recommend me a pair of trousers?
 

I know this really belongs in the Gear forums, but I just popped in there and a post I wrote in March is still on the front page :) So fair to say it's not very busy.

My Belstaff textile trousers are pretty much summer gear- they're great, but not very warm and not waterproof- they've got a big stretch panel over the knees that's completely porous. So rather than muck about with waterproof overtrousers I'm after a new pair for the winter.

They've got to be black (important that), easy to get on and off (right leg doesn't bend qutie right) and they've got to be fully armoured... Other'n that, anything goes. I've got no objection at all to paying good money for good gear, but I do like bargains ;)

Any suggestions?

I dont think what I wear quite matches your criteria...

But they are warm and they kept me dry for 200 miles along the M4 last night in the p*ssing rain. The armour is soft harmour in the knees and hips. But I knee armoud could be replaced with something else the hip armour couldnt, which IIRC will be a problem for you Northy.

They are a pair of Alpinestars Drystar Trousers. Removable Liner and they have a pocket on the outside which is handy but not waterproof. Couple of velcro tabs on the waits with a zip and two poppers, Legs have zips and poppers which are easy to get over boots.

IIRC they were about £150 but they've been out a while so you might be able to get them reduced / a bargain.

They are black they have a small A* logo on the left leg and some reflective pipping on both legs.

Cheers, I'll look into those... You can fit armour to anything if you don't mind sewing in pockets, so if the rest ofthe package is good that's not a killer.

i have just got a pair of lewis storm gaurd on black 2 zip pockets & 2big pockets half way bown the leg(like army trousers removable thermal linnig

these pants feel very comfertable(they are a bit tight on the calf(but i have big calfs)

i have not had chance to test them in the wet,im doing the bristol ride out today in them, but its not going to rain

i got them off patrickuk :wink: he said he wore them in -2 & was still warm

I would avoid Akito trousers - I got a pair last year. The waterproofing is ok and they're warm enough but the quality seems a bit suspect and I wouldn't have too much confidence in them in a spill. The waist band uses 2 prestuds to fasten and one of them has broken already! :shock:

Good question Northy..... I'm on the lookout myself :thumbsup:

Went out and bought a pair of Teknic Sprint 2 trousers on the spur of the moment :roll:

http://www.teknicgear.com/media/prod...p2_pt_main.jpg

I've dispensed with the stirrups and the old-man braces ;) Yet to test them in proper rain but they seem convincing- it's usually a good sign when they use proper cordura, and the knees came fitted with the Knox AirX combined hard and soft armour- that's the more expensive kind, which is also a good sign, though I don't honestly know if it's any better. The hip pockets are designed to take Knox hip armour too- the foam inserts are the exact size and shape of one of their armour kits, which I already had in the other trousers. I like that a lot, no big baggy pockets here so the armour stays where it's told.

The construction seems very solid... It's all double stitched, and the waistband has 2 heavy poppers instead of the wee hooks that you often find. All very confidence inspiring. They have a thermal lining, which I've removed as I always do as I'll be wearing them as overtrousers over my work trousers.

Teknic claim 100% waterproofness and provide a one year guarantee, so we'll see how that goes. £120 they were, and they come in a wide range of sizes, I think they come in ladies sizes as well. Quite pleased so far though.

Hi

I was looking into some new trousers myself a few weeks ago. J & S Accessories in Cowplain had Alpinestars Gortex for about £100 if I remember correctly. I decided I needed to loose some weight first :(

Tim

I use my leather jeans with german army goretex over trousers, £12- ebay purchase.
Then again it's probably a few degrees cooler up north.

It's more for convenience... I'll wear this gear over other trousers more often than not, leathers aren't so good for that.