Which waterproof trousers should you choose for hiking?
In prolonged rain, water-repellent hiking trousers eventually soak through at the thighs, where water runs off your jacket. First decide whether you need to wear your waterproof trousers all day or keep them in your pack. For hours of walking in the rain, choose trousers with a membrane, such as the HOGGAR : heat-sealed seams, articulated knees, three pockets with waterproof zips, including a large thigh pocket, and reinforcements against ski edges and crampons.
If rain is only forecast, keep wearing your hiking trousers and put overtrousers at the bottom of your pack. The TORRENT pulls on over them without removing your shoes, thanks to two full-length zips. Folded away, it fits in a pocket. In the same size, it weighs 60 to 90 g less than the HOGGAR.
Waterproofing and breathability: Cimashell or Ultrashell membrane
The trousers in this selection use two types of membrane. The Cimashell membrane in the HOGGAR and cycling models withstands a 10,000 mm water column and allows 10,000 g of water vapour per m² to pass through in 24 hours. The Ultrashell membrane doubles the waterproof rating to 20,000 mm and delivers eight times the breathability : choose it when you’re climbing quickly in the rain or moving through wind-exposed terrain.
Compare these key features:
- Waterproof rating: 10,000 or 20,000 mm (Schmerber).
- Breathability: 10,000 or 80,000 g/m²/24 h.
- Wind protection: 40 to 60 km/h with Cimashell, 60 to 90 km/h with Ultrashell.
- Putting them on: side or full-length zips mean you can keep your shoes on.
- Weight: around 300 g for mountain overtrousers, nearly 500 g or more for mountaineering.
Waterproof trousers for mountaineering and ski touring
In a couloir, trousers rub against rock, and a crampon lug can snag the fabric. Snow can also get into your boots. The GUIDE PRO PANT is worn as your main layer, with an Ultrashell membrane: its rip-stop fabric resists tearing, and its integrated gaiters keep snow out. Its pockets remain accessible when you’re wearing a harness.
The ADVANCED PANT has a bib design. Its braces replace a waistband that would press beneath a harness, while side zips let you ventilate without taking it off during ski touring climbs. Both models have a RECCO reflector that rescuers can detect in an avalanche; it complements, but does not replace, an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe.
Rain overtrousers for trail running and cycling
On the trail, the overtrousers stay at the bottom of your pack until the first storm. The STORM PRO PANT weighs around 300 g and packs into its own zipped pocket ; its zipped leg openings fit over trail shoes. Wear it on its own or over thermal tights in winter. For the UTMB, our guide to the mandatory waterproof clothing sets out what the rules require for your lower body.
For cycling, the men’s LACANAU and women’s PILAT pull on over trousers or shorts using their zipped side openings, even when you’re wearing cycling shoes. Calf adjusters keep the fabric clear of the chain. Reflective strips make you visible at night.
Women’s waterproof trousers: HOGGAR, TORRENT, GUIDE PRO and PILAT
The same models are available in a women’s fit, weighed here in size S: the HOGGAR 3 F (400 g) for walking all day in the rain, the TORRENT F overtrousers (310 g), which you can pull on without removing your shoes and which block winds of 60 to 90 km/h, the high-waisted GUIDE PRO PANT F (535 g) for mountaineering, the ADVANCED PANT F bib trousers (485 g) for ski touring, and the PILAT 3 F as rain trousers for cycling. If you’re under 1.62 m tall, choose the HOGGAR COURT 3 F (384 g): its legs are shortened by 6 cm during manufacture, preserving the waterproof seams.
In the women’s fit, the HOGGAR, TORRENT and GUIDE PRO PANT run slightly large: if you’re between sizes, choose the smaller size. The ADVANCED PANT runs slightly small: choose the larger size. For your upper body, see our waterproof jackets ; you can also browse the women’s fit in its dedicated collection.
Men’s waterproof trousers: model weights and leg lengths
In the men’s fit, weighed in size M, the HOGGAR 3 H weighs 424 g. Its COURT version weighs 410 g and has legs shortened by 6 cm for men under 1.72 m. The TORRENT H weighs 360 g, the STORM PRO PANT 300 g, the GUIDE PRO PANT H 630 g and the ADVANCED PANT H bib trousers 565 g; the LACANAU 3 H is designed for cycling. The STORM PRO PANT runs slightly large: if you’re between sizes, choose the smaller size. You can also browse the men’s fit in its dedicated collection.
