Berghaus Gore-Tex Paclite Overpant

I don't know about the rest of the world but in the U.K. the weather is just annoying. If you want to hike and travel light then you're probably going to suffer at some point. Most of my hikes have been in wet humid conditions, and this makes choosing outerwear difficult at times, however these pants have done a great deal to ease that burden.

They're fully waterproof if treated correctly (ie cleaned and treated with a reputable waxing agent.), they're light and extremely packable, they are easy to put on and take off without removing your boots due to the near full length zippers on each leg, and the press stud buttons allow you to undo the zippers fully or partially, as required, in order vent your legs without having the pant flap about all over the place.

This venting is the most important feature for me as I tire of constantly having to stop and change in and out of my pants due to intermittent spells of rain. Whilst hiking I leave these pants on from start to finish only adjusting the zippers occasionally as the weather changes.

The pants have stood up to some pretty tough conditions without failing me. They kept me dry upon Scafell when the clouds were thick with rain and throughout an extremely wet day climbing jack's rake which brings me to another positive which is the pant's durability. For such a thin pant they have stood up to some harsh abrasion at times. I'm not saying they're indestructible but they can cope if due care and attention is taken.

The Berghaus paclite overpant is best money I've spent on gear and I'm awarding them 4.5 stars, only because I haven't tried a wide enough range of other market brands to make a fair comparison, but as it stands the Berghaus Paclite overpant has proved faultless during several, testing outings and I recommend them to anyone who regularly hikes in Britain.