Tell me what you think. I spent a lot of time writing this story, so if you enjoyed it, please consider giving it a share using one of the buttons below, and leave a comment or question at the bottom of this story. I’d really appreciate it. The Gore-Tex is laminated to an abrasion-resistant outer face textile, thereby providing durable and robust protection. The inner surface is coated with an abrasion-resistant treatment, which improves the garments durability and reliability. Gore-Tex has engineered this material to be used for hiking, trekking, and mountaineering. Shaped easy to use cuffs with adjustable hook and loop tabs for a close fit around wrists or gloves Fully adjustable climbing helmet compatible hood designed to fit comfortably with warm headwear and a helmet. Stiffened hood peak gives stability and wired edge allows adjustability

Both negate the use of an inner lining material, and both are light and waterproof, so we’ve taken a look at the real difference. Gore-Tex Paclite Here are some of the features you need to consider when buying new waterproof Gore-tex trousers: Fit

Fit

Articulated arms with engineered tailoring provides unrestricted freedom of movement and minimal hem lift when reaching

Here in the UK, we are pretty familiar with rain, and those of us who enjoy outdoor pursuits are even more so. The UK’s hiking and trekking hotspots are some of the wettest, with areas like Snowdonia, the Lake District, and the Yorkshire Dales and Moors all being renowned for regular downpours. In some areas of the Scottish Highlands, a holy land for all serious outdoor enthusiasts, there can be anywhere up to 3,000mm of rainfall a year. And the reason Polartec NeoShell products are so stretchy and also so quiet in comparison to the other waterproof fabrics? That, according to Cattanach, is down to Polartec just being selective about what fabrics are paired with their membrane. “We’re known for making things at the premium end of the market,” he says. “We want our breathable waterproof ranges to be as coveted as the rest of our luxurious, silky smooth, soft and silent product range. The membrane is special and expensive, it would be crazy to blur that out with cheap and nasty textiles. So applying decades of textile know-how to our product range allows them not only to have a little stretch but to also fit who Polartec are – different to the competition.”stitch count per inch on all seams versus a typical industry average of 8, creating a tight, clean and strong seam

But we don’t let this stop us, because all we have to be is prepared, and stowable waterproof trousers are an essential element of this readiness. A decent pair of waterproof trousers are a must, and those with the addition of Gore-Tex are considered the crème de la crème of such garments. These days the level of waterproof protection that a fabric provides tends to be measured in terms of its hydrostatic head and the higher this number is, the more waterproof it is. In this regard, Polartec with its 10,000mm rating, sits a fair bit below its main competitors, most of whom are in the 20,000s. Does that mean less reliability then? Would you be caught short in this stuff if you headed out into some stormy Scottish weather? Fortunately, as Cattanach explains, that wouldn’t be the case. Waterproof overtrousers are often baggy by necessity. Some manufacturers offer articulated knee joints, Velcro calf adjustment, ankle cuff press studs, waist drawstrings, and varying leg lengths to help combat waterproof trouser looseness. Waistband To Cattanach, NeoShell isn’t really about breathability. To him, there’s more to it than that. It’s about air flow.By its very nature, waterproofing material inhibits fabric breathability, and for this reason, condensation can form. As condensation creates discomfort, ventilation is included by some manufacturers to promote airflow. A trouser with long side zips and two or three zip pulls will allow extra ventilation at the calf, knee, or hip. These vents will need to be closed off during heavy rains. Scuff patch Thanks to Gore-Tex’s years of innovation and experience, its waterproofing materials and membranes have never been lighter, more durable, or more waterproof. To help you find the best solution, we’ve rounded up the best Gore-Tex waterproof trousers available. Over the years since its launch, NeoShell’s advantages have become “understood and adopted” by even the more high aerobic users according to Cattanach, to the extent that it’s now used in products in the road and mountain bike markets – where wearing a waterproof was previously unheard of. Breathability