The hiking gear and adventures thread...

The hiking gear and adventures thread...

Author
Discussion

ATG

20,691 posts

273 months

Thursday 28th December 2023
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I find gloves are never really waterproof. If I'm in properly crap conditions (looks out window) I put a pair of goretex shell mittens over the gloves.

TheThing

939 posts

135 months

Tuesday 2nd January
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I'm looking at hiking some of the peaks in the UK this year and am in need of some hiking trousers.

During normal hikes I'm either in shorts or in the colder months in an old pair of jeans.

I'm after something suitable for hiking/scrambling but not to over the top as I don't want to look like action man. I don't want anything baggy either as it will drive me mad. So far The North Face Speedlight pants have caught my eye as have Berghause Navigator 2.0 trousers. Does anyone else have any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

craig1912

3,337 posts

113 months

Tuesday 2nd January
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Montane Terra Pants

ben5575

6,319 posts

222 months

Tuesday 2nd January
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Despite saying that I would be sensible in an previous post, I bought a pair of Montane Terra XT at the weekend (rolleyes).

A bit more technical than the straight forward Terra, so may be a little too action man for you but they worked very well on the Cleveland 4 peaks I slipped over on did today.

As above, the non XT Terra seem to be the default option (c.£75). They are also vented which is a must have for me.

LordHaveMurci

12,047 posts

170 months

Tuesday 2nd January
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craig1912 said:
Montane Terra Pants
I’ve replaced mine with Mountain Equipment Ibex pants, impressed with them.

Terras are great trousers though.

craig1912

3,337 posts

113 months

Tuesday 2nd January
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LordHaveMurci said:
I’ve replaced mine with Mountain Equipment Ibex pants, impressed with them.

Terras are great trousers though.
I have also got a pair of Montane Tenacity pants for Xmas which are also excellent and good for this time of year being slightly thicker, a bit more water resistant etc.

TheThing

939 posts

135 months

Wednesday 3rd January
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Thank you all for the suggestions. I've looked at them and although skinny fit trousers aren't my thing the ones suggested look really baggy. Do you find that this is the case?

Has anyone got any experience with trousers from decathlon? I have one local to me. Thanks again.

craig1912

3,337 posts

113 months

Wednesday 3rd January
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TheThing said:
Thank you all for the suggestions. I've looked at them and although skinny fit trousers aren't my thing the ones suggested look really baggy. Do you find that this is the case?

Has anyone got any experience with trousers from decathlon? I have one local to me. Thanks again.
Skinny fit aren’t my thing and neither is baggy. I find both the Montane pants just right.

Bill

52,952 posts

256 months

Wednesday 3rd January
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Not had walking trousers from Decathlon but I've been very impressed with everything I've bought from them, especially their soft shell jackets.


MonkeyBusiness

3,950 posts

188 months

Wednesday 3rd January
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Bill said:
Not had walking trousers from Decathlon but I've been very impressed with everything I've bought from them, especially their soft shell jackets.
I have some walking trousers from Decathlon and they are excellent. I want to say they are the MT900 but I have a different colour (green/black).

Craghoppers Kiwi always get good reviews and seem great value. No experience of them.

Slowboathome

3,543 posts

45 months

Wednesday 3rd January
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MonkeyBusiness said:
I have some walking trousers from Decathlon and they are excellent. I want to say they are the MT900 but I have a different colour (green/black).

Craghoppers Kiwi always get good reviews and seem great value. No experience of them.
I've had a pair of Decathlon walking trousers for years and they've been excellent. Good fit - not too baggy but not drainpipes either. Might be these ones:

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/men-s-water-repellen...

W99KSY

355 posts

139 months

Wednesday 3rd January
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Depending on how much you want to spend, I’ve used Millet Trilogy icon xcs pants in both summer and winter - might be a bit overkill for the UK but they should last, especially with the reinforced leg cuff.

Fit is good, not too skinny, not too baggy

Alternatively, I find Salewa do very good kit (I have a few of their trousers but none that match your requirements)

sparkythecat

7,910 posts

256 months

Wednesday 3rd January
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craig1912 said:
TheThing said:
Thank you all for the suggestions. I've looked at them and although skinny fit trousers aren't my thing the ones suggested look really baggy. Do you find that this is the case?

Has anyone got any experience with trousers from decathlon? I have one local to me. Thanks again.
Skinny fit aren’t my thing and neither is baggy. I find both the Montane pants just right.
Another vote for the Montane pants here.
I found the Craghopper Kiwis a bit too full and flappy in the wind.

