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Amy Axworthy is a travel journalist and product reviewer. She was shortlisted for Best News Writer at the BSME Talent Awards in 2023 for uncovering consumer harm.
In this article
You don’t need to spend over the odds to find decent walking trousers and waterproof overtrousers for when you get stuck in a downpour.
We asked more than 1,000 Which? members to rate their walking trousers and waterproof overtrousers to uncover the best brands. The top scorers have secured our new Which? Recommended Brand endorsement for the first time.
The finest trousers for hiking are stretchy and breathable, preventing you from feeling clammy – essential if you’re out on a strenuous trek or the sun is shining. They're not usually fully rainproof, so it's advisable to have a pair of waterproof trousers in your bag in case of rain. The superior brands not only keep you dry and protected from the elements, but are also easy to pull on quickly over your walking trousers.
We've found options to suit any budget, including a brilliant brand of walking trousers that breaks the mould with its five-star waterproofing. It’s pricey, but you won’t have to additionally buy overtrousers to go on top. Read on to see which brands scored highly and where you can buy them.
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Why you can trust our reviews of walking trousers and waterproof overtrousers brands
Expert analysis
We don't evaluate brands based on our individual preferences. Instead, we asked the opinions of more than 1,000 real customers about their walking trousers and waterproof trousers, so you can buy with confidence.
Which? Recommended Brands
Our Which? Recommended Brands are the best of the best. They must meet strict criteria, including high customer ratings, uncompromising standards on product guarantees/warranties, and returns policies.
| 87% | £79 | |||||||||
| 86% | n/a | n/a | ||||||||
(47) | 82% | £45 | ||||||||
(45) | 82% | £92 | ||||||||
(286) | 77% | £45 | ||||||||
(41) | 76% | n/a | n/a | |||||||
(52) | 75% | £74 | ||||||||
(46) | 74% | £49 | ||||||||
(63) | 74% | £39 | ||||||||
(34) | 74% | n/a | n/a | |||||||
(35) | 73% | n/a | n/a | |||||||
(35) | 72% | n/a | n/a | n/a | - | |||||
(49) | 72% | £45 | ||||||||
(129) | 70% | £36 |
Survey conducted in May-July 2025 based on responses from 1,439 members of the Which? Connect panel who own 1,669 walking trousers bought in the past five years. ‘n/a’ means not enough data to provide information. Average price paid = mean price members said they paid. Customer score based on satisfaction and whether members would recommend.
The best walking trousers allow you to move freely without getting sweaty. They're traditionally not waterproof, meaning you'll additionally need a pair of overtrousers to keep you dry if the heavens open. That is, unless you splash out on a pricey 2-in-1 pair from Paramo, a trouser brand that perfectly balances waterproofing with breathability. If you decide to buy separates, the good news is that hiking legwear from M&S is great value for money, while overtrousers aren't expensive from well-rated brands like Craghoppers.
(31) | 79% | n/a | n/a | ||||||
| 79% | n/a | n/a | |||||||
| 78% | £78 | ||||||||
(206) | 77% | £63 | |||||||
| 77% | £47 | ||||||||
| 77% | n/a | n/a | |||||||
| 76% | n/a | n/a | |||||||
| 75% | n/a | n/a | |||||||
(36) | 74% | n/a | n/a | ||||||
(87) | 74% | £74 | |||||||
(31) | 73% | n/a | n/a | n/a | |||||
(31) | 73% | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
(120) | 73% | £36 | |||||||
(70) | 73% | £48 | |||||||
(60) | 72% | £75 | |||||||
| 71% | n/a | n/a | |||||||
(30) | 71% | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
(54) | 69% | n/a | |||||||
(166) | 69% | £37 | |||||||
(68) | 69% | £40 |
Survey conducted in May-July 2025 based on responses from 1,322 members of the Which? Connect panel who own 1,768 waterproof overtrousers bought in the past five years. ‘n/a’ means not enough data to provide information. Average price paid = mean price members said they paid. Customer score based on satisfaction and whether members would recommend.
