Jim Ford said:Last Autumn Rohan had a sale of their Uplander trousers at half price, so a
bought a couple of pairs for casual use. When out in the hills, I like Ron
Hill Tracksters because they're pretty windproof, light and even when soaked
through, still feel warm and quickly dry. I'm tempted to use the Uplanders
in the hills, but am concerned that when wet, they'll feel cold and wet and
take a long time to dry. Does anyone on this forum use Uplanders, and what's
their opinion of them in serious backpacking?
If you bought them last year then probably the older version. They're a
lot tougher and more windproof than Tracksters and a bit warmer too, at
least when dry. They don't dry as fast as Tracksters, but OTOH very few
things do, and the Uplanders aren't obviously any worse in that respect
than any of the other "trekking trousers" flooding the market, certainly
better than polycotton ones. Freedom of movement is from a combination
of baggy fit and articulated knees and is very good for a non-stretch
product (I did a yoga class in mine, and even though I'm not exactly a
contortionist I was never restricted by them), but at the expense of
needing a lot more cloth which will catch the wind and weighs more than
something close and stretchy, so again the case that inferior to
Tracksters there but no worse than most things people are wearing,
probably a fair bit better for freedom of movement than A.N. Other
Trekking Trouser.
I bought a bargain pair like you, but they don't get used because I just
came to the conclusion I prefer stretch legwear for a serious walk. If
you want something warmer than Tracksters then look at the heavier
models, fleece tights, or something in a fabric like Schoeller Dryskin.
I think there's a fair chance you'd prefer this route if you're a
Trackster fan like me. The fashion for baggier trousers as often seen
in the hills is in at least some part caused by people being self
conscious about skin tight stretchy legwear, but if you're not then I
find it generally outperforms the baggy stuff if you've selected the
right fabric and cut. The only reason I can see for wearing baggier
stuff is if you want it waterproof.
Rohan have now released a new Uplander though I don't think I'll bother
because it's not stretchy. Rather annoyingly they've now released a
stretch walking trouser but only in a ladies' cut, and a cut for a lady
that is apparently a very different shape from Roos :-(
Executive Summary: they're pretty good for a tough pair of walking
trousers if you prefer baggy to close and stretchy. Aside from Paramo
I've never seen a baggy cut pair of walking trousers that's much fun in
the wet.
Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/
