I'm desperately seeking some warm walking trousers. But I have a few problems.
1. I'm very short. I'm only 4'11", and I think my inside leg is about 27"
2. I'm rather curvy. OK, I'm fat! I'm a size 18-20, but I have a big tum rather than bum or hips.
3. I really don't want to spend £80 on a pair of kecks.
I have tried on a few pairs, but even the short ones I've tried have been at least 4-6" too long. I can take them up, but this only works if they don't have legs that are too fancy. I don't mind taking up the bottom hem, I don't even mind reworking it so that the lining and everything looks good, but if its got an articulated knee, I'm stuffed because I can't rework that so it isn't in the middle of my shin.
I'd like something waterproof and nice and warm. I did see rohan troggings, and they looked lovely and comfy and warm, but I think they failed on point 3.
I buy my walking trousers from Go Outdoors and always buy pairs that come in a short length as I am 5'1".
However, I never buy 'warm/thick' ones as I prefer to wear thermal underwear or thick tights and normal trousers.
I have just got back from trekking in Himalayas with minus degree temperatures and found layering much more effective to keep me warm. Also it is less expensive as normal trousers are easier to find and therefore more choice of style and price and Lidl sell very functional thermals at certain times.
Have you tried any Ron Hill Trackster type leggings? Might make you look a bit like Max Wall if you're not careful but ideal for walking. Try the Capri type with socks to bridge any gap at the bottom of the leg.
------------- Ollie
2016
Monplaisir - Provence
Camping Les Gorges du Loup
There is an interesting thread on the lonely planet forum, Nepal section, about trekking trousers and layering.
If I walk in the rain I wear BHS jogging trousers under my waterproofs and if I need to take the waterproofs off I still look quite presentable for continuing my walk.
I have some Brax trousers from TK Maxx. Don't know if they do short ones, but they would be easy enough to take up. That's if you can find any of course but they may have them online. I don't wear thick trousers either, much prefer thermal underwear and I don't walk in the rain unless absolutely necessary.
I sort of half have your problem in that I'm only 4ft 11 too so always find adult trousers/tracksuits/waterproofs etc too long in the leg, but luckily I'm fairly slim so I can fit into children's stuff. The tracksuit pants I'm wearing at the moment are age 13 and only this morning I bought some age 11-12 waterproofs in the perfect length. As for a rack, well I do sometimes wish my legs were longer but being small is an advantage when clothes are cheaper because they are children's.
------------- Tigermouse
I have a very temperamental personality - 50% temper and 50% mental
Crikey! Yeah, not much chance of me fitting into children's clothes! I do have teeny feet though and I can save money there. As long as I don't mind wearing wellies with Dora the Explorer on that is!!
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Topic: Walking trousers
