Excellent. TVM for all the advice. John
------------------------------------------------
"Peter Clinch" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:John Smith said:1. Decent pair of lightweight waterproof over trousers
2. Decent pair of walking trousers - Peter Storm Activity trousers have
been mentioned to me...they ok?...or are their better available?My general feeling on overtrousers is that I hate them. Adding extra
stuff means less freedom of movement to some extent and that godawful
rustling with every step. So my primary consideration is a pair that take
up very little space in my pack and don't weigh much, as I don't use them
much at all. To that end I use ME Drilite Plus ones with full zips (so I
can put them on wearing skis or crampons, if you don't need that you can
get away with the half zips that mean less weight and a little less bulk).
They're not terribly robust, but since I hardly ever use them that's a
moot point.Since I'll only deploy the waterproof trousers if it's Real Rain (TM), a
pair of trousers that don't wet out quickly and dry very fast is a Good
Thing. I find Ronhill Tracksters very good most of the time. Being light
and close fitting they dry out from body heat very fast, in light drizzle
about as fast as they get wet, so no need for overtrousers. Compared to
more typical walking trousers they're also lighter, less bulky and give
better freedom of movement. Main downside is some people find skintight
legwear makes them self conscious, and thus uncomfortable, but if you can
get past that I think they're generally better. They don't have pockets
(the thicker "Trek" version has a pair of hand pockets), but I don't think
that's bad: more pockets means slower to dry out, and anything in trouser
pockets will tend to impede freedom of movement a little, so I prefer to
keep pocket stuff above my waist.For colder weather I use fleece tights (similar overall properties, but
warmer, though a bit more expensive too), for more serious conditions
something in Schoeller Dryskin or Polartec Power Shield is stretchy, warm,
keeps out drizzle and is quite bombproof, but not cheap. I wouldn't
bother with that outside of winter conditions though.Quoted message said:3. Pair gaiters
Any will do, really. I usually only wear them these days in snow, another
advantage of closefitting stretchy trousers is they don't collect nearly
as much mud and water as baggy fitting ones.Quoted message said:4. Rucksack - medium size - must be waterproof to prevent repeat of
existing soggy mess.As others have said, very few packs are really waterproof. Some are: Vau
De and Ortlieb make genuinely waterproof ones, but even then, as has also
been said, if you put something inside that's wet then there goes your
waterproofing. Thus, some sort of liner is good. Binliners are common,
but IME tend to rip far too easily, so a rubble sack or something like
OD's rolltop liners (more expensive, not really necessary, but nicer!).
Some people use external raincovers to keep the pack dry. I perdonally
don't like them as they make getting at the contents a terrible faff, and
thewy're not really compatible with scrambling or carrying gear on the
outside of the pack, but some folk seem to rate them.If it's not windy, I very much like umbrellas. They keep you drier than
most other alternatives and don't spoil the view. I also like wide
brimmed hats rather than hoods if it isn't blowing a hoolie.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/