterproof pants. This means they're very easy to get on... don't under-estimate the usefulness of this when the rain or snow suddenly comes down.

Thirdly this also means that venting is possible due to the zip / popper combination. The two-way zip is great for this - you can unzip and use the poppers to vent if the rain isn't too heavy. It's worth noting that the other higher end waterproof pants mentioned before also have 2 way zips.

Fourthly, these act as a great second layer in winter to keep the legs warm! I would much rather use waterproof trousers than baselayer leggings in any weather except very cold temps - much easier to regulate temperature - i.e. much easier to take them on and off. Obviously when very cold, you'd use waterproofs and leggings - possibly unless wearing something like Paramo.

The downside


The main downside of these is first of all their heavy-weight but more importantly, they're not very breathable. They're definitely less breathable than eVent and Neoshell which means you may not always put them on when it's warm and you may get a bit sweaty!

The other thing I've found is that they are really not at all fitted. In a hoolie on Dartmoor, I looked like the Michelin man and wondered if I'd take off. My friend wearing her Montane Spine waterproofs didn't have the same problem as they are more fitted (yet probably less durable). So, you pay your money and you make your choice according to features needed and cost.

Final thought


For the features and the price, the Berghaus Deluges are very hard to beat! Nothing else touches their features at their price. Paying more will give you more fitted, more breathable and towards the higher end, more durability and winter-specific features like crampon protection, snow gaiters etc.

Outdoors Trousers / Pants Review - Craghoppers Kiwi Pro Stretch, Montane Terra Pants, Bear Grylls Survivor Pants, Crahoppers Kiwi Classic

Outdoors Trousers Review - Craghoppers Kiwi Pro Stretch, Montane Terra Pants, Bear Grylls Survivor Pants, Crahoppers Kiwi Classic.

I've reviewed the Pro Stretch and the Bear Grylls in more detail on the site but this is a comparison type review!

I've worn all of these pants over the past 7 years and in all kinds of places and conditions. This is a mini review of each of these trousers to hopefully help you!

For the record I'm about 5'11", a 29-30 waist and an average / athletic build. I've got slightly short legs for my height.


Craghoppers Kiwi Trousers (Classic version)

On the shores of Buttermere


These are the original Kiwi trousers and I had these in grey, 30 waist and regular leg length. These are also available with zip off legs so they can become shorts. These come with a decent belt.

These are the baggiest and most 'heavyweight' feeling trousers out of all the ones I've had. They are very resilient and useful in all kinds of situations - outdoors and work. My friend took a pair with him when working in Belize and he swears by them.

However, they don't have any stretch and aren't the most manoeuvrable trousers I've ever worn! In fact my decision to retire them was because they just don't give any articulated movement. As a part-time mountain goat this doesn't help and you can forget scrambling well in them! They do dry out fairly well.

Highly recommended for basic walking and when you need a tough pair of trousers. Not recommended for scrambling, climbing and where you need lots of flex and movement.

They hold a map very well with the pocket perfectly sized.

Craghoppers Kiwi Pro Stretch

In the snow... in May


I've got these in black, 30 waist and regular length leg. These come without a belt.

The trousers are the best balance of great value general walking / scrambling pants. They are very stretchy, especially having come from a pair of the old Kiwi trousers.

They give plenty of freedom of movement. Despite being a 29-30 waist, I find the Pro Stretch very slightly tight around the waist - but it also gives a huge amount of stretch as well. I did have to re-sew the button (double stitches!) and that's been fine. They dry quickly too.

The downside is that they don't give any extra protection in the vulnerable areas like the bottom of the inside of the leg or on the knees / around the backside. For this reason I don't use them when scrambling unless it's basic grade 1 stuff or climbing.

These don't hold a map brilliantly as the trouser pocket is a bit loose and not quite deep enough. I wouldn't keep my map in these over very rough terrain or in very windy weather.


Bear Grylls Survivor Pants

The Bear Grylls pants... having survived part one of Lord's Rake


Got these in the grey / black size. Having read reviews, I went for these in the 32 waist and short legs (I got them cheap on ebay too...) The 32 waist is about right but it does mean I need the included belt to keep them up. I could have bought the 30 waist. Legs are a little short for me.

These are pretty hard-wearing and my automatic go-to trousers when I'm dragging them across rock etc. They do have a couple of flappy pockets on the legs which isn't ideal fro scrambling but they're pretty hard wearing (polyamide) and have slight reinforcement material in all the key areas - these areas are all stretch as well which is a nice touch.

Up towards Blencathra


The two side pockets are useless for holding a map in many ways - again, not quite deep enough and too loose and without the ability to keep them 'shut' with the map in.

These are a bit noisy when you walk in them - the Craghoppers Pro Stretch pants are silent. So just be aware of that as well.


Montane Terra Pants

I bought these in the graphite colour in size small - which equates to 28-30 waist.

These are the most expensive pair of trousers out of the four reviewed and it shows. There are touches in the Terras that aren't found on the other trousers.

The feel of these is very nice and they are incredibly lightweight in feel and touch. Don't be deceived by this - the tactel fabric with teflon surface is very hard-wearing indeed. They have vents at the top outside of the leg and a zip at the bottom of the pants as well. The knees are pre-bent, there are two deep pockets and there's reinforcement exactly where needed.

One thing I did find is that the elastic on the trousers is incredibly tight. I think I would only need the included belt if I were wearing an XL... The small is a great fit for me but so tight on the waist - there really needs to be more give. Even when I tried on a medium they were still really tight on the waist, except too baggy elsewhere. I have read a couple of reviewers saying this same thing.  The amazing thing is that I think my small Montanes stretch nearly 10cm beyond my waist, it's just the elastic is too rigorous.

Conclusion


So, you pay your money and take your choice. These are only a few of the many trousers available so get out there and find the pair that's right for you!

Saturday 3 October 2015

Rab MeCo 120 Long Sleeve Baselayer Review


Rab MeCo 120 is another good baselayer, this time from Rab. I've used this out in the hills, wearing around the place and even for sleeping in winter.

This is what Rab says: 

The MeCo 120 Long sleeve is a light weight long sleeved base layer made from a blend of Merino wool and Polyester with Cocona technology.  

The top is pretty good in terms of keeping away nasty miffs from under the armpits! This is one huge advantage of merino over some other materials like polyester, especially if the polyester is untreated! It may not quite be as a good as my Montane 100% merino in this way but the advantage is that the Rab MeCo is really nice to touch and wear - unlike 100% merino (generally anyway!)

The MeCo is fairly well fitting. I'm wearing a Medium size here and the MeCo sits pretty well on my average sized frame!

Modeled with baggy jeans on!

The neck is fairly wide, so while this helps with breathability, it's not as great in terms of keeping the chill off. Not a deal breaker by any means!!



If you like tops with a good length, the MeCo is great again, with the top hanging down well below the waist but also hanging fairly loosely. If you're wanting a fitted top, the MeCo isn't for you but it's a great top and baselayer!


Like a lot of Rab products, the baselayer has slightly overly long sleeves, which you'll see below. My thumb hasn't been cut off, it's disappeared under the baselayer length!!



If you care about things like colour, it's a really nice blend of royal blue and a dark-teal-black contrast under the arms and down the sides of the top.

So overall, a baselayer is a baselayer yes, but this one looks pretty good and works well. There's a small amount of bobbling around the place and I'm thinking this won't be the most resilient baselayer in the world. But it does its job, it doesn't pong and is pretty good all year round - barring hot summer days!