When should I put on waterproof overtrousers while hiking?

Put them on before your trousers get wet, not after. The best time is when you first feel those exploratory drops of rain or before you enter wet vegetation—waterproof overtrousers are preventative, not remedial, so they can't un-soak trousers that are already wet.

Why do I feel wet inside my waterproof trousers even though they're not leaking?

It's likely condensation from your own body heat. You generate more moisture from the inside than the fabric can breathe out, especially when climbing steadily with a pack on—this is just thermodynamics, and even expensive fabrics can't completely defeat it.

How do I stop my waterproof overtrousers from wetting out?

Regularly wash and reproof them to restore the DWR (Durable Water Repellent) treatment. When the DWR wears away—usually in high-friction areas like the seat and knees—water stops beading off and spreads across the fabric, which kills breathability and makes them fairly useless.

Do You Actually Need That?

The Futility of Adding Waterproofs After Your Legs Are Already Soaked

Why waterproof overtrousers work as prevention but not remedy, and why that three-minute faff before the rain starts is considerably less annoying than several hours of cold, damp regret.

1 November 20268 min read