With the weather not at it’s most inviting at the moment for long walks at the moment what better opportunity is there for looking  your favourite outdoor shop uk and at what we might need when the weather improves. We all are very choosey when it comes to boots, base layers, fleeces and rucksacks, but we can forget it’ our legs that do most of the work so why not take the time to invest in a pair of good walking trousers to keep them warm and dry. So here are a few things to look out for when selecting a pair.

Fit – Well they need to be loose enough so that you have enough freedom of movement, but not so loose that you likely to take off when on the tops, but you need to avoid the     “flapping factor” so that they don’t rub. The waist needs to fit comfortable, well enough so that don’t fall down, but loose enough so that that don’t dig in. Look out for elasticated panels in the waist, and adjustable webbing belt or belt loops so that you have the maximum versatility.

Fabric – Depending on the season you might want to go for something that is reasonably light, wind-resistant, quick-drying and hard-wearing. If they are capable of resisting a light shower of rain, then that’s a definite bonus for the British weather, what ever the time of year. A little stretch will make movement a little easier – always helpful on steep ground or when climbing stiles. You are normally better going for synthetics as cotton tends to absorb moisture and dries more slowly, but the flip side is that they can  feel a little plasticky and don’t tend to look so casual, so you might want to consider a cotton/poly blend so that you get the best of both.

Pockets – When you are out walking, keeping items in hip pockets isn’t always practicable, so look for at least one zipped pocket for valuables and at least one cargo pocket large enough for your map/guidebook. Also some cargo pockets are now divided so that your mobile/gps can be stored.

Versatility – Performance can be important if you are buying a pair of dedicated walking trousers, so look for something that is designed specifically for the type of walking you are aiming for, more multi purpose garments might not have everything you want/need so you might have to compromise along the way.

Type – Here you go, whether to go for trousers, shorts or zip offs. Again it might be what you feel most comfortable in, or what type of walking you want to do, At the moment I am considering a pair of zip offs, so that I can start the summer walking with them as shorts and then when the weather turns cooler I can go back to the full trouser.

At the end of the day it’s all about your own personal preference, so have a look through this outdoor shop uk emporium at some of our best-selling trousers, zip offs and shorts on the website to see what choices outdoor clothing online can offer.