ConnectionError

1,820 posts

70 months

Wednesday 3rd January
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I have Fjallraven Vidda pro trousers


excellent


Faust66

Original Poster:

2,046 posts

166 months

Wednesday 3rd January
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Got a couple of pairs of the Craghoppers Kiwi: excellent light weight trousers for the summer but wouldn't wear them for winter walks (Fjallraven all the way for spring, autumn and winter... and quite a lot of the summer unless it's 25c + hehe).

Also got a pair of the Kiwi fleece lined version - great for sitting outside when it's cold.

If you're tall there is an issue with the Craghoppers though... their long leg length is only 33 inches (I'm just over a 34 inch inside leg) so they do look a bit odd perched on top of your boots. Not the end of the world, but I thought it was worth a mention.

Edited by Faust66 on Wednesday 3rd January 14:56

Simbu

1,796 posts

175 months

Wednesday 3rd January
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Having stumbled on this thread I thought I'd share our plans for 2024.

Me and a few mates are planning a Three Peaks weekend Friday - Monday in June:

Friday: Drive to Fort William (from Bristol!).
Saturday: Climb Ben Nevis, then drive to Wasdale Head.
Sunday: Climb Scafell Pike, then drive to Snowdonia.
Monday: Climb Snowdon & return.
Tuesday: Sleep.

It seems like the more enjoyable and sustainable approach to the Three Peaks.

We're looking forward to it! It's an excuse to get a bit fitter, and we are getting practice hikes & climbs in, such as Sugar Loaf, Pen y Fan and bimbling around the Mendips.

It's also an excuse to hire a waft-tastic saloon and make the most of 'unlimited mileage' biglaugh

Bill

52,952 posts

256 months

Wednesday 3rd January
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More sensible than trying to do it in 24 hours. A friend of mine fell asleep at the wheel after Scafell Pike and totalled his car. Thankfully no one else was involved and he and his passengers were all ok.

Faust66

Original Poster:

2,046 posts

166 months

Wednesday 3rd January
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Sounds like an epic trip Simbu - best of luck to you.

Agree with Bill: trying to do the 3 Peaks in 24 hours sounds like a bit too much (I must be getting old).

I'm toying with the idea of doing the Pennine Way this year... always been on my list but after my disappointment on the South west Coast Path a couple of years back (bloody knees), I feel ready for another multi-day trip.

Already got all the kit, got loads of leave banked at work, I spend a fair bit off time walking in the Peaks as it is, so why not go for it? Best of all, I won't get lost (as is traditional) on day 1 as I know the area around Kinder Scout > Crowden pretty well.

Simbu

1,796 posts

175 months

Wednesday 3rd January
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Oh we're definitely convincing ourselves it's about making the trip safer and more enjoyable; nothing to do with us all not being up to it in 24 hours! biglaugh I don't think I'd even attempt it without a driver, and that's asking a lot of someone.

Thanks both, I'll be reading back for some gear recommendations, especially some decent clothing. I've already got a fantastic pair of Meindl boots that are nicely worn in and a camelbak, head torch, raincoat. I also have a couple of excellent Osprey backpacks.

It's been a long time since I've had to do any orienteering as such, but my expectation is that for the trip it won't be necessary, given the popularity of the routes.

Jim on the hill

5,072 posts

191 months

Wednesday 3rd January
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Simbu said:
Oh we're definitely convincing ourselves it's about making the trip safer and more enjoyable; nothing to do with us all not being up to it in 24 hours! biglaugh I don't think I'd even attempt it without a driver, and that's asking a lot of someone.

Thanks both, I'll be reading back for some gear recommendations, especially some decent clothing. I've already got a fantastic pair of Meindl boots that are nicely worn in and a camelbak, head torch, raincoat. I also have a couple of excellent Osprey backpacks.

It's been a long time since I've had to do any orienteering as such, but my expectation is that for the trip it won't be necessary, given the popularity of the routes.
I've done the 24 hour challenge a couple of times and also all of them separately. What you are planning is a great idea and you should be able to enjoy them all a bit more especially if it's your first time and will make route finding less stressful. Ben Nevis you can't really get lost same as Snowdon, Scafell Pike if you are doing the usual challenge route up there are a couple of different ways. 100% recommend some food in the Wasdale Head pub after.

Look forward to the pics, in terms of gear I'd definitely be having a look at some Decathlon stuff. It's really good gear and very affordable.