PreCip Full Zip Pant

The key to running on very cold days is to keep your legs warm and dry. Wear running tights under a pair of these waterproof, windproof shell pants and create a layer of warm air to keep your muscles comfortable.

Coming from the same drawing board as the hugely popular Precip jacket, the matching Precip Pant is aimed at a similar user and is very good if you want lightweight, packable trousers. The weight is exceptionally low while the fabric offers excellent and proven performance. The trousers come in short, regular and long leg lengths so they should fit most people. This version also has a full-length sidezip so you can easily get it on and off while wearing boots of any type. There is a drawcord ankle cuff adjuster to control the fit a little too. A couple of zipped mesh pockets are provided while the waist gets elastication and drawcords. There is also a shortzip version at £50 if you want to save some cash (but this may not fit over big boots so easily, so try before you buy). Verdict: Very light, and ideal for anyone who wants lightweight overtrousers for year-round walking and backpacking. - by Graham Thompson

On an early-summer trip to Mt. Shasta, these bargain rain pants held up on glissades that ripped the seat out of more expensive models. Our test reports, “The pants didn’t leak a drop, even sliding in wet snow, and the PreCip fabric breathed well while I climbed with a base layer underneath.” Ankle zips make for easy on-off. The pull-ons have no fly, but for the price, we’re not complaining.