Rohan Dry Pioneer Waterproof Trousers for Men
Product Review & Walking Gear Test

	Dry Pioneer Waterproof Trousers for Men Vital Statistics: Colours: Carbon Sizes: 30-40 inches waist, regular (31 inches) leg length SRP: £98.00 Features to Note: Waterproof lined combat-style trousers Outer: 100% Polyamide fabric with DWR™ Lining: Barricade™ 100% Polyester 100% waterproof lining Two external hand pockets, one with D-ring inside Two external patch 'cargo' pockets Two zipped rear pockets Fly with protective gusset Side elasticated waist panels

Dry Pioneer Waterproof Trousers for Men

Vital Statistics:

Colours:
Carbon

Sizes:
30-40 inches waist, regular (31 inches) leg length

SRP:
£98.00

Features to Note:

Waterproof lined combat-style trousers
Outer: 100% Polyamide fabric with DWR™
Lining: Barricade™ 100% Polyester
100% waterproof lining
Two external hand pockets, one with D-ring inside
Two external patch 'cargo' pockets
Two zipped rear pockets
Fly with protective gusset
Side elasticated waist panels

Rohan says:"Leave your overtrousers at home. Waterproof, highly wind resistant and breathable; our Dry Pioneers look like a rugged combat trouser, while quietly setting a new standard for practical outdoor legwear."

In-use Test:

The Dry Pioneer Walking Trousers from Rohan have six pockets - two front pockets (the left one has a D-ring in it for attaching a key ring or carabiner), two zipped back pockets and two side pockets on the legs that are secured with velcro flaps. They have a zipped fly, complete with an extra flap of material to keep out moisture and a buttoned waist fastening. The waist is elasticated at the sides and there are plenty of belt loops though a belt is not supplied.

They fit like a pair of ordinary casual trousers or jeans - better in fact. I find most of the walking trousers I have tested have tended to be on the baggy side. The Rohan Dry Pioneers in contrast are slim fitting and nice and snug round my buttocks and legs. The sizing suggestions on the Rohan website proved to be pretty accurate. As a direct result they are very comfortable indeed whilst offering plenty of freedom of movement for clambering over stiles or walking over rocky terrain.

I first tried them out on a Wainwright Outlying Fell bagging trip in mid-November. The weather was cold, with strong winds and rain forecast. The fabric is a little stiffer than 'ordinary' walking trousers but I thought this not only made then hang better on my body but stopped them from looking creased. This also had the added benefit of making them extremely wind resistant as I stood on the first blowy summit of the day.

Later in the day when the heavens opened and it poured down - the Rohan Dry Pioneer Walking Trousers kept me nice and dry. Initially, the water droplets just rolled off the 100% Polyamide fabric which has a DWR (durable water repellent) finish - a coating that is added to the fabric at the factory to make it water resistant. But as the day wore on and the rain persisted, the fabric did start to wet out - particularly where it had got muddy - but the waterproof lining kept the rain at bay to excellent effect.

Indeed, throughout the day the Rohan Dry Pioneer Walking Trousers not only kept me dry but also proved to be pretty good at wicking moisture away from my body - even when the outer fabric was wet.

The issue of the outer fabric getting wet though does have its down side. Anything kept in any of the pockets also gets wet so this would not be a good place to keep anything that you want to keep dry - like everything you normally carry in your pockets - keys, phone, wallet. The two front pockets are also quite low cut and do not have a flap or zip or closing mechanism - so there is a danger of losing items when climbing stiles or when sitting on the ground having lunch. The lack of belt also seems to me an oversight - particularly given the price.

Buying Advice:

Superb pair of trousers that are slim fitting, windproof and waterproof while sufficiently stylish to wear around town in rain. They do seem rather expensive at first glance but they negate the need to buy and carry waterproof over-trousers - good ones can be pretty expensive too. Apart from a few minor gripes about the front pockets and the lack of belt - I cannot fault them. Excellent.

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