Verdict Unbeatable for the price
Customer score 87%
Average price paid £79
Pros
Cons
Rohan's walking trousers tick all the boxes. Owners commended them for their comfort, durability, and how well they're made. The fabrics are breathable enough to let moisture out, and some styles unzip and transform into shorts for sunny days. One loyal customer raved: 'They cope with all weather conditions, from hot dry summer days to cold wet winter ones. They are also easy to clean and have the added benefit of drying quickly.'
These positives led to Rohan's table-topping customer score, likely helped by its reasonable prices. Customers paid an average of £79 a pair, but several owners in our survey got a bargain in the sales.
Shop at Blacks, at John Lewis, or direct from Rohan.
Verdict Comfortable trousers/overtrousers in one
Customer score 86%
Pros
Cons
Unlike most of the market, Paramo makes walking trousers that are fully waterproof; it scored five stars for this in our survey, a feat achieved by no other brand. It’s a pricey option, but justifiable given you don’t need two to invest in two sets of trousers. That’s why Paramo doesn’t feature in our overtrousers results table – it doesn’t manufacture them because it doesn’t need to. As one customer explained: '[They] keep me dry in wet conditions without overheating, and the fabric is durable yet flexible – ideal for long hikes in varied terrain.'
They fit the bill for a lot of customers; one liked the fit around the knees, and another praised the sensible pocket positioning.
Shop Paramo walking trousers directly, at Go Outdoors, Taunton Leisure, or The Mountaineer Shop.
Verdict Affordable and durable
Customer score 83%
Pros
Cons
Customers who bought M&S walking trousers were impressed. The trousers were praised for drying quickly, their quality materials, and for having a great level of robustness. One customer told us that they love the plentiful pockets, which are deep enough to keep their items secure.
Its prices are reasonable too; we found multiple styles for £30 to £40.
Buy a pair directly from M&S or in an M&S store.
Verdict Premium without too high a price
Customer score 79%
Pros
Cons
'They did the job perfectly, with no fuss,' is how one customer summed up their Helly Hansen overtrousers. It's a sentiment echoed by most. The brand's waterproof 'rain trousers' kept those we surveyed dry, comfortable and protected against the elements, even on wet hikes.
It had the highest customer score along with Arc'teryx, whose products cost nearly three times more. Helly Hansen's waterproof trousers start at £50 and are regularly on sale for less.
Available at Helly Hansen, Amazon, or OutdoorGB.
Verdict Premium without too high a price
Customer score 77%
Average price paid £47
Pros
Cons
Craghoppers' overtrousers received high marks in our survey for their weather resistance without compromising on fit or comfort. They're all-rounders, with one customer praising how 'they were reasonably priced, they keep out the water, and they fold up into a small pouch'. The brand has a broad range of styles that you shouldn't have trouble finding at major retailers.
Owners were also pleased with the fit and how the fabric 'seems tough and robust yet provides great flexibility'. It's this pliability that makes them easy to pull over walking trousers – not something all brands have yet mastered.
Browse lots of styles at Craghoppers, Cotswold Outdoor, or Go Outdoors.
Pros Very comfortable, highly water-resistant, top-notch fit and adjustability
Cons Some styles are quite pricey
Available at multiple retailers including Columbia, Alpine Trek, or Sports Direct.
Pros Durable and water-resistant, comfortable and breathable, great value for money
Cons Nothing major
Available at multiple retailers including Highlander or Lakeland Country.
While it may be tempting to wear gym leggings or jeans on hikes, walking trousers are better at keeping you protected from the elements, thorny woodland and insect bites. Plus they often have lots of useful pockets, and some even zip off at the knees to turn into shorts.
They're made with materials that wick away sweat while allowing good freedom of movement, which is useful when navigating uneven terrain and climbing hills. And while they aren't usually fully waterproof, hiking trousers should have decent water resistance and dry quickly if you get caught in the drizzle.
Find out more buying advice: how to buy a good pair of walking trousers.
You can see how waterproof a pair of overtrousers is by looking at their 'hydrostatic head' measurement. This is measured in millimetres and tells you how much water the fabric can stand before the water seeps through.
Waterproof overtrousers with a rating of up to 5,000mm will be the most lightweight and packable, but they won't cope with consistently rainy conditions. So if you're walking outside in the summer months, it's best to go for a pair with a 5,000mm rating or higher.
Find out more on how to pick the perfect pair, as well as how to take care of them, in how to buy the best waterproof overtrousers.