Under trousers, over trousers, trousering free... (Lowe Alpine Storm Force)

Member Name: LegendaryMrDude

Product:	Lowe Alpine Storm Force
Date:	09/09/04 (1380 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Waterproof, Lightweight, Comfortable

Disadvantages: You may not be able to buy them for much longer!!!

With the exception of a particularly glorious fortnight in Cumbria in early May this year, just about every trip to the hills I have made in the last umpteen years has seen me get wet. Usually to the degree of Very. Which is why a decent pair of waterproof over-trousers is such a necessity in the UK.

The good thing about buying a pair of over-trousers is that it's just about the only time that you can try on a pair of trousers in the middle of the store, surrounded by onlookers without risking expulsion or arrest. Ok, maybe that's not a major selling point, but it does have a certain novelty value. And trying on over-trousers is an important thing, not to be underestimated. The problem is, you see, that by their very nature, over-trousers are generally worn over other garments. And as such, they won't always fit as well as the size may indicate. The situation is worsened by the various different cuts that manufacturers use.

Take these Lowe Alpine Storm Force jobbies as an example. They claim an athletic/sporty cut for fast moving activity on the hills. What this actually means, in real terms, is that they are reasonably close fitting. So if you're planning to wear them over a pair of shorts you should be just fine but should you, heaven forbid, want to wear them over a pair of jeans then you could find them getting very uncomfortable very quickly. When I tried them on in the shop, I did so over a trusty pair of walking trousers of the variety that zip off just above the knee to turn into a pair of shorts. I tried them on both with and without lower legs and found them to be equally well fitting in both configurations. I also left on my walking boots, for it is equally important that you shouldn't need to remove your footwear if you are trying to mimimise your exposure to the elements in the event of a sudden downpour. I am pleased to report that they fared equally well going on (and off) over a chunky pair of 3-season walking
boots of the gore-tex lined persuasion.

The trousers themselves are made of the now-defunct (and sorely missed) Triplepoint waterproof fabric. This is a lightweight, ripstop nylon based fabric that offers excellent "waterproofness" and moderate breathability. They come with an elasticated waist, complete with drawcord and a mesh pocket to the rear. The seams are taped for enhanced proofing against the elements and there are good-sized zips from the elasticated ankle-cuffs up to the knees, facilitating the donning/removal of said garment over chunky boots. They fold up nice and small and be compressed down to a size that is of almost no consequence in a day-sack. Certainly they find a place in my bag on all but the most sunny of days.

In everyday use they have proved time and again to be a highly effective piece of clothing. As already mentioned, they can be put on over boots and trousers in under a minute, and once in place provide excellent protection against the elements. Rain beads off them in excellent style and they are equally as impermeable to the wind, thus providing welcome relief from wind-chill at higher altitudes, especially in the wet. The cut of the trousers means that, unlike a number of th competition, there is minimal chafing between the legs and no feeling of bagginess (if such a word exists). The elasticated ankle-cuffs hold the neck of my boots well and stop water from getting in to my feet. The storm-flaps over the zips are moderately effective too. The elasticated, draw-corded waist is comfortable enough and does a grand job of holding them up, although it's more a token gesture as the fit is close enough that they are unlikely to fall down anyway.

Team them up with a decent pair of gloves, gaiters and a sturdy waterproof jacket and you will be able to achieve a smug satisfaction in the face of the various trials and tribulations thrown at you by the elements while enjoying the countryside.

A
s with all waterproof fabrics, they do start to deteriorate over time but this can be quickly remedied by washing them in Graingers extreme waterproofing solution and giving them a quick tumble-dry to reactivate the waterproof chemicals. I paid £55 for my pair, which I consider to be more than reasonable for the use I've had out of them. Alas they have seen better days and I fear that I will only be able to revive them a few more times before they get consigned to the great gear-graveyard in the sky (also known as the loft). When this happens, they will be sorely missed as the Triplepoint fabric from which they are constructed is no longer used, leaving gore-tex as the only option. Unfortunately, Gore-tex has the disadvantage of being a multi-layerd fabric whereas triplepoint was a single-layer with a special coating and so was significantly more flexible. So I shall soldier on with my trusty Storm Force pants, revitalising and resuccitating them until the can't go on any more. At which point I may have to go "trousering free"...

(to the theme tune from the Wombles)

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